Product: Sandberg California EX5
Price Paid: Euros 800 USED
Submitted
08/18/2008
at
02:28pm
by
OYC
Email: oyc<at>algoblast dot com
Features
:
9
Made in Germany in 2007 I think.
22 frets, 5 strings
Volume (that also works as a push/pull for active/passive), tone, treble and bass eq and a switch to split the humbucker.
Pickup Configuration is JM. This is actually a California JM, only with a matching headstock and the J pickup is slightly leaning to the right.
Delano Pickups.
Active/Passive
European Ash body, Maple neck and rosewook fretboard
Dark Blueburst finish
Sandberg massive bridge
Sandberg tuners
Jumbo frets.
Gig bag included
Sound
:
8
It suits my style(s) perfectly, this is a monster jazz bass with amazing punch. My sound engineer was blown away by its sound in DI. I recorded a death metal album with it, even without mix the sound went through all the other instruments while remaining rich and precise.
I'm not using it with any effects at all, the only complain I would have are the Delano pickups, way too poor on mediums.
Other than that, the MM pickup alone give you deep bottoms, split it with the J one and you get a nice Jazz Bass sound we all love and respect.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
9
The action was just a little bit high for me (secondhand), but everything else was just perfect, this bass is a gem to look at. Eveybody seems to think so. The dark blueburst looks great and it's going to look even better with a white pickguard instead of a black one.
No flaws, Sandberg takes amazing care of its finish work
Reliability/Durability
:
10
With the weight and craftmanship of this monster, I can't imagine any problem with its durability.
I would definitely use it on a gig without a backup; and I can't even say that for my Fender Jazz Bass or any of my other basses... It goes without saying I totally rely on this one.
Though if you have back problems, you might wanna choose a strap accordingly.
Customer Support
:
10
These guys are incredibly helpful and will reply to your mails with great concern and oh so nicely I was quite surprised at first. Kudos on the customer support!
Overall Rating
:
9
I have been playing for the past 9 years, and own a Fender Jazz Bass, and a Sandberg Bullet Special, I can almost get all the sounds I need from this EX5, although because of the 34" neck, when I downtune to a Drop A, the A string, even with a 145 gauge string doesn't deliver the precise attack I want from it. The amp might help to solve that, but it would have to be a monster amp with some kind of 15 + 4x10 setup.
I chose this bass because of its versatile aspect, I can play jazz, latin and brutal death metal with it and it always sounded great.
I wish it was a little lighter (wait no, less heavy is more appropriate) but with my 6ft1 and 230, I'm not gonna cry about it :)
