Sandberg California TM4 II VS Music Man StingRay Special

This video is not sponsored by any of the brands mentioned!

3:20 direct comparison

This video was created to complete the story of the sound of two exceptional basses, which is a very interesting and long-open topic in the bass community. Since many were interested in comparing the sound of these two basses, I am finally in a position to make a video the way I think it would help me in my choice.
For this occasion, I only used the humbucker in active mode on Sandberg, to make the comparison as realistic as possible. Also, I played Sandberg in two different ways. The first is with a flat EQ's and the second with an EQ set to mimic StingRay as much as possible (let me remind you that it is a Darkglass Tone Capsule with one bass and two mid EQ / 70Hz, 500Hz and 2.8kHz). Both basses have DR 40-100 new strings (3 days older on a StingRay).
First part of the video is a theme from RHCP song Walkabout, played on all three different combination. The second part of the video is direct comparison of shorter parts of the songs: first StingRay-Sandberg flat and then StingRay-Sandberg with EQ.

In one of my next videos I will try to cover a comparison between Sandberg in passive mode with two singles and a Fender Jazz.

Let me know in the comments what you think about the sound :)

Music Man StingRay Special 2018, with Ebony fretboard, Roasted maple neck and upgraded 18V preamp.

Sandberg California TM4 II 2018 Custom with Darkglass Tone Capsule preamp on board (70Hz, 500Hz, 2.8kHz).
Delano pickups, Ebony fretboard, all roasted wood, Aged Hardcore Reserved, block inlays with neck binding and matching Reversed Headstock.

Recorded through Focusrite Scarlet 2i2 with just a bit of compression on both basses.

Music themes in this video:

-RHCP Walkabout
-RHCP Transcending
-RATM Killing In The Name

No copyright infringement intended.

[joemurray]

Dude you deserve more subscribers - this is the Lords work right here!

[Djole_NS]

I'm not going to pretend to be smart like many in the comments, but I'll just say: if I had enough money and needed to buy a bass now, of all the brands in the world, it would be one of the Sandberg California models. And since I don't have a lot of money, and I don't need super high-quality instruments for large halls and stadiums, I remain very satisfied with my modified Harley Bentons and Staggs.

[BlackRootsAcademyOfSoul]

Sandberg with J and MM Pickups, that's the best of both worlds 👌🏿

[Manakel]

the MM sounds like... a tighter Musicman. the Sandberg sounds like... a 70's Fender Jazz with a modern twist. the MM has more character and depth, the Sandberg cuts the mix much better though. I appreciated the comparison, no slap, no show off. well done.

[elevenAD]

The Music man for me! sounds great! i do like the Sandberg's active tone more than its passive though

[KlemensCathcartBass]

Nice one man, both basses really are exceptional. Enjoyed listening to the tonal characters of each one 👌🏽

[pwokaren]

I have a Stingray which I love. Now I want a Sandberg too. The bottom end sounds amazing. ⭐️

[christianscott]

Like the music man for studio work. Silky, milky, with a little froth, and good sub low end...
I am a drummer though, so from my perspective, for what it's worth
The Sandberg sounds like it's "club ready" maybe more fluid across multiple styles... Ie the go to cover band bass, where you are changing genres every other song

[johnl.]

Great playing. Great comparisons on each bass you choose! Thanks!

[jimc]

Excellent work! Switching back and forth with the same groove was perfect. Great playing as well.

[luigi.zanini]

Stingray 0:42
Sandberg 1:45

You have to consider that the humbucker pickup on Sandberg is closer to the bridge than on Stingray, and that it's an alnico pickup, on the contrary the Stingray pickup is a neodymium pickup.

I prefer the Stingray sound, more bottom-end and less high-end

[dmccombe]

The MM sounds more tonally even across the strings. TM4 appears to have a deeper and more rounded low end and sharper mids with flat EQ's. TM4 also seems to have cleaner mids to hi end. The neck on the Sandbergs is what i like most about them. I do like the eveness of the MM over the strings. Not sure why the MM always had flat EQ when the TM4 was boosted. Not a like for like comparison. Would have been good to hear the MM with boosted EQ against the TM4.

[MrAMG-fnpw]

I still can never get over the sound of a real MM, but damn that Sandberg is one of the best comparisons for something just a little bit diff but super close to the MM sound

[MrLouisianaHayride]

I've got a TM4 and now want a MM lol. The MM has that little something extra I want to hear.
Not that it would make much difference in a bar gig. The TM4 gets the job done and has a nice variety of tones.

[bassimprovjams]

Them Sandbergs are nice! I've been wanting one, nothing growls like a stingray tho

[roykato]

Nice comparison! You mentioned DR Strings but unsure which ones? They sound like the Lo-Riders Nickels

[DanielPerez-vtez]

Born and raised California boy, but Sandberg wins. The single coil makes the difference. I had a Stingray 5 HH, but sold it because neck pickup is too close to fretboard for my style. Gonna buy a Sandberg 2 California TM5.

[verwindung]

Great playing and comparison. Both sound really good. I love the growly fatness of the Sandberg down low, but how hard is it on the Sandberg to eq out that clackiness (string noise) on the top end? Every review I’ve listened to seems to have it, so I guess it’s just part of the Sandberg sound?

[Paolo-Piliego]

The StingRay is a beautiful instrument, but the Sandberg is much more versatile

[jagged_little_phil]

They both sound great! Do you have a personal favorite?