Sandberg and FoderaTwo High-End Basses with Suh Jiho

A green Sandberg California TT5 and a Fodera Imperial five-string are the instruments in KPOP MAGAZINE’s two performance videos with Suh Jiho. The bassist, who studied at Seoul Institute of the Arts, plays an instrument from each maker, giving viewers a chance to hear both alongside an introduction to their backgrounds.

Sandberg and the California tradition

Germany’s Sandberg offers the California TT in four- and five-string versions. Its two-pickup layout and bolt-on neck place it within the familiar J-style bass tradition, while the catalogue offers choices in scale length, fingerboard and finish. The instrument in this session is a TT5 in British Racing Green with Masterpiece Aged treatment. ^[1]

In a hands-on California TT4 review, Harmony Central’s Phil O’Keefe examined details including the neck joint, wiring and fretwork, and judged the instrument’s price reasonable in relation to its build quality. Guitar World’s Ed Friedland also praised the construction of a California TM and highlighted its range of customisation options. ^{[2], [3]}

What Masterpiece Aged means

Masterpiece Aged is Sandberg’s most detailed aging treatment, with wear applied to the body, neck, fingerboard and hardware. Thermal and vibration treatments are also part of the process. ^[4]

Fodera and the boutique bass market

Vinny Fodera and Joey Lauricella founded Fodera in Brooklyn in 1983. Its history of handmade instruments and collaboration with musicians underpins its position in the boutique bass market. Imperial is part of the maker’s single-cut design family. ^{[5], [6]}

Guitar World included the Emperor 5 Standard Classic in its high-end bass guide. In a 2026 review of the Fodera × Trickfish preamp, Bass Magazine’s Jonathan Herrera described Fodera as a “holy grail brand.” ^{[7], [8]}

Imperial itself covers multiple versions, including Elite, Select and Bolt-On instruments. ^[6]

Suh Jiho’s playing impressions

After playing both instruments, Suh Jiho shared his impressions of their feel, weight and tone.

“Both basses felt comfortable to play. The Sandberg was light, while the Fodera was a little heavier. Both had long sustain, which made it easy to control how long I wanted each note to last.”

“The sound can vary with the strings, but to my ears the Sandberg was slightly brighter than the Fodera. The Fodera sounded weightier, with a little more low end and a smoother feel.”

Bass performance Suh Jiho (서지호)