Sandberg Basses: German Craft, California Soul

Sandberg builds basses the German way: by hand, in Braunschweig, since 1986. Founder Holger Stonjek started the company with one idea — take the classic California shapes every bassist already loves, and build them with obsessive precision, modern hardware, and woods and finishes the big factories wouldn't bother with. Nearly forty years on, Sandberg is what players reach for when they want a familiar silhouette that plays like a precision instrument.

At Bass Central, Sandberg is one of our deepest lines — over 100 Sandberg basses in stock as of this writing, including the largest flock of featherweight SuperLights you're likely to find anywhere. Here's the lineup, in plain English.

The Sandberg alphabet, in plain English

Sandberg's California series is named by pickup layout. Once you crack the code, the whole wall makes sense:

• TT — The classic J-style: two single-coil pickups, that bright, burpy, articulate voice. The traditionalist's Sandberg.
• TM — J-style neck pickup plus a big humbucker at the bridge. Jazz bass finesse and Music Man punch in one bass — the best-seller for a reason.
• VS — The P-style: a split-coil pickup and nothing you don't need. Thump, simplicity, done.
• VM — A reverse P pickup plus a humbucker at the bridge — the aggressive one, built for players who hit hard.
• SuperLight — Not a model, a build philosophy: paulownia bodies and light hardware that bring a full-scale bass in under 7 lbs — some of ours are barely over 6. Your shoulder will send a thank-you note.
• Hardcore Aged — Sandberg's hand-done relic finishes: checked lacquer, honest wear, vintage feel, zero actual vintage problems.
• Lionel — The 30-inch short-scale line, named with love: full Sandberg quality in a compact, fast-playing package. There's a 32.5-inch medium scale too, for players who want something in between.

The lineup

California series (TM, TT, VS, VM) — The core of the range: classic shapes, flawless fretwork, and electronics voiced for the real world. Most of ours are SuperLights — over 60 in stock right now — but standard-weight and Hardcore Aged versions cover the vintage end.

Nighthawk — The California in stealth mode: black hardware, ebony board, darker finishes. Same basses, meaner wardrobe.

California Central — Sandberg's modern offset take on the California idea, with its own body lines and a gloss finish — the one that doesn't look like anything else on the wall.

Forty Eight and Panther — The rockers: sharper styling, built for stages and heavier music. The Forty Eight also carries Victor Brandt's signature model.

Lionel and Florence short scales — 30-inch scale done properly — not student basses, just smaller ones, with the same pickups, hardware, and build quality as the full-size line.

Signature models — MarloweDK (Thomas Risell's road-worn TT), Ida Nielsen, Oliver Riedel, and Martin Mendez signatures all pass through our wall — working players' exact specs, not tribute pieces.

On the wall at Bass Central right now

A sample of what's in stock — the full lineup is on our Sandberg page:

• California TM-5 SuperLight, Matte 3-TSB / Maple, 6.7 lbs — $2,899
• California TM-5 SuperLight, Black / Roasted Neck / Pau Ferro, 7 lbs — $3,199
• California TT-4 SuperLight, 3-Tone Sunburst / Pau Ferro, 6.1 lbs — $2,599
• TT-5 SuperLight, Matte Black / Pau Ferro, 6.7 lbs — $3,199
• California TT-5 SuperLight, Natural Matte / Maple, 6.3 lbs — $2,799
• California VM4, Hardcore Aged Orange Metallic / Pau Ferro — $3,499
• TM-4 Nighthawk Plus, Inca Silver / Ebony — $3,199
• California Central 5, Dark Grey Gloss / Maple, 8.3 lbs — $2,849
• Forty Eight Victor Brandt Signature, Hardcore-Aged Black / Ebony, 8.3 lbs — $3,329
• California TT-4 Marlowe DK Signature, Hardcore-Aged Red / Rosewood, 8.3 lbs — $3,399
• California VS (Lionel) Short Scale, Matte Tobacco Burst / Maple, 8.1 lbs — $2,299
• VS-4 Medium Scale (32.5"), Redburst / Pau Ferro — $2,899

Which Sandberg is right for you?

• Your back is done with 10-lb basses — SuperLight, full stop. A 6.1-lb TT-4 changes what a four-set night feels like.
• Classic J tone — TT. P-bass thump — VS. Both, plus a humbucker — TM, or VM if you dig in hard.
• Smaller hands, or a short-scale convert — Lionel (30") or the 32.5" medium scale. No quality compromise either way.
• You want a story on the bass — Hardcore Aged finishes and the signature models: MarloweDK, Victor Brandt, Ida Nielsen.

Why buy your Sandberg from Bass Central?

The #1 Bass Dealer Since 1996 — with 500 plus basses in stock, basses are all we do. Every Sandberg we sell is photographed, weighed, and inspected here in Fern Park, Florida, and the one in the photos is the one that ships to you.

Questions on any of these basses? Call or Email 800-545-8813 or sales@basscentral.com
NO TAX (Excl FL) FREE SHIPPING in the Continental USA

Browse the full Sandberg lineup at www.basscentral.com — and if the one you want just sold, call us. Sandbergs move fast, and more are always on the way.