Sandberg Basses Florence Mahogany 30"

Sandberg Florence Short Scale Mahogany

Just 3.45 kg of pure, no-nonsense short-scale tone. The Sandberg Florence strips away everything you don’t need and leaves you with a bass that does one thing incredibly well – it thumps.

Braunschweig Meets the ’70s

Sandberg has been handbuilding basses in Braunschweig, Germany since 1986, and the Florence is proof that they know when to hold back. Where most modern builders keep adding features, Sandberg went the other way – one pickup, two knobs, a push-pull switch, and that’s it. The Florence draws heavily from the muddy, warm bass sounds of the ’70s, channeling the spirit of Gibson’s EB-series through German engineering precision. It’s a retro concept built with modern consistency, and Bass Buddha is proud to carry it as an authorized Sandberg dealer.

Full Mahogany - Through and Through

This is the all-mahogany version, and it sounds exactly like you’d hope. Mahogany body paired with a mahogany neck creates a bass that’s warm from the ground up. There’s a richness and depth to the midrange that you simply don’t get from alder or ash – notes bloom with a woody, almost organic quality that makes every line feel like it has weight behind it.

Where mahogany really shines on a short-scale bass is in the low end. The 30″ scale naturally produces a looser, more pillowy fundamental, and mahogany leans into that character rather than fighting it. You get bass notes that are round and full without being boomy – they sit in a mix with a natural warmth that recording engineers love because it needs very little EQ to sound right.

The rosewood fretboard rounds things off beautifully. It softens the attack just enough to keep everything smooth and musical, even when you dig in hard. Combined with the mahogany body and neck, the overall voice is dark, warm, and wonderfully tactile – this bass responds to how you play it.

One Pickup, Endless Character

The Sandberg Power Humbucker sits in the sweet spot between neck and bridge position, and it’s a beast. Don’t let the simple setup fool you – this single pickup with its metal cover delivers a surprisingly wide range of tones.

The magic is in the push-pull tone control. In its standard position, you get a balanced, full-range tone with clear P-bass-like character – defined, punchy, and present. Pull the tone knob up and the Florence drops into what Sandberg calls “mud city” – a special capacitor cuts the mids and high end, leaving you with nothing but deep, thumpy, old-school warmth. It’s the sound of a vintage bass recorded through a tube amp with the tone rolled off, and it’s absolutely glorious for anything from Motown grooves to stoner rock.

Two knobs. One switch. Zero confusion. Plug in and play.

A Bass That Disappears on Your Shoulder

At 3.45 kg, the Florence is featherweight. You’ll forget you’re wearing it – and on a three-hour gig, that matters more than any spec on paper. The 30″ scale makes it effortless to play, with less string tension that invites a lighter touch and rewards fingerstyle playing. Guitarists doubling on bass will feel instantly at home, and seasoned bassists will appreciate having a compact, lightweight option that doesn’t compromise on tone.

The matte finish on the mahogany body feels natural and inviting – no sticky lacquer, just smooth wood under your arm. The 4-bolt neck joint is solid and stable, and the chrome hardware is understated and functional.

This is a bass for players who value simplicity and tone above all else. Whether you’re laying down warm grooves in a soul band, holding down the low end in a garage rock trio, or just looking for an inspiring instrument to write with at home, the Florence delivers. It’s German craftsmanship at a price point that makes sense, and it comes with Sandberg’s own gigbag and certificate.