Sandberg Basses Florence Tobacco Sunburst 30"

Sandberg Florence Tobacco Sunburst Soft Aged 30"

Tobacco Sunburst, a single humbucker, and 30 inches of short-scale attitude. The Sandberg Florence in Soft Aged Tobacco Sunburst is one of those basses that makes you smile the moment you pick it up – it’s light, it’s fast, and it sounds like the ’70s in the best possible way.

Retro Spirit, German Precision

The Florence is Sandberg’s love letter to the warm, thumpy bass tones of the ’70s – think Gibson EB-series and classic short-scale vibes, but built with the consistency and attention to detail that only a German workshop can deliver. Sandberg introduced the Florence to offer something deliberately simple in a world of increasingly complex instruments. One pickup, two knobs, a push-pull switch, and you’re done. No decision fatigue, no menu diving – just plug in and play.

The Soft Aged finish gives the Florence a gently worn-in look without going full relic. The Tobacco Sunburst finish shows subtle signs of use – enough to give it character and make it feel like an instrument you’ve owned for years, but nothing that looks like it’s been dragged behind a tour bus. It’s the sweet spot between brand new and road-worn.

This is the alder-bodied Florence, and it brings a different character to the table compared to its mahogany sibling. Where the all-mahogany version leans into warmth and darkness, the alder body opens things up with more midrange presence and a tighter, punchier low end. Notes have more snap and definition, and the overall voice sits a little higher in the frequency spectrum – brighter isn’t the right word, but more focused and articulate.

The Canadian Hard Rock maple neck adds speed and snap to the equation. Maple is bright, responsive, and incredibly stable – it gives every note a clear, defined attack that helps the bass cut through even in a busy mix. Alder body, maple neck – it’s a proven combination that delivers clarity and punch with just enough natural warmth to keep things musical. The neck feels fast and smooth, with the kind of consistent response that lets you lock into a groove and stay there.

The rosewood fretboard balances the maple neck’s brightness with a touch of warmth and smoothness under your fingers. Tonally, rosewood softens the attack just enough to take the edge off without losing definition. It’s the classic counterpoint to a snappy maple neck – adding a woody richness to each note that works perfectly with the Florence’s vintage-inspired voice.

The Power Humbucker

Sitting right in the sweet spot between neck and bridge position, the Sandberg Power Humbucker with its metal cover is deceptively versatile for a single pickup. In its standard position, you get a full, balanced tone with clear definition and a P-bass-like punch that cuts through a band mix without breaking a sweat.

Pull the tone knob up and the Florence drops into a completely different gear. A special capacitor cuts the mids and highs, leaving you with nothing but deep, round, thumpy warmth – what Sandberg lovingly calls “mud city.” It’s the sound of a vintage bass with the tone rolled all the way off, recorded through a tube amp. Perfect for dub, Motown, soul, stoner rock, or anywhere you want the bass to be felt more than heard.

Light, Fast, Fun

The Florence is built to be effortless. The 30″ short scale means less string tension, a more compact neck, and a playing feel that invites you to relax and groove rather than muscle through. The Soft Aged finish on the neck means no lacquer grabbing at your thumb – just smooth, fast wood. And at short-scale weight, you’ll barely notice it on your shoulder.

Whether you’re a guitarist looking for a bass that feels familiar, a seasoned player who wants a compact gigging option, or someone who simply values tone and simplicity above all else – the Florence delivers. Handmade in Germany, with Sandberg’s signature build quality, at a price that makes sense.