hand made quality
I have two Sandbergs and one of them is brand new today, with the other being the older Fender-style Jazz body. The older design was based on Fender Precision or Jazz body shapes, which are iconic. The new Sandbergs have a smaller profile and are rounder, departing from the Fender designs, and with a smaller headstock than the original Sandbergs.
Although the Fender Jazz body shape is my favourite style generally, I do like the new Sandberg design, just not as much. But I can understand the obvious reasoning behind moving away from a derivative design ethos: apart from the fact that a smaller body should translate into being lighter (although my new bass is pretty heavy for its size), and more ergonomic, I recognise the importance of Sandberg developing their own truly independent design identity.
The new body design also seems to lend itself to better layout on split pickup models for example. Their products are excellent quality, with PLEK'd fingerboards as a massive plus over the competition. However, overall I like the earlier body design better and the old tuning machines also seemed to be better quality and more durable. The new lightweight ones - whilst nice looking - seem to have chrome that isn't as good or durable in my opinion, and I had no problem with the heavier weight of the old steel tuning machines.
As far as customer service goes, I haven't had any big problems with Sandberg. They usually reply to emails in a helpful way, but occasionally I've felt fobbed off as if it's too much effort to help with a specific enquiry. Parts also seem very over-priced in my opinion and their online shop looks more like a token affair than a real effort to provide customers with a decent parts and accessories service.
Prices have also gone up quite a lot (they are still far better value for money than mass produced factory instruments in my opinion, whose prices have become extortionate on the 'big name' US brands), with the downside being that Sandberg don't supply instruments in decent hard cases, just gig bags. Considering the price this is a bit cheap on their part. The gig bag supplied also remains a little ugly (looks like a 1990's sports bag in maroon and black). No gig bag and slightly lower prices would be better in my opinion...
I'd give 5 stars if the above criticisms were addressed. Otherwise I'm happy with the bass I bought.