So for reference I have had a Kramer, Fenders and G&Ls. I sold everything off because of Sandberg's.
Sandberg's are absolutely phenomenal basses you cannot go wrong with them, beautifully made, great sound and if you like the relic look they do it phenomenally well IMO.
I have a VS4 (P bass passive) and a MarloweDK (jazz bass passive with pups in 70's position), my good buddy has a TT4 and a VM4 and i know another gentleman with one.
The precision in the manufacture is amazing, and I love a zero fret, everything that you describe is what you hear and what you get and you cannot go wrong with a Sandy.
You get the P bass thump with the VM4 and whilst the M pick up on its own does not give you a Stingray sound, and some perceive as weak, I disagree and what it actually does it blends a little clarity to cut through the mix in the live/band situation.
Which pups did they have in?
The Sandberg in house pick ups are great and will give you a slightly warmer more authentic sound, the Delano pick ups they use I've a slightly clearer more "hi-fi" type sound if that is your thing.
£1200 is a great price for a new bass, but if you are prepared to hold out you can get one for approx £700 second hand.
There is one on here/eBay/Facebook/gumtree in surf green I think in Southampton.
If you want to go wild you can get a custom one, but it's a 9month wait and can approach £2k depending on treatment and ageing options.
Go to the Sandberg configurator online and have a whirl!
http://www.configurator.sandberg-guitars.de
Come and join the Sandberg club, you will not be unhappy