Sandberg Basses with aged finishes

[Kripke]

Hi,

I very recently bought a Sandberg Florence bass on Reverb. It has what is referred to on the Sandberg website as a "soft aged" finish. The body has what I was expecting, which is small dents and dings on front, back and sides. However, (as per the photo) there is also a 6-7cm long curved scratch close to the tone control. It looks to me a bit like damage done after it left the factory, rather than a deliberately manufactured flaw in the finish.

I queried with the seller but they're insisting it's part of the aged finish. I've also emailed Sandberg, but I've not so far had any response.

Can anyone else with a Sandberg that has an aged finish tell me if scratches like this are typical for a new bass?

Edited December 20, 2025 by Kripke

[warwickhunt]

I wouldn't disagree that it seems like a random scratch (as opposed to factory) BUT the very fact the bass is 'aged' I can't see that you'd ever manage to claim it was / wasn't part of the process!  

[BassApprentice]

I'm going to say this is the first time someone has complained about marks on a reliced bass 😂

 

But jokes aside, I do understand that it doesn't quite look like aged wear. However, after a bit of extra playing it should fade into the distance.

[Kripke]

37 minutes ago, BassApprentice said:

I'm going to say this is the first time someone has complained about marks on a reliced bass 😂

 

Yeah, I guess I'm being a bit precious 😉  it's just the rest of the dings/dents are subtly done, but that scratch is like some 2 year old just picked up a key and attacked it! 😅

I really like the bass, so I'm keeping it - it just niggles a bit I've been sold slightly damaged goods (it was advertised as brand new).

Edited December 20, 2025 by Kripke

[Swills]

We’ve got another chat going on, however I’ve never seen a scratch like this on a relic bass. The team at Sandberg are really good, they’ve always gone above and beyond in replying to my messages and helping me out. I even got a hand drawn wiring diagram when they couldn’t find a schematic in their file. 
 

If you message them then they’ll let you know whether this is part of their relic process. I can confirm that mine has some strategic dents and marks but no surface scratches 

[Kripke]

Cheers,

I messaged Sandberg about a week ago through the website. Not had a response yet but I guess it's a busy time.

[franzbassist]

I’ve had a reliced Sandberg and I would say that is absolutely not part of their aging process.  Proving it is another matter of course.

 

What’s the actual finish?  You may be able to buff the worst of it out.

[itu]

[fretmeister]

That’s not part of a Sandberg relic. 

[Musicman20]

That looks like it was damaged! 

[Lozz196]

Yeah, my Sandberg that has medium relicing doesn’t have anything that looks like that on it. 

[NickA]

The cartoon says it all.

 

Logically, the genuine road wear ( the scratch) should add more value than the fake ( Sandberg applied ) wear.

 

Meanwhile on Wal and Warwick forums the question is "if I get my bass refinished to look like new, will it be more valuable" to which the answer is generally yes.  Equally dumb as it's the sound that counts.

[itu]

1 hour ago, NickA said:

Meanwhile on Fender forums the question is "if I get my bass refinished to look like new, will it be less valuable" to which the answer is generally yes. 

An addition. 

[jd56hawk]

I'm a fan of relic'd basses and even though I haven't seen every relic'd bass made, I haven't seen anything with what definitely looks like a post-relic scratch like that.

I would not be happy and I'd definitely contact them and ask for an explanation. 

[Musicman666]

my relic ..put a few extra doinks on it since i dont have to be treating it with kid gloves.