I purchased a brand-new Sandberg California II VM4 EB VW from Thomann expecting a premium instrument, but what I received was far from it. The bass arrived with multiple cosmetic defects, including a lacquer defect, shoddy paintwork near the neck bolts, and a recessed bump on the ebony fretboard at the 12th fret.
Despite providing clear photos of these flaws, Thomann’s response has been disappointing. They labeled most defects as “within tolerance” and only offered a small discount rather than honoring a return and refund for what is clearly a defective product.
Their reluctance to take responsibility and arrange for a return is unacceptable for a company selling high-end instruments. Buyers should be aware that Thomann may not handle issues like this to your satisfaction, leaving you with a flawed product and little recourse.
I would caution anyone considering this product or Thomann as a retailer.