FS/feeler 1980 Musicman Sabre black maple

ronnieb · #1 06-30-2011, 10:39 PM

It's time to sell this old guy. How much is this worth? I was hoping for at least $1100. This bass sounds fantastic but the neck is too small for me. I am too used to playing my 6s. Plus I ordered a Stingray 519 HH. For being 30+ years old it's in great shape.

Here are the odd things about it:

one tuner is bent, the clover metal, tunes fine
pickups have been rewound and sound awesome, also rewired
neck was planed and refretted by Ron Ruggiero in Philadelphia in the late 80s. Quite a bit of neck was taken down, removed the fret markers.

I would prefer not to mail this and let someone local check it out. Orange County, CA.

drewk · #2 07-01-2011, 02:37 AM

Hi, If you fancied a trade, I have an immaculate (9.8 out of 10) sun burst fretless stingray, that I'm about to out on the market?

I already own a sabre, but would love a second...

Cheers

Andrew

danzub · #3 07-01-2011, 04:59 AM

PM'ed

MaddAnthony_59 · #4 07-01-2011, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drewk

...I already own a sabre, but would love a second...

Cheers

Andrew

I heard that! Sabre's Rock!

sanfordandsonny · #5 07-01-2011, 05:53 AM

That's a beaut what is the nut width?
Bump

ronnieb · #6 07-01-2011, 08:42 AM

Nut width is 1-1/2"

ronnieb · #7 07-01-2011, 08:50 AM

Sorry, not interested in the fretless trade. I like to fret.

raal · #8 07-01-2011, 01:41 PM

Sabres are killer basses. Listen to the late Mike Wiley from Dazz band and of course Louis Johnson and you'll know why. This catches me at the wrong time as i've been going back to 4 strings lately.

Any dead spots on the neck?
Truss rod adjustment both directions?
Ash?
Weight?
neck scars?

ronnieb · #9 07-01-2011, 04:33 PM

no
not sure
not sure
8 lbs. 15 oz
a few on the fretboard nothing noticeable on the back of the neck

I think the buyer needs to play this bass.

jtlee · #10 07-01-2011, 10:07 PM

I met Ron today and played this bass - great guy to deal with.

Just to let any prospective buyers know, at least one of the mini-switches has been replaced (I think all three actually), as have the Volume and Treble pots. The Bass pot had an R13778XXX code on it, so 1978 pot.

The bass sounds AWESOME - the pickup rewind really beefed up the tone! The wiring job was clean as well. The neck is nearly straight with almost zero relief. As he mentioned, the fingerboard was shaved down alot - the side dot markers are gone. We didn't have a proper allen wrench so I couldn't test the truss rod, but I'm sure Ron will get one shortly. The frets are pretty low and will need a level/dress if you want to get the action super low, but with the medium action that was on it, played great.

Good luck with the sale!

raal · #11 07-03-2011, 04:17 PM

Thanks for the report

an awesome deal for a bass of this caliber

tlvernon · #12 07-12-2011, 08:30 AM

sold yet?

ronnieb · #13 07-12-2011, 09:15 AM

nope, I have been holding out for someone local who can play it first, but that is not working out for me.

**southlakesmusic** · #14 07-21-2011, 07:24 AM

Hi! great bass, would you be willing to ship your bass to Chicago? PM'd with details. Thanks.

ronnieb · #15 07-31-2011, 09:34 AM