80's Double Humbucker Stingray

funkysurfer · #1 05-30-2011, 07:46 PM

Just watched "Ozzy 30 years after the blizzard" and saw Rudy Sarzo playing a double humbucker Stingray on Crazy Train. Had no idea they existed back then. Wondering if it was a custom job or something that was once in production?

Here is the video. Clear shot at about 4:45.

YouTube - ‪Ozzy Osbourne - Crazy Train‬&rlm;

GBBSbassist · #2 05-30-2011, 07:47 PM

I didn't check the video, but you're probably talking about a Saber.

fu22ba55 · #3 05-30-2011, 07:50 PM

Yup. Sabre. This one. (mine's a '79)

funkysurfer · #4 05-30-2011, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fu22ba55

Yup. Sabre. This one. (mine's a '79)

Yup. That's it. Just watched the vid again and noticed the pickguard.

Killer bass man!

fu22ba55 · #5 05-30-2011, 08:03 PM

Thx man.

Search around here on TB re: Sabres. Lots of talk of them. Body shape was slightly smaller than the 'Ray (Sabre was more slender), and bridges were different.

**StrangerDanger** · #6 05-30-2011, 08:04 PM

Sabre = precursor to the L-2000?

fu22ba55 · #7 05-30-2011, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrangerDanger

Sabre = precursor to the L-2000?

Pretty much agreed upon.

MFDs same size as Sabre pups... high-mass horseshoe bridge on both... similar switches, etc...

IMO Leo picked up with the L2K where he left off with the Sabre.

Someone who was around when that whole Fender / Ernie Ball thing went down will be able to chime in with the details. They may have more specific info over on the Music Man forum.

Dr. Cheese · #8 05-30-2011, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fu22ba55

Pretty much agreed upon.

MFDs same size as Sabre pups... high-mass horseshoe bridge on both... similar switches, etc...

IMO Leo picked up with the L2K where he left off with the Sabre.

Someone who was around when that whole Fender / Ernie Ball thing went down will be able to chime in with the details. They may have more specific info over on the Music Man forum.

I don't know about that except that they were both Leo Fender designs. A L-2000/2500 sounds nothing like a Sabre or Stingray HH.

fu22ba55 · #9 05-30-2011, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

A L-2000/2500 sounds nothing like a Sabre or Stingray HH.

Sonically they are very different. The MM pups and pre's of that era have their own sound. And the MFDs have their own sound.

L2Ks sound nothing like Sabres.

But from a design standpoint the family lineage is unquestionable.

(But you're totally right. Don't go buying an L2K thinking it will sound like a Sabre or vice versa).

Caca de Kick · #10 05-30-2011, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkysurfer

Had no idea they existed back then.

It really is funny to think about....
Musicman says the Sabre was the failure of their lineup. But with G&L it's their flagship. Especially when you think about how little G&L has always advertized, vs Musicman being everywhere.
True, the two are only similar in appearance. But for the Sabre, "had no idea they existed" is something I hear all the time.
Yup it is still very much like an old Ray, but with lots of booty added...and I mean lots!

Dr. Cheese · #11 05-31-2011, 12:00 AM

The Sabre has the neck pup pretty close to the fingerboard while the L-2000 had pickups in the Ken Smith position. That is a huge factor on how they sound.

bassbrad · #12 05-31-2011, 12:01 AM

I briefly owned a Music Man Cutlass bass which was a Sabre bass with a graphite neck, very unique bass.

trunkshope6 · #13 05-31-2011, 02:34 AM

Wasn't the cutlass a regular ray with a status neck?

Pj,Rj,Hj · #14 05-31-2011, 02:51 AM

Both, Cutlass 1 & 2

Caca de Kick · #15 05-31-2011, 02:53 AM

Right, both were offered with the graphite neck:
Cutlass I was the StingRay
Cutlass II was the Sabre

trunkshope6 · #16 05-31-2011, 12:16 PM

O nice I never knew that ha,freakin ebmm

Runnerman · #17 05-31-2011, 12:39 PM

MM doesn't say the Sabre was a failure, they say that the customers chose the bass they wanted and chose the Ray. If you want to look at strict sales numbers ok. But they will not concede that it was a failure from an instrument point of view. The Sabre is a great bass.

**StrangerDanger** · #18 05-31-2011, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Runnerman

MM doesn't say the Sabre was a failure, they say that the customers chose the bass they wanted and chose the Ray. If you want to look at strict sales numbers ok. But they will not concede that it was a failure from an instrument point of view. The Sabre is a great bass.

Maybe they were just ahead of their time. Id like to see a reissue.

Dr. Cheese · #19 05-31-2011, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Runnerman

MM doesn't say the Sabre was a failure, they say that the customers chose the bass they wanted and chose the Ray. If you want to look at strict sales numbers ok. But they will not concede that it was a failure from an instrument point of view. The Sabre is a great bass.

Plus one! I had a Sabre, and it was great! I know one of the best basses I ever played was a fretless Sabre at a music store in Atlanta. It had a gorgeous fretless tone, and when slapped, it sounded just like Louis Johnson on Stomp!

**smperry** · #20 05-31-2011, 01:11 PM

Great basses.

If anyone happens to come across a white MM Sabre with a set of Novatone fingerboards, please drop me a line. I owned it for a while, and the guy who sold it to me is on the lookout to get it back.