• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

'79 Musicman Sabre electronics

#21
RiddimKing said:
You asked about usable settings. I own 4 Sabres and use two pretty exclusively (a 79 pre EB and an 88 EBMM). For the 79, which has your switching scheme, I tend towards both PUs on, with the treble knob slightly dialed, and the bass between a little nudge on and 1/2. (The previous poster got it right: the coil switch and the treble boost should always remain off.) I run an Ampeg SVT-III Pro with the graphic EQ off, bass and low mid boosted a bit past 12, treble about neutral and high mid at 10 O'clock. This gives me a sort of boosted P-Bass sound--great bottom but she cuts through the mix as well. I've never found a bass that feels as comfortable, or gives me the tone I've always craved. If you're interested, here's a link to some rehearsal demos my band just recorded (into a Zoom H2--so this is not multitrack recording): the bass is the 88 Sabre through an Ampeg B-100 Rocketbass amp. Link Removed
Click to expand...

I have an SVT3 Pro ATM too- I'll try it. So you're saying you have bass and treble rolled almost off?

My understanding is that the phase switch only does anything when both PUPs are on.

I often use mine with back PUP only - set to Stingray, but usually with both on.
 
#24
What do you consider "on" with the phase switch.

On my Sabre, when I have the switch to the louder position, the volume matches all my other Musicmans and the tone is full like my other Musicman's. And yes I can toggle between the neck and bridge pickups and it changes accordingly.
I always thought this was 'in phase' or 'on'.


But if I flip that phase switch to the 'suck' position, the volume drops dramatically and the tone is very thin and anemic and no longer sounds like my other Musicmans. I never use it...it sucks!
 
#26
Caca de Kick said:
What do you consider "on" with the phase switch.

On my Sabre, when I have the switch to the louder position, the volume matches all my other Musicmans and the tone is full like my other Musicman's. And yes I can toggle between the neck and bridge pickups and it changes accordingly.
I always thought this was 'in phase' or 'on'.


But if I flip that phase switch to the 'suck' position, the volume drops dramatically and the tone is very thin and anemic and no longer sounds like my other Musicmans. I never use it...it sucks!
Click to expand...

Phase on = suck. And it sucks exactly the same, no matter where the pickup selector switch is set.
 
#27
danomite64 said:
Phase on = suck. And it sucks exactly the same, no matter where the pickup selector switch is set.
Click to expand...

So which way is 'suck' for you? Where the volume is big and full, or where the volume is low and anemic?
On mine (1980), the switch is flipped toward the bridge, and that's where it's big and full. And my pickup selector works.
 
#30
Caca de Kick said:
So which way is 'suck' for you? Where the volume is big and full, or where the volume is low and anemic?
On mine (1980), the switch is flipped toward the bridge, and that's where it's big and full. And my pickup selector works.
Click to expand...

Suck = anemic, obviously. Are you deliberately misunderstanding me?

Webtroll said:
maybe he means is sounds bad out of phase regardless of the pickup selector position?
Click to expand...

Yes. That's it.
 
#32
It's been many years since I got rid of mine (hell if I can remember why I did, only problem I had was the occassional finger cut on those pickup edges) but I can't remember playing with the switches a whole lot. I played in a metal band with both pickups on and in phase for the biggest, fullest sound I could obtain. Even now, several decades later, I tend to dial in a favorite tone from a bass and leave it that way. If I want a tweak I reach for the amp (which is why I don't use my MB-1 much) or a pedal.
 
#33
hey guys, im bringing an OLD thread bak 2 life!!!

i know about a LEFT handed Sabre near me, nice Maple fretboard, awesome sound, coz im used to just having a MIM fender JAzz!!!

problem is that its a 1979 model, and its £1300!!!!

u think i cud haggle them down!?!!?!?

cheers
 
#37
Hello all, interesting and educational to read everyone's technical and subjective input. Clearly, we each are passionate about our instruments for a variety of reasons, and it is very individualized. Having previously traded away both a pre-EB Sabre bass and a G&L L2000 series E bass many years ago, I regretted these decisions. More recently, I was able to locate suitable replacements and absolutely love these basses. Pictured are a 1979 Music Man Sabre (sunburst with a maple neck), a 1982 G&L L2000 Series E (with the flat black hardware), and a "root beer" finished 1981 G&L L2000 (with chrome hardware). Each plays beautifully, and I am learning (re-learning) how to dial in sounds that I like. I appreciated the description about the Sabre bass control switches, agreeing that the middle switch is essentially useless. Otherwise, running on both pickups and adjusting the volume knobs create great sounds for finger style and especially slap-style technique. The neck is a bit like a Jazz bass. I find that the G&L basses offer a broader, more accessible range of tones, along with a wonderfully wide and flat P-bass type neck on the '82, and a mixed Jass/P on the '81. Overall, I have come to appreciate Leo's designs and can feel his mark on these basses. Now I if can just manage periodic, uncontrolled GAS, I will be fine. Happy playing to all. A.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1277.jpg
    IMG_1277.jpg
    618.3 KB · Views: 155
  • IMG_1378.jpg
    IMG_1378.jpg
    636.2 KB · Views: 150
  • fh0jezlpjhyv0av9vtld-5.jpg
    fh0jezlpjhyv0av9vtld-5.jpg
    242.4 KB · Views: 161
  • Like
Reactions: Goy77
#39
Hi everybody
I just got me a 79 Sabre bass, which sounds amazing in its own right. But I notice one strange thing about the out-of-phase switch : it is supposed to put the 2 pickups out of phase, and it does sound like that when both pickups are selected. Not very usable...
However, this switch does quite nicely change the sound ALSO with either of the neck or bridge pickup soloed, giving it a sort of fretless/upright tone edge, with less bass but not as radical as with both pickups selected.
Does anyone know what this out-of-phase switch really does ?
Also, does anyone know whether the 79 Sabre pickups are wired in parallel (Stingray like) or in series (Sterling like) ?
Cheers, Zak
 
#40
they are wired in parallel - get rid of the out-of-phase-switch and the treble-boost-switch and change them to parallel/series/single coil switches: its awesome: now you can switch each pickup from parallel to series and singlecoil mode. The only drawback: you have change the wiring on the pickups (really easy) first...
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back