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Musicman Sabre Club

#742
JakobT said:
I hadn't either, until I saw the original pickguard Marco has. I then did a little research, and it does seem like a two-ply pickguard was in use at the time. Maybe we're so used to seeing three-ply guards that we automatically assumed that the two-ply pickguards were three-ply as well?

View attachment 3279979
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Hi, Jakob! Unfortunately the pickguard isn't original... the bass was white with black pickguard. The green color didn't fit well with black, so he make a white one....
 
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#743
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#747
handofseven said:
I'm not saying you're wrong, but the bass pictured, if you look closely, has a 3 ply guard... There are places where it looks 2 ply, but there are more places where you can distinctly see the 3rd layer (black) and the difference between the shadow cast by the bright light... I'm curious though. I'll have to do some more research...
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Knowledge is always good, I could swear that the white pickguard looks original, because was too old and a lot yellow stains from sweat....
 
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#748
JakobT said:
I respectfully beg to differ.
As a photographer I have to congrats you in your explanation about lighting, shadows and angles. I just feel bad about all the pickguard question, because I'd assume that looks original... sorry friends.
Since the pickguard is chamfered around its entire outer edge, the bottom layer would be equally visible around the entire pickguard, except where it meets the control plate. This is clearly not the case. Not only that, but if you look at the direction of the light source, it's obviously coming from the behind and above the camera lens. This is borne out by the position of the highlights on the body, and the cast shadow on the wall behind. The dark edges you refer to correspond exactly with the direction of the light source, revealing them as shadows. Finally, if you look at the enlarged section at the top left in the photo, you can clearly see the white bottom layer of the pickguard being reflected in the finish. With a black bottom layer and chamfered edges, this would not be possible.

Whether this is the original pickguard or not, I do not know. But the fact that our friend Marco is in possession of an original one that is in fact two-ply, it would seem fairly likely, given the fact that his bass and the one in the picture are of the same model year. I'm sure it would be possible to find out for sure whether two-ply pickguards were standard and what model years had them by asking on the Ernie Ball forums.

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#750
handofseven said:
That's cool. Respectfully, I disagree. IMO, the parts you are highlighting are actually reflections of light, as also reflected on the radius of the body. There are more parts of the photo where it is clearly, IMO, showing it to be a 3 ply guard. You are right, the light source is above, meaning the glaring reflections show on the upper parts, and shadow is cast below, which as per you highlighting at the bottom, near the control plate, shows the difference between the visible (IMO) 3rd layer and the shadow. Also, I have seen many pickguards where the ply materials are of unequal thickness, where the bottom ply is so thin you can barely see it. Looking closely at Marco's 2 ply guard, the bevel angle also looks different to me. That said, doesn't mean they never, ever, used 2 ply material. I'm sure if you asked on the EB forum, someone would answer with much clearer photo proof.

Marco says his bass came with two guards... Why would it come with two? IMO, his 3 ply B/W/B is probably the original, and the 2 ply W/B is probably an aftermarket repro, made by a previous owner.

Cheers!
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Yeah, you are right. If you see the two pickguards, side by side. You can see the quality difference.
 
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#751
Ugly green out! I was so sure about the white, but seeing in natural, makes me confused.... I love the natural ash with yellowish clear coat. Reminds me Louis Johnson's Sabre. What you guys
EF0F6DB5-3E99-4FD7-A3C4-EEE9A7D572F9.jpeg
 
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#754
JakobT said:
I respectfully beg to differ.

Since the pickguard is chamfered around its entire outer edge, the bottom layer would be equally visible around the entire pickguard, except where it meets the control plate. This is clearly not the case. Not only that, but if you look at the direction of the light source, it's obviously coming from the behind and above the camera lens. This is borne out by the position of the highlights on the body, and the cast shadow on the wall behind. The dark edges you refer to correspond exactly with the direction of the light source, revealing them as shadows. Finally, if you look at the enlarged section at the top left in the photo, you can clearly see the white bottom layer of the pickguard being reflected in the finish. With a black bottom layer and chamfered edges, this would not be possible.

Whether this is the original pickguard or not, I do not know. But the fact that our friend Marco is in possession of an original one that is in fact two-ply, it would seem fairly likely, given the fact that his bass and the one in the picture are of the same model year. I'm sure it would be possible to find out for sure whether two-ply pickguards were standard and what model years had them by asking on the Ernie Ball forums.

View attachment 3280529
Click to expand...

I made some enquiries about the bass in JakobT's picture a few weeks ago and had some additional pics sent from the seller.

The pickguard is 3-ply, black-white-black. You can clearly see it in this pic:

tHqrRKu.jpg


As you can also see from the position of the (original) side dots (and the missing face dot at 21), the bass was originally fretless.

I've seen the occasional original 1-ply black guard but haven't seen an original 2-ply guard from those years yet.
 
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#755
liverbird said:
I made some enquiries about the bass in JakobT's picture a few weeks ago and had some additional pics sent from the seller.

The pickguard is 3-ply, black-white-black. You can clearly see it in this pic:

View attachment 3281993

As you can also see from the position of the (original) side dots (and the missing face dot at 21), the bass was originally fretless.

I've seen the occasional original 1-ply black guard but haven't seen an original 2-ply guard from those years yet.
Click to expand...
O would never see this detail and realize that this bass was a fretless before. Congrats, great eye!
 
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#757
liverbird said:
I made some enquiries about the bass in JakobT's picture a few weeks ago and had some additional pics sent from the seller.

The pickguard is 3-ply, black-white-black. You can clearly see it in this pic:

View attachment 3281993

As you can also see from the position of the (original) side dots (and the missing face dot at 21), the bass was originally fretless.

I've seen the occasional original 1-ply black guard but haven't seen an original 2-ply guard from those years yet.
Click to expand...
Well, that definitely settles it. I stand corrected. :)

Thanks for clearing it up!
 
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#758
Hey guys/gals - Sorry for the long post, but I have some questions for you.

I have a loaded, '79 Sabre sunburst body. I had to ditch the neck because it was warped beyond repair. The sunburst body is in great shape. I had the bridge re-chromed because when it was shipped back to me from Korea it was terribly corroded, I assume from the Sea air. I also had it repaired under warranty when it was about 2 months old and the preamp was replaced, I assume with a brand-new, genuine Sabre preamp. Do you think there would be any interest in this if I put it up for sale? And if so, what would be a reasonable price to ask?

I also have the case. It's beat-up, but still functional.

And finally, I have a replacement neck made by Carruthers to the exact dimensions and shape of the original. However, he finished it with some kind of epoxy finish that looks a little splotchy in places and orangish as a result of his attempt to match the shade of the original finish. (Actually, when I took it out of storage to photograph it, it's not bad at all. Don't know why I remembered it so harshly!) The replacement neck is about 20 years old.

He also put the truss rod adjustment at the heel instead of the headstock, despite my wishes. He also whittled down the tuners (not the originals I still have those) to taper them, which would have been fine except he didn't re-chrome them so they look like poopie. I personally don't like the neck much although the dimensions and shape are spot on. I suppose it could be refinished, though the current finish being epoxy, I suspect removal would be difficult.

So, do you think I should put the loaded body alone up for sale, part it out, sell it with the replacement neck, or what? And what would be fair prices? Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. I appreciate it!

Here are some of the requested photos.

Here's the body with the replacement neck:

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More photos available by
20190114_093259.jpg
email, please. And thanks in advance!
 
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#759
Robert B said:
Hey guys/gals - Sorry for the long post, but I have some questions for you.

I have a loaded, '79 Sabre sunburst body. I had to ditch the neck because it was warped beyond repair. The sunburst body is in great shape. I had the bridge re-chromed because when it was shipped back to me from Korea it was terribly corroded, I assume from the Sea air. I also had it repaired under warranty when it was about 2 months old and the preamp was replaced, I assume with a brand-new, genuine Sabre preamp. Do you think there would be any interest in this if I put it up for sale? And if so, what would be a reasonable price to ask?

I also have the case. It's beat-up, but still functional.

And finally, I have a replacement neck made by Carruthers to the exact dimensions and shape of the original. However, he finished it with some kind of epoxy finish that is rough to the touch and looks splotchy and orangish as a result of his attempt to match the shade of the original finish. He also put the truss rod adjustment at the heel instead of the headstock, despite my wishes. He also whittled down the tuners (not the originals I still have those) to taper them, which would have been fine except he didn't re-chrome them so they look like poopie. I personally don't like the neck much although the dimensions and shape are spot on. I suppose it could be refinished, though the current finish being epoxy, I suspect removal would be difficult.

So, do you think I should put the loaded body alone up for sale, part it out, sell it with the replacement neck, or what? And what would be fair prices? Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. I appreciate it!
Click to expand...

Any photos?
 

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