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Musicman Sabre Club

#762
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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...
Hi, Robert. I'm not an MM expert, like the guys here, but i have been around luthiers, years and years in my life. I have one 1978 stingray neck, that I bought in the 80s and was horrible twisted. I don't know the technical names but i will try: my luthier sanded the "fingerboard"(i know it's one piece maple) almost to the trussrod, then we put a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard. Long story short, the neck sounds great and I saved one historical piece of wood... Hope it helps.
 
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#763
Marco Frossard said:
View attachment 3282431 View attachment 3282432 View attachment 3282433 View attachment 3282434 View attachment 3282435
Hi, Robert. I'm not an MM expert, like the guys here, but i have been around luthiers, years and years in my life. I have one 1978 stingray neck, that I bought in the 80s and was horrible twisted. I don't know the technical names but i will try: my luthier sanded the "fingerboard"(i know it's one piece maple) almost to the trussrod, then we put a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard. Long story short, the neck sounds great and I saved one historical piece of wood... Hope it helps.
Click to expand...

I'm just tired of messing with it. We are planning to move soon, and I'd just as soon move it along if it's worth any money to anyone. That's why I'm asking what y'all think I might be able to get for it, and whether I should part it out.
 
#764
No opinions? Please? Should I just chop it up for firewood?
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 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:

View attachment 3282466 View attachment 3282471 View attachment 3282473 View attachment 3282474 View attachment 3282475

More photos available by View attachment 3282479 email, please. And thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

Please help me out here. I'm not looking to make a killing. Do you think it's worth putting it up for sale? Should I part it out?
 
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#765
It's probably best for you if you sell it loaded. It seems like you're in a bit of a hurry to get it gone, and parting it out would definitely take more time. In any case, it's totally worth your time to put it up for sale.. If I had the money at the moment, I'd be all over it!

The gears are already grinding in my mind on how I can swing some cash! Haha!
 
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#770
mikeswals said:
Robert, watch the classifieds, there was a neck in there bot too long ago.
Also on the facebook preEB Leo era page there is a guy that at times has parts for sale.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the tip. I've seen those ads, but the necks are more money than I'm willing to spend. The bass has been sitting untouched for years. I'm done with it and want to move it along to someone else willing to spend the money to buy a real Sabre neck or play it as is with the replacement neck. With my upcoming move, I need to downsize and make some money, not spend more money. Do you know what I mean?

I just need some advice as to how to sell it and what would be a good price. I'm not looking to make a mint. I'd like to set a price that's good for the buyer and fair to me that will move it along quickly. Should I sell it as a loaded body and sell the replacement neck and case separately? What would be a reasonable price? Just off the top of my head I'm thinking maybe 1075 for the body and 400 for the neck, 100 for the case plus cost to ship. Or maybe $1475 plus shipping if the buyer takes everything, with the bass setup and equipped with new GHS Pressurewounds.

Does that sound reasonable? If not, what would y'all suggest? Would that be pricing it too high to move it?
 
#775
#777
hey it´s cool to have a Sabre club in here.

Here comes my 79 Pre EB that I´ve recently bought 2 days ago. The old strings were cheap ones, so I replaced them with a pair of Daddario EXL 170...which I find to hard on the string tension. So I`m looking out for some string advices here. Maybe I give these new EB Cobalt Flats a try.

Except for the stupid thumbrest, everything on this bass is stock. Of course this bass is worn out, but I didn`t really noticed the first time I saw the bass hanging on a wall from a distance. I like the fact, that the mutes are still in their original condition. Trussrod and tuners are working fine, neck is nice and straight but the best part is, that this bass weights under 4kg (under 8.8ibs). The case is the original one , too.

The playability is quiet good, I just need to get the right strings. I like all the sounds except for the poopy phased out sound that you can engage with the switch in the middle. I love the sound with both PUs on full, but it lacks some mids around 300-500Hz. Maybe the right strings could help me out.

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#778
[
N-Bass84 said:
hey it´s cool to have a Sabre club in here.

Here comes my 79 Pre EB that I´ve recently bought 2 days ago. The old strings were cheap ones, so I replaced them with a pair of Daddario EXL 170...which I find to hard on the string tension. So I`m looking out for some string advices here. Maybe I give these new EB Cobalt Flats a try.

Except for the stupid thumbrest, everything on this bass is stock. Of course this bass is worn out, but I didn`t really noticed the first time I saw the bass hanging on a wall from a distance. I like the fact, that the mutes are still in their original condition. Trussrod and tuners are working fine, neck is nice and straight but the best part is, that this bass weights under 4kg (under 8.8ibs). The case is the original one , too.

The playability is quiet good, I just need to get the right strings. I like all the sounds except for the poopy phased out sound that you can engage with the switch in the middle. I love the sound with both PUs on full, but it lacks some mids around 300-500Hz. Maybe the right strings could help me out.

View attachment 3289566
View attachment 3289567 View attachment 3289568 View attachment 3289571
Click to expand...

I don't know if those D' Addario strings are nickel or stainless, but I don't think those EB strings are going to do anything for you. I would try some round core DR strings, Hi Beams or Fat Beams if you want stainless or Sun Beams if you want nickel.
 
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#779
N-Bass84 said:
hey it´s cool to have a Sabre club in here.

Here comes my 79 Pre EB that I´ve recently bought 2 days ago. The old strings were cheap ones, so I replaced them with a pair of Daddario EXL 170...which I find to hard on the string tension. So I`m looking out for some string advices here. Maybe I give these new EB Cobalt Flats a try.

Except for the stupid thumbrest, everything on this bass is stock. Of course this bass is worn out, but I didn`t really noticed the first time I saw the bass hanging on a wall from a distance. I like the fact, that the mutes are still in their original condition. Trussrod and tuners are working fine, neck is nice and straight but the best part is, that this bass weights under 4kg (under 8.8ibs). The case is the original one , too.

The playability is quiet good, I just need to get the right strings. I like all the sounds except for the poopy phased out sound that you can engage with the switch in the middle. I love the sound with both PUs on full, but it lacks some mids around 300-500Hz. Maybe the right strings could help me out.

View attachment 3289566
View attachment 3289567 View attachment 3289568 View attachment 3289571
Click to expand...

Welcome to the Sabre club, that's a great looking Sabre!

I tried the Cobalt flats years ago, ended up going back to my tried and true D'Addario XL .45's. I'm just not a flats guy; I need those highs and sustain that flats just don't have.

Nice seeing so much activity here in the Sabre thread!
 
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#780
mdogs said:
[


I don't know if those D' Addario strings are nickel or stainless, but I don't think those EB strings are going to do anything for you. I would try some round core DR strings, Hi Beams or Fat Beams if you wat stainless or Sun Beams if you want nickel.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I want a nice round sound like this guy on youtube...maybe slap a little. To me the tension is a little to high on the EXL`s. I remember that the sunbeams used to have a relatively low tension and not so much pressure on the neck as a result. NEver tried fat beams, but I´m curious now. In Germany DR strings are pretty pricey in comparison to EBs or EXLs.

 
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