• 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.

Musicman Sabre Club

#781
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.
Click to expand...

I don't know that I've ever seen white mutes on any Sabre or Stingray... It's pretty common for them to have disintegrated with age, and be replaced... Totally minor detail and doesn't affect the value of your awesome bass. I have its twin (yours is in much nicer condition)!

I really like the DR Sunbeams I have it strung with currently... I've previously used Chromes and Fender brand flats as well, and liked them. Cheers!
 
  • Like
Reactions: N-Bass84
#782
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...
Love it, I have a 79 myself, but it hangs on the wall, it's just too heavy for me now. I bought it new in 1980 and it still works perfect. Strings, I used nothing else but EB slinky 45 to 100, if you want the MusicMan sound but if you want flats, EB group lll flats 2806. Oh one last thing, if you don't mind me asking, how much did you pay for the bass ?
 
#783
whamni said:
Love it, I have a 79 myself, but it hangs on the wall, it's just too heavy for me now. I bought it new in 1980 and it still works perfect. Strings, I used nothing else but EB slinky 45 to 100, if you want the MusicMan sound but if you want flats, EB group lll flats 2806. Oh one last thing, if you don't mind me asking, how much did you pay for the bass ?
Click to expand...

Sure. That Bass was put up for 2.200 Euros. I had a Stingray neckthrough that the Pre owner wanted really bad. Originally I was in a lookout for a Pre EB Ray, but the prices in Germany are just nasty. In the end I gave him the Ray and 200 Euros. So the Price World be around 2000 Euros.

As I mentioned: the weight ist incredibly low!
 
#784
handofseven said:
I really like the DR Sunbeams I have it strung with currently... I've previously used Chromes and Fender brand flats as well, and liked them. Cheers!
Click to expand...

I think I`ll give the sunbeams a try, they have a nice smooth feel to it they last really long. Had them once on a P Bass and that wasn`t really fitting. However this was a few years ago plus the Sabre is not a P.
Do you thumb/slap your Sabre with the sunbeams on it?
 
#785
N-Bass84 said:
I think I`ll give the sunbeams a try, they have a nice smooth feel to it they last really long. Had them once on a P Bass and that wasn`t really fitting. However this was a few years ago plus the Sabre is not a P.
Do you thumb/slap your Sabre with the sunbeams on it?
Click to expand...

I'm not a slapper, but I sometimes play with a pick, and I feel like the Sunbeams tame the high end a little without compromising the nature of the sound. I also like the way they feel. I use DR HiBeams on a lot of my other basses, but they are a little too aggressive for the Sabre.
 
  • Like
Reactions: N-Bass84
#786
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...
Hey N-Bass84,

Nice Sabre! If you are interested in joining the Sabre Mafia....I mean Club, you would be #73.

And whamni, you could be #74, but you need to flash some pics to earn your street cred.
 
  • Like
Reactions: N-Bass84, Marco Frossard and Joshua Pickenpaugh
#787
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...
Congrats, beautiful Sabre!
 
  • Like
Reactions: N-Bass84
#790
N-Bass84 said:
Sure! I contacted the creator of this thread but he said, that he`s no longer in this Sabre club, would be nice to join this way!

BTW: I just ordered a set of sunbeams.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice. After putting the EXL`s on it in a rush, I used to change them for a pair of older Slinkies...same issue: string tension was too high again. Today, the sunbeams arrived. I ordered a set of 0.45 - 100 and I couldn`t be happier with the combination. Problem: I immediately got addicted to the slapsound:bassist:.
The setup was so good, I just changed some small details.

It`s crazy how strings can make such a big difference. I think a friend of mine was right. He once said, that high string tension can succeed on some basses, on others you just press/push the sound to death with it.
 
#791
N-Bass84 said:
Thanks for the advice. After putting the EXL`s on it in a rush, I used to change them for a pair of older Slinkies...same issue: string tension was too high again. Today, the sunbeams arrived. I ordered a set of 0.45 - 100 and I couldn`t be happier with the combination. Problem: I immediately got addicted to the slapsound:bassist:.
The setup was so good, I just changed some small details.

It`s crazy how strings can make such a big difference. I think a friend of mine was right. He once said, that high string tension can succeed on some basses, on others you just press/push the sound to death with it.
Click to expand...

Yeah, right behind pickups, I've found strings make the biggest difference to the sound.Getting the best tones from a bass can be an awfully expensive journey. Glad to hear the Sunbeams worked out for you! :bassist:
 
  • Like
Reactions: N-Bass84
#792
#793
No more blue/green. Refinished.
Sunburst and natural, partners in crime.
Cheers from Brazil.
81845F2F-4B1C-41F3-8F4B-084EDE3F7F24.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Yango, alack, Treb and 2 others
#795
If there is a club for the Sabre, I guess I should post pics of mine.

I briefly had this '88 Sabre but the condition was not as good as advertised (it had some wood repairs) and I sent it back.

28539810897_7f0131b53c_h.jpg
1988 MM Sabre by Invalid Link Removed, sur Flickr

I have replaced it with this Classic Sabre :

46196350144_53805cad86_h.jpg
Sabre front by Invalid Link Removed, sur Flickr

46921283191_3f3ca810c9_h.jpg
Sabre back by Invalid Link Removed, sur Flickr
 
  • Like
Reactions: alack, Plake, Marco Frossard and 2 others
#796
Eneade said:
If there is a club for the Sabre, I guess I should post pics of mine.

I briefly had this '88 Sabre but the condition was not as good as advertised (it had some wood repairs) and I sent it back.

View attachment 33062081988 MM Sabre by Invalid Link Removed, sur Flickr

I have replaced it with this Classic Sabre :

View attachment 3306209Sabre front by Invalid Link Removed, sur Flickr

View attachment 3306210Sabre back by Invalid Link Removed, sur Flickr
Click to expand...
Eneade, what did your lucky number used to be? Because as of today, I think your lucky number is 75.

Welcome to the Sabre Club!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Marco Frossard, Eneade and handofseven
#800
Thimmermann said:
Hi from France :)
Can i join the club ? I have buy four month ago one Musicman Sabre Sledge Classic sunburn rosewood ! Killer tone ! I play with an old Markbass combo 121p and helix preamp.
I'm still looking for the strings to put him !
Click to expand...
Nice bass! Not a Sledge though. Sledge is a limited edition color that looks grey but changes color in different light. Yours is Sunburst. Nice bass!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back