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Sabre Bass Clips

depalm

depalm

Apr 22, 2004
1,929
634
61
São Paulo
#1
Hi did some clips of my recently restored Sabre bass. I'll try to take better pics.

best
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#8
kcole4001 said:
Great MM tone!
Can't understand why those basses didn't get more love.
Click to expand...

Well, according to Mr.Sterling Ball they had really bad sales back in the day. It's difficult to understand why, as this bass sounds great, is extremely versatile, very well balanced, built to last and looks good too.

I don't know about you but if they'd release a new version I'd buy one for sure.

But I don't think it would happen...
 
#9
depalm said:
Well, according to Mr.Sterling Ball they had really bad sales back in the day. It's difficult to understand why, as this bass sounds great, is extremely versatile, very well balanced, built to last and looks good too.
Click to expand...

I think the public just wasn't ready for a dual pickup Musicman back then. The StingRay was so successful at nailing it all from edgy to warm tones, I figure people probably thought they didn't need anything more. Surely no one missed it when it was discontinued in 91 (and again the single pickup Sterling introduced in 93 was a success).
But in the very late 90's I heard lots of people saying a dual pickup Ray would be great, but suprisingly they never heard of the Sabre's existence.

Since the release of the dual pickup Rays in 05 was finally the sign that people were ready. But I think it would be pointless now to produce it when the HH Rays and Sterlings are moving just fine, and the pickup coils selection would be essentially very similar, so it would be redundant.
 
#11
I own a Ray and a Sterling and love 'em, but the Sabre has been a great achievement on my arsenal.

Sabre pickups are smaller than the regular one. They are also located at a different placement. I think that results on a different flavor of a MM sound signature. I like it very much.

I tried a couple of HH Rays and Sterlings, they sound great and Sabre has definitely a distinct voice from these models.

I don't think it would be redundant if EBMM decide to release a new Sabre.
 
#12
Caca de Kick said:
I think the public just wasn't ready for a dual pickup Musicman back then. The StingRay was so successful at nailing it all from edgy to warm tones, I figure people probably thought they didn't need anything more. Surely no one missed it when it was discontinued in 91 (and again the single pickup Sterling introduced in 93 was a success).
But in the very late 90's I heard lots of people saying a dual pickup Ray would be great, but suprisingly they never heard of the Sabre's existence.

Since the release of the dual pickup Rays in 05 was finally the sign that people were ready. But I think it would be pointless now to produce it when the HH Rays and Sterlings are moving just fine, and the pickup coils selection would be essentially very similar, so it would be redundant.
Click to expand...

And a guy from EB told me that the Sabres were "butt ugly".
 
#14
I have a first year Sabre 77-78. awesome bass and I remember reading an article years ago about Leo Fender and these were some of the last instruments he worked on, he gave one to Kenny Rogers. there`s a very good possibility that Leo Fender actually worked on my bass, thus making it more of a Fender, than any of my `Fenders`.
 
#16
depalm said:
"butt ugly"?? What does that means?
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Hideous, not attractive or just plain ugly.

Many years ago, while speaking to a Ernie Ball personel, I asked why Sting Ray basses were not offered with 2 pickups like the Sabre basses. He blurted out that Sabre basses were butt ugly and didn't sell, that was the reason they discontinued it. But, he claimed that something was in the works as far as a 2 pickup model....which turned out to be the Bongo.

I own a 1979 Sabre bass....so the "butt ugly" comment always stuck with me....it kinda hurt.
 

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#19
depalm said:
Indeed.

Amazing pair you have there! Sabre looks nothing but elegant.

How do you manage o keep the pole pieces that polished?
They look like new ones!
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Well...the Sabre is hardly ever played. It's been in the case most of her life. Not in perfect restored condition like yours, but in superb original condition....I'm just waiting for the right time to sell her, unfortunately. The Sting Ray, I'll never part with as it was my first bass.

kcole4001 said:
Butt ugly? Not in my opinion.
Ahead of it's time? Quite possibly.
Aesthetically, it's really just a 2 pickup 'Ray with a slightly different 'guard.
But then again, I like the Bongo too.
Click to expand...

I don't think there's anything "butt ugly" about it. And you're right, ahead of it's time.

I, too like the Bongo...but never played one.
 
#20
Funkinthetrunk said:
Well...the Sabre is hardly ever played. It's been in the case most of her life. Not in perfect restored condition like yours, but in superb original condition....I'm just waiting for the right time to sell her, unfortunately. The Sting Ray, I'll never part with as it was my first bass.

I don't think there's anything "butt ugly" about it. And you're right, ahead of it's time.

I, too like the Bongo...but never played one.
Click to expand...

Hummm… you must want a fortune for her but don't forget to get in contact with me when you decide to sell, right?

And yes, ahead of it's time.
 

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