joegarcia Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 (edited) Thinking of parting with my beloved 1979 Musicman Sabre. It is a pre Ernie Ball model with two humbuckers, active bass and treble, 3 way pickup selector and a series/parallel switch. It used to have a completely useless bright switch too which did nothing (I've read most of them were inaudible) but I have had it professionally rewired to be an active/passive switch to bypass the preamp and EQ which is much more useful. I made sure the mod was fully reversible and the bass is otherwise completely stock and all original. It sounds and plays amazing and can be set for a really super low action. It has a gorgeous neck (which is what I'll miss most) which is incredibly fast and smooth. It has plenty of vintage mojo with a fair few dings and some lacquer cracking on the body, none of which is structural at all. As can be seen below it is in a rare but beautiful chocolate brown. I bought it two years ago from an American Ebay seller who was also selling a matching Stingray from the same year. I paid about £1200 after shipping and customs charges. It has the original Musicman hard case which has a few cracks. It also came with what may be the original strap, as seen in the first pic. Anyone know if they originally came with straps? It's brown leather and feels like it could well be 30 years old. [attachment=31084:DSCF0119.JPG] [attachment=31085:DSCF0130.JPG] [attachment=31087:DSCF0127.JPG] [attachment=31088:DSCF0128.JPG] [attachment=31089:DSCF0129.JPG] [attachment=31090:DSCF0121.JPG] It is very likely I will change my mind about this but am offering it up for trades while I make my mind up. I am in no rush to part with it so am happy to sit on it until something interesting comes along. Only reason for this post is that it hasn't really been played in a few months as it doesn't really suit any of the projects I have going currently. Interested in unusual old basses such as Gibson RD's or EB-2's, Guild B302's, Kramer Aluminium necked basses, Rickenbackers etc. Also interested in nice valve amps such as SVT's, Matamps, Sunns, Burmans, Fenders etc. Try me, although I'm not really interested in modern basses generally. May take cash if the offer is tasty enough. Viewing can be arranged in Bristol but it could probably use a new set of strings and a set up. I'll get this sorted if there is any definite interest. Edit: Prepared to sell for £1100. Edit: New pics up. Edit: TRADED Edited November 16, 2009 by joegarcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KERMITNT Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 very nice bass there m8 i wish i had the cash Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BassKS Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 AHHHHHHH, what a beaut!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmesa Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 Very very nice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nig Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 Hi, My ray from 79 came with the mm logo strap, I still have it and the bass, wouldnt mind that sabre too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joegarcia Posted July 2, 2009 Author Share Posted July 2, 2009 Ah, it doesn't have a MM logo so guess it isn't the original one. Thanks for the comments guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joegarcia Posted July 3, 2009 Author Share Posted July 3, 2009 Leaning towards a sale now as I'm in love with tanuki's Franken P. Offers invited and more pictures available on request. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vispo Posted July 3, 2009 Share Posted July 3, 2009 all vintage axes look so similar! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BassKS Posted July 3, 2009 Share Posted July 3, 2009 [quote name='vispo' post='531542' date='Jul 3 2009, 11:46 AM']all vintage axes look so similar![/quote]` True that, Just some are worth paying money for and others are used as doorstands. This one though is something that Id consider selling a kidney for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joegarcia Posted July 6, 2009 Author Share Posted July 6, 2009 Bump. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverfoxnik Posted July 6, 2009 Share Posted July 6, 2009 This looks like a really fantastic bass for the money, even in these hard-up times..especially as it comes with the original case, strap etc.. I've always preferred the flexibility of the Sabre to the Stingray..had the pleasure of playing a friend's 1980 model some years back) and the tonal variety is superb! If I wasn't such a die-hard 70's Wal fanatic (and I had the spare cash), I'd really be wanting to buy this... No help to the OP, but have a free bump on me anyway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joegarcia Posted July 6, 2009 Author Share Posted July 6, 2009 Thanks for the comments, they really are fantastic basses. It does Stingray sounds, extra beefy Stingray sounds, an amazing slap tone and loads of in between sounds between the two pickups, EQ, phase and active/passive options. Should clarify though that I don't think it is the original strap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joegarcia Posted July 8, 2009 Author Share Posted July 8, 2009 Ok, pretty sure I'm prepared to sell for £1100 now. Will get some better pics up soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joegarcia Posted July 12, 2009 Author Share Posted July 12, 2009 Bump. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joegarcia Posted July 18, 2009 Author Share Posted July 18, 2009 Another bump from me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nig Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 (edited) Bump, do you want to be more specific on your trades, it may raise a few interesting objects from the members vaults. I know you did at the top of the thread... Edited July 19, 2009 by nig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hiperi0n Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 (edited) Can you be interested in a fender jazz made in usa , factory special run , lake placid blue with matching headstock , rosewood neck with white blocks and binding...only 1000 produced in this colour....let me know...thanx Edited July 19, 2009 by Hiperi0n Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joegarcia Posted July 19, 2009 Author Share Posted July 19, 2009 Sorry, already got a Jazz I'm really happy with, don't really like the newer ones either I'm afraid. Have some interest but nothing definite yet. Will post some more pics and hopefully the weight tomorrow. I'd prefer a sale now really as I have my eye on a few bits. Don't really have much else in mind trade wise apart from perhaps an old Jetglow Ric or big old quality valve amps. Not sure if it helps anyone but I will be in Birmingham next weekend and Utrecht in the Netherlands on the 8th and 9th of August so if anyone wants to try it out I can bring it with me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joegarcia Posted July 30, 2009 Author Share Posted July 30, 2009 Lots of interest but still on sale. I have some high res pics if anyone wants. On holiday until Sat but will upload them when I get back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joegarcia Posted August 6, 2009 Author Share Posted August 6, 2009 Sorry about the delay with the pics, my laptop has gone kaput so I'm just trying to retrieve them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rumour6 Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 Sorry I'm not in the market.. but just have to say I think this is gorgeous.. for the price of an aneomic boarded new EBMM offering you could have this... no contest. Good luck... (actually I think you'd have the best luck by keeping it ) Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rumour6 Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 Sorry I'm not in the market.. but just have to say I think this is gorgeous.. for the price of an aneomic boarded new EBMM offering you could have this... no contest. Good luck... (actually I think you'd have the best luck by keeping it ) Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rumour6 Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 How'd I do that????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evilLordJuju Posted August 9, 2009 Share Posted August 9, 2009 I got a fretless Guild B302 that i've been hoping to trade. Gorgeous bass, but no frets = me out of tune. Would you consider it? Jules Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joegarcia Posted August 9, 2009 Author Share Posted August 9, 2009 Would have been interested if it were fretted but I'd have the same problem as you I'm afraid. Give me a shout if you manage to sell it though, they seem quite in demand at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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