Question BP's Ultimate Bass Torture II?

[bradfordws]

Have you guys noticed that you rarely see Sabre basses on ebay? Maybe once per quarter you'll see one. So, I figure the folks that have them are hanging on to them. I know the Sterling HH is almost like a Sabre, but the Sabre had it's own vibe with the modified pickgaurd and chrome control plate. I love the idea of the new Stingray Classics, although, one of the things I really like about the new Stingrays is the contoured body.

So, I wonder if "they" might dust off the Sabre body templates and make a run of Sabres? I think the pups are a little more narrow than the standard HBs used now, but other than that, no major changes besides the headstock decal! - same bridge and 5-way switch (EB version). All they gotta do is a run of bodies, pickguards, control plates - and maybe even just use the standard current pups instead of the Sabre sized ones. Colors: Sterling Silver, Sunburst, Walnut and Natural to start!

As Elton John once said, "If I was a Sabre, but then again no." I know that the Sabre was discussed on here before and the sales were not good enough to keep them in production before, BUT, I wonder if it's been long enough and folks would buy a new Classic Sabre? I know I would! Anybody else?

 

[tommixx]

interesting...I am in for the ride...I have heard the answer to this one before but I am curious!

Peace,

T

 

[DaddyFlip]

Lord Bongo will be here momentarily to look for the eight people on the planet who actually want one. He does it every time the word Sabre is mentioned. They never show up.

 

[spideyjg]

The Sabre is the red headed stepchild of MM basses. I'm one of the 8 people that love 'em.

 

[DaddyFlip]

The Sabre is the red headed stepchild of MM basses. I'm one of the 8 people that love 'em.

I forgot to mention that those who do show up are locked in a dark shed and left for dead.

 

[bradfordws]

Lord Bongo will be here momentarily to look for the eight people on the planet who actually want one. He does it every time the word Sabre is mentioned. They never show up.

Dang! I thought this might be the case. Maybe BP can do a Limited Edition - of 8 pieces? Then again, no. I continue to wait for the next one to show up on ebay.

 

[bovinehost]

The Sabre is the red headed stepchild of MM basses. I'm one of the 8 people that love 'em.

One down, seven to go!

And I think I know them all.

I haven't played a Sabre in eons so don't have a real clear memory of the tone, but I can say that the Sterling HH is one WICKED bass and will make you cry.

 

[oli@bass]

One down, seven to go!

And I think I know them all.

So you think you know me?!

Well, I'd definitely order one if it was with the old Sabre bridge and the toggle switches (yeah, I know, they sucked), probably even if it was a with the SR bridge and the blade switch. The reason why I've never pulled the trigger on an old one: I just can't bring myself to shell out a lot of money for a beat up mess of frankensteined bass parts, PLUS I can't stand the feel of poly finished necks...

However, I love my SR 4 HH's a lot, and don't think a Sabre reissue would be better. Different, but not better.

So... I'm happy, even if it never happens

 

[bradfordws]

So you think you know me?!

Well, I'd definitely order one if it was with the old Sabre bridge and the toggle switches (yeah, I know, they sucked), probably even if it was a with the SR bridge and the blade switch. The reason why I've never pulled the trigger on an old one: I just can't bring myself to shell out a lot of money for a beat up mess of frankensteined bass parts, PLUS I can't stand the feel of poly finished necks...

However, I love my SR 4 HH's a lot, and don't think a Sabre reissue would be better. Different, but not better.

So... I'm happy, even if it never happens

I forgot about that Sabre bridge - nice hunk of metal, it was! I'd live with the SR bridge and blade switch too, just to get a nice new Sabre - as you said, most of them are all Franked up! I guess there will be no limited edition of 8 pieces, but I always like to check in on this topic from time to time.

 

[spideyjg]

One down, seven to go!

And I think I know them all.

I haven't played a Sabre in eons so don't have a real clear memory of the tone, but I can say that the Sterling HH is one WICKED bass and will make you cry.

Ya know Jack, the Sterling is the one EBMM bass I haven't pitted the Sabre against.

Gotta try that someday.

Jim

 

[bdgotoh]

I think the pups are a little more narrow than the standard HBs used now, but other than that, no major changes besides the headstock decal! - same bridge and 5-way switch (EB version). All they gotta do is a run of bodies, pickguards, control plates - and maybe even just use the standard current pups instead of the Sabre sized ones.

What you are describing there is the current Stingray HH. The Sterling has ceramic pickups and a different preamp, the EB era Sabres had alnico pickups and a Stingray preamp.

The 5 way switch they used on the Sabres is quite different than the current 5 way switch, check out the diagrams below and compare the coils selected.

I've always loved the Sabre, they are terrific basses. No idea why they weren't more popular back in the day but they've been one of my favorites for a very long time.

EB Sabre:

HH Stingray:

 

[Caca de Kick]

One down, seven to go!

Then I'm number two.

(wait, I guess that didn't sound right...)

 

[Matbard]

I'm number 3...

 

[kevins]

i want a 2 H classic, it wont happen cause thats not true to the 76 model at all, but still neither is the 6 bolt neck joint now is it! (so do itttttttttt...eventually? or at least offer sea foam green on all basses ). if they brought out a sabre again though id buy the heck out of it, i heard they could get DAMN close to the sound of an upright bass on these forums. a feller said that he was at a jazz concert and walked in the room to see the upright bass and ended up seeing a pre EB sabre.

 

[Spanky(Andy)]

Hey Jack,

I must be number 4, cos I bought the Owl Farm Sabre (91 natural) from Brad... Absolutely loving it!

It'd be cool if we could identify all 8 Sabre-loving dudes lol

Cheers

Andy
PS: Brad, you rock.. and are truly a gentleman.
PPS: Jack, so do you. I've been waiting for you to update your website with pics of the Sterling 5er

 

[oli@bass]

I'm not a number, I'm a free man!

Would love to get a Sabre. Just looked at one on eBay today again. After all, it was a pre-EB Sabre that implanted that urge for a Music Man bass, long before I knew what a Music Man bass is... unfortunately, I never could find one back then ... (and if I had found one, I wouldn't have been able to pay for it) ...but it was the best playing and sounding bass I've had in my hands for quite a while, and every other after it was judged by that experience.

 

[MrMusashi]

i guess the cutlass 2 is easy to find then?

MrM

 

[Murphy]

I would love a 5 string Sabre

 

[bradfordws]

I would love a 5 string Sabre

Yeah, I'd love that, although the Sterling 5 helped to relieve that bit of GAS for me, so I have two of them - one is a Sterling Silver HH - kinda like the old silver Sabres.