BP - Classic Sabre?

[bradfordws]

I have to ask every once in a while. Any plans for a Classic Sabre? They are so hard to find on ebay, and the ones that do surface are usually pretty trashed. I know the Sterling 4HH is pretty close, but a Classic Sabre re-issue would be very cool - and you'd think that it would sell well. Offer either Rosewood or maple board and color choices of black, white, natural, walnut, sunburst and honeyburst. My dream Sabre would be honeyburst, black pickguard and RW board. If I only had photoshop and/or the chops to do up a drawing.....GAS!

I bet the other Classics are selling well! How many of you want to see a Classic Sabre?

 

[Caca de Kick]

There are currently several Sabres for sale wether TB, the 'Bay or CL.
Yesterday I saw one in burst with rosewood board.

 

[Murphy]

But make it in a 5 string version!!!

 

[Big Poppa]

Not at this time. I am not a fan of the Sabre

 

[Chuck B]

When the twin pups Rays appeared I bought me a 80 Sabre to own the original 2-pickup-MusicMan. This was the fastest sold bass I ever had...

 

[spideyjg]

I bet the other Classics are selling well! How many of you want to see a Classic Sabre?

While I love my Sabre and dearly wish I could get that sound in one less that 11lbs I know a classic edition will never happen.

BP said he isn't a fan of it, so that is your answer right there.

Jim

 

[bradfordws]

While I love my Sabre and dearly wish I could get that sound in one less that 11lbs I know a classic edition will never happen.

BP said he isn't a fan of it, so that is your answer right there.

Jim

Yeah, you're right. I did not know that BP was not a fan of the Sabre. It will never happen.

 

[Big Poppa]

work on Dargie

 

[bradfordws]

work on Dargie

I will!

 

[kompressaur]

I'd order a Classic Sabre if it were made - black/black/maple

Komp

 

[oli@bass]

I'd order a Classic Sabre if it were made - black/black/maple

Inca Silver and maple neck. And I'm in for one... (the last one in that combo on eBay was simply way too expensive for my taste)

 

[bradfordws]

I'm diggin' all the activity on this post and my other post with the Rudy Sarzo / Sabre pic with Ozzy! Let's increase the interest in the Sabre and convince BP to do a run of Classic Sabres!

 

[MK Bass Weed]

I know there is a very dedicated lot of Sabre fans out there...what would make this better than the Ray HH?

Just wondern'

 

[bradfordws]

I know there is a very dedicated lot of Sabre fans out there...what would make this better than the Ray HH?

Just wondern'

Good question - or you could ask the same about the Sterling 4HH. The Sabre would not be "better" than the Ray HH OR the Sterling 4HH. For me, it's the vibe and look of the slightly different pickgaurd that merges with the control plate and the sleek, downsized body - and it's a SABRE! What makes the Classic Stingray better than the Standard Stingray? String mutes? Tinted neck finish? Once again - looks, vintage vibe, etc. Personally, I like the contoured body on the Standard Stingray rather than the slab body on the Classic - personal preference - not knockin' the Classics. Sabres were contoured from day one - another reason I liked them.

 

[OldSchool Noob]

... For me, it's the vibe and look of the slightly different pickgaurd that merges with the control plate and the sleek, downsized body - and it's a SABRE! ...

Exactly. Make that puppy in a Fiver and I'll stand in line for one.

 

[MK Bass Weed]

Good question - or you could ask the same about the Sterling 4HH. The Sabre would not be "better" than the Ray HH OR the Sterling 4HH. For me, it's the vibe and look of the slightly different pickgaurd that merges with the control plate and the sleek, downsized body - and it's a SABRE! What makes the Classic Stingray better than the Standard Stingray? String mutes? Tinted neck finish? Once again - looks, vintage vibe, etc. Personally, I like the contoured body on the Standard Stingray rather than the slab body on the Classic - personal preference - not knockin' the Classics. Sabres were contoured from day one - another reason I liked them.

Good Answer! Cool...did it offer different tonal options besides the obvious 2 pickups..

 

[bradfordws]

Exactly. Make that puppy in a Fiver and I'll stand in line for one.

Oh yeah...I'd buy that too, if "they" ever made it!

 

[bradfordws]

Good Answer! Cool...did it offer different tonal options besides the obvious 2 pickups..

Pickup selector, phase switch, and a bright switch...I never used the bright or the phase switch. The EB version was made for a few years and it had a 5 position rotary switch, which was much more useful - like on the current HH models. This is the detail that would be in question if a Classic version was offered. Make it like the original, or configure the switches for various coil combos and maybe a preamp on/off switch?

 

[OldSchool Noob]

Not at this time. I am not a fan of the Sabre

Hmmmm. With all due respect, I think we've heard this somewhere before ...

This is when pigs fly. When Poppa is a the buffet eating his words. This is a reaction to the market. This is Dargie and GLen and all the guys giving the public what they want. Guess what? They are cool...two band, strings through
the body...mutes (be careful) and slab body.... For those regulars I have always said that I didnt want to do this and that we would do this when we ran out of ideas. We arent out of ideas but there is demand and workers to pay and who says you cant offer it all? ...

I would think that if the market showed enough promise, a Classic Sabre (and yes, even a Sabre Fiver) might be made to happen. The key is to never say never.

Seriously (putting my Sales, Marketing & Business Development hat on), a Sabre revival/reissue makes perfect sense.

EBMM is doing one of the best jobs in the music business (heck, ANY business) of staying connected to their history while remaining relevant and taking risks. It's been discussed here before but the company could easily have just kept pumping out Stingrays and Sterlings and called it a day.

Nope -- instead, we get the Bongo. (in multiple string and pickup configurations.) Then we add the 25th Anniversary/Reflex. Then comes the Big Al. But wait -- lets come back and reconnect with the traditionalists with the Stingray Classic -- including a previously unseen 5-string configuration. That is a laundry list of bold moves and innovation.

To my way of thinking, a Sabre relaunch would be a perfect next step for the company. Granted, I'm not privy to the details of the EBMM business model (production, design, startup costs, etc) but the Sabre could be the perfect follow-up to 2010's groundbreaking activity.

Deeper still, the Sabre could be a perfect platform from which to look back AND move forward. I've never played one but I've read that they didn't have the best electronics package MM ever made. What happens if you kept the iconic shape but improved the electronics with 2010 technology -- or maybe something totally new that's only on the SLO drawing boards. Either way, I think it's in idea that's totally in line with the direction the company seems to be heading.

Having said all that, I realize that it's easy for me to write a 4 paragraph business case with no numbers and no clue about the nuts & bolts issues ... and no financial skin in the game.

On the other hand, I believe that's one of the reasons this forum is here -- for the EBMM leadership to hear what their customers think and learn what they might buy. That's the spirit of my comments and I sincerely hope that's how it's received.

For the record, I think it's an idea worth kicking around. Besides -- how many NEW buyers might be brought into the EBMM fold by a 2010 version of THIS bass???:

 

[Big Poppa]

YOu forgot one component of the sales and marketing hat. The sabre was an awful seller when it was introduced THey are rare because nobody wanted em then! hahahahah

We actually have our plates full with other new and exciting stuff.....Im sure when you see what is coming you will understand more why it isnt on the horizon