Bridge and neck-plate needed for 1978 Music Man Sabre guitar

[Stephane TST]

Dear Music Man community,

I just bought a 1978 Sabre II guitar. The original bridge was swapped for a tremolo system, the neck-plate was changed and the string tree was replaced.

Thank God the current tremolo system did not require any routing in the guitar body when installed. This means I can just unscrew it and replace it with a genuine old Music Man bridge. Same thing with the neck plate: the current after market brass neck plate measures the same size of a proper Music Man one. Finally, I can remove the current string holder on the headstock and put a proper Sabre II string tree.

I have contacted the Music Man customer service. They were very friendly in their reply but they don't have parts dating back from 45 years ago, which I fully understand.

Could anyone give me any advice? Even better, would anyone here have these spare parts and would sell them to me?

Many thanks and take care

Stephane

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

The link below may help. He mainly deals in Pre-EB Bass parts but I've seen Guitar parts there before:

Vintage Music Man Stingray Bass Knob - BanjoWarehouse.com

1979 Music Man Stingray Bass Knob Pre Ernie Ball. We have more Pre Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray Basses than any store on earth!! 404-372-5482

banjowarehouse.com

I have the Pre-EB Sabre Guitar hangtag manual if you need a copy.

P.S. There's also a Pre-EB neck plate on Ebay at the moment. It's advertised as a plate for a Pre-EB Sting Ray Guitar but I'm sure the Sting Ray and Sabre are the same:

Music Man Vintage Guitar Parts for sale | eBay

Great deals on Music Man Vintage Guitar Parts. It's a great time to upgrade your home music studio gear with the largest selection at eBay.com. Fast & Free shipping on many items!

www.ebay.com

NOTE: Serial numbers were recorded on the bridge and not the neck plate.

 

[DrKev]

Bonjour Stephane et bienvenue au forum !

Are the 3-bolt Music Man neck plates the same size as the vintage Fender 3-bolt plates? You may never find an original neck plate, but you might be able to have custom ones made. These people in the Netherlands have a three bolt fender-style neck plate as part of their product templates, perhaps they can make a one-off for you to the dimensions you want?

Custom laser engraving neck plate oval

Complete your guitar with a neck plate with your own logo! We can engrave your design on a neck plate of your choice. By engraving this with a laser, we have more options for your design, such as engraving full spots such as in the pictures. As a laser engraving gives a more subtle depth, it...

tlcguitargoods.com

Gav, you are a wealth of info. Well done!

 

[Stephane TST]

The link below may help. He mainly deals in Pre-EB Bass parts but I've seen Guitar parts there before:

Vintage Music Man Stingray Bass Knob - BanjoWarehouse.com

1979 Music Man Stingray Bass Knob Pre Ernie Ball. We have more Pre Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray Basses than any store on earth!! 404-372-5482

banjowarehouse.com

I have the Pre-EB Sabre Guitar hangtag manual if you need a copy.

P.S. There's also a Pre-EB neck plate on Ebay at the moment. It's advertised as a plate for a Pre-EB Sting Ray Guitar but I'm sure the Sting Ray and Sabre are the same:

Music Man Vintage Guitar Parts for sale | eBay

Great deals on Music Man Vintage Guitar Parts. It's a great time to upgrade your home music studio gear with the largest selection at eBay.com. Fast & Free shipping on many items!

www.ebay.com

NOTE: Serial numbers were recorded on the bridge and not the neck plate.

Dear Rod,

Many thanks for this valuable information.

Have great week-end!!

 

[Stephane TST]

Bonjour Stephane et bienvenue au forum !

Are the 3-bolt Music Man neck plates the same size as the vintage Fender 3-bolt plates? You may never find an original neck plate, but you might be able to have custom ones made. These people in the Netherlands have a three bolt fender-style neck plate as part of their product templates, perhaps they can make a one-off for you to the dimensions you want?

Custom laser engraving neck plate oval

Complete your guitar with a neck plate with your own logo! We can engrave your design on a neck plate of your choice. By engraving this with a laser, we have more options for your design, such as engraving full spots such as in the pictures. As a laser engraving gives a more subtle depth, it...

tlcguitargoods.com

Gav, you are a wealth of info. Well done!

Dear Kev,

Thanks fo taking the time to reply to my post, much appreciated. Merci!

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Dear Rod,

Many thanks for this valuable information.

Have great week-end!!

.
No probs Stephane. Glad I could assist. Good luck with your restoration.

Let me know by PM if you if ever need the 1980 MM Catalogue (covers both the Sabre and Sting Ray Guitars). Also have their respective electronics schematics.

 

[emd86]

.
No probs Stephane. Glad I could assist. Good luck with your restoration.

Let me know by PM if you if ever need the 1980 MM Catalogue (covers both the Sabre and Sting Ray Guitars). Also have their respective electronics schematics.

Hey, do you still have that catalogue? I have the Sabre 2 from 1978 which was modified, painted badly, preamp removed, pickups are not original as well... I'm searching for an original pickguard or someone who can make one. It can be all plastic or all metal (nickel?). I don't care about the preamp so it's just about a nice pickguard. Thank you