Buying a Music Man Saber

[JonGallant]

Hey Everyone,

I'm new to the boards and was wondering if anybody could give me a clue to a fair price on a Music Man (Pre-Ernie Ball) Saber. My buddy wants about $4000 for a 77ish Saber (I'd have to take off the neck to see the real date). It's got the two sets of pickups, the humbucker phase switchs and a maple neck. It plays really nice and I want to buy it; but I'm not sure if he's asking too much.

Any opinions bass friends?

Jonny

 

[muggsy]

Hey Everyone,

I'm new to the boards and was wondering if anybody could give me a clue to a fair price on a Music Man (Pre-Ernie Ball) Saber. My buddy (if that's what I'd call him) wants about $4000 for a 77ish Saber (I'd have to take off the neck to see the real date). It's got the two sets of pickups, the humbucker phase switchs and a maple neck. It plays really nice and I want to buy it; but I'm not sure if he's asking too much.

Any opinions bass friends?

Jonny

That price sounds WAY too high to me. For that kind of money you could buy three new EB two-pickup basses and get change back. That's the way I'd go.

 

[JonGallant]

That price sounds WAY too high to me. For that kind of money you could buy three new EB two-pickup basses and get change back. That's the way I'd go.

Thanks for the reply.

I love my current two Sting Ray's; but wanted a vintage one to add to my collection. What do you think would be a fair price?

Jonny

 

[todd4ta]

I have recently sold several pre-EB Sabres, and the prices ranged from $1200 to 1600. Check ebay completed auctions to look at recent sales.

Your location isn't filled out. These prices are assuming you are in the USA.

 

[JonGallant]

I have recently sold several pre-EB Sabres, and the prices ranged from $1200 to 1600. Check ebay completed auctions to look at recent sales.

Your location isn't filled out. These prices are assuming you are in the USA.

Wow! Big difference between $4000 and $1600.

I'm Canadian; but the dollar is near equal value now.

If anybody else has a price opinion I'd love to hear them. Thanks again!

Jon

 

[bassmonkeee]

Wow! Big difference between $4000 and $1600.... I guess he's not much of a friend.

I'm Canadian; but the dollar is near equal value now.

If anybody else has a price opinion I'd love to hear them to build some amo for a negotiating battle.

Thanks again!

Jon

$1600 is about the top end, unless you are talking about a rare color in mint condition, and even then, you're talking under $2K.

IMNSHO, if you go anyway near what he is asking, you lose. Period.

There's a reason they stopped selling them, ya know.

Buy new.

 

[Musicman Nut]

Hey Everyone,

I'm new to the boards and was wondering if anybody could give me a clue to a fair price on a Music Man (Pre-Ernie Ball) Saber. My buddy (if that's what I'd call him) wants about $4000 for a 77ish Saber (I'd have to take off the neck to see the real date). It's got the two sets of pickups, the humbucker phase switchs and a maple neck. It plays really nice and I want to buy it; but I'm not sure if he's asking too much.

Any opinions bass friends?

Jonny

First Off buy one of the New 2 Pickup Ernie Ball Music Mans they sound a million times better then any Sabre on it's good day, and second that price is about $3200 too High.

 

[kdsi44]

$4000 for a sabre...wow..what a friend...lol....that is WAY too high....depending on condition and such....1000-1500 is more along the lines....i sold a 79 last year for 1100....

 

[Dr Stankface]

Just get a dualie SR. It'll kill a Sabre.

 

[todd4ta]

I agree with all of the above. You'll notice, I just sold 4 or 5 Sabres - I lost track. On the old Sabres, many of them don't sound that great with both pickups on. I usually play mine with just the bridge pickup - then it's just about the same as a Stingray.

I'm keeping my one '79 Sabre for now, and it's about as rare as they get - Inca Silver. I would sell it for $4K, though

I think your friend is either delusional or not much of a friend.

 

[JonGallant]

Thanks for everyones help!

 

[mrpackerguy]

$4000? Worth every penny IMHO

 

[strummer]

Wow! Big difference between $4000 and $1600.

I'm Canadian; but the dollar is near equal value now.

If anybody else has a price opinion I'd love to hear them. Thanks again!

Jon

Here in sweden they're about $1200 ot $2000 depending on condition and finish/neck. White being a bit more pricey, and the slim neck option too.

 

[kompressaur]

heres one that just sold on evilbay here in blighty

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1979-Musicman...oryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I'd say thats a fair price for a pre EB Sabre.which at most works out half of $4000.

surely you'r better off with a new Bongo or dual pup Ray/Sterling and (all that) cash left over
just my tuppence worth
Komp

 

[Ginnagan]

Jon Gallant, are you Billy Talent bassists?...

 

[dpab]

selling music man sabre

Well sometimes I think about selling mine .
Its a first year first edition Sabre .. white and maple ...now creamy yellow and golden...Im the original purchaser in late 78 or early 79.
Its only going to be worth more ....just like the pre CBS fenders and stuff.
As of right now I would not part with it for anything less 3000.
Dave

 

[spencer]

Well sometimes I think about selling mine .
Its a first year first edition Sabre .. white and maple ...now creamy yellow and golden...Im the original purchaser in late 78 or early 79.
Its only going to be worth more ....just like the pre CBS fenders and stuff.
As of right now I would not part with it for anything less 3000.
Dave

Its only worth more if people want to pay more. The pre CBS fenders are only expensive because there vintage and they were supposed to be very high quality compared to todays fenders..

With ernieball its a little different..

Basses are actually better today, built better designed better and have better quality control then they did in the past, and even if they didn't new Ernieballs are greater or equal to Pre Ernieball Musicman, which is why the resale value is so low, there not in demand, nobody really wants them, when they can have a better quality new instrument for less...

 

[Caca de Kick]

...Pre Ernieball Musicman, which is why the resale value is so low, there not in demand, nobody really wants them, when they can have a better quality new instrument for less...

No way is that statement true. I have bought and sold alot and still watch alot of vintage sales, and I deal with two local vintage shops alot...and preEB's sell for quite a big chunk of change. It's even crazier what vintage dealers are getting for them, typically more than ebay sales.
Now, I love my EBMM's and I love my preEB basses, but those old things are in demand, and keep going up every year...in fact they have more than doubled in prices since y2k. I'm not here to argue which is better, I'm just reporting what I see.

dpab,
Sorry, but you'll never see 3k anytime soon for a Sabre. StingRays still command more $ than Sabres do.