Mr. Trussbroken, please help.

[skabassist13]

hi,
i think i want a sabre. but im not shure. i want a dual humbucker mm, and i will admit the bongo is very nice but i like the sabre styling better. i went and looked around your website but only got confused. it is very informative, i guess i just dont know what im looking for. so i have some quesitons.

1. i saw on a few sabre pics that there are switches next to the knobs, what do they do?

2. does the sabre come with a single pickup selector switch(not the other sitches refered to in question 1)?

3. do any of the sabres have a newer stingray style bridge(no horseshoe bridges)?

4. did sabres come in 3 band eq varieties?

5. what is the neck profile more similar to, stingray or sterling?

6. how much should i expect to pay for one?

thanks alot in advance.
Travis

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Scott ("armybass") will be able to answer Q 5 and 6...and possibly some of the others.

I'll dig out more info wHen I get home.

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[Rod Trussbroken]

1. i saw on a few sabre pics that there are switches next to the knobs, what do they do?

2. does the sabre come with a single pickup selector switch(not the other sitches refered to in question 1)?

3. do any of the sabres have a newer stingray style bridge(no horseshoe bridges)?

4. did sabres come in 3 band eq varieties?


The following diagrams are from the EB Web Site and should make the switching setup clear:

PRE-ERNIE BALL (1979 to 1984)

Toggle Switch 1979 to circa 1983. 2 Band EQ

(Both pickups the same with exposed pole magnets)


Lever Switch circa 1983 to 1984. 2 Band EQ

(Both pickups were soap-bar type...pole magnets not visible. Neck pickup similar to two Jazz Bass pickups side by side. Bridge pickup same as the earlier ones).....

(View from underneath. The pickup on the right is from a 'Ray for comparison purposes. Note also that the pickups on the Sabres, although the same size as each other, were actually smaller than the 'Ray).


ERNIE BALL (1985 to end of production in 1991)

EB contiued making the Sabre as per second diagram above. They also introduced a 3 Band EQ (perhaps 1987???)

Lever Switch with 3 Band EQ


RE BRIDGES

The horse shoe bridge appeared on all PRE-EB Sabre Basses (NOT EB Sabre Basses). The serials were prefixed with a "C".

The ERNIE BALL Sabre Basses used two styles of bridges (only) from 1985 to circa 1988:

1) Old stock top load Sting Ray bridges. Consequently the serial prefix changed from a "C" to a "B"........ (owner has removed mute pads)

2) They also made their own top load bridge styled on the one above EXCEPT the thumb screws were smaller in diameter and the serials were unprefixed.......

From circa 1988 to 1991, only the second bridge above was featured.

(Although the 2 pics above are from early EB Sting Rays, both the Sting Ray and Sabre paralleled each other....bridge evolution was the same for both).


As to questions 5 and 6 some of the other guys may know.

Hope that helps.


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[skabassist13]

ahhh. things are starting to become clear. but now i need to know more.

1. does the sabre with the neck pup soloed sound anything like a stingray, or is it a tottaly different animal because of its pup?

2. any idea as to why they decided to use the switching setup they used?

3. is there any way to take out the sabre pups and replace them with stingray versions?

i guess thats all for now. im sure ill think of something later. thanks fo r your help.
Travis

 

[midopa]

The Sabre pickups are a bit smaller than the SR ones. I'm guessing you'd have to do some work on the body itself before you can fit a SR pickup in it.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

>>>>>1. does the sabre with the neck pup soloed sound anything like a stingray, or is it a tottaly different animal because of its pup?

Never played a Sabre so I can't really comment.


>>>>>2. any idea as to why they decided to use the switching setup they used?

Perhaps more tone variety but that's a guess only.


>>>>>3. is there any way to take out the sabre pups and replace them with stingray versions?

As the 'Ray pups are larger, you'd have to route the pup cavities.

.

 

[Billy_Dee]

Hey Gav, this is Billy Dee, maybe I can help.
Ska, you asked about the neck pickup? The neck pup in no way sounds like a Ray....But the bridge pup is pretty close. Not exactly, but close. I prefer the early Sabre, I like the switch setup better, even though the "out of phase" setting is pretty useless. I'm sure the later Sabre went with the "stratocaster" blade type pickup selector to cut down cost of the preamp. This way they can delete the treble boost switch and just use 1 preamp for all. Actually, I happen to like the treble boost. A Ray does what a Ray does best, that's being a Ray. A Sabre is a different animal. My '79 Sabre has a neck like a Jazz, it's thin. My '78 Ray's neck is fatter, somewhere between a Precision and a Jazz. Not to leave out the EB people, I also have a 20th anniversary Ray...a totally different vibe, but equally great.
Billy

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Thanks BD and welcome

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[Billy_Dee]

Oh, excuse my frankness My name is Billy Dee, long time viewer, first time poster. I've asked Gav for advise a while ago concerning the bridge pup of my Sabre.....this guy if full of information! Well anyway, Semour Duncan rewound the pup and my Sabre's back in full force. As mentioned above, I own a '78 Ray, '79 Sabre and 20th anni Ray. As for other of Leo's creations, I have a G&L L2K and a '81 Jazz. Hmmmm....no Precision?

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Of course! Thought I knew the name!!!! Couldn't remember where or when...or perhaps my imagination....on average, I get maybe 50 emails a week....sensible ones that is....about 200-300 crap mail.

Appologies are in order on my part

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