Pre-EB Sabre vs. EB Sabre

[JensWest]

Hi!

I have the opportunitie to buy either a -79/80 pre-EB Sabre or a -83/85 EB Sabre, both available for about 1200 $.
My question for you all is which one you would prefer and why.
I´m havin´a hard time making my mind up about this. Haven´t tried any of them yet...
The thing is that I´m not sure about the differences between a pre-EB and a EB made Sabre. I know about the physical differences, but not how it affects the sound and quality. Grateful for any answers, motivations or facts I can get.

Jens

 

[RiddimKing]

Pre EB vs EB Sabre

The only advantage to buying the pre-EB Sabre is that, theoretically, it might have a better resale value down the line (rarity, age and all that). Practically, if you're interested in a player more than an investment per se, I'd go with the one with the tone, weight and neck feel that you prefer. All these factors vary between instruments from both eras. I own three pre-EB Sabres, and love 'em, , but I've played some EB era ones that I'd happily add to the collection. Oh...and one day I want to have a Cutlass II....
PS The $1200 price is fair for a good condition instrument.

Cheers,
Rid

 

[Moondog]

Buy both if you can (since they are rare).
Spend some time with them and sell off the one
you don't like as much - you shouldn't lose any $ (hopefully)

 

[Caca de Kick]

Yeah, the price is good for a preEB if it's in good condition. And like Rid says, typically the early preEB version would have more value and collectability to it...the early details are what the collectors want. But both versions would play and sound the same.
You really need to find what year each bass is because '83 would still be preEB, but '85 would be EB. Of course if it says Ernie Ball on the decal, then you know it was made '85 and later.

Some differences, it really breaks Sabres into two groups; 79-81, then 82-through the EB era.

79-81: (early preEB)
exposed pickup magnets like the Stingray
3-bolt necks
heavy cast metal bridge (looks like a G&L bridge)
3 mini-switches for = pickup selector, phase in/out, treble bright

82-91: (includes both late preEB and EB)
covered pickups-no exposed magnets
4-bolt necks
heavy cast bridge still on preEB, then Stingray stamped bridge on EB versions
1 blade syle switch for pickup selector.
later 80's saw installation of 3-band eq's

 

[bdgotoh]

I've had a bunch of both eras and I personally prefer the EB Sabres. I agree about the pre-EB having better resale though.

 

[JensWest]

First, I´d like to thank you all for all good answers in such short notice!

I´m really considering buying both... It´s all about priority of money.
Needed to check with you if any of them two could be disregarded by any reason.

I´m sure that the EB Sabre is an EB, it´s on the decal. Just messed up the numbers in the first post... It´s an -85 too.

I really like the SR look of the pre-EB, but I´ve got a better impression of the EB made ones. By the way, I´m going to try the EB tomorrow. If that´s not satisfactory enough, I´ll try the pre-EB. If I then still can´t make up my mind, I´ll presumably go with both.

Oh, I´ve forgotten to mension that I live in Sweden (that explains my bad eng., sorry ´bout that) and here you won´t find such a big market for these basses. Here they´re only sold at prices based on performance. If you buy one, it´s only ´cause you like it, not ´cause it´s rare. So I can´t see it as an investment, unless I´m planing on sellin´ it in the US.

I´ll get back to you with pics and more about the deals, how it´s turned out etc.

Please, feel free to post more of you thoughts and opinions on these great insturments!

Bye for now.