👕 Get New Ernie Ball Merch Now!
  • Ernie Ball
  • Music Man
  • Sterling by Music Man
  • Security notice: Ernie Ball staff will never send you a direct message about a prize or giveaway, and will never ask you to click a link to "claim" anything.
    If you receive a message like that - even from an account whose name looks official - do not click the link. Please report it using the Report link on the message so the moderators can act. A scam campaign impersonating admin accounts was blocked on 29 July 2026; those accounts are banned and their messages have been deleted.
Bongo 2026 Collection

Stingray / Sabre body shape

K

kenito

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 12, 2003
Messages
71
Hey Gav (or anyone who knows), do you know if the Stingray remained a slab body until EB took over ?

Why was the Sabre contoured from its introduction in '78 while the Stingray was a slab ? Where's the logic in that ?
 
My guess is that the "logic" in the Sabre being contoured from day one is that it was aimed to compete against Jazz basses - 2 pickups, body contour, narrower neck
 
>>>do you know if the Stingray remained a slab body until EB took over ?

As far as I know all the Pre-EB 'Rays were slab.

>>>Why was the Sabre contoured from its introduction in '78 while the Stingray was a slab ? Where's the logic in that ?

I think Mark's got it. From what I understand, the 'Ray was a revamped version of the Fender P Bass. The Sabre was meant to be the deluxe model so they gave it the V.I.P. treatment.

.
 
It would be kind of expected to produce a slab bodied bass in the early '50s but to do it in '76 seems very strange. Especially as the Precision and Jazz, introduced before the Stingray, are contoured.

Why go back in time ?
 
kenito said:
It would be kind of expected to produce a slab bodied bass in the early '50s but to do it in '76 seems very strange. Especially as the Precision and Jazz, introduced before the Stingray, are contoured.

Why go back in time ?
Click to expand...

Were the contours subject to a patent owned by Fender?

Only guessing... certainly the defense of body shapes is less vigourous now than it was in the past when Gibson was forced to drop the reverse Firebird shape.
 
hello i´m pablo from argentina.
i'm about to buy a MusicManSabre 1979, do you think is a good bass? do you recomend it?. I love the Stringray sound but this one is the only one that i can found at a razonable price.
thanks...
pablo
 
Evil_Ernie_Ball said:
pics ? :rolleyes:
Click to expand...


You want pics of a slab bodied bass? Well, if you're serious, here's one ....

fretlessback.jpg


And for contrast, here's a later model Stingray with a contoured body, rather than the early slab style .....

rayback.jpg


Would you prefer I draw a picture in crayon or finger paint to help explain it to you? :rolleyes:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Classic Rock N Roll Slinky
Back
Top