Worth of a '79 MM Sabre?

[rhythmCity944]

I'm in the process of figuring out if I want to sell my '79 Musicman Sabre or not. The tone in general is just too warm for my taste, that's the bottom line. I may opt for another Stingray instead. The Sabre has a decent amount of paint chipping and dings but nothing extreme, a very very slight amounts of rust on the control plate and bridge, and new frets professionally done last November. Anyways, what is an approx. value I can expect from this bass if I decide to get rid of it?

It is the decision that I've always wanted a Sabre (really a Cutlass II is what I've always wanted, haven't found one yet so I got the Sabre) and got one, loved the look and feel but found I really don't care for the tone as much as my Stingray...I don't know if I'll regret selling it, some sentimental value with that bass (mainly that I wanted one for so long and my cat, who was the roommate (RIP), loved to paw at the strings and make noise)...it is an awesome bass and the tone sounds great when I'm playing by myself, very thick sounding, but in a band situation which is where I spend most of my time playing bass, it just does not work no matter how I eq my rig or the bass.

I wouldn't even be in consideration of selling this bass if I did not also have a hobby of racing Porsche 944's... i would then have the finances to have more than 2 bass guitars

 

[bovinehost]

bdgotoh is the go-to man on these issues. I'm sure he'll weigh in when the sun comes up.

 

[bdgotoh]

It really depends on condition and luck. Really clean ones can top $1200 pretty easily and I've had well-used ones I sold hit $1000. I've also seen some that looked great go for under that so it's a bit of a crapshoot. I'd probably start it around a grand and see how people respond. Adjust the above to fit what you need to get out of it vs how fast you want it to sell, of course.

todd4ta is also a great resource on Sabre sales.

 

[rhythmCity944]

thanks, that is what i figured the value would be...now it is just deciding to part with it or not...

the cat's name was Geddy Lee...the name fit him well

 

[todd4ta]

I would estimate just like Brad said - in the the $1000-1200 range depending on condition and if it's all original. If it's all original including the finish and frets, and the neck is straight and everything works I think $1200 is a very good estimate.

 

[rhythmCity944]

cool, that is what i was thinking