Ernie Ball Music Man Sabre Classic x 2 - Testing BOTH flats and rounds! - LowEndLobster Fresh Look
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ก.ย. 2024
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HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Hey everyone! Today we're checking out another one of the "Classics" from Ernie Ball Music man - The Sabre!... specifically two of them. The Sabre Classic is a faithful recreation of a late-model Music Man Sabre produced from the late 70's until the early 90's. We'll be exploring these instruments in depth with both roundwounds (MJC Ironworks NPSS 45-105) and flatwounds (LaBella Deep Talkin Flats 45-105)! Let's check em out!
Specs:
Body Wood: Ash
Body Colors: Standard Classic Collection colors
Bridge: Music Man top loading chrome plated, hardened steel bridge plate with “Classic” stainless steel saddles and adjustable mute pads
Pickguard: Standard - black or white; optional - shell
Scale Length: 34? (86.4cm)
Neck Radius: 11? (27.9cm)
Headstock Size: Only 8.25? (21cm) long
Frets: 21 - High profile, wide
Neck Width: 1.625? (41.3mm) at nut 2.5? (63.5mm) at last fret
Neck Wood: Choice of birdseye or flame maple
Fingerboard: Fretted - maple or rosewood
Neck Finish: High gloss polyester
Neck Colors: Natural aged yellow finish
Tuning Machines: Schaller BM, with tapered string posts
Truss Rod: Adjustable - no component or string removal
Neck Attachment: 6 bolts - perfect alignment with no shifting
Controls: 2-band active preamp; vol, treble, bass
Switching: 5-way lever pickup selector
Pickups: Standard - neck pickup - 16 pole humbucker with Alnico magnets and solid black cover, bridge - 8 pole humbucker with Alnico magnets and solid black cover, with patented Music Man “Silent Circuit”, which reduces hum and retains true single coil sound
This bass and all my other basses with rounds are strung with MJC Ironworks Nickel Plated Stainless Steel 45-105(130) unless otherwise noted. Check them out at www.mjcironworks.com
Big thanks to Dom @ ThirdFloorGuitars for setting up my instruments. You can find him at www.thirdfloorguitars.com
Discord: discord.gg/dzrFMzD
Facebook: LowEndLobster
Twitter: @LowEndLobster
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I love how every time I click the like button, Lobster's hand goes back to normal! Never lets me down...
Consistent reinforcement is key ;P
The Sabre is a versatile tone monster and maybe the most underrated Music Man bass! I'm surprised that Music Man hasn't made a 5-string version of the Sabre. That would be a killer bass!!!
Agreed! I really don't know why these didn't gain more traction during the original run or even with the classic reissues. They're awesome!
Grazie
I'd love a 5-string version of this! It's time for Music Man to extend their Sterling Classic range with a Sabre 4 and 5!
Maybe the best designed bass....ever. You can hang a career on it. The 2 setting blew me away. Like a super P sound. My 2nd fav instrument thus far you have reviewed. Your channel is so much fun.
Thanks Rick! So glad you're enjoying the vids. I agree, don't know why these didn't catch on more. It almost does it all in terms of usable classic tones that you can bring anywhere.
you really are a bass player, you knew we needed the flatwound slap anyways
:)
I have a 1980 sabre... and out of all my bass collection.. its awesome.. love my p bass and jazz but sabre is totally a joy to play
Awesome! :) Thanks Alan
I like the position 2 tone in both string options. That seems to be an unique tone to the Ray family. I also keep one of my Ray basses with flats on it as well. I would like to see Sterling bring back the Sabre in a budget option. That would be super cool!
I think MM is the only "legacy" brand that is really doing legit R&D instead of reissuing reissues of their original products or making weird mashups of their classic designs. MM can do true replicas of road worn instruments (Cliff Williams' bass), classic designs with modern twist (silent circuits, Stingray's redesign) and completely new and unique instruments (Bongo, JP signature guitars).
Great comment! I agree, they're in a really good spot right now IMO. I'd never drop 7k for one of the Cliffies, but I respect the craft there.
Too bad they stopped making the Cutlass and Caprice basses. I liked them.
The Sabre always seemed like a real desert-island bass.
It definitely is. Love the 'classics'!
I want a sabre soooo bad!!! I love them!!
Thanks Jeremy! Me too hahaha
Going to have to say that this not a bass I've ever considered but after hearing it in this awesome review its definitely going on the list 👍🎯😻. Thanks Lobman
Thanks Jean-Paul :)
That fretboard on the Silver one...is KILLIN it!!!!
Yeah, that one def has the purdier neck!
Man , the Thump tone on that bass is a must have .
I can't believe it, no background ground issue sounding kind of like 60 cycle hum!!! And the roundwound saber might have the best sound of ever heard from a four-string music man style instrument. Um, plus your chops are insanely tasteful and DOPE, not that they're not normally btw... but this particular review was FIRE! 🔥👌🔥👌🔥👌🤘🤘🤘🤘
Thank you my friend! The EBMM Classics really inspire me :).
Loving the flats on this bass & the front pickup
both sound great, can tell u having fun on these!!!
Thanks Tom! I am :). I love these things
I'm digging flats lately, and while Music Man basses are typically not something that many people would use with flats, I really like what I hear! The front pickup can give some serious thump, and the treble capabilities from the electronics can still provide it with some sparkle for slapping if needed. And "StingRay mode" with flats is sooo 70s - lovely! Awesome basses! Yes, Music Man, please bring them back!
I own a Stingray 5 and in my humble opinion, the entire line of Music Man basses are some of the best on the planet. The Sabre is such a unique bass and it’s tone is a bit more warm and crisp sounding than that of the Stingray. I plan on adding a Sabre to my collection soon as it’s it’s such an incredible bass!!
Position 2 sounds like P Bass plus! Can't help but imagine that the Sabre would totally be a metal machine! Great video and playing as always Lobster.
Thanks Jonah! I agree, pos 2 nails the P bass vibe. Much appreciated :)
One of my favorite channels on TH-cam 🤘 Digging the table! The basses are pretty cool, too. Seriously though... argh, I want a Sabre now!
Thanks Taconeko!
Great review as always :) I can clearly see 10k subscribers ahead. Hope to see some more basses from Cort and Yamaha in the future. There is not many people who create such informative reviews. Keep up the good work!
Thank you! I'm very hopeful for the future :). Absolutely! I actually have a Yamaha BB735a here from a friend which I will be doing some vids on soon, and more Corts to come :).
Awesome review, you're becoming my favorite yotuber bassist!!!
Thank you :D
Both sound fantastic! Unfortunately, it makes me realize not only do I need a better bass, I also need a second one. That way I can string one with rounds and the other with flats! I like both sound palettes.
Thanks Matthew! I agree, having a bass with flats is a must for the discerning bassist. Completely different vibe!
One of the highlights of my 2020 was finding a Sabre Classic in Diego Blue on Facebook marketplace for $900. I’ve owned darn near every variation of Music Man bass from Bongo 6 to Ray 5 to the Old Smoothie and the Sabre is ridiculously good. It’s a slap machine...but so much more.
DIEGO BLUE!? Dude what a score!!! I agree man, these are very special instruments.
@@LowEndLobster I put a pic on the Talkbass Sabre Club thread if you want to see it.
Great review and demo. The sunburst with roundwounds is quite a chameleon of tone but it still retains that Stingray character. Very impressed.
Thanks Jonathan! I agree
Super Kewl Review! I acquired one of these bad boys from a close friend of mine that's a collector last year. I have the transparent white with and full flame maple neck. I about fell over when I saw you added the LaBella flats, I added the same exact strings immediately for that James Jamerson sound! I am in love with this bass, it plays like butter and I can't put it down! It's my new #1, all my other girls hanging on the wall are extremely jealous! However... I have had a 5 string bug up my butt for several years and could never find one that felt like home till just a few months ago. I acquired a 2005 Ernie Ball MusicMan Stingray 5 with an all maple neck and all I can say is WOW!!! I have tried many Sting Ray 5's but there is something seriously different with the 2005, it's built like a Sherman Tank and plays like butter, low action like a Les Paul! with a huge sound. Thanks again for the awesome review, you described this bass perfectly!
I just stumbled upon your channel today and as soon as I heard the song of time chant I instantly subscribed. Great playin'!
Thank you and welcome aboard :)
i love that cream and maple look
Thanks froge :D
Awesome!! Loved this video, Lobster. You demonstrated how cool Sabre basses are!
Thanks Sam! I know you'd like this one ;P
@@LowEndLobster I would probably own one if they weren’t so &@!?# heavy!
@@samlelowitch Yeah both of mine are north of 10 lbs. I think one is 10 on the dot and the other is a hair over.... and on the other end of the spectrum is the BFR fretless at like 7.5 lbs
@@LowEndLobster I have spotted short-scale StingRays on Sweetwater that weighed 7lbs.
I had a Sabre bass. Like a nut I got rid of it because it didn’t sound a ‘stingray’ with two pickups. Here’s the kicker; AFTER I sold it, I was told it WASN’T supposed to sound like one. It had different pickup switching combos to give it more tones. I was young, didn’t know any better. Now I think I’ll get one THIS TIME!😌👍🏾
Thanks! Hope one makes its way into your possession :)
@@LowEndLobster Thanks! If I can find a white one with a maple fingerboard I’M IN!🤨🎶👍🏾
This thing does a great P bass impression in position 2.
Thanks Brett! Right!? Such mojo there
Awesome video to temporarily escape family on Turkey day. Ty!
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it :)
I really like the sound of this one.
Thanks Brandon! Yeah these things sound sooo good. I just got an Aguilar Tone Hammer 350, and paired with my Accugroove Tri112L cab (neither are in my videos lol), it sounds soooooo goooood
LowEndLobster cool. I've been curious about your amp and recording chain. You don't really ever mention it. It matters! Anyway great sounds...and I'd love to compare this to the current double humbucker offerings, especially the cheaper sterlings at $800 or so.
Brother lobster,that is how a sabre should be played,
Very nice!
Thank you!
One of my favorite bass 😍
Nice review
:D Thank you!
lobster i always find myself sloothing for the exact bases you review that week. you and reverb hypnotizing me or something?
We're part of a global bass conspiracy ;P
@@LowEndLobster wait how do i get in on that
Those Basses Sound Phenomenal Great Great Video I own a Stingray 34 But those Sabre Classic Stingray have aLot of Great Tones I Dig it Lobster Man.👍
Thanks Darrell! :)
Honestly i wish sterling would come out with a new affordable sabre. I would probably get that over a ray34. But for now my ray34 will have to do.
Someone else suggested that I try and mod a SUB Ray4HH with a sabre config.... THAT's an idea! It's possible, we have the technology :P
@@LowEndLobster that would be so sweet!
They are both great. I am partial to the flats, but that's just me. Phat tone is nice.
Thanks John! Me too haha
Great video. Those basses sound awesome.
LOVE me some Sabers...SHOULD have just bit it and gave JLL what he wanted for his vintage one ..with the SD p/us and the Audere Pro preamp!!!!!!!!
That one was NUTS!
Sabre 5 would be a great deal if Ernie Ball MM decides to produce them one day. Stingray 5 basses with overextended pickguard ruined the classic look of Stingrays (apart from the Classic 5s). Sabre 5 with the same look would fix this issue, and they should keep the 21 frets neck too.
Imagine a Sabre 5... :O
Can't wait for you to get a table big enough for 3 basses so you can test some tapewounds alongside the flats and roundwounds as well
I'm gonna get a table so big, it'll be the floor! ;P I do have some tapes in my little string bin that I've been meaning to try! :)
Oh man I reeeeaallly like the sounds you get from 2 and 4. It overall sounds way more usable than the options you get from your standard HH.
I wonder how much of a task it’d be to buy a cheaper model HH (like the Sterling Sub or even the one Harley Benton makes) and rewire it with the Sabre configuration? Now THAT would be an interesting video!
MY MAN! That's an idea! Dude ahahaha well done! Operation SUBre? Dun dun dun!
I like position 2 the most followed by 3.
Love my 1991 Sabre but these classic Sabre's seem very nice as well,very rare and hard to find.
Thanks Martin! Nice, a '91! That was one of the final years, right? That sounds killer! I'd love to check out one of the originals with the dual 8 pole pickups and the 3 toggle switches (L2000 anyone?).
@@LowEndLobster 1991 was the last year for the first series.The original pre Ernie Ball Sabre's are insane but also very rare and expensive however one day i will get one.
@@LowEndLobster I sold my 1991 last friday and got a 1979 Pre EB Sabre.Holy grail it's so insanly good.
@@martijnprins5751 Congrats!
@@LowEndLobster Thank you very much i higly recommend it.
Strong candidate for only bass, if we lived in a sad world where we were only allowed one.
Absolutely! These things are so good
100%
I bought a second jazz bass for flats.
Perfectly reasonable
"You see, this is my flats bass... that's my rainy day bass... THAT one is my weekend bass... Rainy weekends? well we use that other bass here...." ;P
3:41
*eyes burn to a crisp*
:O I'd try and help but our eye wash station also only dispenses fire grooves ;P
You forgot one of the coolest features on these basses. The mutes in the bridge!
Good point! The classic bridge is one of my favorite looking bridges too
@@LowEndLobster I have the same silver sabre. Would have liked to hear the mutes with flat wounds as I have dr stainless lowriders on mine
@@melissabuchanan6802 That gives me a great idea to look at the different EBMM bridges and would be a perfect opportunity for demoing the mutes :)
@@LowEndLobster I like the neck positions and both humbuckers when using the mutes. Treble way down bass halfway up sounds good. Another cool trick is to have the mutes barley touching the string for a fretless mwah sound. Play notes around the 12th fret and adjust the mutes till u get that sound.
Ahhh Lobster, nice Sabre... could you make another video with the flatwounded-loaded Sabre, but with a pick and the mutes activated for that awesome Carol Kaye boogaloo?
Great idea for a revisit!
Wow! Those Sabre’s sound amazing (though I’m partial to round-wounds). Do you know if the original Sabre’s had the same “silent circuit” technology? That’s pretty cool. Or could it be just a phantom coil hidden somewhere in there? EBMM loves them phantom coils...
Just as a side-bar, if you look into the Sabre from ‘79, you can clearly see the innovation Leo was doing with the bridge - the original is very reminiscent of a G&L bridge, only with a slightly larger footprint although it looks slightly less robust.
Also, the Sabre design evolved into the G&L L2000 - the L2000 prototype that was actually used in the earliest advertisements had the Sabre pickup positions. But just before full-scale production began, the pickup positions changed to where the current L2000 pickups are - neck pickup in the P-Bass position and bridge pickup in the 60’s Jazz position.
Anyway, as always - great video. Now I’m off to comment on the L1000 video...!!!!
Thank you Dwarde! That's really interesting, thank you for that info! I was looking at my L1000 side by side to the Sabre and was like "these are EXTREMELY similar shaped and the control plate is similar too". I think the original ones had the silent circuit as well, but I can't be sure. I'd love a chance to mess around with one of the originals!
I have the original ‘79 Sabre. It has a lot of Mojo but it doesn’t have a silent circuit technology. The ones in this video have more tonal flexibility. I am going through a flats phase right now so more partial to the flats. My MM has about 5 really great tones so it isn’t quite the Swiss Army knife like the ones in the video. It even has some really awful ones. And I swear it has that Sklar producer’s switch-still no idea what the white one does. Still it is amazing especially a funk monster.Also very rare so worth a penny now.
@@emote7312 All very true!
I have a ‘79 Sabre too, which has been my ‘daily driver’ bass for most of the last thirty years; it’s been strung with flats for the last decade.
I think I will be taking it to my grave.
Really digging this channel! So, I need to ask: where did you find TWO of these unicorns when I can't even find ONE for sale ANYWHERE (Bass Central, Reverb, Ebay, Talkbass, etc.).
Great question! The sunburst one was from GC online and was mint (though the pictures were terrible)! The silver one was a quick snag on Reverb about a month ago. Wasn't up for that long.
I actually just found the "Where have all the Sabre's gone" thread on Talkbass with your contribution. Didn't realize you were a TB member too. Salutations, and thanks again for the great content, although it makes me lust after things I don't need. :)
I would have been interested in hearing a comparison between position 2 (single coil) and your P-Bass. I thought that position sounded kinda p-bass-ish and surprisingly fat for a single coil. Great sounding basses! Thanks for the review!
This can be arranged ;). Indeed that neck pickup has some fat P vibes... I should make a little sub-series.. "does it P?" XD
@@LowEndLobster That would be awesome!
The only thing missing is bridge pickup single coil mode as on the Sterlings ;-)
I wonder if the original Sabres had that option as they had some switches vs the 5'way selector
Flatwounds... more like Fartwounds amiright???
EYOOO! ;P
The 1 5/8" nut width is not for me. I prefer my USA Sterling 4HH with the 1 1/2" nut width.🙂
4k and climbing! #RoadTo100k
Thank you :D
Where did u get them gems lobster 🦞 ? There not easy to find especially in that condition
Great question! One I snagged on GC Online used, only had one terrible picture but it was MINT. Second one was from Reverb and needed a little bit of TLC (the silver one). Was in gear shape but super grimy (especially the hardware).
Did you notice a significant output drop in the neck pickup positions? Mine has this, even with the neck pickup cranked so close to the strings as to be almost touching... Kind of makes positions 4 and 5 useless if I want to switch back and forth live...
So how does this (amazing) sounding bass sound compared to the new double humbucker model? Especially the $850 sterling HH model? Btw these are hard to find!!
Great question Brandon! I plan on doing a vid comparing the two! :) They're very different, both with the Stingray Special sounding a bit more 'modern' and the 5 way giving us some different configs as opposed to the Sabre. That will be a great video :).
Might be challenging a T-40 for the “versatile bass to put flats on” title
Hehehe, however it would lose out to the T-40 for the title of "best bass for home defense"
@@LowEndLobster LOL I’ve never played one but they’re only a few ounces heavier than my ash jazz
Have you any desire to compare the mm caprice's to your fender p?
I've always wondered how they stack up.
Yes.... So much yes... I'm waiting for the right color combo. I really really want a natural/maple Cutlass.... hnnng.....
I sold a natural/rosewood late 80s EB Sabre over twenty years ago. Never had the cash for these Classic reissues the few years they were in production but this bass is my bucket list bass.
Incidentally how do think pos 2 sounds against your Cutlass? Listening to it with the flats on pos 2 I’m sorely tempted to sell my Cutlass to get one of these. If you ever want to move one of yours on let me know🙂
Great question! I think the Cutlass takes the cake there, but that bass doesn't have anywhere near the tonal versatility of the Sabre. Position 2 sounds like a P where as the Cutlass IMO sounds like THE P.
Well I did get my Classic Sabre. Exact same as the sunburst one you’re playing here. Nice weight with some great birdseye on the neck. It’s everything I wanted and so much more versatile and ergonomically pleasing than the Classic Stingray I bought and sold. Only problem is I had to jump on it quick and the only way I could get it was by selling my Cutlass. First world problems eh?
Oh man!! Why do you keep doing it... showing me basses I want - but my bank balance and my ability say I can’t have!!
;P
Have you played a vintage pre-EB Sabre?
If so, how does it compare?
I want to! Haven't had the chance yet though
@@LowEndLobster I just got a '78 Sabre.
Holy moly does it sound amazing! Sad I missed out on the Classic reissue.
Ever think you'll sell the sunburst classic?
💙👊😎
:)
Hi ,what is the difference between the Sabre and Stingray HH. Thanks.
Hey Angelo. A lot! The body shape, preamp, neck pickup, pickup modes, bridge, mostly everything is different. That's a great idea for a video!
@@LowEndLobster Thanks💪💪🤗
Hey Angelo. Your video idea has become reality! - studio.th-cam.com/users/videocAacfjIv8Ys/comments
I want one of these basses badly, particularly in natural ash/maple fingerboard. Very hard to find now.
ALSO - I WANT THAT SHIRT - where did you get it?
Thank you Tim! Yes these are VERY special basses and very hard to find, especially in the finish you're desiring.
Here's the shirt- www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RBFK7K4
I have 2 in natural a 79 and an 80... if interested add a comment i am prepared to part with the 1980 sabre natural and in mint condition
Dont forget me lobster. Fender tony franklin.
Nice to meet you Fender Tony Franklin! I'm dad ;P
We'll get there my dude :)
@@LowEndLobster thank u my friend! Call me dave.
They're not rare, you just can't get them for 500 USD no more lol
So, upcharged but not made of anything close to unobtanium.
There are slots for both bass and guitar of the Music Man Sabres - they are only empty because other slots can be filled first and there are still a lot of empty slots to get through before I can think about filling those. :-)
And there are a couple generations to choose from - I don't know what the allure of fat pole pieces is but I'm praying it's not anything famous historical psychoanalysts would have theories about.
Hahah true. Yeah these used to be much more common, but have seemed to have found their forever homes. The originals supposedly had issues with the larger poles at the neck impacting string vibration or something. I don't know the specifics, but I appreciate the different tones of the 16 pole neck humbucker especially with the single coil option. Fatness for days!
@@LowEndLobster as of last video lol I actually priced some vintage sabres. Good stuff but I can buy two CLF custom shop basses for one of those.... :-(
Do you live in Thomann or similar? How could you own so many basses? Jajajajaja. I would like a Music M, a Fender Jazz or a Bongo 6. ( Actually the only bass that I really want is the Bongo... At least I have two toilets , but no strings in neither)
Thanks for the video.
Hehehe ;P You have good taste in basses my friend! Thank you for watching!
@@LowEndLobster As we say “maybe I can’t pay the menu but I can enjoy la carte”. Is the same. I can’t pay for a Bongo or a Music Man like yours but I enjoy watching you play them.
Someday I’ll buy a Bongo 6. That day music will feed me. Feed? I don’t know if that is correct in English.
Thanks! (And what about the amps?)
Well ..the SILVER is my fav though ...not the strings ..but the bass itself....not a flats guy!!...METAL RULZ....hahahahaha
;P
Cool!😎👍🏾But a lil’ advice Low End Lobster! When you Jam with the Drums,..try matching the Kick Drum pattern every now & then in your phrase or Bass Line so we can get a sense of just how the Bass used will “sit in the pocket” or groove huh!!?? Otherwise,..😏not a bad video! And those Sabres don’t get much “Playtime” in the Public eye nowadays so it was nice to see & hear them! Still gonna get my Sterling Ray 34 tho’‼️🤨👌🏾🤣It excites me!
Are the controls boost and cut? If they are cut also why use them in this cut position, isn't center detent neutral?
The classic preamps are boost and cut (doesn't feel like it), but there's no center detent. Sterling Ball says that you gotta start with everything all the way down and work up from there on there.
@@LowEndLobster I see
3:35
Great basses but notoriously heavy
They're not light, that's why you gotta get one of those stands that Vulpek uses ;P.
But is this new table more stable?!?!?!?
.... no ;P, I think it's the floor, or I suck at building Ikea tables hahaha.