Pricing and availability
Average Price: $2,660
High-end/Boutique
$400
$1001+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
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Description
Crafted for the discerning bassist, the Classic Sabre electric bass guitar offers a harmonious blend of versatility and vintage charm. With its sleek design and meticulous craftsmanship, this bass is more than just an instrument—it's an extension of your musical expression. Its dual humbucking pickups, paired with a five-way switch, deliver a spectrum of tones that range from warm and mellow to sharp and punchy, making it ideal for any genre or playing style.
One of the standout features of the Classic Sabre is its adjustable felt mute pads on the bridge. These allow you to fine-tune your sound, achieving the perfect balance between string vibration and that sought-after muted bass tone. Whether you're laying down a groove for an RnB track or exploring the depths of reggae, these mutes provide a tonal control that's second to none.
The Classic Sabre also incorporates Silent Circuit technology, ensuring that you enjoy hum-free performance even when using single-coil modes. This innovation preserves your tone's clarity and precision, letting you focus on your performance rather than unwanted noise.
Designed for musicians who demand excellence, the Classic Sabre is not just a bass—it's a partner in your musical journey.
Key Features:
- Dual humbucking pickups with five-way switching for a wide tonal range
- Adjustable felt mutes for customizable vintage bass tones
- Silent Circuit technology for hum-free single-coil performance
- Premium craftsmanship for reliability and maximum performance
- Hard case included for secure transportation
Product specs
| Brand | Ernie Ball Music Man |
| Model | Classic Sabre Bass with Maple Fretboard, Classic Sabre Bass with Rosewood Fretboard |
| Finish | Black, Classic Natural, Classic Red, Diego Blue, Honey Burst, Mayan Silver, Pacific Blue Burst, Trans Blue, Trans White, Vintage Burst |
| Year | 2013 - 2015 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | 4-String Basses, Active Bass Guitars |
| Active / Passive Pickups | Active Pickups |
| Active Preamp | Active Preamp |
| Body Material | Ash |
| Body Shape | Double Cutaway |
| Color Family | Black, Blue, Brown, Natural, Red, Silver, White |
| Finish Pattern | Sunburst |
| Finish Style | Gloss |
| Fretboard Material | Maple, Rosewood |
| Neck Material | Maple |
| Number of Frets | 21 |
| Number of Strings | 4-String |
| Nut Width | 1.625" |
| Offset Body | Offset Body |
| Pickup Configuration | HH |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Scale Length | 34" |
| Wood Top Style | Opaque, Plain |
FAQs
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What type of music is the Classic Sabre bass best suited for?
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The Classic Sabre bass is versatile, featuring active pickups and an active preamp, making it suitable for a wide range of genres, including rock, funk, jazz, and pop.
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How does the neck profile of the Classic Sabre bass affect playability?
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The Classic Sabre bass features a comfortable neck with a nut width of 1.625", offering a balance between speed and comfort, which is ideal for both fingerstyle and slap bass techniques.
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Are the pickups on the Classic Sabre bass active or passive?
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The Classic Sabre bass is equipped with active pickups, providing a powerful and dynamic sound with enhanced tonal control.
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What materials are used for the body and neck of the Classic Sabre bass?
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The Classic Sabre bass features an ash body and a maple neck, contributing to its bright and resonant tone.
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How many frets does the Classic Sabre bass have?
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The Classic Sabre bass has 21 frets, allowing for a wide range of notes and playing styles.
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What are the available finishes for the Classic Sabre bass?
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The Classic Sabre bass is available in several finishes, including Black, Classic Natural, Classic Red, Diego Blue, Honey Burst, Mayan Silver, Pacific Blue Burst, Trans Blue, Trans White, and Vintage Burst.
Videos
BassTheWorld.com
MUSIC MAN CLASSIC SABRE BASS - Lars Lehmann
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Music Man Classic Sabre.
Features and functionality
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The Sabre features a 5-way switch allowing versatile tone options, including P bass and brighter tones, with built-in felt mutes rarely seen today.
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The Sabre's pre-EB models are noted for having a vintage MusicMan preamp, which adds a "wonky and nasal" tone that's musically appealing.
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The Sabre includes a passive treble boost and a 3-way pickup switch with an out-of-phase setting for mellow tones.
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Build quality
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It's noted for its heavy weight, both physically and tonally, with a baseball bat-like neck made of speckled maple.
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Vintage Sabres can exhibit cracks in the wood finish, though these are often superficial and not structurally significant.
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The neck gloss wears to a satin feel over decades, enhancing playability.
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User experience
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Owners from the late '70s and '80s report long-term satisfaction, with some using it exclusively for decades.
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The Sabre's preamp can produce a tone reminiscent of "The Cars" when using a pick, specifically on tracks like "Just What I Needed."
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Owners find it hard to part with Sabres once owned, indicating a strong attachment and satisfaction with the instrument.
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Comparisons
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The Sabre is lighter than a Fender Jazz 5 and has pickups with 16 polepieces, similar to Jazz bass humbuckers.
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The EBMM USA Sterling HH is considered the closest modern equivalent in terms of body size and playability.
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The G&L L-2000 is similar but features rear-routed controls and active treble boost, unlike the Sabre's pickguard and passive boost.
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Use cases and applications
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Joe Dart's signature model endorsement suggests its suitability for professional use.
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Setup and maintenance
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Some vintage Sabres may develop a "ski-jump" neck, requiring more than just fret leveling to resolve neck buzz issues.
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Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating
Artist usage
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Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Music Man Classic Sabre, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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