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Description

The Music Man Sabre Bass Fretless is a testament to the art of minimalist precision, designed for bassists who crave the smooth, sliding tones that only a fretless bass can deliver. This instrument is a seamless fusion of classic design and modern innovation, perfect for musicians looking to explore the expressive capabilities of their playing.

The Sabre Bass features proprietary active electronics that allow for a wide range of tonal possibilities, providing a rich and dynamic sound palette. With its sleek, fretless fingerboard, this bass guitar invites you to glide effortlessly across its surface, offering a unique blend of subtlety and power. Whether you're laying down a deep groove or exploring complex jazz progressions, the Sabre Bass delivers with clarity and precision.

Crafted with attention to detail, the body is made from premium tonewoods, ensuring both durability and excellent resonance. The neck is smooth and fast, designed for comfortable playability, making it suitable for extended playing sessions. The Sabre Bass also boasts high-quality hardware, ensuring reliable performance and tuning stability.

Key Features:

  • Proprietary active electronics for versatile tonal control
  • Premium tonewoods for durability and resonance
  • Fretless fingerboard for smooth, expressive play
  • High-quality hardware for reliable performance
  • Designed for both beginners and experienced fretless players

Product specs

Brand Music Man
Model Sabre Bass Fretless
Year 1979 - 1983
Made In United States
Categories 4-String Basses, Active Bass Guitars
Active / Passive Pickups Active Pickups
Active Preamp Active Preamp
Body Shape Double Cutaway
Color Family Black, Brown, Natural, White
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Ebony
Frets Fretless
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 0
Number of Strings 4-String
Offset Body Offset Body
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 34"
Wood Top Style Opaque, Plain

FAQs

What kind of tone can I expect from the Music Man Sabre Bass Fretless?

The Music Man Sabre Bass Fretless offers a warm, smooth tone with a rich low end, thanks to its active pickups and preamp. The fretless design allows for expressive slides and a unique, singing quality ideal for jazz, fusion, and other styles that benefit from nuanced articulation.

Is the Music Man Sabre Bass Fretless suitable for beginners?

While the Music Man Sabre Bass Fretless is a high-quality instrument, its fretless nature may present a challenge for beginners. It's better suited for players with some experience who are comfortable with intonation and seeking the distinct sound and feel of a fretless bass.

How does the active preamp in the Music Man Sabre Bass Fretless enhance its sound?

The active preamp in the Music Man Sabre Bass Fretless boosts the output and allows for greater tonal shaping, providing a versatile range of sounds from deep, resonant lows to bright, clear highs, making it adaptable for various musical genres.

What materials are used in the construction of the Music Man Sabre Bass Fretless?

The Music Man Sabre Bass Fretless features a maple neck and an ebony fretboard, offering a smooth playing surface and contributing to its rich tonal quality. The body is available in colors like sunburst, black, brown, natural, and white, with a gloss finish.

What is the scale length of the Music Man Sabre Bass Fretless, and how does it affect playability?

The Music Man Sabre Bass Fretless has a 34" scale length, which is standard for most bass guitars. This scale length provides a balanced tension and feel, making it comfortable for players familiar with traditional bass guitar dimensions.

ANDY'S VINTAGE GUITARS

ANDY'S VINTAGE GUITARS

1980 MUSICMAN SABRE BASS - FRETLESS - Andy's Vintage Guitars

Video thumbnail for 1980 MUSICMAN SABRE BASS - FRETLESS - Andy's Vintage Guitars by ANDY'S VINTAGE GUITARS

1980 MUSICMAN SABRE BASS - FRETLESS - Andy's Vintage Guitars

ANDY'S VINTAGE GUITARS

ANDY'S VINTAGE GUITARS

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Music Man Sabre Bass Fretless.

Features and functionality

  • The Sabre Bass includes a 5-way switch offering a wide range of vintage tones, from P bass-like to brighter options.

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  • Built-in felt mutes are a unique feature, rarely seen in modern basses.

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  • The bridge pickup delivers a classic Stingray tone, reminiscent of "Another One Bites the Dust," while the neck pickup offers a rounder, mellow sound, especially in the out-of-phase setting.

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Build quality

  • The neck is described as a "baseball bat" made of speckled maple, contributing to its heavy weight.

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  • Over time, the originally gloss neck finish wears down to a satin feel, enhancing playability and comfort.

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Comparisons

  • The Sabre Bass is lighter than a Fender Jazz 5 but features the same electronics as the Stingray 4HH.

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  • The G&L L-2000, often seen as a successor, differs with a series/parallel switch and rear-routed controls, contrasting the Sabre's phase switch and pickguard aesthetics.

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User experience

  • Owners report long-term satisfaction, with some using the same bass for over 30 years.

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  • Owners find the bass difficult to put down, with one noting minimal breaks from playing, contributing to its rarity on the resale market.

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Value and pricing

  • Older models, especially from the '70s, have appreciated significantly in value over the years.

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  • A well-used 1979 Sabre sold for $1200, reflecting its condition and market rarity compared to more pristine vintage models that fetch higher prices.

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Setup and maintenance

  • The Sabre houses a battery under a steel hexagon, indicating its early adoption of active electronics even in the late '70s models.

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