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The Lost Leo Fender Guitar Design from 1969


Rabs

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Hmmm.......not for me, I'm afraid.

 

Leo Fender was working on that in 1969. In 1978 he, under the name of his new company, brought out the Music Man Sabre I and MM Sabre II guitars (identical apart from fret-board radius).

Here's what Wiki says about the electronics of the Sabre;

 

"It featured an internal pre-amp that allowed the guitar to retain its tonal response regardless of the volume level or cable length, factors that would usually reduce treble.The preamp module also featured an active EQ circuit with independent volume, treble, and bass controls, as well as bright, phase reversal, and three way pick up selector switches."

 

I had a Sabre II. As was mentioned in a thread a few weeks back I only kept it 9 months. In the shop the range of tones sounded really good but in a gigging situation (it was my backup guitar at the time) it was incredibly difficult to get the tone 'Just Right' with, say, a simple flick of a switch or the slight tweaking of a tone / vol knob. I ended up absolutely hating that guitar. That's not to say it wouldn't be a great choice for a session musician who needs a box of tools in one guitar or for using in a studio where there is time to get things Just So. But as a backup to something as basic as a Strat the numerous switching possibilities offered WAY too many complications for my liking.

 

I'm guessing I'd have pretty much the same thoughts about this new offering.

 

Pretty cool that they've brought out a never-before-made 50-y-o design, though, so Kudos for that!

 

Pip.

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Hmmm.......not for me, I'm afraid.

 

I'm guessing I'd have pretty much the same thoughts about this new offering.

 

Pretty cool that they've brought out a never-before-made 50-y-o design, though, so Kudos for that!

 

Pip.

Yeah I just posted that as an interesting bit of guitar history... nothing more.. I still have no urges at all for a Fender.

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Yeah I just posted that as an interesting bit of guitar history... nothing more.. I still have no urges at all for a Fender...

And I thank you for posting it; I liked hearing the story!

No urges for a Fender? OK!

There are quite a few brands which do absolutely nothing for me whatsoever so I empathise with the thought 100% but for someone with as well-informed an appreciation for guitars and their history to have no itch to have a Fender might, I'm guessing, be considered to be quite unusual. Any particular reason(s) for the lack of interest, Rabs? Shapes? Colours? Tones? Feel? I'd be delighted to hear you expand on this.

 

eusa_think.gif

 

Pip.

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And I thank you for posting it; I liked hearing the story!

No urges for a Fender? OK!

There are quite a few brands which do absolutely nothing for me whatsoever so I empathise with the thought 100% but for someone with as well-informed an appreciation for guitars and their history to have no itch to have a Fender might, I'm guessing, be considered to be quite unusual. Any particular reason(s) for the lack of interest, Rabs? Shapes? Colours? Tones? Feel? I'd be delighted to hear you expand on this.

 

eusa_think.gif

 

Pip.

Mainly the necks.. Im very fussy with my necks.. Don't like the rounder fretboard profile... Its mostly that.. Plus im not really a fan of single coils, I like PHAT sounds.. If I were to get a Fender I would want one with humbuckers or P90s and some would tell me that's missing the point somewhat :)

 

If I were to get one these days it would probably be a Tele.... I kind of like them but not over my LPs... Some of the parallel universe guitars were kinda cool.

 

From the design point of view im interested in everything and indeed am constantly looking at stuff. But from a personal players view, not so much. I do have to separate those two things somewhat. Most of the guitars I have built aren't to my personal preference, so some have fat necks as I know some people really like fat necks. The last build I made was a custom to order.. When it came to the neck profile he wanted it like his Tele which apparently I was able to re-create quite well as that was his first comment, it feels like my Tele :D So its not like I don't understand it. And I have played quite a few over the years and am always happy to try something new, I just know from experience they don't usually do much for me. I am also very happy with my guitar collection and don't have GAS in that way any more (even though im sure if I had more money that would be a different story ;) )

 

I even gave a Strat a really good chance once.. Had it for about a year and just never bonded with it. It was a Mexican deluxe and the guy I sold it too said when he got it, that he preferred it to his American Standard Strat so it was a nice one..

 

This one.

9XOdhCE.jpg

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[quote name='pippy' timestamp='1549309557' post='1975988'

No urges for a Fender?

To each his own. Years ago, I bought an MIM Strat, because everone needs a Strat, right? Never did bond with it. My go to electric has been my modded Dot, but a couple of years ago I finally broke down and bought a Tele, and wondered why I waited so long. It's now a coin toss as to which of the two I grab first (and I own a Gibby LP along with a slew of PRS, Gretsch, et al).

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...To each his own...

Oh, well, I'm sure Rabs (and, of course, you yourself) knew I wasn't being censorious about his preference - or, indeed, lack thereof - regarding Fenders, Dennis.

 

But I was curious because Rabs really knows his stuff and I wondered what it was about one of the two American Giants of the guitar world which he found to be off-putting.

 

This bit, I found, was especially interesting;

"Mainly the necks.. I'm very fussy with my necks.. Don't like the rounder fret-board profile... Its mostly that.. Plus I'm not really a fan of single coils, I like PHAT sounds.. If I were to get a Fender I would want one with humbuckers or P90s and some would tell me that's missing the point somewhat..."

 

I'd be curious to hear Rabs' views on a 12" radius Strat and as they come in a HSS format it might work for him? Wouldn't give one house room myself but then I'm a 21fret7.25"radiusSSSsixfulcrumscrewKlusontuneronestringteespaghettiscriptsmallpegheadfourboltneckthreepositionswitch kinda guy.

 

msp_smile.gif

 

Pip.

 

EDIT : I've just re-read this post and, in the nicest possible way, I can't read Rabs' statement without hearing it delivered by anyone other than in the voice of the late - and very very great - actor James Stewart.

 

I really do mean this in the nicest way, Rabs!

 

msp_thumbup.gif

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I also for what ever the reason prefer set necks.. Its one thing I haven't done yet.. Ive done a few neckthroughs, loads of set necks but never a bolt on.

 

Again theres no real reason behind that. Its just what I like.

 

And its not that I dislike the Fender body shapes so much as I REALLY love the Gibson ones.. A Les Paul was what I always thought a guitar should look like. And of course double cuts.. Always double cuts :) That new flame top custom special is awesome (IMO of course).

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Oh, well, I'm sure Rabs (and, of course, you yourself) knew I wasn't being censorious about his preference - or, indeed, lack thereof - regarding Fenders, Dennis...

No harm, no foul. My only point was that what one person thinks is Nirvana for another my be hell on wheels, if you will.

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