Howdy, and, I just bought a Sabre today.

Ferrous Lepidoptera · #1 06-21-2004, 02:27 AM

Hi folks, this is my first post here, though I've been aware of this (great) site for a few years. I've got an Ibanez or 2 (or 7

) though no Jems or Universe (but one prestige 3120) Today I bought a used Sabre (I think) . . . but I'm not sure what exactly it is. Nice red flame top, plays great, the neck feels nice and thin, like the neckson my RG520QS's, except 22 frets, of course. Looks to have the same bridge as my 3120.

Here are some pics:

http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/...ez_sabre_1.jpg
http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/..._neckplate.jpg
http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/..._headstock.jpg

So what'd I get?

bpd111 · #2 06-21-2004, 03:44 AM

Yeah, you bought a Sabre. I can't tell you exactly which one. Look at Ibanez Rules above and find the catalogs link. That should help you out. The last inlay says it's "custom made" right? Wrong.

Ferrous Lepidoptera · #3 06-21-2004, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpd111

The last inlay says it's "custom made" right? Wrong.

LOL. Yeah, I figured that out.

nuno · #4 06-21-2004, 05:00 AM

(from Japan/Europe 1991 catalog): it's a S540FM-CW (Flame Maple, Cherry Wine), which differs from the Saber Series, actually.

Ferrous Lepidoptera · #5 06-21-2004, 10:20 AM

Thanks nuno.

I thought the S in "S540" meant Sabre? From the serial number I had figured it was a '90, but looking through the catalogs, I didn't see that bridge appear until '91, so I sort of figured it was manufactured in '90 for sale in '91, but I wasn't really sure, and didn't see a comparable finish. Thanks for the "FM CW" idenfication. The finish really is a beauty.

Anyway, I paid US $500 for it. Guess I did alright. It's got a few small dings on it, but I bought it to play it rather than to sit around collecting dust, so that doesn't bother me. I sort of wish the tone was a little more "metal" but, then again, I've got RGs for that, and it's good to have some variety. The single coil pups are a little bit quiet. Had this guitar for less than 24 hours, but it's really growing on me. This is the first S that I've really liked compared to the RG line, seems most of the others I can remember running across have had a thicker neck, or various other things that turned me off, but this one's great.

nuno · #6 06-21-2004, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ferrous Lepidoptera

I thought the S in "S540" meant Sabre?

the first series were called 'Saber', after its sword-like shape, but around '89/'90 Music Man put their Sabre bass series back in the market after a long break, and since they had the rights for that name, Ibanez switched to 'S'.
actually, 'Sabre' differs from 'Saber', but Ibanez wanted to stay away from any legal issues.

infact, the Saber series were running along with its sisters Radius and Power, which were later called just R and P. what cuties!