Formerly MUSICMANBASS.ORG

EB SABRE BASSES 

(1984-1991) & (2013-2015)

A sample of serials to aid in dating an instrument. It is not a complete data base and may not be accurate. Serials are not necessarily in chronological order.

A NOTE ON EARLY ERNIE BALL INSTRUMENT SERIALS:
 

MUSIC MAN was acquired by EB in 1984. As Pre-EB Sabre bridges were initially used on very early EB Basses, the first instruments have the related Pre-EB "C0xxxxx" serials. In the main, Pre-EB Sting Ray bridges were also used. Consequently, the "C0xxxxx" serials for Sabres changed to “B0xxxxx”.

EB introduced their own serials as from circa late 1986. These are located on bridges similar the Pre-EB bridges. Serials initially consisted of five digits commencing with "25" (eg "25000") and a series of "B" prefixed six digit serials (eg "B027xxx"). These B027xxx serials are not to be confused with the earlier Pre-EB serials. EB bridges have no patent numbers beneath their serials as opposed to the Pre-EB serials which do.  

Serial records commenced in Jan 1987 but only for the new EB serials (including the B027xxx serials). The earlier Pre-EB serials are not included. 

As of 21 May 2019, Ernie Ball now has an online Serial Number Finder.

Note. When searching for info on a B027xxx serials, omit the “B” prefix.

Example: For B027123 omit the "B" and search for "027123".

Serial Number Finder

HERE

The use of Pre-EB “C0xxxxx” and "B0xxxxx" serials on both Pre-EB and early EB instruments can cause confusion between each. The Pre-EB Sabres have ‘C0xxxxx” serials only. The string retainer is located on the D & G and only three dot markers are located past the 12th fret. The early EB Sabres can have either serial depending on age. The string retainer is located on the A & D and four dot markers are located past the 12th fret.

SABRE BASS (1984 - 1991). 

1991 Sabre Fretless 32017. "Evil Ernie Ball" (See below).

C004726...Neck 20 March 1984. Body 30 May 1984. Probably one of the first Ernie Ball Sabre Basses. Some Pre-EB Sabre bridges were used on EB Basses in 1984 to early 1985. Consequently, the Pre-EB Sabre C00xxxx serials are found on these early EB Basses. Natural with Maple. Black pg. String retainer on the A&D strings. Three dot markers past the 12th fret (not four). Neck plate has "Made In USA". No mention of EB on headstock logo. The normal Pre-EB patent numbers beneath the logo have been retained.

C005523...Neck 19 Dec 1984. Body 26 July 1984. Natural with Maple. Clear pg. String retainer located on A&D strings. Four dot markers past 12th fret. The normal Pre-EB patent numbers beneath the logo have been partially deleted (A version of the Trans Logo).
C005830...Circa 1984. Ernie Ball Sabre. Blue with Maple. White pg. Soapbar PUPs. 2 band EQ with slide switching. No mention of EB on headstock logo. The normal Pre-EB patent numbers beneath the logo have been retained. String retainer located on A and D strings. Pre-EB horse-shoe style bridge.
C005856..Neck 28 Feb 1985. Body 26 July 1984. Natural with Maple. Clear pg. An early Ernie Ball Bass. Purchased between July and Sept 1985 and packed in an EB carton. String retainer located on A&D strings. Four dot markers past 12th fret. Neck plate has "Made In USA". No mention of EB on headstock logo. The normal Pre-EB patent numbers beneath the logo have been fully deleted (A version of the Trans Logo).

C005928..Neck 6 Nov 1984. Body 30 July 1984. Trans Red.

C006256..Neck 22 Mar 1984. Body 39 May 1984. Probably one of the first Ernie Ball Sabre Basses. Red with Maple. Black pg. String retainer on the A&D strings. Three dot markers past the 12th fret (not four). Neck plate has "Made In USA". No mention of EB on headstock logo. The normal Pre-EB patent numbers beneath the logo have been retained.

B022460...Circa 1985. Natural with Maple. Black pg. Soapbar PUPs. 2 band EQ with slide switching. Old Pre-EB head stock logo with no mention of Ernie Ball. String retainer located on A and D strings. Pre-EB horse-shoe style bridge.
B02284x...1985. Red with Sting Ray Rosewood neck. Clear pg. Old Pre-EB Sting Ray head stock logo with no mention of Ernie Ball. Encircled "R" after "Music Man". String retainer located on A and D strings. PUPs with non-exposed pole pieces. 3 Band EQ with toggle switches instead of slide switch. Toggle switch closest to neck selects front PUP, both PUPs and bridge PUP. Remaining 2 switches select "series-single-parallel".
B022854...Neck 18 Nov 1985. Body 25 Feb 1986. Red with Rosewood. Clear pg. 3EQ preamp.
B022891...Neck 10 Sept 1985. Body 3 Oct 1985. Sunburst (EB version of Sunburst & latter re-named Honeyburst). This version of Sunburst is not to be confused with the traditional Vintage 3 tone Sunburst. Maple neck. Clear pg. 4 Bolt Neck with old stock Pre-EB neck plate ("Made In USA" only appears on Pre-EB plates). Trans Logo (old MM Logo with EB above it). Pre-EB muted bridge. Ernie Ball confirms that spare Pre-EB bridges and some Pre-EB parts were utilized after their purchase of MM. 3EQ Preamp.
B022909...Owner says 1984???
B022980...Neck 7 Jul 1988. Body 26 Aug 1988. Cherry Burst with Rosewood. Decal on rear of headstock. Headstock logo has MM in hard black. "R" in lower position after EB. "R" in lower position after MM. "R" appears under "Sabre". Little man on left has raised head. Clear pg. 4 Bolt neck with MM logo ("Made in USA" deleted. Only appears on Pre-EB 4 bolt neck plates). Bullet truss nut. Soapbar PUPs.

B023479...Neck 27 Feb 1986. Body 20 Aug 1985. Sunburst (fore-runner to Honeyburst) with Rosewood. White Pearl pg.
B023590...Neck 8 Aug 1985. Body 19 June 1985. Described as Trans Green (appears Trans Teal) with Maple. White pg. Sealed PUPs. No rear decal on headstock.
B023594...Guestimation 1985. Sunburst (now called Honeyburst) with Maple. White pg. Trans logo. No rear decal.
B023608...Bought used 1989. Blue with Maple. Clear pg.
B023725...Guestimation 1985 as the 4 bolt neck plate has "Made In USA" (a Pre-EB Neck plate used on some early EB Basses). "Made In USA" was deleted on EB plates. Trans Red with Maple. Black pg. Older headstock logo with no rear decal. 2EQ with lever switching and soapbar PUPs.

B025710...Neck 22 June 1987. Body 25 June 1987. Trans Red with Rosewood. Clear pg. 3EQ.
B025742…Neck 18 or 28 May 1987. Body 20 May 1987. 3EQ. Black with Maple. Black pg.

B027040...DOB 13 July 1988.
B027145..DOB 16 Aug 1988. .Neck 8 June 1988. Body 18 May 1988. 2 EQ Pre-amp dated 12 Nov 1987. Trans Red with figured Maple. New solid Black headstock logo. Decal on rear of neck ("Made in San Luis Obispo").
B027xx7...Preamp dated 21 July 1988. Natural with Black pg. FRETLESS. 2EQ.
B027245...DOB 21 July 1988. Blueburst with Rosewood. Original Clear pg replaced with Abalone pg. Ash body. 4 Bolt neck. 3 band EQ with 5 way switching. Decal on rear of headstock.
B027256...Neck 29 Nov 1988. Body16 Nov1988. Sunburst with Maple. Clear pg. 2EQ preamp dated 21 July 1988. 
B027311...Circa 1988. Red with Maple. Clear pg. Solid Black headstock logo. 3EQ.
B027356...DOB 29 June 1988. Neck 6 June 1988. Body 17 May 1988. Trans Blueburst with Maple. Clear pg. 3EQ.
B027429...DOB 31 Aug 1988. Neck 22 June 1988. Body 9 Aug 1988. "PEACH" with Rosewood. Came with non-original Tort Pg when purchased. 3EQ.
B027439...DOB 29 Sept 1988. Neck 13 June 1988. Body 25 May 1988. "REDFE" (Fire Engine Red) with Rosewood. Black pg. 3EQ.
B027497...DOB 14 Sept 1988. Purchased Aug 1988. Blueburst with Birdseye Maple. Clear pg. 3EQ. Rear decal "Made in San Luis..."
B027580..DOB 20 June 1988. Trans Red with Rosewood. Black pg. New solid Black headstock logo and rear decal.
B027825...Circa 1988. Natural with Rosewood. Black pg. 2 Band EQ with slide switching. Small diameter mute thumb screws. 4 bolt neck. New solid Black headstock logo.
B027876...DOB 9 Dec 1988. 1988. Trans Blue. Clear pg. Fitted with non-original Cutlass 11 graphite neck. Contoured body. 4 bolt neck. Soapbar PUPs. 2 band EQ. Slide switch electronics. Old stock Pre-EB Sting Ray bridge. Smaller diameter thumb screws.

25007...Neck 25 Feb 1986. Body 20 Oct 1986. Trans Red with Rosewood.
25218..DOB 20 Feb 1987. Neck 24 Sept 1986. Body 8 Jan 1987. Trans Red with Maple. Clear pg. 2EQ. Lever switch and Soap Bar PUPs. No rear decal on headstock.
25221..DOB 27 Feb 1987. Neck 11 Sept 1986. Body 6 Jan 1987. Trans Teal with Rosewood 2EQ. No rear decal.
25232...DOB 4 March 1987. Neck 10 Sept 1986. Body 8 Jan 1987. Bronze with Rosewood. White pg. 2EQ. Trans logo. No rear decal. 4 bolt neck. 7/16" thumb screws. Finish is not recorded on the EB data base.
25455...Trans Red with Rosewood fretboard on Flamed Maple Neck. Black pg. 2EQ. No rear Decal.
25710...DOB 5 Aug 1987. Neck 22 June 1987. Body 25 June 1987. Trans Red with Rosewood. Clear pg. 3EQ.
25742...DOB 18 June 1987. Neck 18 or 28 May 1987. Body 20 May 1987. Sunburst with unlined Fretless. 2EQ.

25743...DOB 1 June 1987. Trans Teal with Rosewood. White pg. 3EQ. Trans Logo. No rear decal. Four bolt neck.

25839...DOB  29 July 1987. White with Rosewood. 4 bolt neck.
25913...DOB 15 Sept 1987. Neck 21 July 1987. Body 29 July 1987. Black with Maple. Black pg. Trans headstock logo. 2EQ.
26050...DOB 16 Sept 1988. Black. Hollow string saddles.
26089...DOB 8 Sept 1988. Neck dated late July. Body stamped and penciled Aug 1988. Neck pocket stamped "NAT" (Natural).
26250...DOB15 Aug 1988. Natural with Maple. Black pg. Solid Black headstock logo. Decal on rear of headstock.
26372...Body 7 June 1988. White with Rosewood. Black pg. 4 bolt neck. Originally 2 Band EQ pre-amp but converted to 3 Band EQ. New smaller diameter thumb screws on bridge. New solid Black headstock logo. Decal on rear of headstock.
26935...3 Mar 1989. Natural with Birdseye Maple. 2EQ.
28160...Owner says early to mid 80's. (Not on EB Data Base). Trans Red with Maple. White pg.
28221...28221...1989. Trans Blue with Maple. Black pg. 2 band EQ with slide switching. 4 bolt neck. No decal on rear of headstock.
28399...Neck 15 March 1989. Body 14 March 1989. Black with Rosewood. 3EQ. 4 Bolt neck. Green cotton candy case.
28909...Owner says 1989. Natural with Maple. Black pg. Pre-Flea bridge. Solid Black headstock logo. 4 bolt neck.
28989...Date of Birth 16 July 1990. Neck 26 Apl 1990. Body 23 March 1990. Sunburst with Maple. Black pg. 4 bolt neck. 3EQ preamp.
29079...Late 80's. (Not on EB Data Base). Natural. Black pg.
29xxx...Year 1989. Red with Rosewood. White pg.
29411...June 1990. Transparent blue/teal.
29555...3 July 1990. Natural with Rosewood. Black pg. 2 Band EQ. 4 bolt neck. Smaller diameter mute thumb screws.
29756...1989. (Not on EB Data Base). Trans Red with Rosewood. Alder body. White pg. 3 Band EQ with 5 way switching.
32017...7 June 1991. Natural. Fretless. Black pg. 2 Band EQ. 6 bolt neck.
32479...30 May 1991. Black with Rosewood. Black pg. 3 band EQ. 4 bolt neck.
32538...Pre-amp dated 17 Sept 1990. Black with Maple. Black pg. 3 band EQ. 4 bolt neck.
32586...DOB 14 June 1991. Black with Rosewood. Black pg. Skunk stripe on neck rear. Matal battery cover. Trans logo. 4 Bolt neck. Serial on bridge. (European owner).
32881...06/91. Natural with Maple. White Pearl pg. Soapbar PUPS. 2 Band EQ with slide switch. 6 bolt neck.
32908...1991. Trans Red with Maple. Black pg. 3EQ. 4 bolt neck. Encircled "R" at the end of "Sabre" logo and not underneath.
32979...Neck 16 May 1991 (with "EB" depressed in wood). Body 2 May 1991. 6 bolt neck (capstan wheel truss nut.

NO DATE INFO.

250xx...Trans Red with Rosewood. Non-original Blue Pearl pg. 4 bolt neck. 2 band EQ. Trans logo.
258xx...Black with Maple. Black pg. 2 Band EQ with 5 way selector switch. Pre-Flea bridge. Trans logo. No decal on rear of headstock.
26132...Not on EB Data Base. Trans Orange/Brown Burst with Rosewood. Owner believes to be signed by James Burton. Has non-original clear pg.
26959...Not on EB Data Base. Natural with Maple. Black pg. Hollow bridge saddles. 5 way selector switch.
29043...No other info.
31672...Not on EB Data Base. Blueburst with Maplebolt neck (capstan wheel truss nut).

CLASSIC COLLECTION SABRE BASS (2013 - 2015). 

Serials to follow.
 

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