At the time I had this guitar made (1981) both guitars that were used in it’s construction were considered worthless. Today the Fender 12 is a valuable collector’s item, and the Music Man Sabers probably soon will be.
The one part I made myself us the pick guard, which is made out of redwood burl. The wood is so soft that when it was time to drill the holes for the screws, I held the drill bits in my fingers and twirled them by hand. Had I used an electric or even mechanical drill, I would have shattered the wood.
Before I did any surgery to either guitar, I took the extra strings off the 12 string and compared the sounds of the 2 guitars. There was not comparison. The music man was louder, brighter, had more bass , and a presence that the Fender lacked.
This guitar sounds incredible. It is the single most successful modification I’ve ever had done. Every time I’m played this guitar in public, somebody has asked me what it is, and where can they get one. I think it just may be the finest sounding solid body 12 string in existence.
Note the hipshot B string(s) bender.
