Renowned British guitarist Rabea Massaad has recently thrilled fans with an exclusive sneak peek at his latest creations: two brand-new Music Man signature guitars. Revealed through his latest YouTube video, titled “I’m not supposed to talk about these,” Massaad gives guitar enthusiasts a glimpse into what’s next in guitar innovation.
Rabea Massaad Music Man
Joining forces with Ernie Ball as an artist in April, Massaad has been instrumental in enhancing the design and build of these American-made guitars. Initially, it was announced that a signature model based on the popular Sabre model was in development. However, Massaad has now revealed that not one, but two signature models are on their way.
Light & Dark
These guitars showcase Massaad’s unique vision, featuring a “light and dark” theme both in aesthetics and in their choice of tonewoods.
Each guitar is crafted with baked maple bodies. The lighter model is adorned with a flame maple neck and fretboard, while its darker counterpart boasts an ebony fretboard. These models contrast with the standard Sabre’s Okoume body and maple tops, offering a fresh take on a classic design.
In terms of functionality, these guitars are equipped with notable enhancements. They feature an additional carve on the cutaway for a striking look and a deeper carve at the rear for easier access to higher frets. The fretboards are detailed with distinctive doughnut inlays and Luminlays on the side, marking a significant upgrade from standard models.
Bare Knuckle Silo
Further distinguishing these guitars are the user-friendly push-push tone pots, allowing seamless switching between humbucker and single-coil modes. They come equipped with Massaad’s preferred Bare Knuckle Silo pickups, a notable upgrade from the standard Music Man humbuckers.
Massaad has also played a key role in repositioning the Sabre’s five-way pickup switch, making it more accessible and user-friendly during performances.
Price?
While the pricing details of these models are yet to be disclosed, Massaad acknowledges that they are expected to be a premium offering, given Music Man’s tradition of crafting guitars in limited quantities in the USA. However, he also mentions the availability of Sterling versions of these models, which will provide a similar experience at a more accessible price point.
Massaad emphasizes the importance of a guitar that inspires, feels fantastic, and excels in playability, aesthetics, and sound. He expresses his pride in these upcoming guitars, noting that they are close to the final stages of development and that they embody his vision and requirements as a guitarist.
Ernie Ball’s collaboration with Rabea Massaad was aimed at designing guitars tailored to his unique playing style. With the recent preview, it’s clear that these new models will feature innovative changes like extra carves, alternative woods, and Silo pickups, revitalizing the Sabre line.
NAMM 2024
Guitar enthusiasts can look forward to witnessing these new signature Sabre models in their full glory at the upcoming NAMM show in January.
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