Sterling by Music Man has officially partnered with modern rock and metal guitar virtuoso Rabea Massaad to launch their first collaboration: the Rabea Artist Series Sabre electric guitar. This new signature model brings the boutique-level feel and aggressive tones of Massaad’s premium instruments to a wider audience with an accessible price tag of just $979.99.
Co-Designed for Comfort and Shredding Power
Massaad, celebrated for his work with bands like Dorje and Toska, was deeply involved in translating the elements of his top-tier Ernie Ball Music Man Sabre into this new Sterling iteration.
“I’m thrilled with these guitars and how the Sterling team was able to preserve all the key design elements from my Ernie Ball Music Man Artist Series Sabre,” Massaad shared. “These guitars have all the same comfort and playability as their American counterparts… It’s simply an enjoyable guitar to play. I couldn’t be happier, and I hope everyone enjoys playing them as much as I do.”
The guitar’s design is focused on maximum playability for technical players. Key ergonomic features include a custom-tapered neck, an ergonomic arm carve, a recessed heel, and a lower horn spoon cut, all of which provide effortless access to all 22 frets. The guitar is ready to rock right out of the box, coming stock with Ernie Ball 2215 Skinny Top / Heavy Bottom strings tuned to E♭ Standard.
Custom Electronics Deliver Crushing, Versatile Tone
The new Rabea Artist Series Sabre truly shines in its electronics. Massaad worked closely with Sterling’s engineers to fine-tune a pair of custom-voiced Alnico V humbuckers. These pickups are engineered for a perfect balance of clarity, warmth, and crushing output, making them capable of handling everything from progressive metal riffs to soulful leads.
Tone-shaping versatility is paramount, with a 5-way pickup selector and a push-push coil-split tone control opening up a massive palette of single-coil sounds alongside the powerful humbucking voices.
Striking, Video Game-Inspired Finishes
Visually, the Rabea Sabre makes a bold statement with two eye-catching finishes inspired by Massaad’s favorite video games:
- Ashen Burst: A cool, dark finish paying homage to the Dark Souls series.
- Blood Flame Burst: A fiery, intense look inspired by the world of Elden Ring.
Price & Availability
The look is completed by a stunning Flame Maple veneer top, white ring fretboard inlays, and glow-in-the-dark side dots for easy navigation on any dark stage. Combined with premium features like a Roasted Maple neck and Ebony fingerboard, the Sterling by Music Man Rabea Artist Series Sabre offers professional performance and stunning aesthetics at an unbeatable value of $979.99.
Ashen Burst and Blood Flame Burst are available at Andertons for £1049 each
Ashen Burst and Blood Flame Burst are available at Sweetwater for $979.99 each
More Information
#Sterling by Music Man #Rabea Massaad
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