I never noticed any phase problems with any of the vintage Sabres I've played, certainly nothing approaching Jazz-like cancellation. I think they just came out at the wrong time and sounded too much like the Stingray...and a Precision. Most 70's bassists already had a Precision, so they just bought Stingrays if they needed that sound. G&L was the nail in the coffin of the Sabre after that.