What to look for in a Fender Musicmaster

[Din Of Win]

Hello everyone!

While i've recently been mentioning how i haven't bought a new bass in over a year (which is my longest streak in about 15 years)... GAS has, yet again, reared it's head.

I've owned plenty'a short scale over the years... but i recently have been bit by a want for a Fender Musicmaster.

However, i seem to recall some (possibly false) information about how some years/colors denoted a lesser quality than others. Is this true?

Also, what's a good price-point? Deals happen, sure... but even the e-bay rates have a huge gap... from $800-$1300...

Finally... i AM fairly tempted to look into the new Fender Pawn Shop Mustang. Knowing that those are $800, and would come with a warranty, would that be a better buy?

I love the mini-split P Mustangs, but it's not what i want right now...


Thanks!

[bassdog]

I've had a few and gave my son an all orig. '73 about 9 yrs ago. No way are those $800-1300. More like $500-to 800 maybe. They are collectible but not particularly valuable. I bought the '73 for $350 and would try to get maybe $600 now but that might be a stretch. Mustangs are better basses all around.

Bob

[Kryptos]

Originally Posted by Din Of Win

Hello everyone!

Finally... i AM fairly tempted to look into the new Fender Pawn Shop Mustang. Knowing that those are $800, and would come with a warranty, would that be a better buy?

Thanks!

Yes. The Sunburst/Rosewood I find particularly attractive:



I own 2 Musicmasters, 6 pole guitar pickups, noisy electronics, poor fit and finish (about what you would expect from a low-end/economy bass built from excess parts). If you want a Musicmaster just get a Bronco, way less money and likely a better sounding and manufactured instrument.

[bassbully]

I have a 74' the shop wanted $500.00 for it but we worked out a deal and some trades and I own her now. It was olympic white but is now nic yellow. It is a very cool bass with deep tone that allot of Musicmasters lacked but not mine.

I played it at my last show and it thumped all night long.

[dalkowski]

The Mustang, whether Pawn Shop or Squier, is a far better value IMO. You gotta remember that those 70s MMs were the low end of Fender's low end.

If you're really hard for a MM, the Squier Vista Series blew the Fenders out of the water by all measures. Again, IMO.

[zazz]

Originally Posted by dalkowski

The Mustang, whether Pawn Shop or Squier, is a far better value IMO. You gotta remember that those 70s MMs were the low end of Fender's low end.

If you're really hard for a MM, the Squier Vista Series blew the Fenders out of the water by all measures. Again, IMO.

I have to agree ..I had a 70s fender mmaster and it was not impressive at all. Great to learn on but that's about it.

[RCCollins]

What to look for in a Fender Musicmaster? The exit!

[droskobass]

Made from 71 to 81 originally available in blue and white eventually black
have a single strat style guitar pickup. the earlier ones had tiny tuning pegs, later went to lager ones (that can accommodate regular gage strings)

The street on these should be 450-659. any more and your in the Mustang territory which is considered a better bass all 'round.

neither is very collectable but a mint condition 66 racing stripe Mustang can fetch 1500-1800. late 60's to 70's 'stangs 800-1200.

just my 2 cents

[Duuuuuuuuuude]

Originally Posted by dalkowski

... the Squier Vista Series blew the Fenders out of the water by all measures. Again, IMO.

I second that. You can get a Squier Musicmaster Vista for $150-$300 and if you don't like it you shouldn't have any trouble selling it for the same price. The problem is finding one. They only made them for one year.

Squier MusicMaster Vista Club

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by RCCollins

What to look for in a Fender Musicmaster? The exit!

Oh come on man they are fun and cool lil basses. Mine sets up very well and plays and sounds great. I also own a surf green 97' Squier Vista MM which really rocks but both are great.

OK I will argee the new Squier and Fender models are a better way to go if you can't find a 90's Vista but the older 70's MM are cool...really!

[Kryptos]

Why the 1970s Musicmaster Bass had such a thin sound

[A-Step-Towards]

Phew alot of MM haters.

I think there awesome basses , when you find a good one. Just like fenders of the 70's they have some lemons, but a good MM is a fun bass and frankly I think they sound more "tubby" then a P bass and have a unique tone.

As others have said there prices for one in decent shape rnage from $500-$800. The difference between buying one of these and a new mustang ias as soon as you get the mustang it drops in resell value. If you buy a MM for a good price you can always resell it for that, or possibly more money as thye have really went up in value lately.

[Din Of Win]

Hey Gang!

Thanks for the replies! I'm actually a huge fan of Broncos and Vista Musicmasters. While i sold my Vista a few years back (dumb!), i still use my modded Bronco:




My thing is... lame as it may be... i want a "FENDER" short scale. As i said, i don't really like the mini-split P... so, i'm weighing my options between a Musicmaster and a Pawn Shop Mustang! This one, in particular:

[Kryptos]

Originally Posted by Din Of Win

Hey Gang!

My thing is... lame as it may be... i want a "FENDER" short scale.

Nice looking Mustang, whatever you finally choose enjoy!

[dalkowski]

Originally Posted by Duuuuuuuuuude

I second that. You can get a Squier Musicmaster Vista for $150-$300 and if you don't like it you shouldn't have any trouble selling it for the same price. The problem is finding one. They only made them for one year.

Squier MusicMaster Vista Club

On Fleabay, they're not going for less than $250 if they're in any kind of reasonable condition. Still, an awesome shorty.

Originally Posted by Din Of Win

My thing is... lame as it may be... i want a "FENDER" short scale.

Not lame! Fender shorties just have that kind of vibe. Resistance is futile.

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by A-Step-Towards

Phew alot of MM haters.

I think there awesome basses , when you find a good one. Just like fenders of the 70's they have some lemons, but a good MM is a fun bass and frankly I think they sound more "tubby" then a P bass and have a unique tone.

As others have said there prices for one in decent shape rnage from $500-$800. The difference between buying one of these and a new mustang ias as soon as you get the mustang it drops in resell value. If you buy a MM for a good price you can always resell it for that, or possibly more money as thye have really went up in value lately.

Tubby is a good way to describe the Fender MM tone. I have short scale chromes on mine and it has a very deep bass tone kind of like a P....."tubby" and fat.

The old pots were shot in mine and I put in a 78' P bass wiring harness with one cap. The original circuit had two caps the extra to bleed off more treble from the guitar pup.

A little while back I played this bass at a cool hip club and the bartender who was also a bass player asked me if the 74' was all original and was it a stock pup. When I told him the pup was stock he was surprised and said it was very full sounding for a MM.

[agent77]

Originally Posted by dalkowski

If you're really hard for a MM, the Squier Vista Series blew the Fenders out of the water by all measures. Again, IMO.

^this

I love my Squier MM Vista, almost as much as my CIJ Mustang RI.

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by agent77

^this

I love my Squier MM Vista, almost as much as my CIJ Mustang RI.

The Vista neck feels more like a P bass neck and it is made very well. The pup is a monster, very loud for a small bass.

[Din Of Win]

Originally Posted by bassbully

The Vista neck feels more like a P bass neck and it is made very well. The pup is a monster, very loud for a small bass.

As i said, i am still kicking myself for off-ing mine.

[Din Of Win]

Originally Posted by dalkowski

Not lame! Fender shorties just have that kind of vibe. Resistance is futile.

I'm glad you can empathize!

I've owned many'a shorty... Squier, Ibanez, Danelectro, Teisco, Gretsch, Univox, and Eastwood...

But i just want that Fender mojo that sincerely exists, and that i absolutely can not explain.