What is this? Musicmaster Fender Bass???

[Macrocosmcwh]

Hello... I found a 1978 Musicmaster Fender Bass. I have not heard of this bass. Can anyone shed some light? It is $450.00 is that a good deal?????

Thanks!

[Wilmingtonian]

$450 is pretty good - BUT everything depends on condition, color, etc. If I'm not mistaken the MM was entry level, short scale.

[Macrocosmcwh]

Never played... (according to seller) Black...

[skidmarkbass]

450 seems high, unless it's in really good condition. I have a '78 and replaced the pickup with an AERO and it sounds great. I'm not really a Short Scale guy, so I have never used it at a gig. It's fun to noodle around on though.

[Fresh Eddie]

I had an early one with the heart-shaped tuners... it sounded good through a guitar amp (because it comes with a guitar pickup.) I sold it for $175 eight years ago and thought I made a killing... I guess I should have waited! Hahaha!

Those originally came as a set with a Musicmaster amp. For a short while you could get Squier Vista series re-issue ones, too.

[agent77]

Fender MusicMaster was made in the 1970's with spare Mustang parts. Oddly, Fender used surplus guitar pick-ups. The late 70's models are a bit less desirable than the earlier ones. $450 seems about the going rate on ebay. If the bass is original you might want to buy it, they are fun little basses and becoming more collectible.

[Macrocosmcwh]

hahaha So you are all saying this is NOT a bass I could purchase and turn for a profit? LOL OK... Seemed like a good deal. But I suppose not.

[Fresh Eddie]

Originally Posted by Macrocosmcwh

hahaha So you are all saying this is NOT a bass I could purchase and turn for a profit? LOL OK... Seemed like a good deal. But I suppose not.

Fenders always go up in price... buy it, play it for ten years, and I bet you could sell it for more.

[gus79seyffert]

i like them, but early 70's are better. supposedly the same pickup as a strat.

[godofthunder59]

Nice little bass in all honesty the new Squire ones play better. The earlier the more valuable. A easy way to get into vintage Fenders, 450 seems about right as long as it is in good shape I have a white 70's one.

[Wilmingtonian]

I posted above that $450 seemed pretty good. I guess I stand corrected based on eBay prices, haven't looked myself. I was basing my comment on the prices I see now at a well known east coast independent store, which prices their mid to late 70s MMs at $650-800 or more.

OP - where is your seller, if you aren't buying? AZ, I suppose?

[JTE]

NOT a Strat pickup. It's the same six-pole pickup they used on the Music Master guitar however, and the Mustang guitar. Fender's lowest entry level bass. 30" scale, the bridge has only two saddles (sort of like the original P bass brdige 1951-1957, except top load), and the previously mentioned guitar pickup.

$450 is more than I'd pay for one of any vintage, but I'm neither a fan of short-scale basses nor particularly interested in '70s Fenders, having been a dealer who had to try to justify the prices on them when they were new.

John

[Macrocosmcwh]

Yes in AZ Phoenix... Check Craigslist. I am not gonna get it.

[DougBass]

I have a black on black 78 Musicmaster. I love mine. Never would be a main instrument, but it would buy another if something happened to mine. I have used rounds and flats. Fit and finish on mine is not great. Frets are rough too. My buddy gave it to me as a present.

[NYCbassist]

It was my first bass and put a Dimarzio in it It thumped along very nicely. A very Nice alternative would be a USA Bullet Bass. Full Scale and More Like a P-Bass.