I found a 1978 MIA Musicmaster bass at the local Guitar Center for $699. I don't know anything about this bass but am interested in the short scale. The input jack has a short but the rest of the bass looks fine. Is this a good price for this bass?
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1978 USA Musicmaster
- Thread starter Steve S
- Start date
Probably a little high for in the US, i recently saw one go for not much more than that here.
That being said i really have no idea
That being said i really have no idea
yeah i would pay 500$ for a mint one , if i wanted one. there is one on here for 375$ its not mint but hey its a player
Because it's not a Jazz or a Precision. The other models usually go for a lot less- especially late 70s, unless they're super-rare.
Bryan R. Tyler
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They were generally considered beginner basses at the time and aren't nearly as sought-after as 70s Js and Ps..
There shortscale which is not as wanted and they were aimed ta beginners basically these were viewed as squier of the time period, i think musicmasters were discontinued when squiers first came out
I got my '78 at a pawn shop in '08 for $400 (talked them down from $600 - must have been there for a while).
I saw a similar one at a store more recently for $800. (But to be honest, that store is kind of lame.)
Since they are an entry-level model (the bridge & tuners are pretty cheesy) I wouldn't expect them to ever fetch as much as a P, J or Mustang.
Mine does have nice mojo, though. (I expect it will go up in value eventually.)
I saw a similar one at a store more recently for $800. (But to be honest, that store is kind of lame.)
Since they are an entry-level model (the bridge & tuners are pretty cheesy) I wouldn't expect them to ever fetch as much as a P, J or Mustang.
Mine does have nice mojo, though. (I expect it will go up in value eventually.)
My first bass!!! Got it new back in '77. Very entry level and small. Great bass for a beginner kid but not much else. There is a cool vibe to having one now that they've been out of production for over 1/4 of a century.
Musicmasters are getting harder to find at the $500 range. They've been steadily going up the past couple of years.
WOW!! That's just silly. I sold them new (Fender dealer from 1977-1988), and they were great beginners' instruments because they were well-made and pretty reliable, but $500 for one now is just ridiculous. Cheap tuners, a problematic bridge, and the Musicmaster guitar pickup just don't calculate to $500.
But it's an old Fender so the market is utterly unconnected to the value of it as an instrument...
John
But it's an old Fender so the market is utterly unconnected to the value of it as an instrument...
John
My first bass was/is a 1978 (I think) musicmaster. I still have it, although being an ignorant teenager I re-finished it and replaced the pickup so it isn't worth much anymore. However, it does kick some a$$ now. It has a SD 1/4lb pup in it and it sounds awesome. Thumpy growl.
Pics? Here is my black one I got off CL last year. I think I gave 375.00 for it. Don't have a pic of it by itsel so excuse all the other 4 bangers.
godofthunder59
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Yep entry level beginner bass, But they have a huge sound ! I have a '78, great little bass, my main axe ? Naw but still a whole lot of fun. Try and talk GC down they are desperate to move stuff even vintage. I just bought a unbroken '76 Thunderbird with swapped pickups for $800.00
+1.
I had one but recently sold it (for $600, IIRC).
It is a cool piece of history, but I couldn't get a usable gig tone and sold it. Some love them (and Mustangs) but I just think P and J basses gig and record better.
Personally, I would buy a used American or Japanese J or P for the same $$$.
