Blondie: the ultimate Mustangmaster®

[Finnigan's wake]

Hi there, (as always: sorry for my bad english)

here Blondie, my beloved short-scale 1977 Musicmaster after its heavy (and definitive) tweaking.
"She" is my first bass(ess), purchased in August 1993, and was a piece of XXXt. But love is love, so i added a bridge pickup in a weird but "sweet" and functional position (as the Fender does last year on his new Mustang), changed the tuners (Grover Titan) and the bridge as well: Schaller. She played much better, but..

So, after A LOT of experiments, here the results:
First, a modern Squier maple neck bought last year on Stratosphere: i discarded the original one, worn and warped. Now i have a really playable bass!

Then, a Schaller Bassbucker with series-split-parallel switch who replaced the Model P, too muddy and undefined (on this bass). Is the BEST pickup ever tried: deep, full, rich, without loss of definition. Essential is the Schaller PBX in bridge position, a very good JB style pickup. Both NOS from the 80's.

A three way switch, a smart and useful addition in the right position, allow me to switch easily through three unique and distinguishing sounds that i can refine by two volume pots and the Humbucker DPDT on-on-on switch.

In the end, a Mustang chrome plate, a chrome humbucker ring, a chrome bridge cover, a chrome strat jack cup. Chrome. Chrome everywhere.
The Hipshot Xtender is a useful add-on for my beloved lowD: despite the short scale sounds very well.

This is a very nice bass, ergonomic, with a special, peculiar, deep tone and (in my opinion) a very nice look.

 

[Ben B]

Very nice! My first bass was a late 1970s musicmaster. I too had to replace most of the parts to get a good bass. I did not replace the neck, but it needed replacing. It was a terrible neck. Instead I sold it and replaced my musicmaster with a better bass.

 

[Finnigan's wake]

Instead I sold it and replaced my musicmaster with a better bass.

i sold MANY basses in more than 20 years of "bassism". Not Blondie:
She was love at first sight.
Vendor 1993 B:C: : "i know, the neck is warped, the bridge is rusted: Invalid Link Removedut is still a Fullerton Fender"
She was a challenge.
She remember me my youth, and Sarah.

 

[Axstar]

Just to be a tedious pedant, the bridge pickup is a JBX not a PBJ. Either way, a bass with a lot of cool! Great to see a Schaller-powered unit.

 

[Blaargh]

That's cool as hell. I love modded basses, especially old, beaten shortscales. They have so much character.

 

[Finnigan's wake]

Just to be a tedious pedant, the bridge pickup is a JBX not a PBJ. Either way, a bass with a lot of cool! Great to see a Schaller-powered unit.

You more than right: JBX, yeah. Before the Bassbucker i tried the PBX, close to the Dimarzio Model P but more focused, anyway too dark and "boomy". This one is perfect! I Love Schaller's pickups: cheap and really well made.

That's cool as hell. I love modded basses, especially old, beaten shortscales. They have so much character.

I agree: character is the word.

And thanks to all for your kind appreciation! Blondie is happy. Me too.

 

[felis]

I like it.

 

[Bugeyed Earl]

I love an instrument with character also. Yours has plenty, but it's set up exactly as you want it, nice work! My Bronco has an old Schaller bassbucker, it's a great pickup.

 

[project_c]

Looks 100% great, please post some clips!

 

[Boristhespyder]

Well done. A bass with much Mojo. And I will expect you to apologize for your English only when I can write a single sentence in Italian that you could understand.

Fidicen virumque cano? (Old school Italian aka Latin)

 

[Rib 13]

Question: Why the slant of the J - pickup? Is this for more articulation on the bass-side, a little more depth on the treble side, both, or for some complete other reason?

 

[jjmuckluckjr]

I'd love to take that baby out for a spin. Fender blondes look better aged, they have that old parchment shading. And you had to lose a couple of pounds from the headstock alone. Very cool.

 

[postalflunkie]

That Schaller Bassbucker is a monster! I have the pole pieces in mine adjusted like a p-bass pickup, it plays well with the series parallel switching. By far my favorite pickup.

 

[yodedude2]

Question: Why the slant of the J - pickup? Is this for more articulation on the bass-side, a little more depth on the treble side, both, or for some complete other reason?

i assume both, and also to align the pole pieces with the strings. a musicmaster will have a narrower string width than a jazz bass.

 

[Rib 13]

i assume both, and also to align the pole pieces with the strings. a musicmaster will have a narrower string width than a jazz bass.

<forehead slap> ah! thank you

 

[cdlynch]

I LOVE souped up budget basses! I don't think I could love a $5000 bass 1/8th as much as my modified cheapies. I'm glad you kept your love alive, nice work!

 

[jaybones]

I like how you used a thumb rest to disguise the exposed wire routing from the rear J pup.

 

[Finnigan's wake]

Question: Why the slant of the J - pickup? Is this for more articulation on the bass-side, a little more depth on the treble side, both, or for some complete other reason?

i assume both, and also to align the pole pieces with the strings. a musicmaster will have a narrower string width than a jazz bass.

Correct: polepieces aligment at first but i looked for a balanced sound also. I'll try to explain: i dislike a "twangy" treble side and i dislike a muddy, undefined low side. This is the perfect solution to achieve the sound i was looking for

 

[Hambone 70]

Molto bene! That's awesome!

 

[Finnigan's wake]

Grazie di cuore, carissimi amici. Sono felice che il mio lavoro sia piaciuto un po' a tutti.
(many thanks, i'm happy that my work is so appreciated)

And now, struggle for the tone. My goal is something close to this one: