Fender Musicmaster Bass

I've been looking for a good used P-Bass for some time now, but whenever I find one that I really like, I either don't quite have enough money, or somebody else gets to it before I do.

I've seen a few Musicmaster basses that seem okay, but I don't know much about them quality-wise. Also, because of my location, it's virtually impossible to play a variety of basses.

So....here's the question? Anybody here in the forum who either plays or has played a Musicmaster bass? If so, how do you like them? Should I go for one, or should I just keep looking for my P-Bass?

I've tried a search but couldn't find anything. Thanks.

The music master was awesome because it was a vintage CBS fender that was worn to heck and was an extremely good player. Tonewise it was meh but it coulda been the amp. It's short scale though,

I've had two of them, and they can be very nice basses. The stock pickup on the old originals was basically a guitar pickup (I think they used Mustang guitar pickups, which were virtually identical to Strat pickups). I tried a lipstick pickup (like in a Danelectro) which was nice if somewhat low output, and a twin-blade Strat-sized pickup from GFS that worked great.

Here's the one with the lipstick tube pickup:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/tarmadilo/tuxbass1.jpg

Here's the twin-blade pickup:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/tarmadilo/bass002.jpg

Keep your eyes open for a Mustang Bass, which is the same except for the pickups, which were split pickups kinda like a smaller version of the P-Bass pickup.

Or, if you're feeling adventurous, you could rout out a Musicmaster Bass body for P-Bass pickups, and have some real fun!

Tim

Years ago I was on the same quest for an American P-Bass, had the cash on hand for a vintage one but couldn't find one locally. I spotted a used 80's SQ series Squire Bullet (Japan) bass with the Tele headstock. I really liked the feel of the neck, full scale and kind of thin and fast. I bought the thing for under $200 bucks in nice shape. Pickups were the little bullet ones, kind of thin sounding and not real powerful so I cut a new pick guard and installed active EMG's. Great quality bass for not a lot of money, I see them now selling for $350-$450 and IMO still a great value considering the quality of the necks on them. Might be something to think about if you want a full scale bass as opposed to the Musicmaster's short scale.

not a fan of the short scale, or the way they sound
I say keep looking for a P-bass, they are out there
ok I am biased I love Fender P & jazz basses, but what is not to love?
they are great, they sound great, they play great, damn near perfect in my opinion

I AM a fan of short-scale basses, been gigging them for many years, but in my experience they're harder to find than a good P-Bass or J-Bass. I don't think you can go wrong with a nice Precision...

Tim

Thanks guys. Good advice from everyone. I can tell I'm going to have to do some serious thinking.

I AM a fan of short-scale basses, been gigging them for many years, but in my experience they're harder to find than a good P-Bass or J-Bass. I don't think you can go wrong with a nice Precision...

Tim

I actually like short scale basses too and they have a nice feature in that they're lighter to play 3 sets with during a long evening. My SQ is fairly light too and I've appreciated the weight factor over the years. To my ears the short scales sound plenty deep, one of my pals played reggae on his Gibson for years and always got a mean groove going.

I actually like short scale basses too and they have a nice feature in that they're lighter to play 3 sets with during a long evening. My SQ is fairly light too and I've appreciated the weight factor over the years. To my ears the short scales sound plenty deep, one of my pals played reggae on his Gibson for years and always got a mean groove going.

Yeah, I play a bass with a Telecaster guitar body mated to a 30" scale neck, and I have a really great Peter Florance Voodoo P-Bass pickup on it, and it sounds great all the way down to the low E note...

Tim

http://northland.smugmug.com/Music/Bass/i-LqqNBXj/0/XL/tuxbass3-XL.jpg

A little better photo of Tims Musicmaster. Take care. Bob

http://northland.smugmug.com/Music/Bass/i-LqqNBXj/0/XL/tuxbass3-XL.jpg

A little better photo of Tims Musicmaster. Take care. Bob

Lipstick in a fender style bass-very interesting, never imagined one of those in one of those.......very cool, I like.

I often find myself contemplating getting one. When I do, I go out to all the shops around Chicago playing around on the short scale basses and remember how anemic that sound compared to the P's, J's and Mustangs.

I'm sure they'd sound great with a new pickup in them, but I've never come across one that's already been gutted, and I'd never do such a thing to that vintage of Fender (call me a conservative on that one).

One option would be the Squier Vista Musicmaster, those were produced in the 90's, and from what I understand, will accept a P-bass Single Coil, which will get you better bass tones than the SC guitar pups will.

I have played Fender basses most of my life. I got to the point that 34" scale basses had too much "spread" for my fingers. I now play 30" scale basses exclusively. There are a number available. I have a 1978 Musicmaster Bass and a new Fleabass Jr. Both play nicely to my hands and sound dfferent. My advice, play as many as you can without prejudice. And do not be afraid to modify.

Sounds like the Musicmaster has potential if paired with the right pickup. Am I right on that one?

Sounds like the Musicmaster has potential if paired with the right pickup. Am I right on that one?

I believe it is a matter of personal preference,
I don't think changing the pickups can make the shorter scale sound like a longer scale though

I have probably the finest Musicmaster bass you would ever play. I will see if I can get the pictures to work. There has been some debate on this bass. It is not standard, but it is either a very early conversion or possibly a one off custom from Fender. Red is rare to start with and it has real vintage p-bass pickups and the bridge has been replaced and it has also been drilled for string through. Main complaints on old musicmaster were the pickups and bridge. It has a wonderfully smooth neck and just has that vintage Fender vibe to it. My suggestion on a Musicmaster is with a bridge changeout and p-bass pickups, you can get pretty close, not exact, to a P-bass.

One option would be the Squier Vista Musicmaster, those were produced in the 90's, and from what I understand, will accept a P-bass Single Coil, which will get you better bass tones than the SC guitar pups will.

The Squier Vista Musicmaster Bass actually had a great stock pickup, four pole (not a six pole guitar pickup) very similar to the '51 P-Bass single coil style pickup. It's also string-through with a Mustang style bridge. Very cool instrument.

Tim

http://www.rocknrollvintage.com/prodimages/1974-Fender-Mustang-Bass-Sunburst-big.jpg
Reminds me of the old Mustang bass in some ways though there are likely many dissimilarities. Wikipedia discusses the relationship to the Musicmaster, Bronco & Mustang here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fender_Mustang_Bass
Take care.Bob

By the way, I love Robert Spencer's "Touching Basses" Photo Gallery. If you haven't checked it out, you should. Some great pics!

OHB thanks for the good word re my photo collection. I`m happy with it myself. Seldom a day goes by that I do not add something to it.

I suggest that you bring up the single page THUMBS (under STYLE at top of page) then click on full screen slideshow (top right). Smugmug has a fast loading slideshow ( even with my slow running bandwidth here on this island). That way you have both up but in seperate windows. Take care. Bob

Here is my 1978 Musicmaster Bass. I was fortunate to buy a Carvin bass pup back in the early 80's. Sounds wonderfull. It is an H22B. I also added a Mustang bridge.

http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/898/medium/1978_Musicmaster_Bass_100902_1.JPG

John S nice bass. Is that the original pickguard? I wonder if the Mustang bridges are still available at a reasonable cost.
Take care.

The Mustang bridge looks nice, but if you want to improve the low end sound, get a heavier bridge, even a string through setup.

Sam what`s a good bridge for the money? I don`t see myself paying $80
for a Bad Ass. What is affordable but works well? Thanks & take care. Bob

http://northland.smugmug.com/Music/Bass/i-LqqNBXj/0/XL/tuxbass3-XL.jpg

A little better photo of Tims Musicmaster. Take care. Bob

that is COOL!

The bridge choice may or may not make that much difference. I believe it does, but you can find just as many folks who say it does not. I hear good things about Gotoh bridges at good prices.

Strings and amp make a world of difference also. The musicmasters are weaker than a full blown P-bass. This can be compensated for with right strings and amp. A great amp will make nearly any bass sound good.

John S nice bass. Is that the original pickguard? I wonder if the Mustang bridges are still available at a reasonable cost.
Take care.

Yep, the original guard. And that is a stock Fender Mustang bridge and it is string thru (now). :grin: I think I paid about $35 for the bridge "back when." I also used Mustang string ferules in the back of the body.

The big difference is scale length-as many have said:pickups etc can be changed but the scale length is there to stay. For a guitarist dabbling with bass I would go musicmaster but really I don't see a lot of pro bassist playing them -that low E just does not sound right to me...but I would take Tim Armstrong's advice way above my own when it comes to bases.