Urgent-ish. The real deal? Fender USA Musicmaster. MONDAY 5th MARCH.

[Jumanji]

So, I'm new to Basschat. My friend "dood" recommended I put the feelers out on Basschat, with regard to Fender Musicmaster basses. I really want a shortscale bass as I've not got enormous hands.

There's a Fender Musicmaster bass on eBay that ends its auction tonight at 9pm! So if anyone with any knowledge of these basses sees this in time, any feedback would be ace!

My main question is, does it look like a genuine, original condition Fender USA? I'm aware that it looks a little "done in", but I actually quite like that. Also, I'm also expecting (if and when I bid) for it to sell for around £350. Does this seem like a reasonable price to you?

Here is the link.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1977-Fender-USA-Musicmaster-Bass-short-scale-totally-original-/220962471210?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item337263bd2a#ht_818wt_922

Thanks for looking.
Joe.

[Archibald]

I have a 77/78 musicmaster (it was a restoration-project)
and this looks like the real deal, and 350 is a reasonable price; go for it!

[The Bass Doc]

I'm saying original*.

Around £300.00 would be nice.

*Without prejudice, terms and conditions apply and mobiles will be considerably more.

[Roland Rock]

[quote name='Jumanji' timestamp='1330963665' post='1565429']
does it look like a genuine, original condition Fender USA? [/quote]

Hi Joe, welcome to basschat.
I'm not an expert, but, to me it looks like genuine. The serial number is correct for the period. It certainly has 'mojo' - 'mojo' to the extent that I'd suspect it's suffered from neglect. Be prepared to take it to a tech you can trust to give it a thorough overhaul.

[Jumanji]

Thanks Archibald! I've been searching for a while now and this seems a good one. I have seen them in better condition, but never entirely original. I wonder if my itchy eBay finger will resist spending more than 350 though....

[Jumanji]

Oh wow. I wasn't expecting such swift responses...Thank you again.

I do adjust and setup my own guitars. So I'm happy to take on that responsibility.
I've never bought a Fender before and usually go for much older instruments, mainly for my belief that older things are somehow "cool"!

[CBbass]

It looks legit, but IMO you should save up/buy a Mustang bass. They are far better than musicmasters (again... IMO, it's all subjective), definitely my choice in regards to short scale basses. Japanese RI are about £500, theres a few different desired years on vintage so price varys, so if you need help just PM me.

[Beedster]

I'll eat my own underpants if that sells for less than £350

[jezzaboy]

[quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1330973068' post='1565661']
I'll eat my own underpants if that sells for less than £350
[/quote]

Y fornts or boxers?

Jez

[dlloyd]

Looks original... I can't for the life of me think of a reason that anyone would put in the effort to make a counterfeit Musicmaster.

[redstriper]

My local music shop has the same model in the same colour, the serial number dates it to 1976, but its other bits make it 1974-75.
It's in almost new condition with the original case also like new - yours for £700.
One thing to watch with these is the weight - the early 70s are usually light (7.5 lbs), whereas the later ones can be over 10 lbs.
It depends when it was built and which wood pile was used.

I nearly bought one around 1973 hardly used from a shop for £36.00 - couldn't quite afford it though.

Edited March 5, 2012 by redstriper

[Gust0o]

[quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1330973068' post='1565661']
I'll eat my own underpants if that sells for less than £350
[/quote]

Remember to take the buttons off, if you're dining on boxers.

[Jumanji]

[quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1330973068' post='1565661']
I'll eat my own underpants if that sells for less than £350
[/quote]
[quote name='Gust0o' timestamp='1330974015' post='1565691']


Remember to take the buttons off, if you're dining on boxers.
[/quote]

I'll take off your underpants and eat my own buttons.

[Jumanji]

[quote name='redstriper' timestamp='1330973971' post='1565687']


I nearly bought one around 1973 hardly used from a shop for £36.00 - couldn't quite afford it though.
[/quote]

£36?... I'll take it!

[Big_Stu]

[quote name='Jumanji' timestamp='1330963665' post='1565429']
with regard to Fender Musicmaster basses. I really want a shortscale bass as I've not got enormous hands.[/quote]

Wasn't it one of those that Alan Lancaster used for the same reason?

[Jumanji]

[quote name='redstriper' timestamp='1330973971' post='1565687']
My local music shop has the same model in the same colour, the serial number dates it to 1976, but its other bits make it 1974-75.
It's in almost new condition with the original case also like new - yours for £700.
One thing to watch with these is the weight - the early 70s are usually light (7.5 lbs), whereas the later ones can be over 10 lbs.
It depends when it was built and which wood pile was used..
[/quote]

.. and surely a heavier wood has benefits in sound quality? So it's begining to sound like my idea of spending 350 is low low low. I need to consider more money or different basses...

[Jumanji]

[quote name='Big_Stu' timestamp='1330979763' post='1565819']


Wasn't it one of those that Alan Lancaster used for the same reason?
[/quote]


OhNo!! I'm not going for Quo! Good sound though right?

[Mr. Foxen]

[quote name='Jumanji' timestamp='1330979826' post='1565821']
.. and surely a heavier wood has benefits in sound quality?
[/quote]

There is a stick at the top to stop people saying things like that.

[Jumanji]

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1330980388' post='1565846']


There is a stick at the top to stop people saying things like that.
[/quote]

I don't follow.. I'm new to this type of thing. (forums).

[Big_Stu]

[quote name='Jumanji' timestamp='1330979826' post='1565821']
I need to consider more money or different basses...
[/quote]

Then you're getting into EB0/EB3 territory; which is a nice place to be - and was covered extensively not so long ago.
The Epiphones are liked, but would need vintage electrics to get "that" sound.

[Mr. Foxen]

[quote name='Jumanji' timestamp='1330980643' post='1565852']
I don't follow.. I'm new to this type of thing. (forums).
[/quote]

Should have said 'Sticky', actually marked 'pinned' with a green box, second topic down on this forum: http://basschat.co.uk/topic/73234-tonewoods/

[Nibody]

[quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1330973068' post='1565661']
I'll eat my own underpants if that sells for less than £350
[/quote]

£273 with 2 mins to go.. salt, pepper? Salad cream?

[Nibody]

[quote name='Nibody' timestamp='1330981518' post='1565876']
£273 with 2 mins to go.. salt, pepper? Salad cream?
[/quote]
Take it back, rocketed to £390

[Wooks79]

£390! Beedster doesn't need to crack out the mayonnaise!

Did you win it then mate?

[The Bass Doc]

I was all set to ask Beedster:-

"Would you like flies with that?"