Fender Musicmaster Bass Guitar

My bass was made in 1978, it is black with a black pickguard. It has one volume and one tone. I would not trade it for anything in the world.

I play a lot of punk and rock so it sounds really through my tube works 100W amp.

The bass is perfect in every way. No chips and no scratches. Bascially mint cond.

ROCK SOLID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Never dealt with them?????

I have been playing for almost a year and it was the first Fender i have ever owned, and from what i can tell, Fender now has a permanent buyer. I also have a Rouge bass, and amp. But nothing has come close to my Tube Works and Fender.

The bass was made in 1973, I got it used in the early 90's.
Same specs as what everyone else has stated.
My bass has a yellowish color to it, with a white pickguard and black knobs and pickup cover.

Pretty simple design, plus it was great to learn bass on.

This bass sounds pretty good for being a small bass guitar.

The strings are really close to the fretboard so it's really easy to play fast on this bass and the harder you play the strings the sound of the bass changes a little to give it a "harsher" tone which is good if you are looking for that kind of tone.

This bass sounds different in every bass amp I've played it through ... which is cool, some bass guitars I've played sounds the same in every bass amp ... not this one.

I really like the way the strings are set on this bass ... really close to the fretboard.

I don't care alot for the yellowish finish this bass has, but I won't change it just because it's so different looking.

I like the idea that this bass is so light weight also.

I've used this bass as my main bass guitar for about 10 years and never had the need for a backup bass. I now have 2 bass guitars the Musicmaster and a Fender Precision Bass just to have a longer neck bass, and most of the time (when I do play bass at a gig) I still take both basses with me and still the Musicmaster bass gets just as much "stage" time as the Precision bass.

I've never had to use the customer service, but they do have a nice website with information / links.

A great bass to learn on and also a great bass to have a to be a little "different" than most bass players and to have a different sound.

Fender Musicmaster Bass - short scale 30" neck, Maple neck with rosewood fretboard. Made In USA. One single coil pickup, one tone, one volume knob. Mine was Basic Black in color, with white pick gaurde. A very Simple Bass with few features, it was my first Fender, my first Bass, I didn't know how to play at all I just knew I wanted to play Bass, and I must have a Fender.
I purchased this Bass in college in 1982, and Yes I only paid $159.
I remember very clearly, it seemed like alot of money to me at the time, because it was all I had.

Time has put some perspective on how this Bass sounded. At the time I used a Roland 30 watt Bass amp with a 12" speaker. It was OK, but overall one single coil pickup was weak and thin. Tone control did almost nothing. A good learning Bass, I learned alot!
BUT then I walked in (couldn't play the thing) guys said "WOW it's a real Fender" so I got into a band, I had the right gear.

When I bought the Bass it had flat wound string on it which was good to learn on, didn't hurt my fingers. Overall the fit and finish was very good. The Hardware was very good quality for my first Bass it was great. When I started to learn to play better guys I played with started to make fun of this (short Scale) baby Fender. So I sold it and bought a full size Precission Bass (my second Fender).

I used this Bass on gigs many times, at the time it was my only Bass, I had no back up. Something must have been right, I never broke a string, it always stayed in tune. In the ten years I owned it I don't think I ever adjusted the trust rod. But the short scale neck didn't put to much presure on the strings. So it had a kind of soft feel to it. I'm sure this Bass is still out there some place kicking out the tunes I just hope someone is loving it the way I did.

None needed. What is Fender customer support? I think it's fairly well made mass produced instruments which need liitle or no repairs if you just take care of them.
Thank you Leo ! May he rest in peace knowing he gave the world a great sound.

Post Script: I sold this Bass over ten years ago. NOW I see New ones are out(not made in USA), not nearly as good in quality and sell for twice as much. AND old ones like mine have become collectors items, I've seen ones in poor condistion selling for $400. Old beat up crapy Basses with no finish left on them. I'm not a collector, I'm a player, but now I wish I'd waited to sell mine. My quess is everything Fender will one day be a collectors item if you just hold on to it long enough. I now own two Fenders; a Fretless Jazz Bass (1990) and a P-Bass deluxe special (1998), a Yamaha TRB5, and three other Basses, my amps are Gallen-Kruger or SWR, speakers are Carvin or Harkey. I've spent thousands on the Best gear you can own, but this little Fender Musicmaster was my first Bass so it will always hold a place in my heart as the Bass I learned to play on.

The first model made, USA, 1950's, the type with skinnier neck, short scale. One pickup, volume, tone - all the features I wan't in a bass as I like simplicity.

This rather rare old model sounds much better than the later more common ones with thicker neck. Sound is alive, I have a "bad ass" bridge on it and this gives me more sustain. Sound of this guitar is best for 50's rock and country but will do any type of music fine. Not good for slap.

Nearly 50 years old and styll holds together, only hardware rusts.

reliability 100%

Excellent sound, and great for a smaller bass player (like me). There is no noise or anything else. I would never give up this bass!

Style: punk. I am using it with an Ampeg Diamond Blue b-100r bass amp. I love the tone I can get with it.

Excellent

I trust this bass without a backup.

I have had it repaired once, no problems

64'? it was made in america.

19 frets, short scale. 4 stings.

solid top.

1 tone, 1 volume.

1 single coil(leo fender put strat pickups in it)

strat pickups

passive.

ash body. maple neck w/ rosewood fretboard

off white.

p-bass

hard tail

orig. fender open cast tunners.

3/4 w/jumbo frets.

punk... need I say more.

peavey basic 112

no noise at all.

bright sound depending on tone settings.

slapp, funk, jazz, you name it's got it.

stage, easy to play long gigs, and its compact.

i take it to the grave

awseome.

damn good.

paint chips. string buzz, all orig, and in great cond.

hell yeah!

its lasted since 64' hasn't it.

built fender tough.

see number 1.

see number 4.

see number 5.

n/a

whats the point a bass is bass and ths thing kicks ass

3 years.

hell no.

no to scarce to find another.

no.

no.

if you ever find no matter how much it hurts your wallet, buy the damn thing

I got my pristine '74-'75 Fender Musicmaster Bass back in May. It's my third one. After I found my first one in a pawnshop last year, I was hooked..."fun" is an understatement! These things are a pleasure to play, I do everything on it, including bluegrass! The one I play now is the cream finish (now nicely, slightly yellowed), is all original, came with the original hardcase, owner's manual, inspection tag, cleaning cloth and Fender strap. It's one of those you can really classify as MINT. It's even nicer that it came with all the stuff. I do love the way this one sounds, has more "growl" than you'd think, even though it has not been hot-rodded. It's quite versatile and being the short scale, it's easy for me to go from banjo to bass and not think twice.

It fits my need fine, as far as sound. When we do Aerosmith tunes, I run it thru a Fender Bassman, pull up the mid's a bit and it's ready to go. When I play bluegrass, I run it thru a smaller Fender Bassman 25, set the tone warm and full, to mimick an upright bass, (which it does fine!) My only request would be that they had put in large/jumbo frets when it was made.

The action was set up low...I did adjust it to my tastes, which was a bit higher. The finish is fine, I LOVE how it's mellowed to a yellowish-white. No rusted or oxidated parts!

It does great playing on stage/in studio. The hardware is durable, I have not had to make many adjustments other than raising the action and I've adjusted the neck once, in conjusction with the action being raised. That's it.

I have never dealt with Fender directly.

Logged 25 years playing this December. Also play banjo, mandolin and guitar. My only suggestion would be again, the larger frets and that all of them had a hardshell case when originally sold. I am fortunate mine came with one, but others I have seen for sale, like on Ebay for instance, originally came with soft-shell/chip cases. These as you know, are terrible. Thankfully, hardshell cases are availible if you lool around. I'm sure prices for these pieces will continue to go up, as are most vintage pieces, I definitely would say if you are considering one to GET ONE SOON while they are quite reasonable and can still be found in great condition.

My Musicmaster (this is my second one) is a 1976 USA made Black/Black model. It has 19 frets, and like all Musicmasters, one pickup (classic Fnder Jazz) and one volume/Tone control.

The body is alder and I?m not sure about the neck, but it?s all original.

I give it a ten on features, because if you want a great sounding short scale bass to give you that classic rock sound, this is it. Plug and play!

I had a 1969 or 1970 Musicmaster back in the 70?s and 80?s. I sold it around 1984, and have been pining for one since. I?ve owned four other basses since, but really missed that great, fat, no-nonsense classic rock "plug it in and play" sound. Perfect for Rock, Country, Folk, or Jazz. Don?t need a rackfull of effects or floor full of pedals to make this axe sound like a bass, it just does. I?m playing it through a Yamaha Bass 115B Combo, and Also have a classic Fender Showman with a 4/12 cab which I never lug anywhere anymore!

This bass has wonderful action, and after playing it non-stop for the last week, I can find no unusual buzzing or vibrating. The original black finish with black pickguard looks beautiful. I really wish it had a white pickguard, though and may swap it later.
It?s truly a pristine, rare guitar.

My last Musicmaster was not nearly as nice as this one. It was a refin, and I personally put a big, fat Gibson Humbucker on it in 1974. Over a 12 year period I played it all over the US and on two world tours and it always played and sounded great. This one is in much better shape, and with regular yearly setups I expect it to last the rest of my lifetime (I?m 44 now!). This one is a keeper.

I?ve been playing Bass, Guitar, and Keys since 1969. I?ve been a professional musician all of my adult life and have a VERY extensive project studio. My other gear includes a 1978 Martin D-41, 1968 Gibson ES 135, Fender USA Telecaster, and a full studio of recording/midi/sampler/synth stuff. I?ve not had so much fun playing any bass in years and am so happy I decided to search out, find and buy this model once again.

Made in 1978, this US version is extremly rare. A standard 4-string model, 20 frets w/ solid top. It has a volume and tone control, one Fender Jazz pickup with the same model year. Only Passive Electronics because of the make year. Is a Maple body and neck with a string-thru body bridge. The neck is a shorter scale 30" and has a rosewood cover with dot inlays. The neck itself is fairly thin for accuracy.

This guitar is excellent for my music style which is classic rock/heavy metal. I jam to anything from Led Zeplin to Metallica. I use a Peavy TKO 80 for jam sessions or a Carvin Full Stack for gigs. I own 4 effects, a DOD Supra Destortion, and Electro Harmonix BassBalls and Small Stone. It is very quiet and extremely powerfull. It contains a very low-end sound with great middle and good high. It is more of a funk, rock, and blasting bass over a mellow bass. Its not that great with a wah either. I use it on stage and in the studio. I love the range but could use better electronics.

The action is unbelievable but comming from Fender what else can you say. The set-up and pickup configuation is absolutly perfect for anyone but the finish gave it a little twang here and there. The pick board also is loose.

This bass will withstand anything. The hardware and finish has lasted through 6 months of the most rigorus jamm sessions I've ever had. Nothing has changed and I dont expect it to. Strap buttons are still good little akward for a tall guy but solid otherwise. The truss rod needs adjustmentabout once a year. Not too bad. I would deffinatly use it on a gig without a backup.

This is my first Fender and I'm realy happy and looking foward to dealing with the company again.

I got this bass 6 months ago and love it. I own an Alvarez dana other than my Fender. If it were ever stolen I'd be looking for either a new Musicmaster of the same year or the stolen bass very hard.I wish it had active electronics because I could then do a lot more with it.

This is a 1970's USA made red coloured Musicmaster Bass. The short scale means it is much easier to play and real light, I guess the body wood is either alder or ash. Its short neck has 19 tall thin frets and the big headstock almost dwarf's the body. Volume and Tone for one AWFUL guitar pickup in there ( six poles ). As in all old Musicmaster basses they used a guitar pickup which is no good, low volume and no tone at all.The neck is really well used showing the natural yellowed oils coming up, with the black/brown gunge meaning this bass has been WELL played. The bridge was quite rusty and it also has a small finger rest on the right side of a quite awkward pickguard, looks nice nevertheless.

When I first tried the bass it had long scale flatwound strings and the original pickup, so it sounded quite terrible. I changed the strings to proper short scale, and the pickup to a blade type guitar for proper string alignment.

With these minor changes the bass sounds TOTALLY different. Really nice mellow sound, nothing like a Pbass or a Jazz, it is a "younger" sound, that sounds quite different through my Peavey TNT 150. It is not a very full sounding bass, more like a warmish sound that definitely sounds vintage due to its age.It sounds great when turned amp and this bass has 2 sounds: tone full up as described before and tone backed down makes it sound like old Motown, real woolly and sweet for the blues I play.

The action was quite porr although easily set up, tweaking the neck and bridge saddles. The saddles are wuite rusty and some screws are imposible to tweak ( I guess that are the donwides of vintage ! )but the pickups and knobs arent noisy. There are some minor flaws in the finish due to aging but quite aesthetically pleasing for those who like well used instruments.

Fender basses are reputedly long lasting. THis one has 30 years and looks like it will live another 30 with no problem. The neck is rock solid and the strap buttons show no signs of falling out. Maybe the finish on the neck will need some touching up in a few years time but it is fully dependable and I use it for my regular blues gigs, havent had a problem yet.

N/A

In Spain there are NO short scale bass guitars and it was a miracle to find one from a guy who was selling second hand. I am now looking to purchase the Squier Musicmaster from the Vista Series as a replacement as it looks like a perfect copy. This is a really great bass for those with small hands or who are looking for something different. It is so easy to play and the sound fits perfectly in my small 3 piece blues combo, sounding quite nice and sweet. It also would suit perfectly for other small piece rocking bands although jazz is probably out of the question, maybe younger sounding bands.