![]() ![]() The original hard shell case is included. Electronics consist of a single single-coil pickup in the neck position suspended from a three-ply pickguard, with volume and tone controls and the output jack mounted on a metal plate. The tuners are sealed models with creme plastic buttons, and a simple top-mount, three-saddle bridge is at the body. Fender ceased using Brazilian Rosewood in 1966. In terms of construction, in 1975 the Fender MusicMaster consisted of an Alder slab body paired with a Maple neck and Indian Rosewood fingerboard. The 24 inch scale doesn’t feel very short – it is also the same scale length as the considerably more elaborate Fender Jaguar. This very cool guitar plays well looks great and sounds good. This 24 inch scale length example is in good, complete condition and has some dents and finish wear expected after 48 years. Here we’re looking at a Fender MusicMaster in Red finish, built during 1975 in Fullerton, California during the era of CBS ownership. The Fender DuoSonic, a two pickup version, also appeared in 1956 and was discontinued in 1969. As it was intended for beginners and younger players, it was available in two scale lengths – the ‘long’ 24 inch (609.6mm) scale length seen here, and a 22.5 inch (571.5mm) short scale. It also includes a very cool '70s Fender coil cable.Introduced in April 1956 and built until 1982, the Fender MusicMaster was an entry-level single pickup guitar. ![]() It includes its original hardshell case, and one of the latches is broken. The intonation would be better with a wound 3rd string, but it currently has a plain 3rd so you can bend more easily. Fortunately, nothing too offensive! It plays well with low action, and the frets have plenty of life left. It shows some signs of play and use, especially on the back side of the body and the edges of the headstock (see photos). This 1978 Musicmaster finds us in nice cosmetic condition. The result is distinctly Fender, but would never be mistaken for a Telecaster or Stratocaster. In combination with the design, the unique "angled neck" position on a Musicmaster subtly changes the sound. The resistance on this '78 measures 5.83 k ohms. But the Musicmaster pickup deserves more credit than it gets! It uses six Alnico V magnets, which give it a brighter, more cutting single-coil sound. The Musicmaster pickup was intended to be utilitarian-it's the same one used in the Duo-Sonic and the Musicmaster bass. It opens up wider stretches and bigger bends. In your hands, the 24" scale length feels effortless and playable. The pickup is also marked with an appropriate '78 date stamp. The neck dates to the 23rd week of '78, and the pots date to the 12th week. It finds us with all of its original parts and components. This 1978 Fender Musicmaster (serial # S806655) features a Rosewood fingerboard, a gorgeous black finish, and a matching black pickguard. Good old Musicmasters are too often overlooked! Sometimes simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ![]() The pickup actually has 6 pole pieces instead of 4 and is kind of thin. Interestingly enough, Fender simply used the same strat size pickup that they put in their 6 string guitars at the same time. I love the short scale and the student model feel. While the single pickup and short scale were intended as entry-level features, they introduce a different range of expression. My one and only bass is a ‘78 Fender Musicmaster. It was updated in '64 to have the Mustang's cool offset stylings, and the Musicmaster remained Fender's low-price student model until 1980. The Musicmaster goes all the way back to the pre-CBS days of the mid-'50s. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |