78 Fender Musicmaster bass

[amanda]

I just bought this musicmaster from a friend (not original owner) and it was not taken care of
BUT - I saw amazing potential, it plays really well so I'm going to re-finish and clean up or switch out the hardware.
(This is the exact condition I bought it in)


A previous owner - to which I want to slap - scratched out the original decal


They also thought it would be awesome to put whiteout on the back for satan....


Really gross sticker residue from who knows how long and just gross in general...



Color:
I'm thinking green metal-flake or sherwood green, not sure yet...

[dug]

That's actually a 999. Satan is pissed.

[rickenmetal]

Plus it's a right side up pentagram, no matter what way you look at it. The anarchy symbol is upside down though.

[the older brother]

Cool.
I like the late 70's black on black look. The only Strat I éver owned had exact that colour scheme (also with rosewood fretboard).

Color:
I'm thinking green metal-flake or sherwood green, not sure yet...

I'd say - stick to a colour that matches the original guard, covers and knobs.
Black, sunburst or white.

If it was mine I'd try to restore/clean up the original black finish.
You can probably use some naphta and/or car laquer restorer.
I think 3M have a tape residue remover that probably would work great on that decal residue.
If that wont help, it's probably not that hard to just wetsand it smooth and polish it up again, as the finish from that era is super thick.
Then polish up the chrome and maybe add a new decal (but try to save the serial number).

[dnv]

That's actually a 999. Satan is pissed.

you're supposed to go like this with it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWA28E0r_1c#t=04m15s

although that's probably going to make satan even angrier...

[boss302bass]

It looks all original aside from the sticker gunk and the Hail Satan stuff...just clean that mess off and keep her the way she is. Don't go changing the electronics or hardware - these little basses sound fantastic stock and you will not make it sound any better by sticking a ccrazy bridge on it or swapping out the p/up...you will find that that pickup is a flat-pole Mustang guitar pickup - that's why it has the all-black pickup cover - to hide the six poles - and is the reason for the Musicmaster's unique bassy tone.

[BoringPostcards]

It looks all original aside from the sticker gunk and the Hail Satan stuff...just clean that mess off and keep her the way she is. Don't go changing the electronics or hardware - these little basses sound fantastic stock and you will not make it sound any better by sticking a ccrazy bridge on it or swapping out the p/up...you will find that that pickup is a flat-pole Mustang guitar pickup - that's why it has the all-black pickup cover - to hide the six poles - and is the reason for the Musicmaster's unique bassy tone.

Mine had a regular 4 pole PUP under the cover. It was all original. My dad bought it in the 70s and never really used it. He hadn't a clue about modding or anything, so it was definitely a stock pup. It was a late 70s model, or I think it was. It was either Sonic Blue or Daphne w non matching headstock. I really wish it wasn't stolen from me though. Everytime I see a Musicmaster Bass I get a sick feeling in my gut. That theft is what got me on the guitar. I was a dedicated bassist beforehand.

Also, this one seems to have an extra string tree on it.

[boss302bass]

That's a shame it was stolen...any guitar theft sucks as musicians supply music to the world and should not have to suffer such low crimes...
As to the pickup...I should do some more reading - perhaps by the late 70's they had got around to specifically winding 4 polers for the entry level basses...it would be interesting to know what's lurking under the hood of Amanda's sexy black beast...she truly has scored a great looking bass!

[Harvester]

those scratches through the decal ! grrr ...

hey, i got one too ...

'72 daphne blue with the heart shaped tuners

arrived in the post a few days ago ...



i've got a tin of daphne blue for touching up the front where someone was a bit eager with the sandpaper.
the back has gloriously green topcoat-over-daphne showing through the grey rattlecan finish.
i have to get it finished in time for a 'get yer ya yas out' tribute show later in the year. ( although from memory bill played a mustang bass )

6 pole grey bobbin pickup BTW

cheers, AP

[Uncle Battuh]

Geebus!! What's wrong with that cat? The bass looks like a miniature next to it!!

[Harvester]

ha !

these things are tiny, look at my dog fer chrissakes ...

AP

[BoringPostcards]

those scratches through the decal ! grrr ...

hey, i got one too ...

'72 daphne blue with the heart shaped tuners

arrived in the post a few days ago ...



i've got a tin of daphne blue for touching up the front where someone was a bit eager with the sandpaper.
the back has gloriously green topcoat-over-daphne showing through the grey rattlecan finish.
i have to get it finished in time for a 'get yer ya yas out' tribute show later in the year. ( although from memory bill played a mustang bass )

6 pole grey bobbin pickup BTW

cheers, AP

Yea mine had that style of headstock/tuner-type/decal. Same finish too. I could be remembering the pickup wrong. It was stolen in '98 or '99 so I can't be sure. I really wish I had've written down the serial number. I believe it was on the neckplate.

[Pacafeliz]

Geebus!! What's wrong with that cat? The bass looks like a miniature next to it!!

YEAH! i thought it was one of them miniature guitars... but AGED! teh cat looks HUGE!
my mustang bass doesn't look that tiny... or... does it?

Pat.

[amanda]

My cat is just abnormally large, probably around 15 pounds haha

[ohm-men]

Haha...Typical for redhaired cats...they always turn out HUGE....I got one at home just like it, though I guess even bigger, He even makes my JM looks tiny...
Even the neighbours dog, which isn't a small one, is actually very afraid of the Big red-white cat....

As for the Bass, I'd try to clean up the Black finish first, I'm sure some careful wetsanding and polishing will make it turn out great + It won't kill the value of the instrument imo...Since, however you turn it....A factory Fender seams only to go up in price when years go by....