NGD: 1978 Musicmaster Bass

Discussion of vintage Jazzmasters, Jaguars, Bass VIs, Electric XIIs and any other offset-waist instruments.
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sam
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NGD: 1978 Musicmaster Bass

Post by sam » Sat Jan 11, 2020 1:08 pm

I'd been GASing for a Musicmaster bass for years and so when one showed up locally on Craigslist I couldn't help but check it out. Well, as soon as I plugged it in I knew I'd be leaving with a lighter wallet than I'd arrived with...

The price was incredibly reasonable (easily a few hundred dollars cheaper than most examples on Reverb) and I can't get over how clean the bass looks and feels. The pickup was replaced at some point but the seller included the original in the sale as well as the original chipboard case which is pretty beat up but serves its purpose for the time being.

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Pics are from the original listing (they look a lot nicer than anything I could take in my apartment).

It's currently strung up with rounds which I don't mind but I'm thinking of trying some flats, does anyone have any recommendations?

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beauzooka
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Re: NGD: 1978 Musicmaster Bass

Post by beauzooka » Sat Jan 11, 2020 8:43 pm

I liked D’Adderio Chromes cause they have some nice mids.
I’ve moved to GHS Pressurewounds now, which are kinda halfway to roundwound on my Serek. Nice strings.

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Telliot
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Re: NGD: 1978 Musicmaster Bass

Post by Telliot » Sat Jan 11, 2020 8:58 pm

Congrats! I’ve used Chromes and La Bellas, and loved them both, but for short scale you might want to use La Bellas. I am of the strong opinion a bass needs flats, but then I’m not a fan of bright bass tones or string noise (plus all my heroes use(d) old, dead, flats that sound glorious to my ears).
The cool thing about fretless is you can hit a note...and then renegotiate.

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Wil_66
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Re: NGD: 1978 Musicmaster Bass

Post by Wil_66 » Mon Jan 13, 2020 4:49 pm

Wow, that is clean, good score! I used half rounds on the '77 I had, but it had the original 6 pole guitar pickup in it... A proper bass pickup is a definite upgrade if you actually want to play the bass. I'd try La Bella flats on it if it was mine.

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andy
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Re: NGD: 1978 Musicmaster Bass

Post by andy » Tue Jan 14, 2020 12:45 pm

So sick!!

I like the Chromes on my mustang. I haven’t tried LaBella due to a lack of availability in my neck of the woods but I’ve only heard good things!
Send me western swing vids

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