Talk me into/out of buying an old Musicmaster Bass

Discussion of vintage Jazzmasters, Jaguars, Bass VIs, Electric XIIs and any other offset-waist instruments.
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PJazzmaster
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Re: Talk me into/out of buying an old Musicmaster Bass

Post by PJazzmaster » Thu Jun 03, 2021 1:07 pm

johnnysomersett wrote:
Thu Jun 03, 2021 11:59 am

Well, daaaaaamn, that's glorious. Please sell it to me hahahahah
Thanks and sorry, mine is a keeper. But also look into the JMJ Mustang Basses. Amazing instruments!!!
Here is a bonus picture of the body of mine when I got it. It came with an ugly silver "bass sucks" signature from some unknown (to me) artist. Guess noone else wanted to buy it because of that. I managed to remove it ::) ;) And look at that tan :o
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JSett
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Re: Talk me into/out of buying an old Musicmaster Bass

Post by JSett » Thu Jun 03, 2021 7:59 pm

PJazzmaster wrote:
Thu Jun 03, 2021 1:07 pm
johnnysomersett wrote:
Thu Jun 03, 2021 11:59 am

Well, daaaaaamn, that's glorious. Please sell it to me hahahahah
Thanks and sorry, mine is a keeper. But also look into the JMJ Mustang Basses. Amazing instruments!!!
Here is a bonus picture of the body of mine when I got it. It came with an ugly silver "bass sucks" signature from some unknown (to me) artist. Guess noone else wanted to buy it because of that. I managed to remove it ::) ;) And look at that tan :o
Image
Image
Ooh, yeah. That's absolutely perfect really. Well done on getting the pen off. I had a similar issue once and found that isopropyl alcohol took it off and didn't mess with the paint underneath. It's just finding the right chemical really.


So, I have a lead on one locally as it happens, for a reasonable price. It's in the rather boring shade of poly black but I'm thinking if I get a hold of it, I might just give it a refin. Something interesting like yellowed Sonic Blue or faded Tahitian Coral 😏

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Silly Rabbit, don't you know scooped mids are for kids?

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UlricvonCatalyst
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Re: Talk me into/out of buying an old Musicmaster Bass

Post by UlricvonCatalyst » Thu Jun 03, 2021 9:32 pm

Okay, I can accept that the going rate for anything old has doubled recently. That begs the question, is it worth it?

One thing I'll say is owning a 'vintage' Musicmaster never stopped me wanting a Mustang, any Mustang (which at that point didn't include a Squier option). For about 2/3rds of the price of a vintage MM, with a fair wind in your sails and a bit of patience, you should be able to find a Japanese Mustang Bass.

If you must have a MM, I'd recommend the partsmaster route, especially if you're looking at modding it into something unique anyway.

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JSett
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Re: Talk me into/out of buying an old Musicmaster Bass

Post by JSett » Thu Jun 03, 2021 9:44 pm

UlricvonCatalyst wrote:
Thu Jun 03, 2021 9:32 pm
Okay, I can accept that the going rate for anything old has doubled recently. That begs the question, is it worth it?

One thing I'll say is owning a 'vintage' Musicmaster never stopped me wanting a Mustang, any Mustang (which at that point didn't include a Squier option). For about 2/3rds of the price of a vintage MM, with a fair wind in your sails and a bit of patience, you should be able to find a Japanese Mustang Bass.

If you must have a MM, I'd recommend the partsmaster route, especially if you're looking at modding it into something unique anyway.
Well, the one locally looks like I might be snagging it for about £600. It's a 1978 one. It's already had the bridge swapped for a 4 post which is probably helpful.

I definitely have a thing for the overall look of the MM basses...the pickguard shape is so peculiar.

At £600, and the fact they're common as muck, means I've got a solid vintage base (intentional spelling) to mod up from without feeling any guilt.
Last edited by JSett on Thu Jun 03, 2021 10:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Talk me into/out of buying an old Musicmaster Bass

Post by UlricvonCatalyst » Thu Jun 03, 2021 10:45 pm

Fair enough, might as well suck it and see.

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JSett
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Re: Talk me into/out of buying an old Musicmaster Bass

Post by JSett » Thu Jun 03, 2021 10:55 pm

UlricvonCatalyst wrote:
Thu Jun 03, 2021 10:45 pm
Fair enough, might as well suck it and see.
Exactly. We all (mostly) modify guitars of much higher value on a regular basis so the risk is pretty minimal
Silly Rabbit, don't you know scooped mids are for kids?

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Re: Talk me into/out of buying an old Musicmaster Bass

Post by JSett » Fri Jun 04, 2021 4:21 am

Well, I bought one.

Local dude. Wanted 650 for it and when he showed up it had been cleaned with some kinda solvent and frosted the finish :fp: so I got a little more off. It'll probably buff out but I was thinking of a refin anyway so this is a good enough reason for me.

Image

The question definitely is what colour now. Suggestions welcome.
Last edited by JSett on Fri Jun 04, 2021 6:50 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Talk me into/out of buying an old Musicmaster Bass

Post by PJazzmaster » Fri Jun 04, 2021 5:14 am

Coooool. And for a great price too.
The fretboard looks really nice. Well done!

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Pacafeliz
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Re: Talk me into/out of buying an old Musicmaster Bass

Post by Pacafeliz » Fri Jun 04, 2021 9:01 am

Listen... there is never, never ever, a reason not to buy a MusicMaster Bass. :-*
i love delay SO much ...that i procrastinate all the time.

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E Baxter Put
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Re: Talk me into/out of buying an old Musicmaster Bass

Post by E Baxter Put » Sat Jun 05, 2021 5:22 am

Yes. I think they are great!

I have an early model with the most comfy worn nitro neck. It had the original pickup which sounded good, but I replaced it with an Aero pickup. That really didn’t do much, lol.

I also own a 1976 p bass, but I play the music master just as often. They sound quite different, with the musicmaster sounding much lower tone, and the p bass with a more forward mids punch.

It’s also my favorite shade of Dakota red I’ve ever seen.

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