NGD-Tahitian Coral 1960 Musicmaster!
- joeybsyc
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NGD-Tahitian Coral 1960 Musicmaster!
Check this one out... While I've owned a bunch of later 60's Musicmaster II's with the 24" scale, I have always been afraid to try a 22.5" scale one. When I came across this little beauty I decided it was time to take a chance! The seller had recently bought it at an estate sale, and the previous owner apparently had it for a long time, perhaps since new. It's got a couple replacement saddles and an added string tree, but appears to otherwise be original. There is a crack on the back of the headstock near one of the tuner screw holes that appears to have been there for many years. It doesn't extend to the front, and the guitar tunes up and plays great so I'm not worried about it. The slab rosewood board is super dark, and the neck is pencil dated 5/60.
The main odd thing about this one is obviously the color... Now I assumed that it MUST be a refin, as everyone knows 1960 Musicmasters only came in tan right? Well after giving it a closer look in person I'm not so sure! The finish is definitely VERY old, and has lacquer checking and chipping throughout, and looks to have been this color forever. I'm not claiming to be any expert on Fender finishes, but I've seen my share of originals and this one looks like it actually could be a factory refin or possibly even a special order. The color looks VERY much like Tahitian Coral, a rare custom color found on this strat from the same time period:
http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/1 ... tian_Coral
Another oddity is the headstock logo. Upon close examination I believe it to be the original decal, as is the rest of the neck finish... but there is no evidence of it ever having the "MUSICMASTER" wording under the silver spaghetti logo. Now maybe this thing is just a really old refin with a really old repro headstock logo... but my gut feeling is that it's not. Unfortunately the previous owner is deceased, as I would really love to know some more history on this one... in any case, it plays and sounds insanely good for such a little guitar, and the neck is quite chunky... the original frets are in really nice shape and it is a real blast to play! I can't say it's as comfy as a 24" scale neck, but it's definitely playable, and this little guy now becomes the oldest Fender I've ever owned! I'm not sure if it could be an original finish or not, but I know it's a cool one I'm glad to have been able to get! Hope you dig the pics...
The main odd thing about this one is obviously the color... Now I assumed that it MUST be a refin, as everyone knows 1960 Musicmasters only came in tan right? Well after giving it a closer look in person I'm not so sure! The finish is definitely VERY old, and has lacquer checking and chipping throughout, and looks to have been this color forever. I'm not claiming to be any expert on Fender finishes, but I've seen my share of originals and this one looks like it actually could be a factory refin or possibly even a special order. The color looks VERY much like Tahitian Coral, a rare custom color found on this strat from the same time period:
http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/1 ... tian_Coral
Another oddity is the headstock logo. Upon close examination I believe it to be the original decal, as is the rest of the neck finish... but there is no evidence of it ever having the "MUSICMASTER" wording under the silver spaghetti logo. Now maybe this thing is just a really old refin with a really old repro headstock logo... but my gut feeling is that it's not. Unfortunately the previous owner is deceased, as I would really love to know some more history on this one... in any case, it plays and sounds insanely good for such a little guitar, and the neck is quite chunky... the original frets are in really nice shape and it is a real blast to play! I can't say it's as comfy as a 24" scale neck, but it's definitely playable, and this little guy now becomes the oldest Fender I've ever owned! I'm not sure if it could be an original finish or not, but I know it's a cool one I'm glad to have been able to get! Hope you dig the pics...
Check out my little collection at http://vintagefenders.weebly.com
- hornz
- PAT. # 2.972.923
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Re: NGD-Tahitian Coral 1960 Musicmaster!
Tahitan Coral
No idea about originality but hell its lovely looking. You have an awesome collection going on now.
No idea about originality but hell its lovely looking. You have an awesome collection going on now.
hornz
Spin The Black Circle
Spin The Black Circle
- Ursa Minor
- PAT. # 2.972.923
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Re: NGD-Tahitian Coral 1960 Musicmaster!
That is just gorgeous!
Have you looked under the guard or in the neck pocket yet?
Have you looked under the guard or in the neck pocket yet?
The artist formerly known as kosmonautmayhem.
- joeybsyc
- PAT. # 2.972.923
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Re: NGD-Tahitian Coral 1960 Musicmaster!
Thanks! The heel is dated 5-60 in pencil with original coral paint stuck to the heel very much like the strat in the Premier Guitar article. The body looks right under the pickguard. Pots dated 19th week of 1960. (1376019) Surprisingly minimal fading compared to the outside with just a little extra gloss on the unexposed areas. Still has the metal shield between the guard and body too.
Check out my little collection at http://vintagefenders.weebly.com
- Ursa Minor
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Re: NGD-Tahitian Coral 1960 Musicmaster!
It looks like it's in amazing shape. I think there's a good possibility this is original paint.
I'm a little skeptical of the decal but it might just be the photo and bright sunlight. Just out of persona, curiosity I'd love to see more detail shots.
I LOVE this color. I think I love that pickguard even more. It's just perfect.
I'm a little skeptical of the decal but it might just be the photo and bright sunlight. Just out of persona, curiosity I'd love to see more detail shots.
I LOVE this color. I think I love that pickguard even more. It's just perfect.
The artist formerly known as kosmonautmayhem.
- J0K1
- PAT. # 2.972.923
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Re: NGD-Tahitian Coral 1960 Musicmaster!
Nice!
If you think it's original paint post some gut pics and let's see.
If you think it's original paint post some gut pics and let's see.
Last edited by J0K1 on Sat Apr 18, 2015 11:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- raphaël
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Re: NGD-Tahitian Coral 1960 Musicmaster!
Jeez...
I didn't even know they did this finish.
It's gorgeous, that guitar is gorgeous, and 22'5" scales are incredible!!! I have one MM 22'5" scale neck on one of my partsguitar and it's very cool...very different, very small but very cool!!!
I didn't even know they did this finish.
It's gorgeous, that guitar is gorgeous, and 22'5" scales are incredible!!! I have one MM 22'5" scale neck on one of my partsguitar and it's very cool...very different, very small but very cool!!!
- StevenO
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Re: NGD-Tahitian Coral 1960 Musicmaster!
That is beautiful. I love the colour! These are great guitars, too.
- windmill
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Re: NGD-Tahitian Coral 1960 Musicmaster!
Nice colour
Can you give us a photo of the colour under the guard ?
Can you give us a photo of the colour under the guard ?
- joeybsyc
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Re: NGD-Tahitian Coral 1960 Musicmaster!
Sure...windmill wrote:Nice colour
Can you give us a photo of the colour under the guard ?
Check out my little collection at http://vintagefenders.weebly.com
- J0K1
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- StevenO
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Re: NGD-Tahitian Coral 1960 Musicmaster!
Oh but whyyyy?J0K1 wrote:Refin.
- J0K1
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Re: NGD-Tahitian Coral 1960 Musicmaster!
Nail holes painted over
Coral isn't period correct Fender finish
Old doesn't mean original
Coral isn't period correct Fender finish
Old doesn't mean original
- StevenO
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Re: NGD-Tahitian Coral 1960 Musicmaster!
Not that I agree or disagree, but wasn't that better?
Imagine. If I responded to your "refin" comment with "Nope"? That'd not be much of an insightful discussion.
Imagine. If I responded to your "refin" comment with "Nope"? That'd not be much of an insightful discussion.
- joeybsyc
- PAT. # 2.972.923
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Re: NGD-Tahitian Coral 1960 Musicmaster!
If you say so. I still think it's at least a factory refin.
Check out my little collection at http://vintagefenders.weebly.com