I got myself a new offset!

[Soiouz]

I found this in a pawn shop over the weekend: a 1974 Fender Mustang Bass.





It was really cheap so I took it, as I had been looking for a cheap bass for some time, now.

It's a good player, which is what I wanted. No way is this in collector's shape: pickup changed to P-Bass EMG active, replaced bridge, refin (pretty good and close to the original red used on those basses), replaced pickguard.

Even though it sounds great as is, I'll try to bring it back a little closer to vintage specs, if I find good parts. The pickguard will be the first thing to change, this black one is ugly and broken anyway! The pickup has to go too, as I don't want to route a new pickguard for the P-Bass pu's.

[zhivago]

what a cool score!

I love the look of these basses

[Soiouz]

Just opened up the bass today so I could get the neck code and do an in-depth survey of the thing...

Well, the neck code says it's a 1972.. but the serial number places it in 1973. Usual Fender stuff, I guess... So 1973 it is!



I also found out the original colour: it was sunburst!! I was hoping the neck pocket would be in good state and luckily it was. What a beautiful little bass this must have been in sunburst!  Oh well!  It'll be pretty nice in competition red also! 

[chrisjedijane]

Sweet score! I actually like the look of it as-is, but it'd look even better more vintage-accurate.

When i was over in the states all the pawn shops were full of superstrats and cheap beginners guitars

[Soiouz]

Sweet score! I actually like the look of it as-is, but it'd look even better more vintage-accurate.

It's actually growing on me as is too, except for the pickguard which definitely has to go. It will be replaced by a white pearloid guard....   As for the rest, I might just keep it like that: correct Mustang Bass parts seem next to impossible to find, and the P-Bass pickup on it now sounds great!!

[i love sharin foo]

I love those little basses! I was just playing my Musicmaster a  little bit ago. Sunburst seems to be about the most common color for the Mustang basses  from that year on I think. There were quite a few parts on eBay a few months back for fair prices. I almost bought them to start piecing one together but then I caught myself and thought better of it 

PS try a set of flats on it! My Musicmaster felt okay with rounds, but flats really gave it a great sound and a more solid feel.

Justin

[Soiouz]

I love those little basses! I was just playing my Musicmaster a  little bit ago. Sunburst seems to be about the most common color for the Mustang basses  from that year on I think. There were quite a few parts on eBay a few months back for fair prices. I almost bought them to start piecing one together but then I caught myself and thought better of it 

PS try a set of flats on it! My Musicmaster felt okay with rounds, but flats really gave it a great sound and a more solid feel.

Justin

Thanks for the tip, I wanted to buy new strings for it tomorrow, so I'll be sure to try flats!

[Pumpkin]

Love it!
Mustang basses are the best basses for guitarists,so small.
Love this bass man!

[~*blissedandgone*~]

Wow! WOW!!! Good score!!!!!

I think you should at least put a classier pickguard and pickup in it. I don't think EMG's belong in Fender's, that's just me...

If you can do a Sunburst, I think that would be awesome! Red is sweet, too.

When i was over in the states all the pawn shops were full of superstrats and cheap beginners guitars

Same with me, I haven't found anything good in pawn shops. Wait, that's not true. I found an AMAZING lap steel, it was yellowed pearloid. I can't tell you what make it was, I couldn't look at it up close. Could have been a Fender, could have been a Samick... I went into the pawn shop ever few months over two years, and it was always sitting in it's little tweed case, begging for me to liberate it. And every time I asked to look at it, they said "It isn't for sale" Why the hell would they have it on display if it wasn't for sale???? It was in a part of town where it was mostly Mexicans who didn't speak English, so the country or blues sect didn't frequent this pawn shop. I still wish they sold it to me. I would have paid some good cash for it.

[Soiouz]

Wow! WOW!!! Good score!!!!!

I think you should at least put a classier pickguard and pickup in it. I don't think EMG's belong in Fender's, that's just me...

If you can do a Sunburst, I think that would be awesome! Red is sweet, too.

That's what I plan to do with it, really, if I find the right parts. Here:



Still not sure about the competition stripes, though.

As for the pawn shops, I think I was just lucky, because it's not that often that I see good stuff there either... Mostly black squier Strats here too.