Fender Musicmaster Bass

[phillybass101]

My first real bass was a music master. I did a lot of gigs with it. A true valus for your money I'd say.

[ePRmu]

I use a 1976 Fender Musicmaster bass. One of the most comfortable and natural feeling basses I've ever played. I put some flatwounds on it, and I must say, I get a fantastic warm sound (just like McCartney).

[xiphoguy]

Ive got one two of these. One is bone stock and I'm keeping it that waty. The other was all chopped up when I got it, has an active pickup for which they routed a big ol' hole in the body, crappy paint. So i covered it in bumper stickers, added a drop D tuner (I HATE 5-strings but need a low D sometimes). ANYWAY, both are very playable for my smaller hands, the bone stock one sounds good w a classic sound, i use it in church; the modified one is edgier and i use it gigging. I LOVE them both!

[ox092]

what is the difference in pickups between this bass and the Mustang bass?

[coolguitars]

@ox092 No idea!

[TillyParks]

@ox092 The pick up is the obvious one. Fender also stopped making the musicmaster a long time ago. Both having similar feel/look .

[michael72986]

@ox092 Mustang bass has a split coil like a P-bass and the Musicmaster has a shitty Stratocaster (yes, a guitar pickup!) stock.

[SuperGuy344]

@ox092 mustang bass is a split pickup

[sonapipian]

@ox092 Fender Musicmaster Bass have a six pole single coil pickup (a single coil pickup of Fender Stratocaster guitar, now Bronco bass have a Squier Stratocaster pickup), Fender Musicmaster Bass play whit a customized little split coil (not the P-split).

[rippersk8er]

@ox092 the pick-up: the mustang has plit coil pick up. and The pickguard too.

[michael72986]

@ox092 Mustang has split-coil style pickups; Musicmaster has a guitar pickup.

[StephenFiorentini]

Want one, I'll trade my jazz

[Hyronimus89]

Hey, that sounds awesome. I'm in a struggle here, i want to buy a mustang bass or a musicmaster. What would you suggest?

Thanks

[coolguitars]

@Hyronimus89 No idea. Are your two basses old instruments or new ones? You better try them with your amp if possible. I had to do quiet a bit of tweaking to my settings to get this sound.

[PoetLaureate2]

Would you consider this bass versatile? because i've come across one in a local shop for $400 and i'm seriously considering buying it.

[coolguitars]

@PoetLaureate2 I wouldn't say it's very versatile. It's rather the amp that makes the sound so fat here. I'd suggest an old tube amp and a good compressor.

[michael72986]

@PoetLaureate2 Not at all. Probably the least versatile Fender ever made.

[Davemech]

Hey that's a pretty cool sound! Never heard one of these before. I'm impressed :)

[bobulibobium]

Awesome vintage tone!

[ryanmathes47]

it almost sounds like vanhalens pretty woman

[BabblingRandomly]

that beasty boys , sabatoge sound , is a musicmaster bass!!!

[retromotown]

gooood..... I had Musicmaster from 1978..... very good sound....

[mishapanfilov]

Very nice sound. What strings do you use? What model?

Thanks.

[coolguitars]

@mishapanfilov Thanks! I used Duesenberg short scale strings on this one.

[TheSkateNJ]

My music master is kind turquoise does anyone know what year that is?

[CowbellProfessional]

I read that these yellow musicmasters were made originally white; i like the yellowed appearance

[JohnnyChatterbox]

@CowbellProfessional I think this one may have been originally yellow, correct me if i am wrong but i have played many old school white fender basses and its not the same yellow... HAHAHA, than again i am color blind.... but it still doesn't look that vintage yellow color to me... I want that bass though...

[Diesel415]

Very cool 'Master you have. I'm glad you left the tug-bar in it's place instead of relocating it as a thumb-rest. It may not be useful as is but keeps the true vibe of the bass and it's intended design.

[cubanzombie]

badass color, ive wanted a musicmaster for a while. whats the tone like on this anyone?

[Syrinx56]

i also have a 72 musicmaster, mine is a lefty and the thumg rest is like this guy's

[coolguitars]

Thanks for the comment!

[KatBeee]

i have a 72 musicmaster...but my thumb rest is not in such a weird spot...????

[Conbryvas]

maybe its left handed just hes playing it right handed...

anyways This is a really great bass guitar.

[alfaBAT9]

Amazing tone. I play a Mustang and thought about modding out a Bronco as a backup but now I want one of these! They're really hard to find though.

[nbm53]

I was told the Squier Bronco Bass replaced the Fender Musicmaster Bass. Is that true? They both look similar, but the Bronco Bass sounds weak and more like a guitar rather than a normal tone.

[coolguitars]

True from the marketing side. But the body woods are different . The Bronco has an Agathis body, the Musicmaster's body was made from alder. But with the right strings and the right amp you should be able to get a nice tone out of a Bronco as well.

[nbm53]

I bought a Squier Bronco Bass after my failing to place a winning bid on a few Fender Musicmaster Bass guitars listed on Ebay. What replacement strings would you recommend for the Bronco Bass? Also, would a Fender Rumble 100 be a good amp to get a nice tone (my budget is $350-$400 price range for a better amp). Thanks for your feedback.

[coolguitars]

I don't know if you can get Duesenberg strings in the US, but these were the strings that I was using. Otherwise some semi flat D'Addarios maybe. About the amp... yes the Rumble should do. These small Fender (and Squier) basses need a bit of additional bottom end to sound good for me.

[coolguitars]

That's a nice sad story. Thanks! I know how that must feel!

[wagers1968]

i used to have a bass just like this one, except my brother lost it in pawn to buy beer with; i thought i was going to hurt him bad for that i was very angry; i loved that bass

[WitteBandera]

DAMN! That really sucks..Screw your brother D:

[coolguitars]

Thanks! No. I was using roundwounds on this bass.

[joeskahooligan]

great playing and great sounding bass ...were you using flatwound strings?