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Post subject: 1978 Musicmaster
Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2012 1:42 pm
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Has anyone else ever seen a 78 MM with a natural finish? Also, does the saddle on anyone elses MM say Bad $@! Bass?


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Post subject: Re: 1978 Musicmaster
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 5:57 am
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No expert here but I don't think they came in natural or with BadAss bridges. Sounds like a reworked bass. Not that that's bad since I had to replace some things on my '78.

Just bought another body off Evil bay and judging by the neck pocket it was originally red and was stripped and stained. That is going for another project.


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Post subject: Re: 1978 Musicmaster
Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2012 2:12 pm
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The reason I ask is that I happen to have a 78 MM with a natural finish and a Badass bass II bridge and I was wondering how unique it is. I'll post a pic when I get a chance.

It was given to me, the electronics and pots are completely pulled and of course, no pickguard. So I am kind of torn over this guitar... I have had it a few years and never really gave it much thought until last weekend when I came across it. I researched it and was surprised that I had a 34 year old bass in my hands. Originally I was thinking I wanted to restore it, maybe even paint it... Until I found out exactly what it is. Now I'm like "no it's gotta remain original!" But since I might not ever get around to it, I figure maybe I'll ebay it so that somebody who really wants it can have it.

But anyways it's pretty much a very nice canvas. And it's got the badass II bridge which actually looks like an original part so it's pretty cool and I want it to go to a good home!That's why I posted here first and I wanted to get some feedback as to how I should list it. I notice people say evil ebay, is this not the preferred way to get something like this?

peace and hair grease.


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Post subject: Re: 1978 Musicmaster
Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2012 2:19 pm
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Another thing I was considering was restoring it and then selling it, so the question is would u guys rather buy a guitar that u can fix up and make your own mods or a guitar that is already finished...


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Post subject: Re: 1978 Musicmaster
Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2012 2:48 pm
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The instrument is already modified from stock. It is Player Class. You might could restore it to stock if you can find the original parts. I might just leave the finish alone and get it playable and use it as is or sell it. I probably would try to find a stock bridge or at least one closer to stock myself, but you don't have to. The original bridge is sort of hard to come by and will cost ya.

I have seen late 70s ones in natural. Whether or not that was an available color in 78 I don't know but I do know of one for sale in natural and other parts on it have been swapped out, but it does have that neato stock bridge. They are asking $600 USD for it.


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Post subject: Re: 1978 Musicmaster
Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2012 3:20 pm
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Brotherdave you ARE a rockstar. Thanx! Sounds like I should look in to it a bit more.


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Post subject: Re: 1978 Musicmaster
Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 6:22 am
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I can understand your dilemna Len, whether to restore or leave as is.

My '78 was recovered from a barn and was in TERRIBLE shape so the decision to restore it was pretty much made for me. I did manage to keep ALL the original parts though. BUt since the body was repainted there's no value in it's "vintage-ness" anyway.

Now I'm reworking a body I got off of Evil-bay. It was stained and poly'd but not very well. All that has been sanded off and my son will airbrush something "custom" once we select a pattern. Than I will move all the parts over to the new body, that bass is a main player that I use all the time.

Good luck with it, they're very cool basses, love the short scales. I'd be interested to see what you get for it if you decide to sell. I paid $80 plus shipping for that body. Not bad I didn't think.


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Post subject: Re: 1978 Musicmaster
Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 3:12 pm
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I don't believe that MM basses were ever done in stock natural finishes. A Natural finish on a Fender instrument was usually done on a solid ash body and I don't think Fender used ash on MM basses.

The BA2 bridge is definitely aftermarket and you say that the original pickup and pots are gone, so you will have to look for a Mustang/Strat guitar pickup if you want the bass to be "original" specification. That original guitar pickup will sound thin compared to a 4 pole after market PU that will fit in that pu route. Pots are 250k standard CTS audio taper with a .047 cap or .022 cap or whatever came on these basses.

These basses were commonly done in Red, White or Blue solid colors to hide the multiple piece bodies made of alder.

Good luck with your project.


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Post subject: Re: 1978 Musicmaster
Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 10:04 am
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I've never seen one natural, mine is black, which seems to be the most common. I have seen red and white also. i think there was a blue but i have only seen that on a 6. Your bridge is non original. I would confirm there was not a natural finish with someone more knowledgable than this collector, but it sounds like a good refi project.

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