The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Fender Basses => Topic started by: Chris P. on February 14, 2015, 08:24:51 AM

Title: Modded my Musicmaster
Post by: Chris P. on February 14, 2015, 08:24:51 AM: Guys,

I bought this '78 Musicmaster very cheap. I might give it a refin once, but I kinda like the crackled lacquering. Most likely an error from Fender, cos I found three black ones and one white one with the same problem on instagram and internet, all from around '78. It can't be because of moist, cos electronics, hardware and frets are in mint condition.

I decided to mod it a little bit, because it already was ugly as f*ck;) Today a father of a friend installed a Seymour Duncan 'Lipstick for Strat' I bought new. I had two witch hats lying around, so I decided to change the Jazz controls to these to ad even more chrome:) Hope you like this rat rod.

(http://www.mijnalbum.nl/Foto-HZIU4HNS-D.jpg)

(http://www.mijnalbum.nl/Foto-R7WJPOLA-D.jpg)

(http://www.mijnalbum.nl/Foto-NWRLJGZ3-D.jpg)
Title: Re: Modded my Musicmaster
Post by: Dave W on February 14, 2015, 08:50:27 AM: I agree, most likely a factory finish defect.

I like the original pickup but the SD lipstick for Strat is the same as the ones in the Rascal bass. They sound great.

Please refinish it!
Title: Re: Modded my Musicmaster
Post by: Chris P. on February 14, 2015, 09:15:43 AM: It might get a refin once..... Which colour? I've got some pretty basses, so one ugly duckling is nice to have around:)
Title: Re: Modded my Musicmaster
Post by: Pilgrim on February 14, 2015, 02:32:52 PM: I do think a lipstick pickup looks cool in those.
Title: Re: Modded my Musicmaster
Post by: Highlander on February 14, 2015, 04:56:18 PM: Tequila rattlecan job...! :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Modded my Musicmaster
Post by: Dave W on February 14, 2015, 05:55:40 PM: Quote from: Chris P. on February 14, 2015, 09:15:43 AM
It might get a refin once..... Which colour? I've got some pretty basses, so one ugly duckling is nice to have around:)

Bare wood is not good, no matter what relic fans think.

I vote for sonic blue.
Title: Re: Modded my Musicmaster
Post by: Highlander on February 14, 2015, 06:18:27 PM: Could go the racing-stripe look...
Title: Re: Modded my Musicmaster
Post by: Pilgrim on February 15, 2015, 07:37:17 AM: I keep waiting for someone to paint a bass Mystic, the paint that changes colors depending on the light and angle of view...
Title: Re: Modded my Musicmaster
Post by: Granny Gremlin on February 15, 2015, 08:21:02 AM: I vote trans black. Grain will poke through depending on light. Especially with repeat stainings and sandings. Can be really cool if it's something more knarly like swamp ash under there.

Love the lipstick.
Title: Re: Modded my Musicmaster
Post by: Dave W on February 15, 2015, 05:32:26 PM: Quote from: Granny Gremlin on February 15, 2015, 08:21:02 AM
I vote trans black. Grain will poke through depending on light. Especially with repeat stainings and sandings. Can be really cool if it's something more knarly like swamp ash under there.

Love the lipstick.

It's probably a multi-piece alder body. I've seen a few stripped Musicmaster guitars and basses and some have up to 7 pieces.
Title: Re: Modded my Musicmaster
Post by: Rob on February 15, 2015, 07:07:31 PM: Like it!
Title: Re: Modded my Musicmaster
Post by: ilan on February 15, 2015, 11:44:01 PM: Reminds me of the finish flaking on my '78 Musicmaster/Mustang hybrid.
Title: Re: Modded my Musicmaster
Post by: Granny Gremlin on February 16, 2015, 06:40:51 AM: Quote from: Dave W on February 15, 2015, 05:32:26 PM
It's probably a multi-piece alder body. I've seen a few stripped Musicmaster guitars and basses and some have up to 7 pieces.

Yeah I didn't expect it to be a single slab. Trans black will not accentuate that like other colours might, but still give some grain detail. Though alder isn't as knarly as ash, it could still be pretty cool looking; it has some character to it. TRans black is even not so bad looking on plain jane pine.
Title: Re: Modded my Musicmaster
Post by: Chris P. on February 16, 2015, 08:54:06 AM: If it gets a refin I'm more thinking about orange, powder blue, ... Vintage surf colours;)
Title: Re: Modded my Musicmaster
Post by: ilan on February 16, 2015, 10:42:54 AM: Quote from: Dave W on February 15, 2015, 05:32:26 PM
I've seen a few stripped Musicmaster guitars and basses and some have up to 7 pieces.
The key to their tone is glue.
Title: Re: Modded my Musicmaster
Post by: the mojo hobo on February 16, 2015, 11:59:12 AM: Quote from: Chris P. on February 16, 2015, 08:54:06 AM
If it gets a refin I'm more thinking about orange, powder blue, ... Vintage surf colours;)

When you say powder blue and orange what comes to mind is this:

(http://maydaygarage.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/GT40-Gulf-4.jpg)
Title: Re: Modded my Musicmaster
Post by: Pilgrim on February 16, 2015, 12:50:36 PM: Quote from: Chris P. on February 16, 2015, 08:54:06 AM
If it gets a refin I'm more thinking about orange, powder blue, ... Vintage surf colours;)

Always a good option. Seafoam Green is awwwwwesum.
Title: Re: Modded my Musicmaster
Post by: Granny Gremlin on February 16, 2015, 01:24:51 PM: What are you - a fat bridesmaid? :P
Title: Re: Modded my Musicmaster
Post by: Pilgrim on February 16, 2015, 01:41:17 PM: How about Dodge SubLime?

(http://www.stockmopar.com/_images/challenger/sublime-green-dodge-challenger-ta-pictures/sublime-green-dodge-challenger-ta-pictures-6.jpg)
Title: Re: Modded my Musicmaster
Post by: Granny Gremlin on February 16, 2015, 05:03:06 PM: That's more of a neon lime (also not the most tasteful choice IMHO)

This is seafoam:

(http://www.glamourandgraceblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/seafoam-green-southern-wedding-Alisha-Crossley-Photography-04.jpg)

It can even get a bit browner than that (I guess because the sea is a bit dirtier is some places :P)

...actually this doesn't look too bad; you'd just have to be a retro 80s/rockabilly fusion dayglo punk (or a member of Sigue Sigue Sputnik) to pull it off:

(http://img.guitar-muse.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/8343_Gretsch_59_Falcon_Seafoam_Green_UC12020731_1.jpg)

It's a crime to do that to a White Falcon though.
Title: Re: Modded my Musicmaster
Post by: Pilgrim on February 16, 2015, 06:13:06 PM: Fender's Seafoam Green.... ('62 J bass). Does lack intensity next to that Gretsch, but a very nice, classic color.

(http://www.vintageandrare.com/uploads/products/35661/1049504/fender-Jazz-Bass-62-Vintage-Reissue-1986-Seafoam-green-big.jpg)

(http://www.vintageandrare.com/uploads/products/35661/1049507/fender-Jazz-Bass-62-Vintage-Reissue-1986-Seafoam-green-big.jpg?1424135597)

I still kinda like the SubLime, tho.
Title: Re: Modded my Musicmaster
Post by: Chris P. on February 17, 2015, 03:20:15 AM: I love the seafoam on the Fender. the Gretsch looks nice too, but the green Dodge is a bit to much. Same as the Gulf GT-40. My blue Squier Musicmaster looks good together with my little practice amp, though.

I think I keep her as it is, but maybe once seafoam, a white guard and maybe two lipsticks, both in an angle and one more close to the neck?
Title: Re: Modded my Musicmaster
Post by: Chris P. on February 17, 2015, 03:28:39 AM: BTW: I removed the white tape cross so it looks a bit less 'punk' ;)

(http://www.mijnalbum.nl/Foto-A8IVE8LZ-D.jpg)
Title: Re: Modded my Musicmaster
Post by: Pilgrim on February 17, 2015, 06:33:07 AM: Quote from: Chris P. on February 17, 2015, 03:20:15 AM
I love the seafoam on the Fender. the Gretsch looks nice too, but the green Dodge is a bit to much. Same as the Gulf GT-40. My blue Squier Musicmaster looks good together with my little practice amp, though.

I think I keep her as it is, but maybe once seafoam, a white guard and maybe two lipsticks, both in an angle and one more close to the neck?

That would be cool - and if you do it, the first tune you should play is Pipeline!
Title: Re: Modded my Musicmaster
Post by: Chris P. on February 17, 2015, 08:39:12 AM: Will do! But I will play it as it is for now:)
Title: Re: Modded my Musicmaster
Post by: nofi on February 17, 2015, 04:14:16 PM: leave it crappy. pretty basses are a dime a dozen. but this... ;D
Title: Re: Modded my Musicmaster
Post by: Droombolus on March 08, 2015, 01:50:09 AM: Alright ! Let's talk about the resonant properties of vintage glue ;D

Love what the lipstick does for the bass Chris, but it really needs a refin ........ I'd go for Fiesta Red but I don't like blue or green basses which kinda limits the surf and sea foam options ..... how about some sun rise orange ? ;)
Title: Re: Modded my Musicmaster
Post by: Chris P. on March 08, 2015, 03:56:13 AM: If i ever refinish it, orange could be an option:)
Title: Re: Modded my Musicmaster
Post by: Dave W on March 08, 2015, 08:34:18 PM: Quote from: Chris P. on March 08, 2015, 03:56:13 AM
If i ever refinish it, orange could be an option:)

As in William the Silent?
Title: Re: Modded my Musicmaster
Post by: Chris P. on March 09, 2015, 01:35:24 AM: :D Indeed:) I like orange cars and basses, but not all types of orange.
Title: Re: Modded my Musicmaster
Post by: Droombolus on March 09, 2015, 08:03:33 AM: Had a Translucent Orange Hot Rodded P that was a real looker ..........

(http://www.mijnalbum.nl/Foto-OELOFGO3-D.jpg)
Title: Re: Modded my Musicmaster
Post by: drummer5359 on March 09, 2015, 09:59:10 AM: A sparkle flake finish would be cool.