Musicmaster Bass

GreenKnee · Post by **GreenKnee** » Mon Jan 13, 2014 3:46 pm

Finished restoring this bass from a previously battered state. Needed a new pick guard, a sand to get off the god-awful refine, and a quick look at the electronics to get it working. The pickup broke sometime between me first getting it, and getting a new pick guard, but luckily I had a Musicmaster pickup from the guitar version I have, so I put that in as I have swapped it out of my MM for a coil-split single coil sized hambacker.

I was intending to refinish it in sonic blue, but then my girlfriend suggested she paints it as she is a total art-babe, so we're thinking of some ideas as to what we can paint onto it, feel free to chime in...

The scale is super short and really comfortable to play, everyone who has played it says it's the nicest bass they have ever played, probably because they're all guitarists

I was thinking the single coil pickup would sound awful, but after a few height adjustments while plugged in, and a play with the EQ on the amp, it actually sounds surprisingly good. Very clear and bright for a bass, reminds me of early Placebo.

Here are a couple of pics of her...

Once its painted and looking fabulous I'll show you the final product.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Mon Jan 13, 2014 3:49 pm

Looks ace like that - looking forward to seeing what your GF does with it.

spirograph · Post by **spirograph** » Mon Jan 13, 2014 5:09 pm

sweet. real sweet in fact. how about some pyrography? just some random psychadelic stuff. artbabes can crank that shit out easily. thatd look cool. a black or tort 'plate would bring it out a bit too.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Mon Jan 13, 2014 5:44 pm

FFS learn to string slot head tuning pegs properly.

It's a nice bass but seriously tho, those STRANGS.

brainfur · Post by **brainfur** » Tue Jan 14, 2014 3:16 pm

yeah u have to cut the strings to fit the bass-- a lot of basses use the old split post tuners u just need some pliers w/ dykes built in

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Tue Jan 14, 2014 4:33 pm

Cut strangs leaving yourself enough room for windings,

Insert string into middle of slot head tuner (perpendicular to the headstock like), when it's in as far as it goes you bend the string at a 90Â° angle into the slot, then tune up.

THE WHOLE MAGIC OF SLOT HEAD TUNERS IS THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO STINGS POKING OUT AT ALL! Seeing them strangs all coiled up like that really grinds my gears.

GreenKnee · Post by **GreenKnee** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 9:33 am

I tried that but I seem to remember the string not fitting down the hole in the middle, at least the E string didn't. I'll give it another to when I restring it, but those shortscale bass strings aren't cheap! It's holding tune well so I'm happy for now. I just need to find some compensated MM bass saddles for the bridge cause some of the high notes are embarrassingly out...

The family

singlepup · Post by **singlepup** » Sat Jan 18, 2014 7:14 pm

Looks awesome! I used to have a MM bass as well (red wine finish). It was the most comfortable and most fun bass I've ever played. Nothing else compares IMO.

Din of Win · Post by **Din of Win** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 1:45 am

I can't tell from the picture if you have 34" scale strings in there, or not... but short scale (30") strings have always fit in the tuning peg holes of the couple musicmaster basses i've owned.

I put a Di'Marzio Hot Rails in a '78 Musicmaster, and it was one of the best basses i've ever owned!

Your bass looks incredible... i kind'a like the natural look.