ShortScale.org

So, per usual, my build threads will take forever so i might as well get this one started so i can dig it up every so often to update it.
Here is the goal:


SO, picked up a '78 Musicmaster neck locally for $50! I couldn't resist that and i knew right when i saw it that i was going to get it and make a musicmaster out of it.

The body and pickguard are coming from Stewart. It is a '78, perfect match for my neck! Pickguard also from Stewart, an earlier 70s in black.
here is the current state of the body, it was previously routed as usual but stewart has done a pretty good job of cleaning it up, already primered and ready for paint it looks like, that is the pickguard as well



The paint will likely be Reranch Olympic White or Vintage Cream. Still undecided on Nitro or Poly since they using Nitro in the late 60s and this guitar will be mostly of 70s parts.

Parts still to aquire:
F-tuners - modern
Musicmaster/Duo-Sonic bridge - modern or vintage
70s pickup, might look into a Novak instead
electronics - modern
paint and clear
F neck plate
knorbs

the pickup that came with my bronco when i bought it is still in my black duo caster. if it were vintage it would be 72'


did those things still have grey bottoms in 72 ?


i would have to tear the strings off this thing to check....you want me to ?



are bronco pickups worth anything? it sounds really good

Mmmmmm.... that'll be NICE! ($50 on that neck? SCORE!)

Historically accurate or not, I'd do Nitro without question.

I like the idea of Cream... but how about the Oly White with a tinted clear? It'll look great as it gets some dents, dings, and wear marks.

ALSO: i got ninja mustang plates laying around everywhere. want one fo free?

Classic!

I'm not sure about the early 70s being grey bottoms, i'm really open to pickups at the moment so you don't need to go tearing through things to find out, but thanks

as for the oly and tint - Olympic white tends to yellow even when you just add clear tint. [rumor has it] Fender didn't add any clear to olympic white finishes because of this. The Vintage Cream looks tasty though, it looks like it will nail my goal picture.

And yes, i'd gladly take a frees ninja throwing mustang plate. Very awesome of you. PM me your paypal so i can at least cover the shipping costs.

word

You need neck screws? I ordered 4 "Quantity 1" screws from All-Parts. They sent me 4 sets. I'd gladly drop a set in the mail to you if you will be needing them. They are the shorter 1 5/8" (I think it is) screws for student models. And, no shipping money needed - I don't have 3 more projects that I'll be needing screws on for the foreseeable future, so they will just be sitting anyway...

I wasn't aware there were different sizes really but yeah that sounds great! Thanks to you both for your generousity!

Haze wrote:I wasn't aware there were different sizes really but yeah that sounds great! Thanks to you both for your generousity!

Strats/Teles use 1 3/4" I think (thicker heel on the body). Put a Strat screw in there, and you're liable to hit a fret!

Fire me that PM, and I'll send those your way in the next couple of days!

i just use whatever neck bolts that are laying around.


you crazy

Haze wrote:Here is the goal:

hmmm, doesn't look like a '78.

robroe wrote:did those things still have grey bottoms in 72 ?

I had a 73 and a 79 pickup in my parts Mustang. Both had grey.

I have one of the grey bottom pickups in my '78.

78 MM:

mage wrote:hmmm, doesn't look like a '78.

I don't think he's aiming to build a 78. Just to make a MM II style guitar with a 78 body and neck.

ah ok. I guess I was confused by the thread title.

If i just nut up i can have everything but the bridge, pickup and paint for a decent cost

Pickguard Screws
Mustang Knobs
Strap Buttons
2x 250k split shaft pots
1/4" jack
RI F tuners
Neck Plate
Orange Drop cap

that damn bridge... the old squire duo-sonics had the same damn thing but i cant find any for sales of course. The vintage ones go for $100

robroe wrote:i just use whatever neck bolts that are laying around.


you crazy

"Crazy" is putting a long screw in there and pushing up a fret or poking through the board! That'll cost ya!

Haze - I've been watching parts for a while for my build - and I ended up having to drop $72 just for the SADDLES! ('64)

The bridges are pricey for sure.

Does anyone make a good reproduction? "Angela Instruments" has something that would work I think, but I know nothing of their hardware quality. I did order some pots/switches/etc from them not too long ago, and everything went well.

the squire/fender mim duo has the same sort of top loading bridge.

im not looking to make an exact 78 replica but the body and neck are both '78 so we'll just go with it.