Fender 1978 Musicmaster Bass Guitar - Natural with Custom Hardshell Case - Used

-YOU ARE VIEWING PHOTOS OF THE ACTUAL BASS GUITAR BEING SOLD!

This used 7 lb 10 oz Fender will ship insured, fully set up, and inspected from Rapid City, SD. This bass is in excellent condition for an instrument of its vintage, with very tiny dings checkered across the front of the instrument, scuffing on the lower horn, mild buckle-rash on the back, a couple of dents right below the nut, and finishing wear on the original tuner. This bass has also seen a good deal of post-factory upgrades and appointments, likely including the Natural finish on the instrument's body. All original pickups, pots, and wiring will come with the bass and can be installed before shipping out at request of purchaser.

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Some vintage instruments are compelling precisely because their story did not end when they left the factory, and this 1978 Fender Musicmaster Bass carries nearly five decades of history, modification, and personality with it. Introduced in the early 1970s, the Musicmaster Bass gave Fender a straightforward short-scale companion to its student-oriented guitars, combining familiar Fender construction with a compact, approachable playing experience. This CBS-era model retains that appealing foundation but has clearly lived a life of its own, including what appears to be a post-factory Natural refinish and several personalized appointments.

The short scale is a major part of the Musicmaster Bass experience. Its reduced reach and relaxed string feel make it comfortable for guitarists moving to bass, players with smaller hands, and experienced bassists who simply prefer the responsiveness of a short-scale instrument. The maple neck has a substantial Medium C character, paired here with a rosewood fingerboard and the uncomplicated feel of a vintage Fender bolt-on design. That combination makes the Musicmaster particularly appealing for indie rock, garage rock, alternative, roots music, blues, classic rock, and studio work where a compact bass with an immediate personality can be more inspiring than something pristine or overly refined.

This bass guitar has also been given a different electronic voice by a previous owner. An Aero JB4 single-coil now occupies the pickup position, while the original Fender Stratocaster single-coil pickup and associated wiring are included in the case. The current setup retains the direct, articulate nature expected from a single-pickup passive bass while offering its own distinct character. A simple volume-and-tone control arrangement keeps the instrument refreshingly immediate: plug in, shape the top end to suit the song, and play.

Meanwhile, this instrument’s most memorable work of customization may not be on the acutal bass at all: The included hardshell case has become a piece of folk art in its own right, with a previous owner hand-painting a custom “Solar System” scene across the top. Together with the additional custom “Gear” graphic pickguard, post-factory thumb rest, replacement pickup, apparent Natural refinish, and included original electronics, the case helps document the nearly 50-year life an instrument that was personalized rather than preserved untouched. For the player who appreciates vintage Fender character but would rather own something with an unmistakable individual history than a museum piece, the stars are truly the limit with this one-of-a-kind Musicmaster Bass. Available now at Haggerty’s Music.

Features / Specs

Highlights

• Series: Fender Vintage CBS Era
• Orientation: Right-Handed
• Color: Natural (Likely Refinished Post-Factory)

Body

• Body Material: Alder
• Body Finish: Semi-Gloss
• Body Shape: Musicmaster Bass Double-Cutaway
• Body Style: Solidbody

Neck

• Headstock Type: Fender Musicmaster Bass, 4-In-Line
• Neck Material: Maple
• Neck Shape: Medium C
• Neck Finish: Satin
• Neck Depth: 0.888" at 1st Fret, 0.994" at 12th Fret
• Neck Construction: Bolt-On
• Fingerboard Radius: 9.5"
• Fingerboard Material: Rosewood
• Position Inlays: Pearloid Dots
• Side Dots: Black
• Number of Frets: 19
• Truss Rod Style: Traditional Fender Single-Action
• Truss Rod Nut: Heel Access
• Nut Material: Bone
• Nut Width: 1.6"
• Fret Size: Vintage-Style
• Scale Length: 30"

Hardware

• Bridge: Musicmaster Bass 2-Saddle Bridge
• Bridge Cover/Tail Piece: None
• Bridge Mounting: 7-Screw-Mounted Bridge Plate
• Pickguard: 3-Ply Black
• Pickup Covers: Black with Aero Symbol (Installed Post-Factory)
• Control Knobs: Black Skirted Plastic with White Numbers
• Switch Tip: None
• Thumb Rest: Dark Burgundy, 2-Screw Mounted (Likely Post-Factory)
• Hardware Finish: Nickel / Chrome
• Tuning Machines: Fender Open-Gear Bass Tuners with Large Clover Buttons
• String Trees: Large Vintage Disc
• Neck Plate: 4-Bolt with Fender Logo
• Strap Buttons: 2, Standard
• Output Jack: Front-Mounted 1/4" Output Jack

Electronics

• Pickup Configuration: S
• Middle Pickup: Aero JB4 (Installed Post-Factory)
• Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone
• Switching: None
• Original Electronics: Original Fender Single-Coil Pickup and Wiring Included

Miscellaneous

• Accessories: Guitar Strap, Custom “Gear” Graphic Pickguard, Original Fender Stratocaster Single-Coil Pickup and Wiring, Knurled Metal Flat Top Knobs (x2)
• Case/Gig Bag: Hardshell Case with Custom Hand-Painted “Solar System” Scene
• Modifications: Apparent Natural Refinish, Aero JB4 Pickup and Cover, Thumb Rest; Additional Custom Pickguard Included
• Serial Number: S833720
• Manufacture Date: 1978