Designed in the mid-1950's, the Fender Musicmaster was created to provide an electric solid-body alternative to the Stratocaster and Telecaster that offered a shorter 22.
5" (vs.
24") scale.
While positioned as Fender's entry-level guitars, these instruments, Leo Fender himself was quoted as saying "the Musicmaster is essentially a mini Stratocaster with one pickup".
He added that "all of the workmanship, materials and components of the Musicmaster are comparable in quality and design to the rest of our guitars".
This particular "Pre-CBS" example is extraordinary in its originality which includes ALL of its componentry.
ORIGINAL:
- Nicely aged Olympic White finish
- Maple neck
- Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard
- Frets
- Clay dot fingerboard position markers
- Kluson tuners
- Crisp "waterslide" Fender headstock decal
- Pickup
- Pots
- All wiring
- Bridge
- "Ashtray" bridge cover
- Tortoise-shell pickguard
- Knurled chrome volume/tone knobs
NON-ORIGINAL:
-Strings
DATE-CODES:
- The serial number, L31771, dates the production of the guitar to the first half of 1964
- The neck is clearly date-stamped "Dec 63" (See photos)
- The pickup is clearly dated "Jun 15 '64" (See photos)
- The two pots are both matching date-coded "6422" for the 22nd week (end of May), 1964 (See photos)
CONDITION:
- The guitar appears to have been subjected to modest playwear during its 60-year life
- The original Olympic White finish has a few small paint chips (see photos) but overall has great patina and is in VERY GOOD condition
- The frets and Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard are virtually unblemished
- The original tortoise-shell pickguard too is in remarkable condition with nice luster and no warping or cracks
- The neck is straight and plays well all the way up and down the register
HISTORY:
Little is known of the history of this guitar however the decal on the back of the headstock indicates that the was purchased at Herger Music, a bedrock community store in Provo, Utah during the 60's, 70's & 80's.
Most recently, L31771 was acquired from a collector in Arizona who had owned it for around 20 years.
Comfortable to play and with great "bite", these early short-scale Fender guitars were embraced by a number of great rockers including Kurt Cobain, David Byrne (used as his primary instrument on both of the Talking Head's first two albums), Patti Smith, Rory Gallagher, Johnny Winter(!), Liz Phair and even (the famously large-handed) Jimi Hendrix during his time in 1964 with the Isley Brothers.
The overall condition of #L31771 is VERY GOOD + (+)! Best of all, it plays fast and and sounds awesome! The guitar weighs a very comfortable 6.
2 lbs and comes with its original case, in good condition.
It is widely accepted that Fender's instruments suffered in build quality and value after Leo sold the company to CBS in January of 1965.
Particularly as the nice ones become more scarce over time, it is hard to imagine that these early instruments will not continue to appreciate.
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