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I've got a bit of extra cash right now, and I've decided that it's time for me to own a bass again. Due to the fact that I have fairly small hands and that I'm more used to playing guitar, I've decided that a short scale bass is what I need. My budget is <$700, so I know that I could track down a used Mustang bass reissue for less than that, but I'd prefer to go vintage. I can't realistically get a vintage Mustang bass for that price, but I can get a Musicmaster.

So for those in the know, is a Musicmaster bass a serious downgrade from a Mustang? Would it be easy to route one out for Mustang, or P-Bass pickups?

And more importantly, there is a store near me that has two 70's Musicmasters, but I think he's asking WAY too much for them, so what should I offer?

First up is this 72 Musicmaster, converted to fretless (which is not my first choice, I'd prefer a fretted bass) and with a non-original bridge. He wants $850 for, I'm thinking $400 is more realistic.


He also has a 78 Musicmaster, all black and in good shape, the only aftermarket change is straplocks. But he wants $1500. Would a $750 offer on it be out of line? Sorry, I can't post a direct link to it, his website is a little fucked, but it can be found at http://www.surfsidemusic.com/Bass.html

Both of these basses have been sitting in the store for over a year, so I've got to think that he may be amenable to lowball (meaning realistic) offers on them. But should I do that, or should I just try to find a used reissue Mustang bass?

Any and all advice from our bass playing brethren would be much appreciated.

I thought $1500 is way steep too. I did an e-bay completed listings search and it seems like they typically sell from $400-600. Maybe I'm just paranoid, but I don't really want to spend $700 (plus shipping) for a 30 year old instrument I can't play beforehand. And two of the three Musicmasters that Derelicts78 so kindly listed (thanks buddy ) won't ship outside the U.S., so that makes those a no-go for me.

Armed with this information on the value of Musicmasters, I think I'll go to the local store and give the mostly stock Musicmaster a good run through its paces. Assuming it plays well, I'll go as high as $700 (I'm willing to pay slightly over market value for a bass that I can play and check out with my own two hands). If he won't take it, fuck him and it can sit for another year. I don't know who he's trying to fool with the $1500 asking price, it's not like rich lawyers, etc. are after Musicmasters.

you will find that a RI Mustang bass is a much better instrument than a vintage Musicmaster.

new Mustang basses are actually kinda better than vintage Mustang basses, for that matter.

Yeah i noticed the shipping and I agree I couldn't spend $ like that on a 30+ YO instrument. 1500 is WAY too much though.

Yeah, I wouldn't pay over 5 or 6 for one.