Musicmaster bass pickup
With the switch in "parallel" mode, I get a bit more of the original single coil flavor or something approximating a short scale J-bass vibe. While the original pickups have a cool tone (as they're Mustang pickups), I like the tone of Mustang basses more (with their mini-P-bass pickups) and so the pickup switch to "series" mode gives me that almost-P-bass thump. It brings a Musicmaster or Bronco to life. There's barely enough space for it to work, but boy does it work. In designing a more appropriate replacement, the idea came up of adding in extra poles to more closely mimic a P Bass or Jazz Bass design.
The original parts I don't care for on a bass - the pickup, wiring harness, and 2-saddle bridge design - got replaced, however, with a Strat-sized double-blade Alnico-magnet humbucker, volume control, and series/parallel/coil tap switch. This little bass is just a fun instrument to play.This bass comes with the original 2-saddle bridge. Originally, these used a 6-string guitar pickup under the cover. It did come to me, however, with completely original bits.
#Musicmaster bass pickup upgrade
Suffice to say - my "lunch break" was spent readying this for service as I'd already ordered the parts I needed to upgrade it.Ĭlearly, this bass has seen a lot of abuse - there's moisture damage, tons of nicks and dings, heat damage, and the original Daphne Blue finish has turned into a splotchy, avocado green with a matchingly-faded "white" pickguard that's now a dusty vanilla-tan.
A week later, and it was delivered this afternoon. I spied this one on fleaBay in Florida and its absolutely beat, tired, faded, and holy guacamole character grabbed my attention. After trading my "upgraded" Musicmaster bass to a friend of mine, I was on the hunt for another short scale bass and - after destroying my mind trying to figure out what to get - I decided to get another Musicmaster! I can't help it.