'64 Fender MusicMaster II

[FretBoarder]

This old Axe
I have this old Fender that I picked up at a yard sale a few years back,and
finally have the time to make it playable.It basicly is in ok shape but the
electronics are corroded a bit and I was considering a pickup and pot retro.
Does SD have a kit or setup for this old axe?

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: '64 Fender MusicMaster II

Welcome to the forum and cool guitar!

The MM II is more or less a Mustang with only a neck pickup and a hardtail bridge.

What do you mean a Kit or set up??

If you need a new pickup SD makes the Antiquity for Mustang and it's the same pickup that came in a MM II but if the original pickup works stick with it.

If you get a 2 pickup guardplate for it you can put 2 pickups in it...most of those were routed for 2 pickups but just had one installed from the factory.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: '64 Fender MusicMaster II

I am confused by the "II" on the end of the Musicmaster name. Apart from an optional (even) shorter scale length neck, the guitar was just a Musicmaster.

EDIT - I did not think that the change to an offset waist body outline constituted a model name change.

Regarding the pickup cavity routs, since the Musicmaster was, essentially, a single pickup Duo-Sonic, its routs will follow the Duo-Sonic pattern rather than that of the Mustang. There will be a cavity for a three-way Switchcraft selector switch on the lower horn and no cavity to accept the Mustang-type slider switches.

Finally, regarding replacement pickups, the SD Antiquity Duo-Sonic/Mustang single coil will do a fine job of recreating the original (slightly underpowered) tone. You might be wise to consider upping the output a little with a more modern design.

 

[FretBoarder]

Re: '64 Fender MusicMaster II

The '64 model I have was never routered for a bridge pickup.It was pretty much an entry level/student guitar.It has a few inherent issues with intonation due to the dual string saddles and funky nut,but the neck and frets are very sweet and I look forward to getting it set up.The electronics,except for a nostalgia buff,are pretty much tin can stuff and my hope is to simply replace the pickup and pots with a retro blues setup.I have other axes but I really am partial to this little MM as It reminds me of my first Fender back in '66.

 

[zenmindbeginner]

Re: '64 Fender MusicMaster II

The Musicmaster bridge has tele saddles right? Change those stock saddles out for some compensated ones. As far as pickups go, it has an alder body, maple neck, laminated rosewood fretboard... 24" scale right? Should be magic for just about any pickup really.

A JB jr. and Area 61 or Injector neck would sound killer. Don't expect a lot of low end from this one, but do expect raw unadulterated mids and a nice crisp high end.

I have a JB in the bridge and an Area 61 in the neck of my Duo-Sonic/Musicmaster and they sound awesome.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: '64 Fender MusicMaster II

Klein also makes Mustang and Duo Sonic pickups. I love short-scale instruments. Put a pickup in, string it up with heavy strings, and it'll sound great.

I have two mid-1960's Duo Sonic pickups. I have one of them in the middle position of my blue Strat, and another mounted in a pick guard that is not being used at the moment. They sound great!

An interesting bit of trivia is that the same guitar pickups were used in Musicmaster basses. They were mounted underneath a smooth black plastic cover, so you'd never know it was a guitar pickup. Here is a pic of my '76:

 

[FretBoarder]

Re: '64 Fender MusicMaster II

Actually it is a rosewood slab fretboard(go figure huh)with 0 fingernail gouges and no wear on the frets.Sweet huh ?

 

[FretBoarder]

Re: '64 Fender MusicMaster II

Ooops,My Bad,
This Musicmaster is routed for a bridge pickup,I took a peek under the PG.

I'm not very knowledgeable of the different electronics that define different guitars only the sound i wish to obtain.Plus I'm kind of poor so options are limited.I've really become fond of the little Musicmaster,the neck is slick and buzz free and the new bridge has gotten me as close to perfect intonation as I've had on any of the Tele,Strats,or SG's
I've owned.So now the electronics,to upgrade the pickups(I'm looking for a blues setup)
do I also upgrade the pots and and pole switch and if so how do I match them up?
Thanks for all the helpful response.