![]() The original small frets have some wear, but playability is still quite good. The plastic buttons have been replaced on the original Kluson tuners, and the two end saddle screws on the bridge are replaced as well. Internally the pickup, pots and electronics remain original. The metal pickguard has some fairly heavy picking wear on the lower half, as is often typical with these that's why Fender discontinued this feature in mid-'59! The plastic pickup cover and other metal parts show some typical wear, but nothing tragic. The neck finish shows a bit more wear with some dents and chips, especially on the fingerboard. ![]() This extends somewhat down the back of the neck which has also been buffed out a bit, but not to the fingerboard. The Fender logo decal has chipped away somewhat the headstock has had a clear overspray added, probably to protect the crumbling decal. The body finish is scuffed in spots and may have been buffed out long ago but is surprisingly free of the common dings, dents, and chips. This is a good-playing original example of the first-generation Musicmaster showing some general wear and tear. ![]() (3.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. (31.1 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/2 in. This example has had some adventures over the decades but not been stripped of its more valuable parts (knobs, neckplate, pots, and wiring) as so many have and remains a very cool and relatively affordable genuine 1950s Fender guitar. The Musicmaster is not Fender's most versatile guitar but as good sounding one, with a surprising warmth and depth through the right amp. The original anodized metal pickguard has a decent amount of strum wear but still looks cool! The neat, comfortable little neck has the classic '57 Fender "soft V" profile. The pots are coded to the 45th week of 1956 combined with the serial number that suggests an assembly date of early 1957. This guitar has no penciled neck date on the heel, which is unusual for this period but not unheard of. The Musicmaster features a short-scale maple neck and a single pickup in the neck position with volume and tone controls. They were designed to be good enough to get kids hooked on playing electric, but not so flashy as to stop them still lusting after a new Stratocaster down the road! Built to expand the company's hold on the teaching studio/young student market, these guitars were many 1950s and '60s players' first electric, far more playable than most and stylish in an understated way. This is a nicely worn-in and fairly early "real relic" example of Fender's first student guitar: the unassuming but very functional Musicmaster. Great vintage tone, these Musicmasters are some of the last sleeper Fender amps, treat yourself to some fine vintage Fender tone.Fender Musicmaster Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1957), made in Fullerton, California, serial # 16519, desert sand lacquer finish, alder body, maple neck, period hard shell case. The 12ax7 is also vintage but I cant tell what brand, sounds very good tho. The power tubes are 6v6s and are 1960s RCA and sound great. I tested the amp with a Weber 15" Chicago speaker and it sounded amazing, like a mini Bassman to me, very smooth breakup and just growls like crazy. This amp has been tuned for guitar and it sings. Two inputs with different gain configurations, gives you 2 very different options for loudness. It also has new volume and tone pots and the tone stack was modified to a Fender 5E3 Deluxe configuration. The tone cap is a Mojo and was modified from the stock. It also has an extra long real rubber 3 prong cord. A 1.5 amp slo blo fuse and fuse holder was added to the back of the chassis, hard to believe Fender didn't put a fuse in these. The chassis has been completely gone thru, resistors checked for drift, most were just fine, the electrolytics all changed out for new, the tube sockets are also new and have Belton tube retainers, always a good idea with hang down tubes. The faceplate is original and does show some scratches and small dents from use. The cabinet is made from pine, painted black with hammered paint, resembles tolex, the grill cover is a leatherette style and looks great, it also has new rubber feet and a new Fender style handle. Nice rebuilt Fender Musicmaster head, lightweight and a powerfull 12 watts, twice that of a Fender Champ.
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