![]() The model name appeared under the logo, slightly to the right, in small upper-case letters framed in quotation marks.īodies were solid poplar or similar wood, usually in two or more laminated pieces, always routed for two pickups (regardless of final configuration). ![]() A silver “spaghetti” logo decal was affixed to the headstock of the Musicmaster, while the later Duo-Sonic would get a gold logo. The earliest examples (March through June of ’56) were fitted with the “no-line” Kluson machine heads. The 3⁄4 guitars also had the exact headstock dimensions of the Strat, with a single butterfly string retainer and six-on-a-side “single-line” Kluson Deluxe tuning gears with white plastic buttons. And, Fender’s 3⁄4 neck profiles mirrored the chunky V shapes of the Telecaster, Esquire, and Strat of the era, as well as the standard narrow fret wire. Like other Fender necks of the era, the truss rod was installed through a rout in the back of the neck, and a walnut “skunk stripe” filled the channel. To compensate for the first-run missteps, by May, the guitars were being made with the more-familiar ’50s appointments – one-piece, 21-fret, bolt-on maple neck with 221/2″ scale and a nut width of 15/8″. So after the initial run, guards were made of plastic. Pickguards were aluminum, which may have been chosen for its durability, but ironically, the black paint Fender applied did not wear well. Early examples differed in several ways, including having slightly thicker bodies made of ash, and some have areas that were hand-chiseled to fix mistakes in the initial tooling. Sales manager Don Randall chose the name because he thought it “sounded kind of cute” and fit with the Stringmaster and Bandmaster monikers. Production began in April on the single-pickup Musicmaster. Here’s a year-by-year look at their history. Today, collectors are intrigued by these little guitars because they were made with the same care as their siblings even if, compared to the Stratocaster, they were an evolutionary step backward. Leo responded, and the first run of single-pickup Musicmasters was ready in early May of 1956.ĭubbed “3⁄4 instruments,” Musicmasters had much shorter scales and other features to attract a younger, more-frugal student player. Often forgotten amongst Fender’s many classics, the Musicmaster and Duo-Sonic were conceived to capitalize on teenagers taking up the guitar in droves as Bill Haley and the Comets’ “Rock Around the Clock” rode the Billboard charts for 10 weeks in the summer of 1955.įender’s Sales division was acutely aware that nobody would be using a Champion lap steel to emulate Danny Cedrone’s guitar solo, so it asked president Leo Fender – known for his ability to devise a new product in as little as three months – to round out their Spanish-guitar offering with two beginner models. Close on the heels of the Musicmaster, the Duo-Sonic first appeared in the 1956 dealer spec sheet. 1957 Musicmaster with special-order black finish and a ’58 with anodized pickguard (right). Trying to get to the bottom of the originality of the case or if they were branded in the UK for our market when they came over.Īny info would be most appreciated.1958 Duo-Sonic with anodized aluminum pickguard (left). It looks like your located in the states, if so, can you tell me what writing is on your locks as mine says 'Cheney UK'. I notice you have the same original case as my Musicmaster. I've been playing it through a blackface bassman and having a blast. Even the original "sharkskin" tolex case is in great shape. The finish is white, but has yellowed to a creamy hue, and just looks right! It is in amazing condition too, with nice original frets, smooth original Kluson double-line tuners, super tight neck pocket, nitrate tortoise pickguard, and a nice dark (Brazilian?) fretboard. but it just plays and feels perfect in every way. I don't know if it's the perfect setup, or the full C shape of the neck, or what exactly. I have had a few of these, including a duo-sonic and a Mustang, but this one has something about it that sets it apart from the others. I've been looking for a photo of him using this on stage, but so far have come up empty. The guitar was previously owned by Trace Adkins guitarist Mark Gillespie, who took this little guy with him on tour all over the globe. Imagine a vintage strat on the neck position and that's what you get out of this. It's the long scale model, so it's very playable, and it sounds amazing. Ok, so it's not a 60's Strat, but it IS a pretty cool piece if i do say so myself! A very clean, 100% original 1966 Musicmaster II.
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