Fender Musicmaster Solid Body Electric Guitar (1957)
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Item # 10456
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Fender Musicmaster Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1957), made in Fullerton, California, serial # 16519, desert sand lacquer finish, alder body, maple neck, hard shell case.
This is a nicely worn-in and fairly early example of Fender's first student guitar: the unassuming but very functional Musicmaster. 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. 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!
The Musicmaster features a short-scale maple neck and a single pickup in the neck position with volume and tone controls. This guitar has no penciled neck date on the heel, which is unusual for this period but not unheard of. The pots are coded to the 45th week of 1956; combined with the serial number that suggests an assembly date of early 1957. The neat, comfortable little neck has the classic '57 Fender "soft V" profile. The original anodized metal pickguard has a decent amount of strum wear but still looks cool!
The Musicmaster is not Fender's most versatile guitar but as good sounding one, with a surprising warmth and depth through the right amp. 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.
Overall length is 37 5/8 in. (95.6 cm.), 12 1/4 in. (31.1 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 22 1/2 in. (572 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
This is a good-playing original example of the first-generation Musicmaster showing some general wear and tear. 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. The Fender logo decal has chipped away somewhat; the headstock has had a clear overspray added, probably to protect the crumbling decal. This extends somewhat down the back of the neck which has also been buffed out a bit, but not to the fingerboard. The neck finish shows a bit more wear with some dents and chips, especially on the fingerboard.
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. Internally the pickup, pots and electronics remain original. The plastic buttons have been replaced on the original Kluson tuners, and the two end saddle screws on the bridge are replaced as well. The original small frets have some wear, but playability is still quite good. It lives in a later (1960s) original grey Fender Mustang case that is pretty well worn but still functional. Very Good + Condition.
This is a nicely worn-in and fairly early example of Fender's first student guitar: the unassuming but very functional Musicmaster. 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. 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!
The Musicmaster features a short-scale maple neck and a single pickup in the neck position with volume and tone controls. This guitar has no penciled neck date on the heel, which is unusual for this period but not unheard of. The pots are coded to the 45th week of 1956; combined with the serial number that suggests an assembly date of early 1957. The neat, comfortable little neck has the classic '57 Fender "soft V" profile. The original anodized metal pickguard has a decent amount of strum wear but still looks cool!
The Musicmaster is not Fender's most versatile guitar but as good sounding one, with a surprising warmth and depth through the right amp. 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.
Overall length is 37 5/8 in. (95.6 cm.), 12 1/4 in. (31.1 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 22 1/2 in. (572 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
This is a good-playing original example of the first-generation Musicmaster showing some general wear and tear. 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. The Fender logo decal has chipped away somewhat; the headstock has had a clear overspray added, probably to protect the crumbling decal. This extends somewhat down the back of the neck which has also been buffed out a bit, but not to the fingerboard. The neck finish shows a bit more wear with some dents and chips, especially on the fingerboard.
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. Internally the pickup, pots and electronics remain original. The plastic buttons have been replaced on the original Kluson tuners, and the two end saddle screws on the bridge are replaced as well. The original small frets have some wear, but playability is still quite good. It lives in a later (1960s) original grey Fender Mustang case that is pretty well worn but still functional. Very Good + Condition.