1979 fender musicmaster serial number#
1979 fender musicmaster professional#

As Fender put it in the 1976 catalog 'Begin with a Musicmaster, and graduate to stardom!'. This fact was demonstrated on the cover of the 1958 'Down Beat' brochure - an adult plays a Fender Stratocaster, whilst a child looks on, Fender Musicmaster in hand. But in truth, most experienced guitarists wanting to play widely spaced chords or the extra speed afforded by closer frets would chose the dual pickup Duo-Sonic - assuming price was not an issue!įender always believed that if beginner guitarists chose Fender, they would more likely continue playing Fender guitars as they got older. The 1950s Fender Musicmaster was described as three quarter size, but the difference in size was not so great: Fender also suggested these models for more established players with smaller hands.

1979 fender musicmaster professional#

Although these 'student' guitars were shorter scale than the Fender standard (22 1/2' vs 25'), they were not 'student' in terms of build quality - in fact very much in line with the Fender professional models such as the Telecaster and Stratocaster. It was joined shortly afterwards by a dual pickup companion model, the Duo-Sonic. I reckon that the often unfairly derided ‘silverface’ amps will soon gain the respect they deserve.The three-quarter size Fender Musicmaster debuted in 1956, as a new student model in the Fender solid body range. How long they will stay that way is unknown. Sound-wise, it exudes pure vintage Fender DNA – what more could you ask for? Compared to ‘tweed’ or ‘blackface’ Fenders, relatively overlooked hidden treasures like this sweet Fender Musicmaster Bass ‘silverface’ amp are currently both plentiful and good value… at the moment. This is a later model with the more commonly available 6V6 power tubes and its original Fender-branded CTS 12 speaker. Many MMBs have been modified due to the early ones using unusual 6AQ5 power valves.

1979 fender musicmaster serial number#

Although often difficult to date vintage amps, this particular one was made in 1979 or possibly 1980, given the features, serial number and the available codes. Finding good quality all-original ones is not impossible but requires patience and it is worth the wait.

Like single pickup guitars (including the Fender Musicmaster), there is a certain purity to keeping things simple.

For those familiar with CRAVE Guitars’ philosophy, it will be no surprise that the ‘less is more’ principle applies to amps like this. The classic behemoths are great too but there is something really cool about the runts of the family, especially for home use. Right up front, I am a champion (sic!) for the ‘baby’ Fender amps and, unlike many traditionalists, I have a soft spot for the post-Leo ‘silverface’ models.

Other benefits include not taking up huge amounts of real estate and being easy on your spinal column, as well as being useful to have for occasional bass guitar use! While diminutive Fender amps are often sneered at by amp snobs, this type of tube combo is now seeing a resurgence of popularity by boutique amp builders, seeking the elusive essence of simple but toneful vintage amps, especially for recording and other low volume uses. Just the basics. The MMB was sold by Fender as a beginner’s bass amp but, like many other Fender bass amps (including the legendary Bassman), has been appropriated for use by (blues) guitarists for their great tone. Controls could hardly be simpler, just volume, tone and of/off switch. These fantastic little 12 watt, 1×12” valve combo amps adhere to the familiar Fender aesthetic with an open back cabinet, covered in black tolex, silver grill cloth, ‘Made in USA’ raised chrome logo, the silver control panel with blue lettering and the iconic red jewel light. Original CBS-era Fender ‘silverface’ Musicmaster Bass amps (often shortened to MMB) were manufactured only between 19.