For sale is a 1974 Fender Musicmaster Bass, a classic short-scale Fender with unmistakable 1970s character. Lightweight, comfortable, and full of vintage charm, this is a great example of a 50-year-old Fender that remains very usable and musical today.

The bass has a clean, straightforward feel and delivers the warm, direct tone these Musicmasters are known for, especially well suited to roots, indie, recording, and vintage-inspired styles.

Condition

This is a vintage instrument and shows honest cosmetic wear consistent with age, including knocks and marks to the body, but nothing unsightly or structural.

The bass plays and sounds great throughout the neck, with heavier fret wear in the upper register (around frets 16–18), which may limit clean articulation high up the neck for some players. This is typical of vintage instruments that have seen decades of use and primarily affects the highest frets, which are less commonly used on a short-scale bass. New frets likely would address it – but I personally didn’t feel the need to.

The neck is straight, the truss rod works as it should, and the frets still have usable life remaining.

Originality

• Body appears to have been refinished in black at some point in the distant past; however, the job seems to have been done in nitro and the finish already aged well
• Pickguard is believed to be a later replacement
• Brass nut fitted
• All other parts appear to be original

Setup

• Currently fitted with Fender classical nylon black strings (28–43)
• Warm, smooth, thumpy tone
• Properly set up and comfortable to play

Specs

• Model: Fender Musicmaster Bass
• Year: 1974
• Scale length: Short scale
• Weight: ~3.2 kg
• Finish: Black
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Controls: Volume, tone
• Pickup: Original-style Musicmaster single pickup

Summary

A genuine 1974 Fender Musicmaster Bass with tasteful aging, solid playability, and classic short-scale Fender tone. Best suited to players and collectors looking for a vintage instrument with character rather than a case queen.

Happy to answer questions or provide additional photos. Sold as described and pictured.