Up for sale, a 1966 Fender Musicmaster II with a soulfully aged original Olympic White nitro lacquer finish and rare slab Brazilian rosewood fretboard. A slab Brazilian rosewood fretboard was a feature typically reserved for Pre-CBS Fender instruments produced from 1959-mid 1962, but was also implemented on the Mustang/Duo Sonic II/Musicmaster models exclusively from 1965-66 for a couple short production runs, as on the example seen here.

Essentially a hardtail, single pickup version of the Mustang platform, this guitar offers a clear acoustic voice that’s resonant and authoritative, with plenty of sparkle and cut on tap via the gray bobbin alnico magnet single coil pickup. This pickup is virtually identical to a concurrently-produced Strat pickup, with the only difference being the flat pole piece design. By virtue of the neck position, this pickup has great warmth and detail with a woody chop. We've had this Musicmaster II dialed in here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 11-49 strings, low action, and accurate intonation.

Neck Specs:

• Wood: Maple
• Shape: Round C, measuring .875” 1st fret, .880” 12th fret
• Fretboard: Brazilian rosewood slab, 7 1/4” radius, pearloid dot inlays, faint finger wear behind frets 1-3
• Frets: Slender, leveled/crowned, no wear
• Scale Length: 24”
• Nut: 1 5/8”
• Tuners: Kluson-style (aged, modern)
• Serialization: Six-digit stamp on F neck plate
• Factory Markings: November, 1965 date stamp on neck heel, “paint stick” markings in pocket

Body Specs:

• Pickups: Gray bobbin single coil (bobbin pencil dated to 2-22-66)
• Harness: Volume pot dates to 1966, modern CTS Tone pot
• Hardware: Hardtail bridge with threaded saddles, control plate
• Plastics: Three-ply red tortoise pickguard, pointer knobs

The gloss Olympic White finish exhibits yellowing of the clear coat and prominent vertical checking, with various dings and scuffs consistent with use and a small area of buckle wear on the back of the bass-side body horn. The ambered gloss on the neck profile is smooth and inviting to the palm.

A circa 1970s Fender black tolex hardshell case is included; one of the locking latches is non-functional.