There's nothing quite as sweet as a short scale bass! Because of the success of the Precision bass, all too many Fender players assume you need a long 34" scale for good tone. But that's an unfortunate misconception! Not only are the frets closer so it's easier to get down on the fingerboard, but short-scale basses have a deeper, thicker, and less brilliant sound that fills the low end. For the right sound, the short scale bass is where it's at, and guitar players will feel right at home with the shorter length.
In 1970, Fender unveiled the Musicmaster Bass: an affordable 30" short scale that was approachable for beginners and manageable for smaller players, too. The Musicmaster Bass borrows the offset Alder body from the Mustang Bass, and it sports a single single-coil pickup in the middle position with straight-forward volume and tone controls. Its Maple neck has a fine Rosewood fingerboard veneer, and the combination of short scale, 7-1/4" fingerboard radius, and 1-5/8" nut width make for a bass that is smooth and easy to play. It's a simple no-frills setup that remains lightweight and manageable.
This 1980 Musicmaster Bass features an eye-catching black on black color motif. It's in nice shape for its age and has no history of damages, repairs, breaks, or issues. Its neck is in great shape, and the truss rod is still functional. Because of that, it plays with nice low action. One of the strap buttons has been replaced, but all of the other parts and components are original.
When you plug it in, this 1980 Musicmaster Bass gives you powerful bottom-end that is thick, dark, and powerful, thanks to the short scale. It resonates and sustains as notes bloom through your amplifier. This bass would be great in the studio, but on stage, its small, manageable size will make it easier to get through the gig. It includes a run-of-the-mill gig bag that isn't impressive, but it's sufficient to cart the bass around.