Still, this thing was literally love at first sight. I saw it in a pawn shop window, and ran inside practically drooling. I made an attempt at haggling with the shop owner, but he could clearly see that I was in love with it and would pay the asking price anyway. And he was right, I did.
As much fun as it was to play, its sound really didn't suit my band and my bandmates eventually talked me into swapping it out for something chunkier. So it sat at home for a few years, not seeing much action.
Then about two years ago, I picked up a 1971 Musicmaster Bass on eBay for a ridiculous bargain price (less than half of what I paid for the Mustang Bass!) that had clearly gone through a few rounds of mods and refins. At the time had a pickup and guard from a P-Bass copy, and a brown stain finish.
It played and sounded beautiful, but the stain and pickguard had to go. I refinished it in Daphne Blue and made a new Mustang pickguard for it. And hot damn is it a stunner now!
The Musicmaster does everything I want and I couldn't justify keeping both basses, so I sold the Mustang a little while ago. I hope its new owner is having as much fun with it as I did!
