Is this a real 70s Musicmaster Body?

[eternity9]

Finally got time to work on this Musicmaster I picked up the other month and noticed some inconsistencies when comparing it to other vintage Musicmaster bodies. It lacks the sweeping route from the neck pickup to the cavity that others seem to have. The neck is from late '78, yet Fender switched to the one solid piece construction in '75-'76 (I believe). Also, it doesn't fit an old vintage cut Mustang pickguard I had lying around, which was designed for '70s CBS-era style Mustangs. However, it has the markings in the neck pocket of an old Fender and came with original pots and caps from the late '70s, so electronically it seems pretty original.

Genuine 70s Musicmaster for comparison

Any ideas?

[will]

When the Duo-Sonic was discontinued, Fender switched to routing for just one pickup - sometime in the early 1970’s.

[MattK]

Your body also differs from the linked one in not having the "Mickey Mouse" ears on the neck pocket rout. The chrome control plate was also discontinued in 1977, with a one piece plastic guard including the controls. I think yours might be a bit earlier, say 1976.

[PJazzmaster]

When the Duo-Sonic was discontinued, Fender switched to routing for just one pickup - sometime in the early 1970’s.

Exactly. Very early 70’s: 1971 and 1972 MM bodies should all still have a 2nd (bridge PU routing) like during the 60s

[eternity9]

Your body also differs from the linked one in not having the "Mickey Mouse" ears on the neck pocket rout. The chrome control plate was also discontinued in 1977, with a one piece plastic guard including the controls. I think yours might be a bit earlier, say 1976.

Yeah that would seem to make sense, thanks for the help! My '78 Musicmaster Bass has the mouse ears, forgot about them lol

[LVC]

The plethora of screw holes in the bridge area confused me for a second, but then I remembered... This is the one that had that humongous Hayman bridge, right?

[eternity9]

The plethora of screw holes in the bridge area confused me for a second, but then I remembered... This is the one that had that humongous Hayman bridge, right?

Yeah !

Taken it off now and going to an old style 3 saddle duo sonic thing.
Had 3 shims in the neck just to accommodate it