In its final version, the headstock decal once again reads Musicmaster (one word). (Example: '78 Musicmaster headstock, source unknown.) It is distinguished from previous versions by its one-piece all-plastic pickguard, similar in shape to the Bronco's pickguard, and numbered Strat-like knobs.
Standard finishes were black, white, and red, with wine red (a.k.a. "see through red")
appearing at the end of this period. The Musicmaster was discontinued ca. 1982, along with the Mustang and Bronco models, with the debut of Fender's "Squier" line of budget guitars.
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- Musicmaster, in white
Source: Music Man
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- Musicmaster, in black
Source: unknown (eBay)
- Case study: immaculate "transition" Musicmaster, in black (SN S703499):
front | front, detail | back | body, front | body, back
neck pocket | body routs/shielding/ground to bridge
electronics (note SN on pickguard) | electronics, detail (pots date to late 1976)
back of headstock | front of manual | inside of manual
Note the previous style pickguard and metal control plate; a photo of the front of the headstock was not(?) provided.
Source: unknown (eBay; sold for $520)
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- Musicmaster, in white
Source: Music Man
- Musicmaster, in white (SN S806211):
body, front | front | back | headstock, with original tag!
Source: unknown (eBay)
- Case study: white Musicmaster (SN S807729):
body, front | body, back | headstock decal | back of headstock
electronics | electronics, detail | neckplate
sticker under pickguard (with SN) | sticker in body rout (NOV 21 1978)
Source: unknown (eBay)
- Case study: immaculate black Musicmaster (SN S810142) (all images ~100 k)
body, front | front, in case | back, in case
headstock, front | headstock, back
Source: unknown (eBay)
- Musicmaster, in wine red (SN S818759):
front, in case | back | close-up of headstock decal | headstock, back
Source: unknown (eBay?)
- Musicmaster, in black
Source: Imperial Guitar and Soundworks
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- Musicmaster, in (wine?) red
Source: GuitarToy.com
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- Musicmaster, in wine red
One of the last Musicmasters.
Source: T. Pershing
