When I bought a battered '65 Musicmaster II in
October 1998, I naturally started looking around for parts sources on the web. I had a heck of a time replacing things like rusted out screws, springs, etc. This page is loosely organized into vintage and reproduction (repro) parts sources. It seems like most dealers are getting out of "vintage" guitar parts, dumping them on eBay (for example, Music Man no longer sells vintage guitar parts, and they used to have a truckload). The dealers and web sites listed here do NOT constitute any sort of endorsement or guarantee on my part (although I've ordered from or talked to most of the repro sources listed). If you'd like to submit a web page for consideration, e-mail me and I'll check it out; this list is definitely incomplete. (He doesn't sell parts, but Jim Shine's web page contains a vast smorgasbord of Fender parts info.)
Added 2/02: "official" Fender Musicmaster and Duo-Sonic II parts info/wiring diagram
"Vintage" parts sources:
- eBay has an irregular selection of various Musicmaster/Duo-Sonic/Mustang parts (or "project" guitars)... I've seen knobs, pickups, bridges, cases, tuning machines, bodies, necks, and even decals. Sadly, many MM/DS guitars are completely parted out on eBay, rather than being sold as an intact guitar.
- Rockin' Daddy's
(scroll down for their parts list -- their direct link doesn't work)
- Angela Instruments - "suppliers of audio electronic specialty items to the music industry and hobbyists worldwide since 1977"
- Try searching Guitar Base
for parts
Mid '60s manual. Source: eBay (Music Man): 1 | 2 | 3
Older MM/DS manual, ca. 1961; poor scan by unknown (eBay).
"Repro" parts sources:
- Restoring/repairing a MM/DS/Mustang/Cyclone yourself? If you plan to use knobs held in place with set screws (rather than press-fit knobs), make sure you buy potentiometers with a solid shaft instead of a split shaft. Split-shaft pots can be forced to work with set-screw knobs, but trust me -- it's NOT worth the aggravation.
- Music Parts Guru
- Smart Parts (the former official Fender parts supplier) shut down in mid 2003 due to the death of one of their principals. As of November 2004, Music Parts Guru (ex-Smart Parts folks) can help you track down obscure Fender parts (if they are still being made).
- Smart Parts used to have a Musicmaster parts list online ('64-'81 models; this link is now dead)
- '64-'81 models bridge/saddle adjustment screws (1 screw, 1 spring per saddle): #F0019315-000 (spring; once were $1.50 each), #F0015743-000 (#4 pan-head machine screw; once were $1.75 each). No other springs will work!
- Fender.com (of course)
Be sure to visit MrGearhead.net for parts lists (with part numbers) and copies of Fender guitar manuals.
- Seymour Duncan
makes Antiquity Duo-Sonic pickups for about $90 each. You can't order directly
from them, but you can order the neck (part no. 1034-01) or the bridge pickup
(1034-02) from your local SD dealer. These pickups are sold without a cover; note that Allparts' covers (PC 446/447; see below) will NOT fit. Seymour Duncan also have (had) a Duo-Sonic wiring diagram online, but it must have gotten lost when they redesigned their website. In the meantime, a copy of their wiring diagram is online here.
- AllParts:
- 3-pack of pickup covers (no polepiece holes): PC 446 (white), PC 447 (black)
- Gotoh Kluson-style 6 in-line tuning machines, nickel with white plastic buttons (TK 980)
- Replacement plastic buttons: TK 7710 (cream), TK 997 (white)
- 3-way toggle switch: EP 066 (short straight toggle switch) is 15/16" beneath a pickguard. This switch is not an exact replacement for the toggle switch used from '56-'64, but it will work.
- Unfortunately, Allparts no longer offers 24" scale replacement necks (as used on the Jaguar, Mustang, MM, and DS).
- Stewart-MacDonald Guitar
Supplies:
- Mustang/Duo-Sonic II 3-way slide switches (part no. 1232; black only), plus 2-way slide switches;
- Also stock 3-way toggle switches and replacement Mustang and Jaguar/Jazzmaster bridges/tailpieces.
- Warmoth:
- Offer 24" scale replacement necks, starting at about $132 (nut not included; I've since been told that this neck will NOT fit into an early '60s stock MM/DS neck pocket without additional routing);
- Offer 24 3/4" scale replacement necks (for Strat/Tele replacement; like the Fender Cyclone?), starting at about $132 (nut not included);
- Offer narrow-spaced hardtail strat bridges, with 11.3 mm (.445"; like Gibsons?) string spacing (instead of vintage 12.7 mm);
- Now offer Mustang bodies, pickguards, and other hardware (thanks, Jody!)
In 2003 I ordered two "Mustang" control plates and two pairs of "Mustang" knobs from Warmoth, but was very disappointed with what I received. The two plates had slightly different outer dimensions (only one was equivalent to the stock Fender outline), and in one the potentiometer mounting holes were too small(!). In addition, their press-fit "Mustang" knobs were noticeably smaller (15/16" vs. 1" skirt diameter) than vintage Fender knobs, although to be fair my 2004 CIJ Fender Mustang Bass reissue came with these smaller "wrong" knobs. On the positive side, the pair of flat-top "barrel" knobs I ordered were fairly close to the equivalent Fender part, but much cheaper. In addition, Warmoth is an official Seymour Duncan dealer.
- Guitar Parts Resource offers Fender parts, including repro Mustang hardware (knobs, pickup covers, pickguards, etc.)
- WD Music Products, Inc. sells repro pickguards (they got mine right on the 3rd try) as well as other parts
- Pickguard Heaven (part of Chandler Guitars) offer MM/DS and related pickguards, among MANY others. They have have a 3-4 week lead time, but got my CIJ Mustang Bass pickguard right the first time.
- USA Custom Guitars - "the finest custom replacement parts available"
- G R Guitars - guitar parts, lacquer, etc.
- GuitarElectronics.com
- Jeannie Pickguards
- Parts is
Parts -- Contributor Mat Fitzwilliam says that Parts is Parts stock "a Danelectro-style toggle switch that is designed to put the pickups into series as per the original Dano's and Duo Sonics," part no. ep4368 ($12). I haven't tried this myself, but I think the original Duo-Sonic toggles switches were in fact DPDT instead of the SPST like Gibson-style toggle switches.
- Guitar Stop has a limited selection of Fender parts, including their "no load" tone pots, and offer quick service.
- Acme Guitar Works carries Fender parts, including Mustang/Jazz Bass knobs.
- MojoTone.com -- mostly amp parts?
- Hardware stores (for screws):
- Bridge plate mounting screws ('64-'81 models; 7 needed): Phillips "oval head" #6 x 1" sheet metal screws are an almost perfect replacement (i.e., part #34981, Crown Bolt Inc.). Make sure you buy stainless steel screws; the sockets on the zinc-alloy screws strip out too easily. I cannot say I've seen actual bridge mounting screws used for pre-'64 models, but the same type of screws look like they will work (but only 3/4"-7/8" long).
- Pickup mounting screws: use #6 (6/32") x 3/4" Phillips "pan head" machine screws
- Bridge/saddle length adjustment screws: use #6 (6/32") Phillips "pan-head," at least 1" long ('56-'64 models); or #4 (4/40") Phillips "pan-head," at least 1.5" long ('64-'81 models)
- Musicmaster and Duo-Sonic II parts info/wiring diagram, from official Fender specs
- If you can't find a specific screw type/size locally, chances are McMaster-Carr has it (albeit in bulk quantities).
