Help! To mod or not to mod; that is the question...

[bsman]

Some of you folks may recall that a couple of months ago I picked up a 1960 Musicmaster. It's an honest-to-god closet queen: I doubt this thing was played for more than a few months before it spent most of the rest of its life in a closet, attic, or under a bed. The only sign of wear at all is the normal finish checking one would expect on a 55 year-old, nitro-finished guitar. The frets are immaculate with no discernable wear, the chrome is all sparkly, and the there are no dings.

Here's where it gets interesting: I know that these (musicmasters) are routed for two pickups. So, here's the choice: should I leave it stock or update it to duo-sonic specs (i.e. adding a new pickguard, neck PU and selector switch?)

Vote early and vote often!

 

[Knox in Box]

If it's already routed and you can get a pick guard that lines up, why not?

 

[dodgechargerfan]

If you can put it all on a fresh pick guard, I don't see the harm.

 

[Knox in Box]

As long as you keep the original stuff well guarded.

 

[Hubert Stumblin]

Sure, mod it with the new guard. It can all be returned to stock if necessary. What's to lose?

 

[bsman]

If you can put it all on a fresh pick guard, I don't see the harm.

That's a good idea -- I can just get a whole new PG with new pickups, knobs and switch. Since even the input jack is mounted on the pg, I'd imagine I'd only have to unsolder the ground from the old one and ground the new one, meaning there's be almost no real change to the actual guitar required...

 

[Chad]

Take off the guard and check first. Not all are routed for 2 pickups.

 

[Chad]

btw, I love that guitar. It looks brand new.

 

[bsman]

btw, I love that guitar. It looks brand new.

It essentially is.

 

[335clone]

Yeah, what everyone already said!

 

[mikesr1963]

If you plan on dying with it do what ever you want. If you plan on turning a buck put it under the bed and forget about for another 25 years and get a guitar with the tones you want.

 

[PunkKitty]

I'd leave it alone.

 

[Elias Graves]

That's a good idea -- I can just get a whole new PG with new pickups, knobs and switch. Since even the input jack is mounted on the pg, I'd imagine I'd only have to unsolder the ground from the old one and ground the new one, meaning there's be almost no real change to the actual guitar required...

If that's the case, you won't even hurt value by unsoldering pots.
Id go for it.

 

[Elias Graves]

Take off the guard and check first. Not all are routed for 2 pickups.

View attachment 26703 View attachment 26704

If that's case, then leave it alone.

 

[knotty]

NO, NO, NO , NO. That thing is super cool. Another PUP would totally ruin it, in my view.

 

[Pine Apple Slim]

Fine as is. Mod only if reversible.

 

[Tiltsta]

I'd leave it original. Look at is as a good excuse to pick up another guitar with two pickups.

 

[OGG]

I wouldn't even consider modding that guitar in any way. It's 56 years old and in near mint, original condition. How incredibly rare that must be, for any guitar type or brand.

It may not be worth a bazillion dollars, because it's "just a MusicMaster", but whatever value it does have, is largely because of its pristine state. I'd play the buhgeezis out of it, but no way would I take a soldering iron to it.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

As long as you keep the original stuff well guarded.

This. Along with be careful with your screwdriver.

 

[jp_nyc]

Save yourself trouble: sell it to a collector and buy a duo-sonic.