Blue Note Music
1956 Fender Musicmaker OHSC
1956 Fender Musicmaker OHSC
BLUE NOTE CERTIFIED™
Authentication & Originality Report
Blue Note Music
The Midwest Guitar Performance & Preservation Center
Instrument Information
Manufacturer: Fender
Model: Musicmaster
Estimated Year: 1956
Scale Length: 22½"
Finish: Black (Professionally Refinished)
Serial Number: Not Present / Not Verifiable
Inspection Date: August 2026
Executive Summary
This Fender Musicmaster has undergone a professional restoration that includes a complete body refinish. Although the original body markings are no longer visible, the guitar retains numerous construction characteristics and components that are consistent with authentic mid-1950s Fender production.
This certification distinguishes between components that are Verified Original, those that Appear Original, those that are Period Correct, and those that remain Undetermined due to insufficient surviving evidence.
No attempt was made to disturb original solder joints or remove original components solely for authentication purposes.
Originality Classification System
✅ VERIFIED ORIGINAL
Component originality confirmed through identifiable factory construction, markings, manufacturing characteristics, or direct physical evidence.
✓ APPEARS ORIGINAL
Strong physical evidence supports originality; however, no surviving factory markings or conclusive identifiers remain.
◇ PERIOD CORRECT
Correct for the manufacturing period but cannot be confirmed as factory-installed on this instrument.
? UNDETERMINED
Insufficient evidence exists to make a responsible conclusion.
Component Authentication
|
Component |
Classification |
Comments |
|---|---|---|
|
Neck |
Appears Original |
Correct one-piece maple neck, construction, profile, aging and truss rod configuration consistent with mid-1950s Fender production. Heel inscription is not considered a factory date. |
|
Body |
Undetermined |
Body construction and routing are consistent with a 1950s Fender Musicmaster; however, refinishing removed all identifiable factory markings, preventing confirmation that this is the original body. |
|
Body Finish |
Verified Replacement |
Complete professional refinish. Original finish no longer present. |
|
Fingerboard |
Appears Original |
Original one-piece maple construction consistent with the neck. |
|
Truss Rod |
Verified Original |
Original headstock-adjust truss rod. Functions properly and neck relief is correctly adjusted. |
|
Pickup |
Appears Original |
Black fiber flatwork, heavy Formvar winding, cloth leads, eyelets, and oxidation all consistent with an original mid-1950s Fender Musicmaster pickup. No visible evidence of rewind. |
|
Pickup Lead Wire |
Appears Original |
Correct cloth push-back lead wire with appropriate aging. |
|
Wiring Harness |
Appears Original |
Original cloth wiring and solder appearance. No obvious evidence of replacement wiring. |
|
Capacitor |
Verified Original |
Original red Astron .05 MFD 200V capacitor appropriate for the period. |
|
Volume Pot |
Undetermined |
Pot code obscured by original soldered capacitor. Pot not disturbed to preserve originality. Construction appears period correct. |
|
Tone Pot |
Undetermined |
Pot code obscured. Originality cannot be confirmed without disturbing original solder. |
|
Output Jack |
Appears Original |
Construction and oxidation consistent with period hardware. |
|
Neck Pocket |
Period Correct |
Routing and construction consistent with Fender production. Originality cannot be conclusively verified. |
|
Neck Heel Date |
Undetermined |
Handwritten notation resembles "1956" but does not match documented Fender factory dating practices. Not relied upon for dating. |
Structural Assessment
|
Item |
Condition |
|---|---|
|
Neck Straightness |
Excellent |
|
Truss Rod Function |
Excellent |
|
Neck Relief |
Correctly Adjusted |
|
Structural Integrity |
Excellent |
|
Fingerboard |
Small crack above truss rod adjustment nut. Stable. Does not affect truss rod function or playability. |
Electronics Evaluation
-
Pickup functions properly.
-
Original Astron capacitor remains installed.
-
Cloth wiring remains intact.
-
Original solder joints appear undisturbed.
-
Potentiometer codes intentionally left unread to preserve original solder.
Cosmetic Assessment
The body has been professionally refinished.
The finish exhibits normal handling wear consistent with careful use since refinishing.
No significant structural damage was observed.
Overall cosmetic condition is Very Good.
Blue Note Authentication Opinion
This instrument displays a high degree of consistency with an authentic mid-1950s Fender Musicmaster. The neck construction, pickup assembly, wiring harness, cloth lead wire, and original Astron capacitor all support the conclusion that significant portions of the instrument remain original.
The body has been professionally refinished, and the removal or obscuring of factory markings prevents definitive confirmation that it is the original body supplied with the neck. Nevertheless, its routing, dimensions, and construction are consistent with Fender manufacturing practices of the period.
The potentiometer date codes could not be inspected because doing so would require disturbing original solder joints. Preserving those joints was considered more important than obtaining hidden date codes.
Based upon the available evidence, this guitar is best described as:
An authentic mid-1950s Fender Musicmaster retaining an original-appearing neck, pickup, wiring harness, and original Astron capacitor, fitted to a professionally refinished body whose construction is period-correct but whose originality cannot be conclusively verified due to the loss of factory identifying markings.
Blue Note Certified Originality Summary
|
Classification |
Count |
|---|---|
|
Verified Original |
2 |
|
Appears Original |
6 |
|
Period Correct |
1 |
|
Undetermined |
4 |
|
Verified Replacement |
1 |
Technician: Rick Drevet 08-07-26
Couldn't load pickup availability
