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Fender Mustang Bass

#62
Resurrecting this dead thread… I just picked up a used Fiesta Red CIJ Mustang yesterday. I’ve wanted one for a while, and I finally decided to break down and buy one. I’m excited to put this little bass through its paces. I don’t know if it will ever become my “go to” bass… but it certainly is fun to play. I’m toying with the idea of some mods.

I like the stock (pearloid) pickguard, but I can’t help thinking that a tortoiseshell one would look really cool. So would a black or parchment one for that matter. Anyone else change out their pickguard? I’d love to see pics.
 
#63
mccartneyman said:
Yes! I interviewed Jason back when the CD came out and I was entertainment editor for a newspaper. I specifically asked him about the bass sound because there is a picture of a Guild bass on the CD booklet. He told me he used the Mustang. Jason is a very inventive bassist (checkout "Bellybutton" by Jellyfish) and was a wonderful interview.
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i agree... im a huge fan of his and was blown away when i went to an AIR show, only to find him playing bass! totally impressed with his feel and note placement... so natural! and... it was a Mustang! sounded so good!
 
#66
Lowbrow said:
1975 Fender catalog:

mustangs76.jpg


My first Fender - 1976 Mustang, natural & maple board:

lowbrowmaxs.jpg
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Hey Lowbrow - I finally got the black PG for my natural and maple 1976....can't wait to replace the white one, and make mine look that badass! :cool:
I figured that since I need to pull my PG to figure out why one side of the pickup isn't working properly, I might as well do a little customizing at the same time. Am a little nervous about cracking it open, but very excited to getting it working and looking just right.
 
#67
My 1977 lefty Antigua Mustang bass. I've liked mine as the #1 for 30 years. I originally bought it to alleviate shoulder problems as a replacement for my P-J, that was much heavier. With the pickup improvements on the Mustang, it gave me the sound I had with the P-J and it's own Mustang brand of uniqueness.


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I was also a fan of Bill Wyman's tone, and it definitely gave me that.


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#69
Jim Dep said:
My 1977 lefty Antigua Mustang bass. I've liked mine as the #1 for 30 years. I originally bought it to alleviate shoulder problems as a replacement for my P-J, that was much heavier. With the pickup improvements on the Mustang, it gave me the sound I had with the P-J and it's own Mustang brand of uniqueness.


[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]


I was also a fan of Bill Wyman's tone, and it definitely gave me that.


[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
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Does anyone else play their Mustang strapped that way?

Looks awkward and comfortable, at the same time. I like about a 45 degree angle on the bass (which I really don't have too much trouble maintaining with a decently wide strap) - that looks more like 75 degrees or so....but maybe an idea for folks who have neck dive problems with theirs.
(I'm certain that this must have been mentioned before, so excuse any redundancy, but it grabbed my eye when I saw the photo.)
 
#72
honestjohnny said:
Buy Squier Bronco. Change pickup to hum-cancelling somethingorother. New pots and jack. Stop there if you want a black or fiesta red body and white 'guard. If not, continue to appropriate refinish and new 'guard. Setup and intonation with new, preferred strings. End. Make noise :D
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And the result - my Squier Bronco with chrome racing stripes added (auto striping tape) and the hot pickup from a Gretsch 2202 Electromatic Jr. Jet.

Everything you could want in a short scale bass!

PB070030.jpg

PB070031.jpg
 
#74
As an older person trying to learn to play bass, a 34" scale is just more than I can deal with. I tried a Gibson SG Reissue short-scale and it had horrible neck dive and I didn't especially like the tone (very pretty bass to look at though!). Returned the Gibson to GC (who by the way gave me absolutely no trouble at all and even though I paid for it on a debit card, they cut me an immediate check for the refund and didn't make me wait for "Corporate" to cut the check like most brick & mortar stores do if you paid on a debit card). Got a Fender Mustang RI from Cascio Interstate Music. It got here in 2 days, bass is in perfect condition, and so far I love it. There is nothing "cheap" about it at all, it seems like the real deal, just with a shorter scale. Intonation is perfect out of the box and the tone is nice. Workmanship is flawless as far as I can tell. I think I'm going to be very happy with the Mustang.

IMG_0043.gif


I think the Mustang is a keeper. I've ordered Hipshot Ultralight Tuners for it, am anxious to make that mod. The Mustang has slight neck dive (but nowhere near as bad as the Gibson) and I think the lighter tuners will make it very well balanced.

Anyone have problems with a long scale, check out the Mustang. It is definitely not a toy as far as I'm concerned.
 
#79
My band mates have one from back around 70' to 72'. We are unsure on the exact date but serials put it around those years. It sounded amazing actually. I couldn't get over the fact it was tiny but sounded pretty similar to a p bass slightly smoother though. I wouldn't take it over my p bass but its definitely cool. It was also much lighter then my p bass probably in the 8 pound range.
 
#80
Munjibunga said:
I stopped by Carey Nordstrand's booth at NAMM on Friday, and played a Mustang with his pickup in it. Whoa! It really makes the Mustang sound like a bass. Much thicker, fuller tone. The stock pickups sound anemic by comparison. I'll be getting a set very soon.
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Nordstrand makes a Mustang pickup replacement??

I dont see it on the website. Is it new?

Edit: Answered my own question:
http://www.bassplayer.com/article/nordstrand-pickups-releases/December-2010/125167
 

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