Fender Mustang Club

[cattrax]

I'm shocked and saddened at the news of the passing of this fine man. Mustang Club member #42. Bob, you will be sorely missed by all those you've served, and touched by your service, throughout your life. Thank you for your service, your enthusiasm and your dedication to the ideals you so exemplified.

In memoriam, Bobhmcs.

So sorry to hear this. RIP, Bob. You will be missed.

 

[Andy Marshman]

I'm in Canada. I've checked out the PJ Mustang for quite some time. I used to own a cream Mustang with tort guard but sold it when buying a G&L ASAT. I'm in the market to get a PJ and when checking prices everywhere, I found everyone in the US (Reverb converts USD to CDN for me) and Canada had the exact same price. Early in December I discovered that Amazon.ca is selling the PJ for $130 off. Up to New Years they only had it in Sienna Burst and Aged Natural. Jan 1 the Firemist Gold appeared at the same lower price and I ordered it. It'll be here in a couple of weeks and I'll post a photo and request a number. I don't anticipate changing anything on this one, but you never know. I don't know if Amazon.com has a better price, but if you're shopping around, check it out. I have several basses and most are short scale. Didn't used to be that way, but I really like them.

 

[MichaV]

Hi!
Im new here, and would like to share my mustang. Pretty standard at the moment. wonder if anyone could give me some info on upgrading it,
Thanks!

 

[tommyeadg]

Packing light for a radio gig this evening. It will be the first time playing live on this baby. Stoked.

 

[Real Soon]

I didn't know Bob aside from talking a bit with him on his latest build project, but he certainly seemed like a great guy and a passionate musician & Mustang fan. I'm really sorry to hear that we lost him. RIP!

 

[Hank Scorpio]

My band has started to write a few songs in Drop C# tuning (C#G#C#F#), and I've never quite liked how my bottom string sounded compared to the others, so thought I'd better get a bass set up for it. And what better for downtuned, sludgy songs than a shell pink Mustang?!

Just picked it up from my tech, and it's playing like a dream after a fret level & crowning. Hipshot HB10 tuners in, and a Fender hi mass bridge to combat neck dive - which it has entirely - as it was only £25 with an ebay discount code. 3 way switch replaced, and a Switchcraft output jack - never quite trust the cheaper Fender ones! Also had a 3-string Hipshot tree put on, as it was just lying around anyway.

The best investment was strings, though - a custom set from Newtone here in the UK. .50, .70, .90 and .112 for that low C#. Tension is perfect for me, playing aggressively with a pick, and that low string sounds clear, beefy and with great fundamentals and sustain. I had Boomers on it before, and that extra .005 up from the .107 has made a huge difference. Might order strings for all my basses from there now, if these last & hold up well.

Going to need to write some more drop tuned riffs as an excuse to play this more, I think.

 

[Cran]

My band has started to write a few songs in Drop C# tuning (C#G#C#F#), and I've never quite liked how my bottom string sounded compared to the others, so thought I'd better get a bass set up for it. And what better for downtuned, sludgy songs than a shell pink Mustang?!

Just picked it up from my tech, and it's playing like a dream after a fret level & crowning. Hipshot HB10 tuners in, and a Fender hi mass bridge to combat neck dive - which it has entirely - as it was only £25 with an ebay discount code. 3 way switch replaced, and a Switchcraft output jack - never quite trust the cheaper Fender ones! Also had a 3-string Hipshot tree put on, as it was just lying around anyway.

The best investment was strings, though - a custom set from Newtone here in the UK. .50, .70, .90 and .112 for that low C#. Tension is perfect for me, playing aggressively with a pick, and that low string sounds clear, beefy and with great fundamentals and sustain. I had Boomers on it before, and that extra .005 up from the .107 has made a huge difference. Might order strings for all my basses from there now, if these last & hold up well.

Going to need to write some more drop tuned riffs as an excuse to play this more, I think.

View attachment 4120066

View attachment 4120067

Looks great! You should upload a demo or two if you can, I'm curious as to how it sounds

 

[SVTII]

Drop C# tuning

custom set from Newtone here in the UK. .50, .70, .90 and .112

playing aggressively with a pick

Hi Hank, nice color, love it!

I put the lower four of a La Bella five string shorty flats set on mine (.65/.85/.105/.128). As I'm loving it for D-Standard, the sound of the lowest string isn't defined enough for Drop-C for my liking. I play fingerstyle, but also similar kinda Rock, Stoner, Doom, Sludge, ... Lately I swapped my longscale bass to rounds and now I'm also thinking about putting some rounds on my PJ Mustang.

Cheers!

Edit: Actually I should have a second row of holes to fix the bridge further away when set up to DGCF/CGCF ;-)

 

[DavesnothereCA]

My band has started to write a few songs in Drop C# tuning (C#G#C#F#), and I've never quite liked how my bottom string sounded compared to the others, so thought I'd better get a bass set up for it.... ....The best investment was strings, though - a custom set from Newtone here in the UK. .50, .70, .90 and .112 for that low C#. - Tension is perfect for me, playing aggressively with a pick, and that low string sounds clear, beefy and with great fundamentals and sustain. I had Boomers on it before, and that extra .005 up from the .107 has made a huge difference. Might order strings for all my basses from there now, if these last & hold up well.

Going to need to write some more drop tuned riffs as an excuse to play this more, I think.

View attachment 4120066

View attachment 4120067

~
AFAIK, the Shell Pink Mustang and Bronco were not offered in Canada.

But regarding your mods....

Have you tried the gauges which you mentioned also at standard pitch tuning, and if yes, what was the character of the sound, particularly that of the E and A ? - Same as when you are tuned down ?

I have been considering a set of 50-65-85-110 for standard pitch tuning on a 30" or a 28.6" scale bass.

However, I've been encountering negativity in another thread about the idea of putting heavier strings onto short scale basses [I reckon because folks are accustomed to the fact that so many ready-made SS sets come only in lighter gauge], and your experience and choice seem like that of a kindred spirit.

There have been comments such as [paraphrased] "heavier strings on a short scale bass will not be able to vibrate enough because they are short", and "light gauge short scale strings are designed differently than other lengths inside, so as to not need to be heavier to sound correct", and such.

Also, is the electronics on these simply a pickup selector switch feeding a master volume and tone ?

Thanks.
~

 

[DavesnothereCA]

....I put the lower four of a La Bella five string shorty flats set on mine (.65/.85/.105/.128). As I'm loving it for D-Standard, the sound of the lowest string isn't defined enough for Drop-C for my liking. I play fingerstyle, but also similar kinda Rock, Stoner, Doom, Sludge, ... Lately I swapped my longscale bass to rounds and now I'm also thinking about putting some rounds on my PJ Mustang. - Cheers!
View attachment 4120641
Edit: Actually I should have a second row of holes to fix the bridge further away when set up to DGCF/CGCF ;-)

~
When you say D-Standard, you mean DGCF ?

That would seem like an interesting compromise between standard pitch and BEAD for a four string bass, and is something which I could try on one of MY short scalers.

So the intonation setting range is too sharp on this bass, if you leave the bridge in its original location with the heavier strings ?

Would it allow enough length if you just removed the springs on the adjusters for the E and A strings ?
~

 

[DavesnothereCA]

I'm in Canada. I've checked out the PJ Mustang for quite some time. I used to own a cream Mustang with tort guard but sold it when buying a G&L ASAT. I'm in the market to get a PJ and when checking prices everywhere, I found everyone in the US (Reverb converts USD to CDN for me) and Canada had the exact same price. Early in December I discovered that Amazon.ca is selling the PJ for $130 off....

~
I checked Amazon.ca yesterday, and yes, one colour was at $770, while L&M wants $900, IIRC.

Another colour at AZ is $811.

EDIT : TODAY, the $770m colour on AZ now rose to $900, the same as at L&M.
~

 

[Hank Scorpio]

Looks great! You should upload a demo or two if you can, I'm curious as to how it sounds

We're in lockdown in the UK at the moment, and I don't have any recording gear - could try & record something on my phone, have to see if it sounds worth sharing!

Hi Hank, nice color, love it!

I put the lower four of a La Bella five string shorty flats set on mine (.65/.85/.105/.128). As I'm loving it for D-Standard, the sound of the lowest string isn't defined enough for Drop-C for my liking. I play fingerstyle, but also similar kinda Rock, Stoner, Doom, Sludge, ... Lately I swapped my longscale bass to rounds and now I'm also thinking about putting some rounds on my PJ Mustang.

Cheers!
Edit: Actually I should have a second row of holes to fix the bridge further away when set up to DGCF/CGCF ;-)

Thanks, your 'Stang is a looker too. That's a big bottom string! It's been a struggle to find the right string for me, I've heard you can suffer that loss of definition if the string is too thick, which is what stopped me going with a 5 string set as well. Luckily these seem to be high tension, which means I can get away with a slighter thinner one!

~
AFAIK, the Shell Pink Mustang and Bronco were not offered in Canada.

But regarding your mods....

Have you tried the gauges which you mentioned also at standard pitch tuning, and if yes, what was the character of the sound, particularly that of the E and A ? - Same as when you are tuned down ?

I have been considering a set of 50-65-85-110 for standard pitch tuning on a 30" or a 28.6" scale bass.

However, I've been encountering negativity in another thread about the idea of putting heavier strings onto short scale basses [I reckon because folks are accustomed to the fact that so many ready-made SS sets come only in lighter gauge], and your experience and choice seem like that of a kindred spirit.

There have been comments such as [paraphrased] "heavier strings on a short scale bass will not be able to vibrate enough because they are short", and "light gauge short scale strings are designed differently than other lengths inside, so as to not need to be heavier to sound correct", and such.

Also, is the electronics on these simply a pickup selector switch feeding a master volume and tone ?

Thanks.
~

I've haven't tried these in standard, but I have used .50-.107 GHS Boomers in standard, and they were fine, maybe sliiiiightly too high tension for me. We play in Eb, and they were perfect for that. For a standard tuning bass, .45-.105 is ideal for me at the moment - but that's not to say larger strings wouldn't work. The .107 Boomers still sounded great in standard, and if you like heavy strings & high tension, would work for you too I'm sure. Any thicker than that, I couldn't say how well they work.

 

[SVTII]

~
When you say D-Standard, you mean DGCF ?

That would seem like an interesting compromise between standard pitch and BEAD for a four string bass, and is something which I could try on one of MY short scalers.

So the intonation setting range is too sharp on this bass, if you leave the bridge in its original location with the heavier strings ?

Would it allow enough length if you just removed the springs on the adjusters for the E and A strings ?
~

Yes, DGCF. Intonation is perfect on mine, but had to shorten screws and springs. So moving the bridge would be nice for me, but not necessary for DGCF/CGCF.

 

[Real Soon]

I'm guessing it takes a few weeks for Hipshot direct orders to be built & shipped, so the nickel lollipops will be on the way for a while.

It looks like if I ship a control plate to a reverb shop guy who does custom relic work on metal parts, he says he can refinish it in nickel (non-relic), so I'll be exploring that soon.

Finally, while the price was reduced, I snagged a Gator ProGo electric guitar case, reportedly a nice snug fit for the Mustang. Might be here today, we shall see

 

[Johnny_Paps]

Would anyone happen to have any mustang parts they wanna sell? Looking for a vintage style bridge & a control plate. PM if you got anything!

 

[Real Soon]

Update: the Gator gig bag came in. It is... glorious. More pockets than a billiards tournament. More padding than an elementary school skateboard park outing. More than ever, I feel safe taking the Mustang PJ out as my primary all-purpose jam & gig instrument.

I actually took it out Saturday, for a Fraternal Order of Eagles weekend dance thing, but thinking they'd want things subdued most of the night, I also brought my old '60 P for more thump, less jump, and it turns out I was exactly right. Then the 3rd set came on, and the Mustang came out. And they loved every minute. So did I!

 

[Hank Scorpio]

Update: the Gator gig bag came in. It is... glorious. More pockets than a billiards tournament. More padding than an elementary school skateboard park outing. More than ever, I feel safe taking the Mustang PJ out as my primary all-purpose jam & gig instrument.

How's the fit of the bag? I've seen photos that look like it's perfect for the Mustang, but I am a little concerned with if there's enough space for the headstock/tuners to fit comfortably. Any impressions you could give around that would be much appreciated!

 

[Florinda4]

How's the fit of the bag? I've seen photos that look like it's perfect for the Mustang, but I am a little concerned with if there's enough space for the headstock/tuners to fit comfortably. Any impressions you could give around that would be much appreciated!

It is perfect, for mine anyway. The head & foot ends just touch either end of the case padding.
Doesn't let the instrument move around inside, and doesn't touch the tuners enough to detune (ymmv - I don't normally let other people handle my instruments. The Gator bag is very sturdy, but a padded gig bag after all. I wouldn't check it as baggage....).

 

[Hank Scorpio]

It is perfect, for mine anyway. The head & foot ends just touch either end of the case padding.
Doesn't let the instrument move around inside, and doesn't touch the tuners enough to detune (ymmv - I don't normally let other people handle my instruments. The Gator bag is very sturdy, but a padded gig bag after all. I wouldn't check it as baggage....).

View attachment 4125193

Thanks, looks ideal!

 

[Mason Satterman]

It is perfect, for mine anyway. The head & foot ends just touch either end of the case padding.
Doesn't let the instrument move around inside, and doesn't touch the tuners enough to detune (ymmv - I don't normally let other people handle my instruments. The Gator bag is very sturdy, but a padded gig bag after all. I wouldn't check it as baggage....).

View attachment 4125193

Would you be willing to post a link to this exact bag? For research purposes...