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Fender Mustang Club

#4,041
Just curious about opinions from anyone recently obtaining a player PJ MIM mustang.

I decided to pull the trigger a few days ago on a Seinna Burst version. My local options and online retailers seem to be in short supply with back order waits of a few months. Luckily found one on Reverb from an Ohio shop and should be arriving tomorrow.

I've had really good results from buying sight unseen 3 or 4 times and hoping for the same this time. Anyone have experience with overall condition or setup once you purchased? I've seen a few reviews where rough fret edges have been mentioned. I've got a couple other shorties: Sterling Stingray and Squier Jag and both were in surprisingly good condition from the get go.

So I'm just curious as to what to expect with the Mustang. I do plan on replacing bridge with hipshot and probably swapping pickups for EMG geezers- but I would like to think the overall quality of the instrument/fretboard/tuners will be worth the extra Fender $$$.

It's a beautiful bass- really excited to get it!
 
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#4,042
Tex Bass said:
Just curious about opinions from anyone recently obtaining a player PJ MIM mustang.

I decided to pull the trigger a few days ago on a Seinna Burst version. My local options and online retailers seem to be in short supply with back order waits of a few months. Luckily found one on Reverb from an Ohio shop and should be arriving tomorrow.

I've had really good results from buying sight unseen 3 or 4 times and hoping for the same this time. Anyone have experience with overall condition or setup once you purchased? I've seen a few reviews where rough fret edges have been mentioned. I've got a couple other shorties: Sterling Stingray and Squier Jag and both were in surprisingly good condition from the get go.

So I'm just curious as to what to expect with the Mustang. I do plan on replacing bridge with hipshot and probably swapping pickups for EMG geezers- but I would like to think the overall quality of the instrument/fretboard/tuners will be worth the extra Fender $$$.

It's a beautiful bass- really excited to get it!
Click to expand...

I found the setup on mine to be.. okay, out of the box. Certainly playable. I didn't have any sharp fret ends, but I did have my tech do a bit of levelling when I first got it set up.

The bridge is fine, typical Fender - does the job perfectly well. I swapped it to a hi-mass bridge because I got one cheap, it was for aesthetic reasons more than quality. Tuners are the standard higher end Squier/lower end Fender type. I swapped them out for Hipshots, which are undeniably better quality.. but the stock tuners are usable. You're not going to notice yourself going out of tune half way through every song or anything.

I really, really like the Precision pickup. Had to fine tune the height even after a setup, but it does the job perfectly - I mean, it sounds like a Precision! The bridge pickup I found a little weak, I don't like the tone with them both on either - but that isn't my preference anyway. I bought it for the Precision sound, I lowered the Jazz pickup right down to get it out of my way, and I always have the switch set for P only.

Speaking of the 3-way switch, it's definitely the lowest quality component (at least on mine). Swap it out if you're changing pickups anyway, mine was scratchy in no time, and occasionally cut out if going to the bridge. Pots are fine, jack is fine, put a Switchcraft in mine because I had one lying around. Even the nut does the job. I asked my tech to swap it out if the stock one was poor quality or cut badly, and it came back with the stock nut still on - couldn't have been bad if he passed up some extra work!

Overall, fit and finish were great for me, just a few little issues that needed solving to make it a gigging workhorse for me. If I didn't have a band right now and only played at home, I'd have left it stock and had no issues, honestly. Enjoy yours when it arrives!
 
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#4,043
@Hank Scorpio I actually swapped out the Jazz pickup on mine for a Seymour Duncan and had the techs install a blend knob in place of that switch, which just always annoyed me for whatever reason. So it looks like this now:

PJ switch.jpg
 
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#4,044
Overall, fit and finish were great for me, just a few little issues that needed solving to make it a gigging workhorse for me. If I didn't have a band right now and only played at home, I'd have left it stock and had no issues, honestly. Enjoy yours when it arrives![/QUOTE]

Thanks for taking the time to relay that info.
(Especially the switch issue- that seems to be a common complaint!)

I will give the P pickup a chance before swap. I'm selling my Jag and just planned on pulling the EMGs before letting
It go.
 
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#4,046
OtherLisa said:
@Hank Scorpio I actually swapped out the Jazz pickup on mine for a Seymour Duncan and had the techs install a blend knob in place of that switch, which just always annoyed me for whatever reason. So it looks like this now:

View attachment 4282764
Click to expand...

Looks great!

If I thought I'd use a PJ setup, this is the route I'd go. I find the blend much more usable than a switch for this configuration. I really like VVT with two Jazz pickups, but not so much for a PJ.
 
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#4,048
Box showed up earlier…AMS discounted about 22% for ‘minor finish flaw’ that I’ll be dipped if I can find. Opened box, plugged it in, and dang…PBass essence with a lot more punch. 2 pickup mode fine (never been my taste) and JBass on rear bright and clear.

honestly believe I’ll replace switch with a balance knob, but who knows?
D5369A1D-846D-49E5-B5D1-5DC95C2FC8B6.jpeg
 
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#4,049
Tex Bass said:
Just curious about opinions from anyone recently obtaining a player PJ MIM mustang.

I decided to pull the trigger a few days ago on a Seinna Burst version. My local options and online retailers seem to be in short supply with back order waits of a few months. Luckily found one on Reverb from an Ohio shop and should be arriving tomorrow.

I've had really good results from buying sight unseen 3 or 4 times and hoping for the same this time. Anyone have experience with overall condition or setup once you purchased? I've seen a few reviews where rough fret edges have been mentioned. I've got a couple other shorties: Sterling Stingray and Squier Jag and both were in surprisingly good condition from the get go.

So I'm just curious as to what to expect with the Mustang. I do plan on replacing bridge with hipshot and probably swapping pickups for EMG geezers- but I would like to think the overall quality of the instrument/fretboard/tuners will be worth the extra Fender $$$.

It's a beautiful bass- really excited to get it!
Click to expand...

I got mine about a year ago, so I suppose it's technically an Offset series MIM PJ.

I'm a fellow Geezer user - I've got vintage P sounds covered twice over already, so figured I'd spring for a bit of variety. The stock P pickup, mind you, is worth keeping around in case you need it somewhere; it's got a great sound, very close to the one in my 50s Classic Precision. The J is light on character, so I'm glad I switched to the punchier J-HZ pickup. Ordered one or two extra wires to get the tone pot to replace the 3-way switch.

The nut on mine was cut wrong; the strings were way out of symmetry. So, I ordered a fresh Fender one (two actually), then painstakingly sanded down the bottom side while maintaining its contour since I don't have nut files. THAT one had great string slots so I'm good now. Went Hipshot lollipops and bridge, got some chickenhead knobs just to be obnoxious, and one day I'm going to try to get a custom shop on reverb to replate a control plate in nickel to match the other hardware.

The frets are great and have no burrs. The neck itself is great, but was actually set such that I had to reverse shim it a small amount; odd, but nothing I couldn't DIY.
 
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#4,051
Tex Bass said:
Just curious about opinions from anyone recently obtaining a player PJ MIM mustang. It's a beautiful bass- really excited to get it!
Click to expand...

Hi Tex I wouldn't have any worries, my PJ was excellent from the start, fit and finish very good and you'll be surprised how good the stock pups are although I was tempted to put a pair of GZRs in! If you have any rough fret edges don't be frightened to just very lightly sand them. I opted for the Fender Hi-mass bridge prefect drop in replacement and basically a Badass copy. The best mod I made was dropping in a blend pot instead of the switch, this really opens up the tone and lets you easily dial in the sweet spot. I moved the input to the side of the bass and had Vol / Tone / Blend on the bell plate .... ENJOY!!
 
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#4,053
Hey everybody,
After discovering the wonderful JMJ, I got an American Performer about a week ago. It is a thing of beauty and a joy forever!
Mustang front.jpg


However, there are two issues, and I've got a question about one of them. One issue is that the threads for the adjustment screws on the E-side of the neck pickup were stripped. Seems a common problem, but I put in some different screws and they're holding.

The other issue is one that I've actually had on two AP Mustangs now (out of two!). I changed the strings to LaBella Mustang flatwounds, and the neck forward bows. I returned the first AP Mustang I had because with the truss rod pinned, I couldn't get relief below .015" even after clamping it into a back-bow. With this one, I had .012" with the rod pinned, so I decided to live with it. However, a couple of days ago the action seemed to have risen suddenly, and sure as heck, I checked the relief and it is way up now. Have other people had this problem? I don't know whether this bass has an unusual issue, or whether the LaBella strings just have too much tension (even though they're specifically for the Mustang). I like these strings, and they weren't cheap, but maybe I should change to strings with lower tension?

Thanks, folks!
 
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#4,054
Dr Dan said:
Hey everybody,
After discovering the wonderful JMJ, I got an American Performer about a week ago. It is a thing of beauty and a joy forever!
View attachment 4283331

However, there are two issues, and I've got a question about one of them. One issue is that the threads for the adjustment screws on the E-side of the neck pickup were stripped. Seems a common problem, but I put in some different screws and they're holding.

The other issue is one that I've actually had on two AP Mustangs now (out of two!). I changed the strings to LaBella Mustang flatwounds, and the neck forward bows. I returned the first AP Mustang I had because with the truss rod pinned, I couldn't get relief below .015" even after clamping it into a back-bow. With this one, I had .012" with the rod pinned, so I decided to live with it. However, a couple of days ago the action seemed to have risen suddenly, and sure as heck, I checked the relief and it is way up now. Have other people had this problem? I don't know whether this bass has an unusual issue, or whether the LaBella strings just have too much tension (even though they're specifically for the Mustang). I like these strings, and they weren't cheap, but maybe I should change to strings with lower tension?

Thanks, folks!
Click to expand...

That bass is a thing of beauty! I have LaBella flats on all four of my basses and have not experienced that kind of neck problem. I have not, however, ventured past .105 sets. I had a problem with my Player P adjustment not working. The dealer cranked it more than I wanted to do myself and it's fine. When you say you "pinned it", does that mean you have no adjustment left?

If that's the case, I would be concerned and try to return it or go lower tension.
 
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#4,055
Yes, the truss rod is tightened all the way. The strings are LaBella 760F-MUS, .043-.104. I had a set of D'Addario tapewounds on my JMJ, and they seemed less tight; I could go with those, but I hate to have my neck dictate my choice of strings, at least within standard gauge parameters.
 
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#4,056
Dr Dan said:
Hey everybody,
After discovering the wonderful JMJ, I got an American Performer about a week ago. It is a thing of beauty and a joy forever!View attachment 4283331However.... ....The other issue is one that I've actually had on two AP Mustangs now (out of two!). I changed the strings to LaBella Mustang flatwounds, and the neck forward bows. I returned the first AP Mustang I had because with the truss rod pinned, I couldn't get relief below .015" even after clamping it into a back-bow. With this one, I had .012" with the rod pinned, so I decided to live with it. However, a couple of days ago the action seemed to have risen suddenly, and sure as heck, I checked the relief and it is way up now. Have other people had this problem? I don't know whether this bass has an unusual issue, or whether the LaBella strings just have too much tension (even though they're specifically for the Mustang). I like these strings, and they weren't cheap, but maybe I should change to strings with lower tension?

Thanks, folks!
Click to expand...
SoulReflection said:
That bass is a thing of beauty! I have LaBella flats on all four of my basses and have not experienced that kind of neck problem. I have not, however, ventured past .105 sets. I had a problem with my Player P adjustment not working. The dealer cranked it more than I wanted to do myself and it's fine. When you say you "pinned it", does that mean you have no adjustment left?

If that's the case, I would be concerned and try to return it or go lower tension.
Click to expand...
Dr Dan said:
Yes, the truss rod is tightened all the way. The strings are LaBella 760F-MUS, .043-.104. I had a set of D'Addario tapewounds on my JMJ, and they seemed less tight; I could go with those, but I hate to have my neck dictate my choice of strings, at least within standard gauge parameters.
Click to expand...
~
Yes, it is danged purty ! :drool:

But if you had planned to do anything more than hang it on the wall [as in PLAY it], I suggest to return it.

The LaBella 43-104 DTF set should not tax a truss rod, especially on a short scale bass.

And what if it gets worse later ? :eek:
~
 
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#4,057
DavesnothereCA said:
~
Yes, it is danged purty ! :drool:

But if you had planned to do anything more than hang it on the wall [as in PLAY it], I suggest to return it.

The LaBella 43-104 DTF set should not tax a truss rod, especially on a short scale bass.

What if it gets worse later ? :eek:
~
Click to expand...
~
BTW, that's the most expensive Mustang currently being made.

There should NOT be any problems for that much money being spent.

And this worries me, since I was thinking about getting one, as it has my preferred wider nut dimension of 1.625", as do the JMJ and the Vintera.

OTOH, I might consider a G&L Fallout bass.

Fallout Bass Launch Edition

Same neck dimensions, strings anchor to the bridge, lightweight tuners, humbucker with series/parallel/single-coil switch, and some even have a Maple fretboard. :drool:

The G&L site says that they ship with Labella 760FL [43-104] flats and a gig bag [Sweetwater says something else].

Oh, and BTW, less than HALF of the price.

G&L Tribute Fallout Short Scale Bass Guitar - Candy Apple Red

Or two for the price of one, to fool my GAS. :smug:

The main unknown is the weight, as Sweetwater has none in stock ATM.
~
 
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#4,059
Dr Dan said:
The other issue is one that I've actually had on two AP Mustangs now (out of two!). I changed the strings to LaBella Mustang flatwounds, and the neck forward bows. I returned the first AP Mustang I had because with the truss rod pinned, I couldn't get relief below .015" even after clamping it into a back-bow. With this one, I had .012" with the rod pinned, so I decided to live with it. However, a couple of days ago the action seemed to have risen suddenly, and sure as heck, I checked the relief and it is way up now. Have other people had this problem? I don't know whether this bass has an unusual issue, or whether the LaBella strings just have too much tension (even though they're specifically for the Mustang). I like these strings, and they weren't cheap, but maybe I should change to strings with lower tension?
Thanks, folks!
Click to expand...

Somethings wrong here fer sure... You had these problems with TWO Mustangs?? Are you certain you're not misjudging the tension on shortscalers and maybe tightening the strings way past their first tuning? AFAIC, NO new Fender bass, short scale or long scale, AP or Squier Mustang, Jaguar or Jazz, should be consistently lapsing into a noticeable, uncomfortable bow just from the installation of medium gauge (104-105") strings! If you're not mistakenly doing something, then something's wrong with either the current batch of LaBella flats or Fender necks. And that's a serious problem! -One that's possible I guess, but somewhat difficult to believe?
 
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