Fender Mustang Club

[manchego_eggo]

Siblings photo of new JMJ and amperformer w 78 neck inspired by the recent "how to not take pics of basses" thread haha.

Deep down I'm considering swapping necks

EDIT: after AB'ing these two, I have a couple observations that may intrigue some TBers. The JMJ pup is much woofier / woolier and a bit lower output than the Nordstrand Nm4. The Nm4 is almost P-like compared to the JMJ. The 78 neck is just a hair thiccer and has a slightly more U shape to it compared to the deep C of the JMJ. The gloss on the 78 neck is a very different and smoother but almost sticky feel compared to the nitro on the JMJ.

After swapping necks, I can confirm the JMJ bass and American Performer use the same size neck pocket.

 

[birdswthvertigo]

Siblings photo of new JMJ and amperformer w 78 neck inspired by the recent "how to not take pics of basses" thread haha.

Deep down I'm considering swapping necks

EDIT: after AB'ing these two, I have a couple observations that may intrigue some TBers. The JMJ pup is much woofier / woolier and a bit lower output than the Nordstrand Nm4. The Nm4 is almost P-like compared to the JMJ. The 78 neck is just a hair thiccer and has a slightly more U shape to it compared to the deep C of the JMJ. The gloss on the 78 neck is a very different and smoother but almost sticky feel compared to the nitro on the JMJ.

After swapping necks, I can confirm the JMJ bass and American Performer use the same size neck pocket.

On that note. Does anyone know if a vintage mustang body (late 60s) would fit a JMJ neck? Can a modern neck fit the pocket of a vintage body without modding it?

 

[LennyJ]

Here is a pic of the 3 horses. American Performer limited edition, American Performer and a JMJ.

But - the JMJ is listed here for sale

 

[ped]

More pics as promised. Sorry it's raining here so I'll get more later!!

 

[ped]

I did a quick and badly played demo

 

[manchego_eggo]

I did a quick and badly played demo

Very good sound! What strings are you using here?

 

[ped]

Very good sound! What strings are you using here?

Cheers they’re Labella Mustang flats

 

[Djadja]

I did a quick and badly played demo

I finally had a chance to listen… sounds great. I certainly would not call it “badly played.” Your playing reminds me that I need to learn to be less aggressive in my playing.

To my ears, the front pickup sounds similar to the Serek in my bass.

 

[manchego_eggo]

Thinking of throwing a bridge pup im my JMJ, ive seen a bunch of ppl do B90s from Serek and I have been thinking of adding the humbucking version, the LZN, but wanted to see if anyone else has done this mod and they used a different bridge pup and what their experience was?

Adding a pic as extortion

 

[Djadja]

Thinking of throwing a bridge pup im my JMJ, ive seen a bunch of ppl do B90s from Serek and I have been thinking of adding the humbucking version, the LZN, but wanted to see if anyone else has done this mod and they used a different bridge pup and what their experience was?

Adding a pic as extortion

If you look back a bit, you can see that I replaced the stock pup in my Squier Mustang with the Serek LZN B90 and there are a couple of video demos with different strings. It is a killer pickup and I expect would sound great in the bridge position. The asterisk is that it has a lot of output and a very aggressive sound and I expect would really overpower the stock Duncan in the JMJ.

 

[ped]

I finally had a chance to listen… sounds great. I certainly would not call it “badly played.” Your playing reminds me that I need to learn to be less aggressive in my playing.

To my ears, the front pickup sounds similar to the Serek in my bass.

Thanks! Yeah I have a really low action and hardly any relief because I play quite lightly. Gives a nice clank when I dig in. The front pickup is quite special because one coil is super hot and the other is normal so it’s a bit like OMG mode in a G&L, giving a really nice P sound. Those Serek pickups look (and sound) great but they’re hard to get hold of in the UK, and I needed something Thunderbird sized to fill the P pickup routing which mine had previously. Even then the pickup bezel wasn’t quite big enough so an additional black bezel was put under it. It meant I could keep the original pickguard though which I really wanted to do as it looks so nice.

 

[Davidus1]

Hi,

NEW UPGRADE ! Sorry for the duplicate and the pollution, I can no longer edit...

Little recap of links, tips, tricks and things that work with the Fender Mustang Bass models with string-through-body mount...


The Fender Mustang Bass is a 30" short scale bass with string-through-body mount and 4-inline big tuning machine heads that add length. You can install and fit some short scale strings that are a bit longer, most medium scale strings and some long scale strings.


ROUNDWOUND STRINGS : (between 33" and 34.25" from ball-end to silk)

- D'addario EXL220M Super Light 40-95 Medium Scale (discontinued)

- D'Addario EXL170M Regular Light 45-100 Medium Scale
EXL170M Nickel Wound | Bass Guitar Strings | D'Addario

- D'Addario EXL160M Medium 50-105 Medium Scale
EXL160M Nickel Wound | Bass Guitar Strings | D'Addario

- DR HI-BEAMS SMR-45 Medium 45-105 Short Scale
https://www.drstrings.com/bass-hi-beam

- DR SUNBEAMS SNMR-45 Medium 45-105 Short Scale
https://www.drstrings.com/sunbeams-bass

- Ernie Ball SLINKY 2856 Regular 45-105 Medium Scale
Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Bass Medium Scale Strings | Ernie Ball

- GHS 3140 BASS BOOMERS Medium Light 45-100 (3041 / 3042 / 3143 / 3144) Medium Scale
SETS - MEDIUM SCALE BASS BOOMERS®
Singles - Medium Scale Bass Boomers

- GHS 3040 BASS BOOMERS Regular 45-105 (3041 / 3042 / 3043 / 3044) Medium Scale
SETS - MEDIUM SCALE BASS BOOMERS®
Singles - Medium Scale Bass Boomers

- GHS 5500 SUPER STEELS Medium 44-106 (5501 / 5502 / 5503 / 5504) Medium Scale
SETS - MEDIUM SCALE SUPER STEELS™
Singles - Medium Scale Super Steels

- Höfner HCT1133R Contemporary Roundwound 40-95 Short Scale
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/short-scale-bass-case.1135224/

- La Bella 760RHBB Deep Talkin' Bass "Beatle" Bass Stainless Rounds 50-100
760RHBB “Beatle” Bass Stainless Rounds – 50-100

- Rotosound RS66M SWING BASS 66 40-90 Medium Scale
Swing Bass 66 Medium Scale | 40-90 • Rotosound Music Strings

- Thomastik Infeld TI JR324 (JR32042 / JR32056 / JR32069 / JR32093) 42-93 Short Scale 32"
Jazz Round Wound Bass Guitar | Guitar Strings | Products | Thomastik-Infeld Vienna


FLATWOUND STRINGS : (between 33" and 34.25" from ball-end to silk)

- D'Addario ECB81M Regular Light 45-100 Medium Scale
45-100 Regular Light, Medium Scale, XL Chromes Flat Wound Bass Guitar Strings | ECB81M | D'Addario

- DR LEGEND SFL-45 Flatwound Medium 45-105 Short Scale
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

- Dunlop DBFS40100M Stainless Steel Flatwound 40-100 Medium Scale
STAINLESS STEEL FLATWOUND MEDIUM SCALE BASS STRINGS 40-100

- Dunlop DBFS45105M Stainless Steel Flatwound 45-105 Medium Scale
STAINLESS STEEL FLATWOUND MEDIUM SCALE BASS STRINGS 45-105

- Fender USA 9050L Stainless Steel Flatwound 45-100 Long Scale (factory set)
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/gig-bag-for-fender-mustang.1487479/

- GHS 3120 PRECISION FLATS Light 45-95 (3121 / 3122 / 3123 / 3124) Medium Scale
https://www.ghsstrings.com/products...flatstm?category_id=1964710-precision-flatstm
https://www.ghsstrings.com/products...n-flats?category_id=1964710-precision-flatstm

- GHS 3065 BRITE FLATS Regular 49-108 (3066 / 3067 / 3068 / 3069) Medium Scale
https://www.ghsstrings.com/products...ite-flatstm?category_id=1964712-brite-flatstm
https://www.ghsstrings.com/products...brite-flats?category_id=1964712-brite-flatstm

- Höfner HCT1133B Contemporary Flatwound 40-95
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/quality-gig-bags-for-short-scales.1348238/

- La Bella 760FHB2 Deep Talkin' Bass "Beatle" Bass Stainless Flats 39-96
https://www.labella.com/product/760fhb2/

- La Bella LTF-4A-M Low Tension Flats 42-100 Medium Scale
https://www.labella.com/product/ltf-4a-m/

- La Bella 760F-MUS Deep Talkin' Bass 43-104 Mustang Short Scale
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
https://www.labella.com/product/764f-mus/

- La Bella 760FHBB Deep Talkin' Bass "Beatle" Bass Stainless Flats 50-100
https://www.labella.com/product/760fhbb/

- Rotosound RS77M JAZZ BASS 77 40-90 Medium Scale
https://rotosound.com/product/rs77m/

- Thomastik Infeld TI JF324 (JF32043 / JF32056 / JF32070 / JF32106) Short Scale 32"
https://www.thomastik-infeld.com/en/products/guitar-strings/bass-guitar/jazz-flat-wound


TAPEWOUND STRINGS (BLACK / WHITE NYLON) : (between 33" and 34.25" from ball-end to silk)

- D'Addario ETB92M Medium 50-105 Medium Scale
https://www.daddario.com/products/g...2m-tapewound-bass-medium-50-105-medium-scale/

- La Bella 760NHBB Deep Talkin' Bass "Beatle" Bass Black Nylon Tape 50-100
https://www.labella.com/product/760nhbb/

- La Bella 760THBB Depp Talkin' Bass "Beatle" Bass White Nylon Tape 50-100
https://www.labella.com/product/760thbb/

- La Bella 760N-M Black Nylon Tapewound 60-115 Medium Scale
https://www.labella.com/product/760n-m/

- Rotosound RS88M TRU BASS 88 Nylon Tapewound Medium 65-115 Medium Scale
https://rotosound.com/product/rs88m/


HARDSHELL CASES : Mustang Bass overall length = 42" / 107cm (42.5" / 108cm with the strap button)

https://www.talkbass.com/attachments/6ca32f95-a9b3-465e-a102-69c022f78201-jpeg.3159291/
https://www.talkbass.com/attachments/img_2846-jpg.3159958/

There are plenty on the market (for electric guitar or short scale bass) but get the original if you can afford it...

- Fender G&G Standard Hardshell Case Model : 0996141406
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/gig-bags-for-jmj-mustang.1558646/


GIG BAGS : Mustang Bass overall length = 42" / 107cm (42.something" / 108cm with the strap button)

https://www.talkbass.com/attachments/6ca32f95-a9b3-465e-a102-69c022f78201-jpeg.3159291/
https://www.talkbass.com/attachments/img_2846-jpg.3159958/

I recommend an electric guitar or short scale bass gig bag with an overall length between 42" and 43" !

- Fender FBSS610 Short Scale Bass Gig Bag Model : 0991521206
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/sh...a-bum-rap-esp-from-the-gig-bag-manuf.1433090/

- Gator Cases PRO-GO GUITAR SERIES Electric Guitar Gig Bag G-PG ELECTRIC (42.9")
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/the-official-short-scale-bass-club-part-4.970319/
https://www.talkbass.com/attachments/20200908_151649-jpg.4036065/
https://www.talkbass.com/attachments/20201030_154835-jpg.4036266/
https://www.talkbass.com/attachments/img_7896-jpg.2973372/
https://www.talkbass.com/attachments/img_7902-jpg.2973923/
https://www.talkbass.com/attachments/img_7903-jpg.2973924/
https://www.talkbass.com/attachments/img_7904-jpg.2973925/

- Gator Cases ICON SERIES Gator Cases ICON Series Gig Bag For Electric Guitars G-ICONELECTRIC (42.5")
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

- RockBag RB 20506 B Deluxe Line Electric Guitar Gig Bag Black (42.13")
https://shop.warwick.de/en/cases-ba...uxe-line-electric-guitar-gig-bag-black?c=3035

- RockBag RB 20806 B Professional Line Electric Guitar Gig Bag (42.13")
https://shop.warwick.de/en/cases-ba...fessional-line-electric-guitar-gig-bag?c=3035

- Protec CF234 Electric Guitar Gig Bag Gold Series (42”)
https://www.protecstyle.com/ELECTRIC-GUITAR-GIG-BAG-GOLD-SERIES

- Serek Basses Heavy-Duty Gig Bag Short Scale (42″) / Medium scale (45")
https://www.serekbasses.com/product/serek-basses-heavy-duty-gig-bag/

- Mono M80-SEG-BLK Sleeve Electric Guitar Case Black (42”)
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
https://www.talkbass.com/attachments/453e0914-ddc5-4e38-bfcc-f2c981cec032-jpeg.4682306/
https://www.talkbass.com/attachments/ee8f79cf-9ca1-4a3e-bb36-4c8e0983825b-jpeg.4682307/
https://www.talkbass.com/attachments/f92b3a1d-d981-436c-b909-6068cc3a418a-jpeg.4682308/
https://www.talkbass.com/attachments/eff93c68-1bea-477d-ac42-0aabecbe93f4-jpeg.4682309/

- Mono M80-STEG-BLK Stealth Electric Guitar Case Black (42”)
https://monocreators.com/products/stealth-electric-guitar-case-black

- Mono M80-VEG-ULT-BLK Vertigo Ultra Electric Guitar Case Black (42”)
https://monocreators.com/products/vertigo-ultra-electric-guitar-case-black

- Mono M80-EG-BLK Classic Electric Guitar Case Black (41.5")
https://monocreators.com/products/classic-electric-guitar-case-black

- Mono M80-VEG-BLK Vertigo Electric Guitar Case Black (41.5")
https://monocreators.com/products/vertigo-electric-guitar-case-black
https://monocreators.com/products/vertigo-electric-guitar-case-grey
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]



TRUSS ROD TOOLS :

https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/types-of-tools/wrenches/truss-rod-crank-for-tele/
https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-too...ools-for-truss-rods/truss-rod-crank-for-tele/
Etc...


LINKS (strings, gig bags, pickguards...) :

https://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/blog/fender-mustang-bass-strings/
https://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/strings-c1/string-sets-c865/sets-to-fit-a-fender-mustang-bass-t2204
https://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/blog/long-scale-strings-on-a-short-scale-bass/
https://www.labella.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/La-Bella-Strings-Bass-String-Guide-2-1.pdf

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/fender-mustang-club.1327751/
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/jmj-signature-road-worn-mustang.1294128/
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/jmj-mustang-bass-string-recommendations.1438810/
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/short-scale-bass-case.1135224/
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/gig-bag-for-fender-mustang.1487479/

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/quality-gig-bags-for-short-scales.1348238/
https://www.talkbass.com/attachments/black-pickguard-jmj-road-worn-bass-jpg.4734070/

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/gig-bags-for-jmj-mustang.1558646/
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/sh...a-bum-rap-esp-from-the-gig-bag-manuf.1433090/
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/the-official-short-scale-bass-club-part-4.970319/
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/fender-mustang-club.1327751/
Etc...


I will add products as I test new things and if you share your experience with me...


May the Groove be with you.

Thanks for posting this. Some great info here. Much appreciated.

 

[Davidus1]

Here is a pic of the 3 horses. American Performer limited edition, American Performer and a JMJ.

View attachment 4893230

But - the JMJ is listed here for sale

Beautiful!

 

[Davidus1]

I did a quick and badly played demo

You sound fine! thanks for posting.

 

[Davidus1]

Wow - I was told by LaBella - the only string you could use on a Mustang, were the special flats they make for Mustangs. And that the regular flats would break at the bridge of a Mustang.

Wonder what is right. Please let me know how it goes,

Curious about this too. Also, are the special flats that they make good? Not familiar with them.

 

[birdswthvertigo]

Curious about this too. Also, are the special flats that they make good? Not familiar with them.

The special flats they make are excellent.

 

[Moving Pictures]

The special flats they make are excellent.

Agreed!

 

[Djadja]

Curious about this too. Also, are the special flats that they make good? Not familiar with them.

They are LaBella flats… if you like that sound/feel, you’ll like them. If not… then not.

I’ve got a set on my Mustang right now that are coming off. I’ve ordered a set of Stringjoy medium scales to try on it. Stringjoys are my sting of choice on my other basses so I’m hoping I’ll like them on the Mustang. I really, really wanted to like the LaBellas but I just not a flatwound kind of guy. If I like the Stringjoys, I’ll probably be passing the LaBellas on. They were gifted to me so I’ll do the same. The Stringjoys are supposed to arrive tomorrow or Saturday. I’ll try to get them on right away and play them for a few days and make a decision.

 

[Hnz]

Traded a bass for a Squier Mustang. Not too bad, but not great either. So, new wiring wil be instored as will be a Nordstrand pu. Finally LaBella flats on it. I am not a fan of the tort pg/white paint combo. So I ordered a mint pg for it aswell.



Pick guard, strings and wiring are in. Waiting for the pu to come in.

 

[ElCrowg]

I am not a fan of the tort pg/white paint combo."
literally one of my favorite combos ever! *but who cares what I think- you do you and make yourself happy! Stoked for you to make it your own!