Fender Mustang Club

[SpyderX]

Thanks! I saw this, but didn't know if the specs for the Player series are the same as the MIM Offset series. Can you verify this?

I don't see the specs (measurements) needed here (I may have missed them). The Fender Mustang Bass PJ Service Manual has some nice information, but, again, I don't know if it applies to the Offset series and it doesn't contain the measurements needed (that I saw).

As far as I was able to work out, Fender 'transformed' the offset series into the Player series. Same specs, different colors - around 2019 maybe? Someone else should come along soon that can confirm or deny that.

I you're having a neck made, you have the body with the heel measurements, just get the fret count right and make it your own !

 

[2cooltoolz]

Don't know how much help this will be. Don't know about the "offset" series, but I have swapped necks between JMJ, Player, even a Squier Classic Vibe and they all fit.

Here's a JMJ neck dimensions:

By the way, Bronco necks have the same physical size, but the holes are drilled offset (?). I've seen it on two diferent Broncos, different years (one year apart). They must have been drilled in place on a bad jig. I would think they could be filled and redrilled, but I didn't bother.

 

[Real Soon]

I thiiiink the Offset series morphed into the Player series around the same time that the 50s Classic Precision basses got morphed into the Vintera Precision series (and presumably the Jazz equivalent). The Precisions changed their branding, color options, and price, and not a lot else. Maybe a different drillhole configuration of otherwise identical anodized pickguards.

While I can't do the service of verifying directly with the Mustangs, I've put my 50s neck on my bass student's Vintera body with no issues, so do feel like Fender was trying not to change CNC specs while introducing the "new" lines that cost more. At least a strong chance of the same with Mustangs. Btw I'm sporting my Offset series Mustang PJ this coming weekend opening for folks like +Live+ & Moon Taxi, and while my playing may not warrant comment, the shell pink bass finish should be a conversation piece at least

 

[basslust]

Does anyone know what are the highest tension flats that fit on a thru-body Mustang Bass? I have found myself in a situation where I'm playing with a bunch of horns and so tuning down to Eb makes sense. I tried doing it today and my LaBella Mustang Flats were too low tension for pick playing when detuned even a half step (there was a lot more strain on the picking arm due to having to pull the string further in each direction). I am just going to remain in standard tuning for the time being, but I would like to try putting higher tension flats on at some time and see how that goes with detuning.

 

[basslust]

Hi, all. I recently procured a loaded Fender Offset Series Mustang bass body (in sonic blue). I'm excited, as a Mustang has long been on my list - and this is a way that I was able to get something otherwise beyond my reach at this time.

I'm now in need of a neck, but haven't been able to locate the specs for this model. I wrote Fender, but have yet to hear back. I've looked into several companies that make necks, but they need the measurements. Since I'd like to have a lined fretless neck, this may be the best option, as I don't know that I'd want to convert an original.

I've been searching via Google and here, but haven't hit anything yet that seems verified for this model. If anyone can help, it'd be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

View attachment 5388533 View attachment 5388535

I found another TBer indirectly answer your question about 22 pages ago:

Ive interchanged necks between PJ, JMJ, american performer and vintage 70s neck without issue. if you have a specific model in mind feel free to ask.

 

[basslust]

Thanks! I saw this, but didn't know if the specs for the Player series are the same as the MIM Offset series. Can you verify this?

I don't see the specs (measurements) needed here (I may have missed them). The Fender Mustang Bass PJ Service Manual has some nice information, but, again, I don't know if it applies to the Offset series and it doesn't contain the measurements needed (that I saw).

Now that I see your follow-up post as well, I would say that it is very unlikely that the MIM Offset Series PJ would have a different neck than the MIM Player Series PJ that followed it, but you can always buy a neck from a place that accepts returns (maybe The Stratosphere) and return it on the off chance that it doesn't fit.

 

[basslust]

Does anyone know what are the highest tension flats that fit on a thru-body Mustang Bass? I have found myself in a situation where I'm playing with a bunch of horns and so tuning down to Eb makes sense. I tried doing it today and my LaBella Mustang Flats were too low tension for pick playing when detuned even a half step (there was a lot more strain on the picking arm due to having to pull the string further in each direction). I am just going to remain in standard tuning for the time being, but I would like to try putting higher tension flats on at some time and see how that goes with detuning.

Adding to my previous post about strings: As there seem to be exactly zero strings that are medium scale or otherwise fit the Mustang Bass and are clearly higher tension than the La Bella Mustang Flats, I'm now looking into long scale strings that won't have problems if put on a short scale bass. I see some reports out there of people using the Ernie Ball Cobalts without any issues on short scale basses, and so I'm looking at the Power Slinky 55-110 set right now and am about to pull the trigger. Hopefully if anyone here has tried this before, they can confirm if they've faced any problems before I open the package and can't return them any longer.

 

[BASS YODA]

In your opinion, this guy uses a Fender Mustang Bass JMJ or a vintage model, I have a doubt ?

 

[HP Hovercraft]

In your opinion, this guy uses a Fender Mustang Bass JMJ or a vintage model, I have a doubt ?

Looks like a JMJ to me

 

[ped]

Yep you can tell a vintage one by the fact there's way less body behind the bridge

 

[2cooltoolz]

In your opinion, this guy uses a Fender Mustang Bass JMJ or a vintage model, I have a doubt ?

Looks like a JMJ to me

Yep you can tell a vintage one by the fact there's way less body behind the bridge

Agreed. JMJ (not that there's anything wrong with that ). Fender Road Worn basses tend to have identical "wear", as opposed to real world worn basses (not that there's anything wrong with that ).

Also, it appears to have the larger JMJ pickups (note the extension below the bottom string. I mean, it's a couple of mm, could just be me).

You may also notice he's resting his thumb on the pickup. I personally find the JMJ thumb rest too high to have value, but that little screw in the top pickup plays hell on my thumb. Anyone else experience this? (I've been trying to play exclusively "floating thumb" for years; comes fairly naturally on 5s, but not on 4s. Go figure).

 

[T McClure]

Agreed. JMJ (not that there's anything wrong with that ). Fender Road Worn basses tend to have identical "wear", as opposed to real world worn basses (not that there's anything wrong with that ).

View attachment 5392042

Also, it appears to have the larger JMJ pickups (note the extension below the bottom string. I mean, it's a couple of mm, could just be me).

You may also notice he's resting his thumb on the pickup. I personally find the JMJ thumb rest too high to have value, but that little screw in the top pickup plays hell on my thumb. Anyone else experience this? (I've been trying to play exclusively "floating thumb" for years; comes fairly naturally on 5s, but not on 4s. Go figure).

The screw doesn't bother me at all. Does that particular screw have more noticable feel to it than the other pickup screws? If so, you might swap it with one of the others if they are smoother. I could see you noticing it if someone at the factory was a bit heavyhanded with the screw to make it a bit rough.

 

[SpyderX]

Ran across these pickup covers today from an online 3D printing service. Different colors and plastics available.

XII-style pickup cover also fits Mustang bass by ret1 on Shapeways

 

[Tex Bass]

My latest bass tattoos. Added the lightening bolts awhile back, but since she started looking like a "Killowatt" to me, I had to make it official and add the retro icon.

 

[velobob]

love it! Reddi Kilowatt!

 

[Vesparado]

Thanks for all the responses - and special thanks for the photo with measurements. That's really helpful. I just took measurements of the MIM Offset Mustang body I have and it lines up.

 

[mongo2]

No, I'm talking about the modern iteration of the Fender Custom Shop. They don't do Mustang basses at all as far as I'm aware. This is the only one I've ever seen and I'm guessing it might have been for a charity: Fender NAMM Play Foundation Mustang Bass Journeyman Masterbuilt Vincent Van Trigt One of a Kind | Reverb

WOW!!!

Make mine in Flower Power with a clear pickguard.

 

[ElCrowg]

WOW!!!

Make mine in Flower Power with a clear pickguard.

---
Yeah, that thing is an absolute stunner.

 

[ChakaChaka]

Do you have any sound samples of this? I think this is really interesting and I'd love to hear it.

Hi, glad you asked for a sample. I'll upload for sure some sample in the future. Pretty busy now and I'm still tweking and TLC it, on a very simple instrument a single millimiter is crucial to me.

 

[T McClure]

As the owner of a modern Mustang, I was looking at the development of the original Mustang line from the 60s to the 70s to see when things like the finished change and the belly cut and forearm contours were added. But I haven't found much on the Mustang pickup.

Were the pickups made the same for the whole run? Would a 67 Mustang's pickup be made identical to the late 70s? Or did those change at all?