Fender Mustang Club

[Future Boy]

This has likely been covered MANY times before but I cannot get the right search terms.

What roundwound strings are people using these days for dreamrock/shoegaze style.

My JMJ Mustang has Labella's on it. Nice string but not very chimey haha

Want something that sounds a bit 77 punky with some Lou Barlow thrown in for good measure.

Apologies to all if this is covered somewhere!

Per this Invalid Link Removed - Lou uses DR Hi Beams. I know Lou used Mustang basses for lots of Folk Implosion work. I think he uses a Rick for Dino Jr. stuff. I met him once at the Cat's Cradle when he was touring as the New Folk Implosion. They were sharing the bill with the Melvins. Fun show.

 

[Diamond Mind]

We became buds in the 90's but as with all things life get's busy and we sort of lost touch. Chat once in awhile on FB but he's so busy now I hate buggin him haha

 

[Ollymix2000]

Does anyone have noise or humming when using distortion pedals?
How minimize this would a noise gate pedal be the answer?

 

[HelpImaRock]

Does anyone have noise or humming when using distortion pedals?
How minimize this would a noise gate pedal be the answer?

Sometimes you get noise with dirt pedals because of how you run your EQ. Other times, it's single coil hum (unlikely here), the pickup is microphonic, or it's not grounded properly. Find the source of the hum and the remedy should be pretty easy.

 

[Ollymix2000]

Ok thanks

 

[SpyderX]

I just realized how well Mustangs were represented at Coachella this year. I don't think I've ever noticed that many in one place before.

I spotted the bass players from 'Girl Ultra', 'The Last Dinner Party' (she switched back and forth with a Gibson DC Jr), 'Black Country, New Road' and Mdou Moctar all playing them.

 

[T McClure]

A few months ago, I traded up a PJ Mustang for a blue JMJ and have loved the JMJ.

I've also been watching reverb and my local shops for over six months to see if a vintage Mustang would ever pop up. I was curious to see if the vintage vibe would be real, but I never did see one nearby that made me even want to check it out.

I was able to try out a few vintage non-Mustang basses over this stretch where the range was a good bass all the way down to me holding a beat up antique piece of crap.

When looking at out of town listings, I was shocked by the insane asking prices. I decided I didn't want to deal with ordering a multi thousand dollar roulette spin from across the country all in the hope I picked one with some mojo. Even if the return policy was generous, it's still a hassle. I think it was seeing someone asking $7k for a 70s Mustang that ultimately caused me to surrender on the vintage option.

So I did what so many here have done and bought the cousin of one I know I love. For a third or better of the price of a vintage Mustang, I instead bought one where there is no mystery. Now there's one with flats and one with rounds.

 

[SpyderX]

Now there's one with flats and one with rounds.

View attachment 5428395

Nice pair

 

[Kirkstall]

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a J pickup and a competition stripe together on a Mustang. It looks like there’s room for both, though. Which do y’all think would be easier? Buy a mustang with a stripe and install a J pickup or buy a PJ and repaint with a stripe?

I know you could just add a decal but what if I wanted it in the actual paint?

 

[Badabababa]

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a J pickup and a competition stripe together on a Mustang. It looks like there’s room for both, though. Which do y’all think would be easier? Buy a mustang with a stripe and install a J pickup or buy a PJ and repaint with a stripe?

I know you could just add a decal but what if I wanted it in the actual paint?

Buy Pj and add stripes.

 

[Mr66StangBass]

Even if the return policy was generous, it's still a hassle. I think it was seeing someone asking $7k for a 70s Mustang that ultimately caused me to surrender on the vintage option.

Just need to keep those eyes peeled. I bought an all original Dakota Red 1966 Mustang Bass for $2k on craigslist when seeing them for $6k minimum on reverb. Sold!! (And it was listed for at least a couple of weeks).

 

[Badabababa]

Just need to keep those eyes peeled. I bought an all original Dakota Red 1966 Mustang Bass for $2k on craigslist when seeing them for $6k minimum on reverb. Sold!! (And it was listed for at least a couple of weeks).

I’d say moving price is a little above 3k, definitely not 6-7k. You got a really good deal on it!

 

[2cooltoolz]

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a J pickup and a competition stripe together on a Mustang. It looks like there’s room for both, though. Which do y’all think would be easier? Buy a mustang with a stripe and install a J pickup or buy a PJ and repaint with a stripe?

The problem with buying "a Mustang with a stripe and installing a J pickup" is the tailpiece. The traditional Mustang tailpiece doesn't allow room for a properly positioned Jazz pickup.

L-R: Vintera 70s, American Performer, Player PJ

 

[ElCrowg]

I'd imagine if one was going to the trouble to route and install a bridge pickup then swapping the bridge is no real issue.

 

[2cooltoolz]

I'd imagine if one was going to the trouble to route and install a bridge pickup then swapping the bridge is no real issue.

Agreed, but you're getting further away from the "vintage" vibe of the stripes. Of course, so is a Jazz PU.
(I didn't care for the stripes back in the day. But I've been a 3TSB guy since the 60s.

)

And I have no problem with PJ Mustangs, but I totally abandoned the "vintage vibe" with mine.

 

[velobob]

Trying to decide on color for replacement pickguard for my 2000' Japan Mustang Bass.
Would love to see pix of alternative colors (Olympic white body with stock tort PG currently)
that other TBers have done and their source for pickguard.
As an aside, is there any way to effectively polish out fine pick scratches from the pickguard?
Thanks!

 

[SpyderX]

And I have no problem with PJ Mustangs, but I totally abandoned the "vintage vibe" with mine. View attachment 5441658

I kind of feel like the PJ might become the new vintage vibe. Going off of forum posts here and elsewhere, it would seem that they are selling at a much higher clip. If you add in the options readily available for modding, plus the fact the J pickup is a value add for most players, one could argue Fender made a really really good decision here. Even if it's not a real mustang... ok I threw that last bit in to stir the pot a bit and may or may not reflect my actual opinion.

 

[2cooltoolz]

I kind of feel like the PJ might become the new vintage vibe. Going off of forum posts here and elsewhere, it would seem that they are selling at a much higher clip. If you add in the options readily available for modding, plus the fact the J pickup is a value add for most players, one could argue Fender made a really really good decision here. Even if it's not a real mustang... ok I threw that last bit in to stir the pot a bit and may or may not reflect my actual opinion.

I don't completely disagree with that. From my media album:

https://www.talkbass.com/media/2021-pj-jmj-mustang-aged-natural-rosewood.25330/

"2021 PJ/JMJ Mustang - Aged Natural/Rosewood
MIM "bits and pieces", Player PJ body, JMJ Rosewood Fingerboard neck with Hipshot HB7s, Switchcraft and CTS electrics, Chromes, Fender vintage "threaded saddle" bridge. Fender 56003/56004 "P" set. Seymour Duncan SJB-2 Hot Jazz Bridge PU. Three way rotary switching. I was shooting more for “Classic Fender” than “Vintage Mustang”."

 

[felis]

.... Even if it's not a real mustang... ok I threw that last bit in to stir the pot a bit and may or may not reflect my actual opinion.

My thinking is a bit rigid when it comes to Mustang basses.
In my book, a Mustang bass has to have a Mustang pickup, a big honkin' Mustang bridge, and of course, a Mustang body.
I have two PJ Mustangs (as well as other Mustangs), but they've only got one out of three requirements.
They're a PJ bass in a Mustang body.
I still like them though.

 

[SpyderX]

I don't completely disagree with that. From my media album:

https://www.talkbass.com/media/2021-pj-jmj-mustang-aged-natural-rosewood.25330/

"2021 PJ/JMJ Mustang - Aged Natural/Rosewood
MIM "bits and pieces", Player PJ body, JMJ Rosewood Fingerboard neck with Hipshot HB7s, Switchcraft and CTS electrics, Chromes, Fender vintage "threaded saddle" bridge. Fender 56003/56004 "P" set. Seymour Duncan SJB-2 Hot Jazz Bridge PU. Three way rotary switching. I was shooting more for “Classic Fender” than “Vintage Mustang”."

You did a nice job on that - have to admit I might have a bit of a crush on that PJ.

My thinking is a bit rigid when it comes to Mustang basses.
In my book, a Mustang bass has to have a Mustang pickup, a big honkin' Mustang bridge, and of course, a Mustang body.
I have two PJ Mustangs (as well as other Mustangs), but they've only got one out of three requirements.
They're a PJ bass in a Mustang body.
I still like them though.

I agree with all of that. The pickguard is also a big part of the look for me, maybe moreso than the pickups.