Saw this on her Tiny Desk show recently and was wondering if it is custom, or something we might see in future.
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Fender Mustang Club
- Thread starter FlyingPigSound
- Start date
Posted this Mustang-related question over in the pickups forum and only got one response so wanted to see if there were any other opinions over here:
I ordered a set of Nordstrand NM4 pickups with the intention of putting them in a PJ Mustang and cutting a new pickguard to fit. I am a bit confused because the screws the NM4s came with fit the cover fine, but they seem far too wide for the pickups themselves (using drillbits to measure, the cover holes are about 9/64 which is roughly the same size as the screws, but the holes on the pickups are 3/32). Attached pic shows the comparison.
Did they likely send the wrong screws or should the pickup holes be wider? Am I supposed to widen them myself or just go buy thinner screws? I emailed Nordstrand for clarity and it’s been a week with no response. Feels weird that the stuff doesn’t assemble together out of the box like any other pickup I’ve bought.
I ordered a set of Nordstrand NM4 pickups with the intention of putting them in a PJ Mustang and cutting a new pickguard to fit. I am a bit confused because the screws the NM4s came with fit the cover fine, but they seem far too wide for the pickups themselves (using drillbits to measure, the cover holes are about 9/64 which is roughly the same size as the screws, but the holes on the pickups are 3/32). Attached pic shows the comparison.
Did they likely send the wrong screws or should the pickup holes be wider? Am I supposed to widen them myself or just go buy thinner screws? I emailed Nordstrand for clarity and it’s been a week with no response. Feels weird that the stuff doesn’t assemble together out of the box like any other pickup I’ve bought.
I have not seen it, but have not read the entire thread yet - has anyone tried the Ernie Ball Cobalt flats on their Mustang yet.
thanks
thanks
Posted this in the short scale thread, but maybe it's more appropriate here:
Got a question for you all. I just picked up my short scale from the luthier after getting a setup, and he mentioned that everyone there—probably at least a dozen luthiers—was really impressed by how well-built it is. He said he’s worked on a lot of Mustangs and noticed that many of them have issues. I didn’t ask too much, but he specifically brought up problems like neck dive, intonation issues, and how Mustang pickups often sound muddy unless you use a pick. He also felt like Fender focused more on the Mustang's appearance than on making a truly great short-scale bass.
Now I’m second-guessing buying a Mustang... what do you guys think?
Got a question for you all. I just picked up my short scale from the luthier after getting a setup, and he mentioned that everyone there—probably at least a dozen luthiers—was really impressed by how well-built it is. He said he’s worked on a lot of Mustangs and noticed that many of them have issues. I didn’t ask too much, but he specifically brought up problems like neck dive, intonation issues, and how Mustang pickups often sound muddy unless you use a pick. He also felt like Fender focused more on the Mustang's appearance than on making a truly great short-scale bass.
Now I’m second-guessing buying a Mustang... what do you guys think?
I think maybe the lesson is to closely inspect mass produced basses before buying them to make sure you got a good one.
Are you coming to the Mustang club thread with thousands of comments and pics of Mustangs to ask if you should own a Mustang lol
I came here because I rather have the opinion of people who own Mustangs than from someone who tried one for 5 minutes in Guitar Centre a decade ago. Also, I'm hoping that despite owning a certain bass, people can be honest about its shortfalls.
I came here because I rather have the opinion of people who own Mustangs than from someone who tried one for 5 minutes in Guitar Centre a decade ago. Also, I'm hoping that despite owning a certain bass, people can be honest about its shortfalls.
Haha just messing around.
Mustang is almost an umbrella term these days because with all the different models available you’re getting different pickups, necks, etc. A Vintera will feel chunky and glossy while the Players are going to have slimmer necks and contemporary looking and sounding pickups.
They definitely have a rep for being neck divey, but that hasn’t personally stuck out to me - maybe it would if I used a slippery leather strap? Muddy tone can usually be remedied by strings or EQ but I haven’t noticed that either.
There are some other great short scales on the market, and for cheaper. It all really comes down to personal preference!
I have a Vintera. No neck dive, no intonation issues, no muddiness, no pick - just a truly great short scale bass. With apologies to JMJ, I also love that it’s a closer reproduction of the original Mustang than other models. I play it more often than any of my other basses (Ric, Gibson, G&L, & others).
Nice mustang...I'm always sad to see a p/j mustang with that toggle switch out on the lower bout...a little piece of me dies everytime...
If someone told me two months ago I would have had two Mustangs by now I would've laughed so hard. And now I do and I love 'em.
This forum is the last place I ever thought I'd post something! I played Ps, Js and PJs for 30 years and then switched to Lakland 35"
scale basses for the next 25 years. I never had any interest in a Mustang, seemed like a toy.
I hadn't been gigging much on bass guitar since the pandemic, but I recently picked up
a regular BG gig. After 4 hours on the Lakland, my shoulders and hands were toast! I knew I had to try to
find something easier and lighter to get through a long gig.
Didn't want to invest a lot so I checked out a Gretsch short scale and Bronco. The Gretsch seemed well made and is very playable,
the Bronco is surprisingly nice to play, although the ones at Guitar Center had terrible fret sprout. I bought a Paranormal SS and returned it
right away, terrible for me ergonomically.
I then took a chance and ordered a Squier CV Mustang from Sweetwater and after spending time with it and tweaking the set up for the past week, I'm really digging it! 1.5 lbs lighter than my Laklands, and so much easier to get around on. The fit and finish is excellent and I'm impressed and look forward to taking it for a spin at next week's gig. Now thinking about flats...
scale basses for the next 25 years. I never had any interest in a Mustang, seemed like a toy.
I hadn't been gigging much on bass guitar since the pandemic, but I recently picked up
a regular BG gig. After 4 hours on the Lakland, my shoulders and hands were toast! I knew I had to try to
find something easier and lighter to get through a long gig.
Didn't want to invest a lot so I checked out a Gretsch short scale and Bronco. The Gretsch seemed well made and is very playable,
the Bronco is surprisingly nice to play, although the ones at Guitar Center had terrible fret sprout. I bought a Paranormal SS and returned it
right away, terrible for me ergonomically.
I then took a chance and ordered a Squier CV Mustang from Sweetwater and after spending time with it and tweaking the set up for the past week, I'm really digging it! 1.5 lbs lighter than my Laklands, and so much easier to get around on. The fit and finish is excellent and I'm impressed and look forward to taking it for a spin at next week's gig. Now thinking about flats...
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Thinking about flats is how we get you hooked into buying a second Mustang.
Here is my early 2000’s CIJ mustang bass in fiesta red! This bass was a gift from my wife, 12-13 years ago when we first started dating. About 2 years ago i decided to have fun with it and changed out the pickups to the Novak fat mustang pickups, added a factory tort pickguard, and upgraded the tuners. I even redid the wiring harness! This bass killed before, and absolutely slays now!
This is one of my favorite basses and is the one I play at home more often than not! It had ghs strings for a while, and now it has La Bella strings, they are great, but I have to admit they were a little thinner than the previous set, and it took me a while to get use too! However once they broke in, I could understand why people love them.
These are great basses and at onetime were fender’s only contemporary mustang model. Idk where they rank in-terms of best mustang of all time, but it’s pretty solid! It also help that it’s a looker too!
This is one of my favorite basses and is the one I play at home more often than not! It had ghs strings for a while, and now it has La Bella strings, they are great, but I have to admit they were a little thinner than the previous set, and it took me a while to get use too! However once they broke in, I could understand why people love them.
These are great basses and at onetime were fender’s only contemporary mustang model. Idk where they rank in-terms of best mustang of all time, but it’s pretty solid! It also help that it’s a looker too!
Picked up this Player II recently. I'm lovin' this little beast!
I bought my second Mustang to go with my 1972 Mustang bass. A 1969 Competition red with painted headstock is now in the stable.
My logic is that if I am actually playing gigs with it (which I am) I needed a backup! Pics coming soon.
My logic is that if I am actually playing gigs with it (which I am) I needed a backup! Pics coming soon.
