Fender Mustang Club

[SpyderX]

I have to admit the Talkbass constituency was right regarding La Bella flats. I did not like the string to string consistency on my Squier 'stang after about the first couple weeks. Ordered a set of Chromes, but never put them on, while the Squier was relegated to third string in the rotation. Everyone says 'be patient'... but I remained skeptical - I was really hating on these strings... cut to a year and a half later, suddenly, these things really sing. Perfect for the blues sound in my head, and much more like what I was hoping for in a Mustang with flats. Will I doubt y'all again? Probably... but you were right this time

 

[T McClure]

I have to admit the Talkbass constituency was right regarding La Bella flats. I did not like the string to string consistency on my Squier 'stang after about the first couple weeks. Ordered a set of Chromes, but never put them on, while the Squier was relegated to third string in the rotation. Everyone says 'be patient'... but I remained skeptical - I was really hating on these strings... cut to a year and a half later, suddenly, these things really sing. Perfect for the blues sound in my head, and much more like what I was hoping for in a Mustang with flats. Will I doubt y'all again? Probably... but you were right this time

And a Mustang with the LaBella flats played with a pick will fit you in with so many modern alternative/indie rock bands as well.

 

[PNC7]

What is it about LaBella flats that put them above other short scale brands for Mustangs like Ernie Ball or D'Addario? The gauge? Materials? It almost feels like they have a monopoly on the public opinion whenever someone asks what flats (or strings in general) to throw on their Mustang.

 

[T McClure]

What is it about LaBella flats that put them above other short scale brands for Mustangs like Ernie Ball or D'Addario? The gauge? Materials? It almost feels like they have a monopoly on the public opinion whenever someone asks what flats (or strings in general) to throw on their Mustang.

Mostly that they make a set specifically sized for string through Mustangs.

 

[SpyderX]

Looks like All Parts is doing roasted maple Mustang necks. Compund radius? Nice... but pricey

https://www.allparts.com/products/allparts-select-mustang-bass-neck

 

[sleddogn]

Interesting, it's made in Japan.

 

[Squawk]

How overpriced is this?

$765 shipped. I want to get a Mustang bass and I love that finish.

Shipping from Malaysia.

 

[SpyderX]

How overpriced is this?

$765 shipped. I want to get a Mustang bass and I love that finish.


I'm no help with your question but for some perspective - In the states those were a limited run exclusive for Chicago Music Exchange and possibly another company, but I can't remember who. Brand new, I got mine for a little under 400, but that was a couple years ago. I've never seen one on the used market. In fact, I hardly ever see a used Squier Mustang Bass at all on the used market. Mine is an excellent Mustang for the money, IMO.

People get crazy with these prices once something becomes even slightly hard to find. In my mind, its a guessing game... you might find one for 350 down the road, or they might shoot up even higher.

 

[shoulderpet]

Does anyone know what strings and gauge the Player ii Mustangs ship with? The Fender website says 105-45 but seems odd to me that they would ship them with longscale strings when Fender does there own short scale set.

 

[Sharko]

Does anyone know what strings and gauge the Player ii Mustangs ship with? The Fender website says 105-45 but seems odd to me that they would ship them with longscale strings when Fender does there own short scale set.

I did a deep dive on this last year, all fender and Squier Mustang basses ship with the fender 5250 short scale bass strings which are 40-95, despite the spec sheet often saying something different

 

[shoulderpet]

I did a deep dive on this last year, all fender and Squier Mustang basses ship with the fender 5250 short scale bass strings which are 40-95, despite the spec sheet often saying something different

Thank you, I am awaiting delivery of one so this is very helpful information

 

[shoulderpet]

And just taken delivery of a Mustang bass from Andertons and there's a section of finish missing from part of the truss rod route, I thought about keeping it as it's a cosmetic blemish but every time I look at the bass it bugs me, especially on a brand new bass.

Anyway I contacted them to request an exchange and they told me it's normal and within the manufacturers standards

I emailed them back and asked them to please arrange exchange or refund, fingers crossed but I am not impressed so far

 

[Sharko]

And just taken delivery of a Mustang bass from Andertons and there's a section of finish missing from part of the truss rod route, I thought about keeping it as it's a cosmetic blemish but every time I look at the bass it bugs me, especially on a brand new bass.

Anyway I contacted them to request an exchange and they told me it's normal and within the manufacturers standards

I emailed them back and asked them to please arrange exchange or refund, fingers crossed but I am not impressed so far

Not that this will make you feel better but my Player 1 mustang has cruddy finish around the truss route, not to mention terrible fret ends. I know a lot of folks have good experiences with MiM fenders these days but they’re not all winners.

 

[T McClure]

And just taken delivery of a Mustang bass from Andertons and there's a section of finish missing from part of the truss rod route, I thought about keeping it as it's a cosmetic blemish but every time I look at the bass it bugs me, especially on a brand new bass.

Anyway I contacted them to request an exchange and they told me it's normal and within the manufacturers standards

I emailed them back and asked them to please arrange exchange or refund, fingers crossed but I am not impressed so far

Can you share a photo?

 

[felis]

My Mustangs with the through-body bridge take medium scale strings.

 

[Akami]

My Mustangs with the through-body bridge take medium scale strings.

I guess that means they took away the ferrules for stringing through the back on the newer ones then.

 

[Tom Gallo]

I guess that means they took away the ferrules for stringing through the back on the newer ones then.

All mustang basses, except the Player II are string through, including Squiers.

@felis My Mustangs with the through-body bridge take medium scale strings.

The player mustang in your picture is top loading.

 

[Akami]

All mustang basses, except the Player II are string through, including Squiers.

I've only ever had one from sometime in the 60's and it caught me off guard to think that they weren't all string-through, which I'd always thought of as a clever bit of designing.

 

[Doctor Morbius]

... not to mention terrible fret ends. I know a lot of folks have good experiences with MiM fenders these days but they’re not all winners.

Same here. One of mine is a Sweatwater exclusive in surf green. Terrible fret ends with lots of tang sticking out past the Pau Ferro fretboard. I should have sent it right back but didn't. It's my fault for being a dumb ass.

Now every time I play that bass all I can think about is the sharp fret ends.

And for anyone else that is wondering what strings came on it, they're FULL SCALE strings. The E string barely fits into the tuning post and it looks sloppy. The other strings are fine.

 

[Akami]

Terrible fret ends with lots of tang sticking out past the Pau Ferro fretboard...every time I play that bass all I can think about is the sharp fret ends.

If it's worth keeping then it's worth spending an hour to address the issue and make it totally comfortable to play.
If you're not sure of your file skills any guitar repair or jeweler friend can make them smooth as silk for you.