I really enjoyed your end of year gear review on YouTube.
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Fender Mustang Club
- Thread starter FlyingPigSound
- Start date
I wonder if the pickup placement for this one matches the MIJ short scale Junior Jazz.
Funny that you ask that, I actually did a little investigation into the pickup placement yesterday and it's VERY interesting.
Using the Fender American Performer Mustang with both a Mustang neck pickup and a J pickup (same location as Player PJ Mustang) at the bridge as the 'control', here's a comparison of the Maika Mustang and the American Performer Mustang:
We can see that the Maika Mustang bridge pickup sits in front (towards the neck) of where the American Performer Mustang J pickup sits, we can also see that the neck pickup of the Maika Mustang aligns with the bass side (EA) of the Mustang pickup, which is what we would normally expect with traditional J neck pickup placement. One other thing to note is that the position of the American Performer Mustang J pickup wouldn't work with a standard Mustang bridge, hence why they use that weird cut-off bridge for that particular application.
Now here's a comparison of the Fender Junior Collection Jazz (30" scale) vs the American Performer Mustang:
Here we can see that the bridge pickups of the Junior Collection Jazz and the American Performer Mustang (and Player II PJ) align PERFECTLY, we can also see that the neck pickup on the J aligns with the treble side (DG) of the Mustang pickup, which is not the typical placement for a J neck pickup.
Finally here's a comparison of the Maika Mustang and the Junior Collection Jazz:
Both pickups on the Maika sit closer to the neck vs the Junior Collection Jazz. I thought that was very interesting. I definitely totally absolutely didn't snag a matte shell pink Junior Jazz Collection bass for comparison.....
This feedback loop of finding new one-step removed similar basses to compare seems to dangerously have no end.
Your overlays also make me think I'd like the sound of this Mustang jazz cousin a bit more than the Junior Jazz I currently have.
Your overlays also make me think I'd like the sound of this Mustang jazz cousin a bit more than the Junior Jazz I currently have.
Now I’m waiting excitedly for your custom build video AND a junior jazz video!Funny that you ask that, I actually did a little investigation into the pickup placement yesterday and it's VERY interesting.
Using the Fender American Performer Mustang with both a Mustang neck pickup and a J pickup (same location as Player PJ Mustang) at the bridge as the 'control', here's a comparison of the Maika Mustang and the American Performer Mustang:
View attachment 7401589
We can see that the Maika Mustang bridge pickup sits in front (towards the neck) of where the American Performer Mustang J pickup sits, we can also see that the neck pickup of the Maika Mustang aligns with the bass side (EA) of the Mustang pickup, which is what we would normally expect with traditional J neck pickup placement. One other thing to note is that the position of the American Performer Mustang J pickup wouldn't work with a standard Mustang bridge, hence why they use that weird cut-off bridge for that particular application.
Now here's a comparison of the Fender Junior Collection Jazz (30" scale) vs the American Performer Mustang:
View attachment 7401591
Here we can see that the bridge pickups of the Junior Collection Jazz and the American Performer Mustang (and Player II PJ) align PERFECTLY, we can also see that the neck pickup on the J aligns with the treble side (DG) of the Mustang pickup, which is not the typical placement for a J neck pickup.
Finally here's a comparison of the Maika Mustang and the Junior Collection Jazz:
View attachment 7401592
Both pickups on the Maika sit closer to the neck vs the Junior Collection Jazz. I thought that was very interesting. I definitely totally absolutely didn't snag a matte shell pink Junior Jazz Collection bass for comparison.....
Icing on the cake ;P
Stang flats and a setup. The video I originally posted was with the factory strings and setup which was fine, however this thing is now DIALED IN with these Mustang flats. Action is slammed, neck is straight, and it's sounding smooooth
Stang flats and a setup. The video I originally posted was with the factory strings and setup which was fine, however this thing is now DIALED IN with these Mustang flats. Action is slammed, neck is straight, and it's sounding smooooth
Got my Vintera II last week and have been settning it up and fixed some annoyances. The general build quality is very good, with flawless woodworking and finish. The neck pocket is so tight that I really struggled to get the neck off (for adjusting the truss rod, several times).
The fretboard was very rough though. Felt like sandpaper. So I went over it with some steel wool, and now it's nice and smooth.
But the biggest issue was noise. My god, I don't think I've ever had an instrument that is so noisy. I though the dual coils would be hum cancelling, but obviously not. That's not the problem though: It's not shielded at all. So I applied copper tape top the cavities and now it's dead quiet. I don't understand why they don't do that at the factory. I mean, it's not a perfect replica anyway.
The neck is very slightly wider and flatter than on my Musicmaster. I prefer the latter, but the Mustang is OK. I will however roll the edges, because they are quite sharp and uncomfortable. The nut ends was like a razor, so I filed that off too. And I've lightly sanded the finish on the back of the neck for a more slippery feel.
A very nice surprise was the flame on the neck and headstock! Didn't see that in the photos from the store.
The stock strings were simply awful. Now I'm trying to break in a set of Dunlop flats. I think they will be great once I get rid of the excessive zing.
The fretboard was very rough though. Felt like sandpaper. So I went over it with some steel wool, and now it's nice and smooth.
But the biggest issue was noise. My god, I don't think I've ever had an instrument that is so noisy. I though the dual coils would be hum cancelling, but obviously not. That's not the problem though: It's not shielded at all. So I applied copper tape top the cavities and now it's dead quiet. I don't understand why they don't do that at the factory. I mean, it's not a perfect replica anyway.
The neck is very slightly wider and flatter than on my Musicmaster. I prefer the latter, but the Mustang is OK. I will however roll the edges, because they are quite sharp and uncomfortable. The nut ends was like a razor, so I filed that off too. And I've lightly sanded the finish on the back of the neck for a more slippery feel.
A very nice surprise was the flame on the neck and headstock! Didn't see that in the photos from the store.
The stock strings were simply awful. Now I'm trying to break in a set of Dunlop flats. I think they will be great once I get rid of the excessive zing.
By the way... What's up with the silly placement of the bridge? I mean, look at the saddles. If the bridge was ~1 cm further back, there would be less aggressive break angle (it's really too much now) and there wouldn't be an ocean of empty space in front of the saddles. Why are they doing this? It was not the case on the original Mustangs. 
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,612
- 222,129
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
I like the quilted copper tape - haven't seen that before. Nice flamed maple neck also!Got my Vintera II last week and have been settning it up and fixed some annoyances. The general build quality is very good, with flawless woodworking and finish. The neck pocket is so tight that I really struggled to get the neck off (for adjusting the truss rod, several times).
The fretboard was very rough though. Felt like sandpaper. So I went over it with some steel wool, and now it's nice and smooth.
But the biggest issue was noise. My god, I don't think I've ever had an instrument that is so noisy. I though the dual coils would be hum cancelling, but obviously not. That's not the problem though: It's not shielded at all. So I applied copper tape top the cavities and now it's dead quiet. I don't understand why they don't do that at the factory. I mean, it's not a perfect replica anyway.
The neck is very slightly wider and flatter than on my Musicmaster. I prefer the latter, but the Mustang is OK. I will however roll the edges, because they are quite sharp and uncomfortable. The nut ends was like a razor, so I filed that off too. And I've lightly sanded the finish on the back of the neck for a more slippery feel.
A very nice surprise was the flame on the neck and headstock! Didn't see that in the photos from the store.
View attachment 7406855
View attachment 7406856
View attachment 7406857
View attachment 7406858
The stock strings were simply awful. Now I'm trying to break in a set of Dunlop flats. I think they will be great once I get rid of the excessive zing.
With all that travel on the bridge-plate, it does seem odd the saddles are that low. The JMJ as you can see here looks correct - (pic borrowed from this thread)
The "quilt" on the tape is to ensure that layers put on each other should have good electrical contact. I thought about spraying the cavities with conductive paint as an alternative.I like the quilted copper tape - haven't seen that before. Nice flamed maple neck also!
With all that travel on the bridge-plate, it does seem odd the saddles are that low. The JMJ as you can see here looks correct - (pic borrowed from this thread)
View attachment 7406934
The JMJ looks like it has the bridge plate in the exact same position as mine, so I wonder if that particular one is just very badly intonated.
Here's a '73 with the bridge farther back...
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,612
- 222,129
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Such an obvious functional detail to overlook...The "quilt" on the tape is to ensure that layers put on each other should have good electrical contact. I thought about spraying the cavities with conductive paint as an alternative.
The JMJ looks like it has the bridge plate in the exact same position as mine, so I wonder if that particular one is just very badly intonated.
Here's a '73 with the bridge farther back...
View attachment 7406996
Hi Mustangers! I just got a Fender Vintera 60s Mustang bass and love it. Question... I see thinline Mustang guitars out there. Is there such an animal as a Fender Mustang THINLINE bass?
77stingray
Supporting Member
I had the opportunity to play both the vintera 2 and the green American professional mustang bass yesterday at guitar center. I really liked both of them, although I liked the American professional neck better with the matte finish and the flatter radius. The bass I played had some nice half wounds ( or something) on it and was set up well. It might have swayed my opinion and definitely led me to believe that the bass had been purchased and returned. I forgot to check for bridge and control plate alignment- which I will do if I decide to buy it. @LowEndLobster i really dug your video on the chili beans bass. I might also consider that, but not sure if I have the patience for it. It’s also really nice to play the instrument before buying. Has Anyone else tried both basses? I am also weighing these new ones with used CIJ and MIJ, which are around the same cost as long as they are not striped.
The answer is almost certainly no. I'd be surprised if even a dozen of those Chili Beans basses have made their way to North America.
I really liked the American professional classic neck too. Stratosphere has one that's tempting lol. If you're looking new, I'd definitely recommend a vintera, jmj, or parts stang. The Vintera II is on sale right now for 999. The Chilli beans is really nice but the cost of getting one over here (1100 or more ballpark for instrument and shipping) eats into the value.
Got my Vintera II last week and have been settning it up and fixed some annoyances. The general build quality is very good, with flawless woodworking and finish. The neck pocket is so tight that I really struggled to get the neck off (for adjusting the truss rod, several times).
The fretboard was very rough though. Felt like sandpaper. So I went over it with some steel wool, and now it's nice and smooth.
But the biggest issue was noise. My god, I don't think I've ever had an instrument that is so noisy. I though the dual coils would be hum cancelling, but obviously not. That's not the problem though: It's not shielded at all. So I applied copper tape top the cavities and now it's dead quiet. I don't understand why they don't do that at the factory. I mean, it's not a perfect replica anyway.
The neck is very slightly wider and flatter than on my Musicmaster. I prefer the latter, but the Mustang is OK. I will however roll the edges, because they are quite sharp and uncomfortable. The nut ends was like a razor, so I filed that off too. And I've lightly sanded the finish on the back of the neck for a more slippery feel.
A very nice surprise was the flame on the neck and headstock! Didn't see that in the photos from the store.
View attachment 7406855
View attachment 7406856
View attachment 7406857
View attachment 7406858
The stock strings were simply awful. Now I'm trying to break in a set of Dunlop flats. I think they will be great once I get rid of the excessive zing.
Gorgeous example!
77stingray
Supporting Member
So I went back to GC and played both again and saw that the Am pro classic did have the misaligned bridge issue. The Vintera seemed perfect, so I took advantage of the sale. Just needs better strings and to get the gloss off the back of the neck. I also got play a used pawn shop mustang which was also really nice, but a bit to muddy for me.
77stingray
Supporting Member
And it is incredibly noisy as @Makten pointed out. Have to get some shielding.
While you are in there, change the bits of rubber hose to actual coil springs for adjusting the pickup height. There was a bit of pickup play/slop that I got rid of by doing that.
after fitting some NM4s, i made a few cosmetic mods to my mustang.
i think the gold pickguard looks better with a maple neck but i still prefer it to the stock pickguard.
i think the gold pickguard looks better with a maple neck but i still prefer it to the stock pickguard.
