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Fender Mustang Club

#1,466
Aladinsane1969 said:
My pickups came with covers.
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That fit the American Performer pick guard? That's odd. Did you order the vintage pickup? I talked to Nordstrand directly, they had me measure all dimensions of the pickup and cover, and said they didn't have a cover to fit. It's supposed to arrive in a couple of days so I hope they steered me correctly.
 
#1,467
David Lee said:
Huh... I have a '76 sunburst and hadn't noticed a lot of difference between that neck (1-1/2" nut) and the one on my Pawn Shop (1-9/16" nut). Although, the PS neck profile seems to have a slight taper from the side of the fingerboard to the back of the neck, which, I guess would make it a soft "C" shape. Also have a '67 (1-5/8"), which definitely feels chunkier and the Squire Jaguar (1-7/16" nut) with an almost soft "V" taper! Seems like the difference in neck weight would be barely noticeable. Are you getting neck dive?

The necks on my basses are only off by 1/16" and it's hard to tell much difference. I will say that the SJ is noticeably more comfortable to play, without my fingers feeling crowded or cramped. I have a '78 natural coming tomorrow and I'm assuming the neck is about the same as the '76. They both have the heavier ash bodies that I prefer.

BTW, I forgot to note that the Squire VM Mustang basses also sport slab bodies.
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I just measured the nut on my '76 with a cheap ruler (not the most accurate way) and it looks like 1 5/8", but I don't have a caliper handy. It's a maple FB. However, the serial number is a bit of a quandary. It appears to start with the letter D with 6 digits after. On Fender's site, that's not one of their numbers. If you ignore the D, then it's a '74 or '75.

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#1,469
halfwound121:

I know there's a system for figuring out the date codes, but I haven't taken the time to learn it. Not an exact science, I would imagine. My '76 and '78 necks are both 1-9/16". I have a JMJ neck (Repro of Justin's '67) that I bought for a project and an original '67 bass that both have the chunkier 1-5/8" necks. The '78 has a maple fingerboard that I'm beginning to think I like better than the RW. What's the body and pick guard color on your '74/'75?

FWIW, I recently discovered something else about the vintage Mustang basses, which is the differences in V/T knob designs. The '66 through '75 models have the simple Jazz type knobs with fluted sides and the single white line indicator on top. The '76 through '81 models have skirted knobs with white VOLUME/TONE lettering on the top and white numbered level indicators on the skirt. All the later models appear to have returned to using the simpler Jazz knobs. I like the skirted ones better. :smug:
 
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#1,470
halfwound121 said:
That fit the American Performer pick guard? That's odd. Did you order the vintage pickup? I talked to Nordstrand directly, they had me measure all dimensions of the pickup and cover, and said they didn't have a cover to fit. It's supposed to arrive in a couple of days so I hope they steered me correctly.
Click to expand...

No, sorry; I had a custom pickguard made by Pick Guardian. I misunderstood your original post. Apparently when they first started making those pickups they didn't come with covers. I told you mine came with covers because I thought perhaps you didn't know that they do now.
 
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#1,471
`
David Lee said:
halfwound121:

I know there's a system for figuring out the date codes, but I haven't taken the time to learn it. Not an exact science, I would imagine. My '76 and '78 necks are both 1-9/16". I have a JMJ neck (Repro of Justin's '67) that I bought for a project and an original '67 bass that both have the chunkier 1-5/8" necks. The '78 has a maple fingerboard that I'm beginning to think I like better than the RW. What's the body and pick guard color on your '74/'75?

FWIW, I recently discovered something else about the vintage Mustang basses, which is the differences in V/T knob designs. The '66 through '75 models have the simple Jazz type knobs with fluted sides and the single white line indicator on top. The '76 through '81 models have skirted knobs with white VOLUME/TONE lettering on the top and white numbered level indicators on the skirt. All the later models appear to have returned to using the simpler Jazz knobs. I like the skirted ones better. :smug:
Click to expand...
Mine is the trans-turd brown which actually looks okay with the maple FB and black pg. it has the Jazz knobs. So far, my web research has turned up squat on CBS year model differences. Admittedly, I haven’t spent much time at it.
 
#1,472
halfwound121 said:
`

Mine is the trans-turd brown which actually looks okay with the maple FB and black pg. it has the Jazz knobs. So far, my web research has turned up squat on CBS year model differences. Admittedly, I haven’t spent much time at it.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I believe Fender called that "Mocha Brown". I do like the black pickguard/maple fingerboard look. I think my '67 was also Mocha Brown until one of the previous owners attempted a partial refinish and lovingly applied what looks like 10 coats of brushed-on poly. Dammit! I bought it cuz it's fretless and thought it would be fun. Turns out it's a helluva lot of work trying to play in tune. May end up having new frets installed during a proper refinish of the body. Has a red tortoiseshell pickguard and rosewood FB, so what color should the body be? Its all about getting the right contrast. Considering putting a book-matched, flamed maple veneer on the top with an amberburst finish. I would do a clear pickguard on that puppy. Fender Custom Shop Mustang, baby!
 
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