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Fender Mustang: Vintage MIA VS MIJ Reissue Comparison

M

michael5959

Mar 24, 2008
9
0
#1
Hi, I am interested in picking up a Fender Mustang SS bass, and was wondering what the differences were in a vintage model vs MIJ reissue (other than age, collectability and price). FYI, I am looking for something to play.

- Do they feel about the same when playing them and is the weight the same.
- Any difference in neck design & playability.
- What about sound, can you compare. Do both use comparable electronics & sound similar, or are there differences. If there are, how would you compare.

Any additional impressions or opinions are welcomed.

I know I would shell out quite a bit for a vintage, and would be willing to do it if there are significant advantages. Otherwise, I would save the money & buy a reissue.

Thanks,

Mike.
 
#2
IMHO the two basses will only look alike. It has been my experience with MIJ basses that copy MIA vintage basses that they do so in appearance only. The pups will not be the same, the body woods may also differ. The electronics will also be different . MIJ basses have to cut cost somewhere and it's usually the above items I've named! There will be no collectibility for the MIJ bass no matter how old it gets. If those things don't matter to you them get the MIJ by all means!
 
#3
I pretty much have nothing useful to contribute in a comparison between the two, but I played the MIJ the other day and thought it was excellent. Workmanship seemed really good on the one I saw. Wish I had more time to fully check out how it sounded, but it played like butter compared to the US P and J basses I've played recently (I know, I know...set up is everything). I was really surprised, I wasn't expecting to like it at all.
 
#4
MHO the two basses will only look alike. It has been my experience with MIJ basses that copy MIA vintage basses that they do so in appearance only. The pups will not be the same, the body woods may also differ. The electronics will also be different . MIJ basses have to cut cost somewhere and it's usually the above items I've named! There will be no collectibility for the MIJ bass no matter how old it gets. If those things don't matter to you them get the MIJ by all means!
Click to expand...
Agree in principal, but think the principals don't apply as much to Mustangs as higher end Fenders.

On body wood: The only switch-off from the original alder has been in the Squire Bronco (basswood? agathis? - not alder) and that's not the same bass as the Mustang.

On electronics: What electronics? The pu's in the original MIAs were nothing to write home about. Based on the positive reviews I've read over the years about the MIJs, I suspect the pu quality's at least as good (if not better) than the MIA.

On collectibility: Mustangs and Musicmasters have never commanded significant vintage value. I suspect that has to do with their status as entry-level or student instruments when they were introduced. The increase in prices (especially on the Mustang) in recent years looks more like a premium for nostalgia than serious investment.

On playability: Sadly, I can only tell you that I've heard many glowing reviews of the MIJs and that none lamented any differences from the MIA prototype. I believe the necks are basically the same, the body shape's identical and, if woods are the same (shoot me and hang me out to dry if not) then weight should be same.

Bottom line: You are not marrying the thing. I'd get an MIJ (or find one on the shelf somewhere) and compare to an MIA (which are not exactly rare, either), figuring they have pretty good resale if not my cup of tea.
 
#5
pyrohr said:
IMHO the two basses will only look alike. It has been my experience with MIJ basses that copy MIA vintage basses that they do so in appearance only. The pups will not be the same, the body woods may also differ. The electronics will also be different . MIJ basses have to cut cost somewhere and it's usually the above items I've named! There will be no collectibility for the MIJ bass no matter how old it gets. If those things don't matter to you them get the MIJ by all means!
Click to expand...

+1

I have a vintage Mustang and have played the reissue. No comparison.

I also owned (for like 5 mins) a CIJ '70s P. The feel was off, the sound was off, etc. compared to my real '78. It doesn't mean it was bad, but it wasn't vintage at all.
 
#6
I have a MIJ reissue (2007) and it's great. It feels good, sounds good and looks good. The neck is slim and fast and the frets are smooth as silk.

All in all, it's a great bass. I can't compare it to the original because I haven't played one. But it's a great sounding and playing bass. I don't care if it'll ever be worth anything or not. I bought it to play, not to fund my retirement.

By the way, the 2007 Reissues I heard are supposed to be "limited editions." I'm not sure exactly what makes them limited -- probably they weren't produced in large numbers like Fender Jazzes or P-basses -- so that may have some effect on their worth in the future. Especially since the reissues are not really considered "student basses" like the original Mustangs were, they may go up in value. But I'm not holding my breath. I'm just playing it and enjoying it now.
 
#8
Hi,
I have a 77 and the RI, and I must say there are significant differences.
The 77 has a comfortable contoured body and the RI has a slab body.
The main difference for playability though is the neck; The 77 has a fat baseball bat-neck with 42mm width at nut: basically a short-scale P-pass-neck.
The RI has a thinner and narrower neck; 38mm width at nut, basically a short-scale Jazz Bass-neck.

My 77 also has a maple fretbord while the RI is only available with a rosewood fretboard.

I bought the RI first and really liked it, and when I got the 77 I didn't like the wider/thicker neck at first, but I got used to it quite quickly, and now I definetely prefer the 77. It is now my main bass, strung with D'addari Chromes flats 45-100 med scale strings I love it!:cool: The RI being my second, strung with DR Hi-beams 45-105 short scales. They both sound good in their own ways! :bassist:

JoE
 
#11
Im bumping an 8 year old thread! Why? Because I just bought a new (used) Mustang RI. There are certainly differences between the two. The RI features Seymour Duncan pickups, they have a 7.25" radius instead of 9.5", a 1.5" nut width instead of the 1.65" and all of the RI are made of alder where many of the originals were poplar or ash in later years (the ones with black pickguards) Not to mention the RIs are lighter. Ive played an original 1969 Mustang and it was real good, but I expect the RI to be a bit better because I consider the differences I listed to be improvements over the original.
 
#13
I've played both and owned...sold.....and just bought back a 1974 Mustang.

They are such a simple instrument I would probably tend toward the MIJ as you can get them for around $700. I think the vintage prices are crazy. I got my vintage mustang for a MIJ price so I'm ok with it.

image.jpg
 
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#14
I've got a MIJ. I de-glossed the back of the neck to get rid of the sticky feel, and it feels great to me now.
A very simple, bare bones bass, but I like almost everything about it.
No way would I pay what's being asked for the vintage ones though.

If you can wait a couple months, there will be another option - a MIM Mustang P/J:
New PJ Mustang at Summer NAMM

I wrote to Fender and they said it should be available in Oct. 2016.
 
#15
Yesss. Funny how things change. The Mustang prices have blown up. There are people in the UK trying to sell 2004 reissues for silly money, let alone the vintage ones...

I am intrigued by the upoming PJ but not sure of it's function. As in, it's a mixture of Precision and Jazz pickups. But isn't the Mustang sound a great sound in its self? I love my P but not a fan of the Js (shoot me). Thoughts on that?

One of the questions that brought me here today though is weight. Are the reissues considerably lighter? I have borrowed a musicmaster, love how it feels but it's too heavy (as much as my P) and I want something that sounds serious but lighter so I can cycle around town with it.

Does anyone have weight measurements? Can't find online
 

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