• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Mustang Bass, is this for real?

dragonfly66

dragonfly66

Oct 31, 2009
73
53
USA
#1
There is a local shop that has a Mustang bass for $597. He said it was new and it looks new (no scratches , still has plastic on pickguard). The neck says Fender Mustang offset body. The base of neck says crafted in Japan with serial S000379. Every where I see this bass for $840 or now $755 with the recent price cut. I've seen them $500+ used, but not new.

I went to the Fender site to check the serial number. With the crafted in Japan serials it ends with R+6-digits for 2004-2005. This bass's serial starts with an S so I am assuming it was made in 2006-2007. The Mustangs basses I looked up at Sweetwater.com had serials that started with a T and also say crafted in Japan.

Is this just a great deal or is there something not right with this bass?
 
#2
Probably just NOS.

Of course since we can't "see" the bass, we really have no idea of knowing if it's perfect or if it has issues.

But probably just NOS.

Not sure why anyone would go through the effort to "fake" a CIJ Mustang Bass.
 
#3
Thanks. I guess I'm just being paranoid, cause this local shop never has anything on sale. I always have to travel 2 hours away to shop other stores or shop online cause his prices are ridiculous.

Nice music at Noelle Hampton website.
 
#5
They probably couldn't sell it because short scale basses are just not a high demand item in the overall bass marketplace.

If the SN is an accurate indication of the age, and the bass has been sitting around the shop for that long, it doesn't surprise me at all for them to try and get rid of it cheap. Selling it at cost is better than nothing for a shop, at least they can re-invest in something that will sell at a higher profit margin.
 
#6
I'm all for supporting local stores, but not if it is going to cost me an arm and a leg. I did get the bass and I told the shop owner I was glad I could buy from him. He expressed his sincere gratitude and threw in a nice gig bag.
 
#9
There's a new mustang at my local shop for $500. They're being discontinued so that's why they're so cheap right now. Not a bad time to buy. My store says the old price was $1100...heck of a price cut. I could probably even get it cheaper since my family is friends with the owner.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back