New PJ Mustang at Summer NAMM

[Antisyzygy]

UPS dropped off my red Mustang P/J two hours ago. I haven't set it up yet.
Had to let it warm up a bit and then just checked it out to make sure everything works OK.

I already have the blue one, and have used it enough believe this new Mustang is the perfect bass for me.
Got a spare before Fender pulls a boneheaded move like discontinuing them.
I have a few other basses up for sale now.
A quick pic:

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View attachment 1017500

I'm tempted to do the same thing. I'd be worried they will discontinue it in the next few years.

This bass is a big win IMO. It's a really nice instrument. Versatile and comfortable, plus they upped quality at the Mexican plant over the last few years.

As far as I know this is the first bass like it, so it has some collector appeal I think. Also it's at the right price point to perhaps make it's way into budding bands on the indie scene or something, perhaps popular music one day.

I'm curious if they're going to expand the bass line judging by how fast it sold out. I mean perhaps a US version of this Mustang bass, or the original configuration again as well.

 

[mbell75]

So the local GC got another one in and I thought I would give it another try as I foolishly sold off my Fender P junior and wanted another SS. Sonic blue, needed a setup out of the box, lots of buzzing. They set it up and I plugged it into the Rumble 100. I want to love this bass but I just dont. Same issues as the last one I was thinking may have just been that specific bass. Now I know its the model itself. The P sounds weak, nowhere near as deep, warm or articulate as a Fender P or the P junior I had. Grabbed a MIM P and played it, sounded great. The J pickup on this is even more tiny and clanky sounding then the P, just terrible. The only other SS was an Ibanez Mikro which Ive had in the past. Sale price for $149, why not? Grabbed it, plugged it in and the P pickup was much deeper and warmer than the Mustang. J was usable too. I walked out with that instead and saved myself $400! I REALLY wish Fender would just re-release the P junior and give us a SS Jazz here in the US. I really regret selling my P junior and MIJ SS Jazz thinking the Mustang would suffice. Ah well. Hope others are enjoying theirs.

 

[felis]

I'm tempted to do the same thing. I'd be worried they will discontinue it in the next few years.

This bass is a big win IMO. It's a really nice instrument. Versatile and comfortable, plus they upped quality at the Mexican plant over the last few years.

As far as I know this is the first bass like it, so it has some collector appeal I think. Also it's at the right price point to perhaps make it's way into budding bands on the indie scene or something, perhaps popular music one day.

I'm curious if they're going to expand the bass line judging by how fast it sold out. I mean perhaps a US version of this Mustang bass, or the original configuration again as well.

A year or two ago there was a Fender Modern Player short scale P/J Jazz bass, but it was made in China and was discontinued very quickly.
Invalid Link Removed
This is the first P/J Mustang though, AFAIK.

Even if they do discontinue it in a couple years, the fact that they are sold out and back ordered at most places
means that there should be a decent amount of them around.
A lot of people get a bass, try it for a while, decide it's not for them, and then move on to something else.
Also when the next, new, hot thing comes out, some people might decide to sell what they've got in order to try the new.

So, unless you've got to have it new, there's probably a good chance that if you want a second one, you'll be able to find one used. I've even seen a couple used ones up for sale already, and they're only a couple months old.

Probably overkill on my part, but I knew for positive sure I wanted a second one of these, and I also knew I wanted a new, factory fresh, in the box bass, so I ordered one and waited a month for it.
It's the first bass I've gotten that way - new, in an unopened box.
I've had several dozen basses, but I bought them all used or as demo/display units.
Anyways - the deed is done now. And it was the right way for me to go.

mbell75 - congrats on the Mikro. They're great little basses. I've had a couple of them, and currently still have
one.

 

[Duder]

I'm curious if they're going to expand the bass line judging by how fast it sold out. I mean perhaps a US version of this Mustang bass, or the original configuration again as well.

They apparently did a limited run on the MIJ Mustang bass, but I didn't find any for sale in the states. I got mine from England. I thought it was going to be new old stock, but it's got a 2016 serial number on it. I took another look at the Anderton's site (where mine was ordered) and they appear to be accepting preorders again with no ETA.

 

[Root 5]

I played one of these at the local porn store and really dug it. Nice instrument.

 

[shoulderpet]

So the local GC got another one in and I thought I would give it another try as I foolishly sold off my Fender P junior and wanted another SS. Sonic blue, needed a setup out of the box, lots of buzzing. They set it up and I plugged it into the Rumble 100. I want to love this bass but I just dont. Same issues as the last one I was thinking may have just been that specific bass. Now I know its the model itself. The P sounds weak, nowhere near as deep, warm or articulate as a Fender P or the P junior I had. Grabbed a MIM P and played it, sounded great. The J pickup on this is even more tiny and clanky sounding then the P, just terrible. The only other SS was an Ibanez Mikro which Ive had in the past. Sale price for $149, why not? Grabbed it, plugged it in and the P pickup was much deeper and warmer than the Mustang. J was usable too. I walked out with that instead and saved myself $400! I REALLY wish Fender would just re-release the P junior and give us a SS Jazz here in the US. I really regret selling my P junior and MIJ SS Jazz thinking the Mustang would suffice. Ah well. Hope others are enjoying theirs.

Sounds like you have been really unlucky with these, the P on mine sounds huge,the J pickup is also very good,very fat sounding for a bridge pickup

 

[felis]

Sounds like you have been really unlucky with these, .....

Sounds like there are other issues involved.

He got a Mikro he's happy with though, so all is good.

 

[Antisyzygy]

They apparently did a limited run on the MIJ Mustang bass, but I didn't find any for sale in the states. I got mine from England. I thought it was going to be new old stock, but it's got a 2016 serial number on it. I took another look at the Anderton's site (where mine was ordered) and they appear to be accepting preorders again with no ETA.

I remember the pawn shop mustang model, but it had a huge mudbucker in it. Then there was a Squier VM Mustang I think, but spec'd like the original.

The Fender Mustang PJ here is a unique setup I think with the pickups they put in it. Also the 3-way switch I suppose. It's a really neat bass though, I dig the form factor and the sound.

 

[Antisyzygy]

A year or two ago there was a Fender Modern Player short scale P/J Jazz bass, but it was made in China and was discontinued very quickly.
Invalid Link Removed
This is the first P/J Mustang though, AFAIK.

Even if they do discontinue it in a couple years, the fact that they are sold out and back ordered at most places
means that there should be a decent amount of them around.
A lot of people get a bass, try it for a while, decide it's not for them, and then move on to something else.
Also when the next, new, hot thing comes out, some people might decide to sell what they've got in order to try the new.

So, unless you've got to have it new, there's probably a good chance that if you want a second one, you'll be able to find one used. I've even seen a couple used ones up for sale already, and they're only a couple months old.

Probably overkill on my part, but I knew for positive sure I wanted a second one of these, and I also knew I wanted a new, factory fresh, in the box bass, so I ordered one and waited a month for it.
It's the first bass I've gotten that way - new, in an unopened box.
I've had several dozen basses, but I bought them all used or as demo/display units.
Anyways - the deed is done now. And it was the right way for me to go.

mbell75 - congrats on the Mikro. They're great little basses. I've had a couple of them, and currently still have
one.

I remember the Mustang Pawn Shop model. Squier also had an original version at some point they released, I think as part of the VM line.

I bought my Mustang PJ new for 20% off during the various Christmas sales so I jumped on it. But yeah for sure, I might wait for a used one this time to save a bit. I really want a Torino Red one now--originally that's the one I wanted but it was out of stock.

 

[felis]

Oh man - I set this new red one up and it plays like a dream.
None of the little glitch issues that I've had with the first one.

The blue one was on the rack at GC, and had been messed around with.
I suspect it was a return because they offered me money off without asking.
I've got that one set up pretty good now, but it still needs a little tinkering.
Even at that, it still plays and sounds better than most of the other basses I've got.

Not as nice as this new one though - I'm really buzzed about it.
Honeymoon Fever

 

[mbell75]

Sounds like you have been really unlucky with these, the P on mine sounds huge,the J pickup is also very good,very fat sounding for a bridge pickup

Yea, I may be overreacting a bit. My preferences will differ from others too. I like my open E string to shake the ground when I hit it. I also like the G note (3rd fret) to rumble too. It did on my P Junior, the P I played yesterday in GC and on the Mikro too. The Mustang doesn't rumble or growl on those notes, it purrs politely. I had to put the Vintage switch (beefs up the sound) on the Rumble to on to get close to the same rumble and growl from the E string I got on the MIM P and the Mikro on standard settings. I also do not like that it has a selector switch, can't blend the two pickups together like you can with just about every over PJ bass ever made. They look great and are fairly well built and the price is decent, just wish they sounded better. I am a bit tempted to buy one anyways and just swap the pickups....

 

[BassmentPlayer]

>>and just swap the pickups....

They can't make it with pickup _everyone_ will like, but it is a great SS platform to mod for those that don't like it 'out of the box'. I had thought I would switch the pickups but now that I have it I doubt I will.

>>I also do not like that it has a selector switch, can't blend the two pickups together

I thought I would mod it to have a blend, but again, now that I have it I don't think I will.

Different strokes for different folks. Thank goodness there are so many basses out there to choose from!

I am glad I got this one.

 

[felis]

Easier to get something that's more what you want,
than it is to get something, tear it apart,
buy and replace a bunch of parts, and hope it turns out.

I like the Mustang P/J just the way it is.

 

[pudge]

Just bought a red one out of the classifieds.I have a beater parts mustang that I was going to make PJ.Now i'll have to make another plan for it.

 

[Sub41]

I put a set of D'addario XL Nylon Tapewounds on mine tonight and did a set up. I really like these strings on it, but noticed some static when I touch the pick guard just right. I'm going to have to take it apart and shield the back of the pick guard and cavities sometime. I lost my ground between me and the strings.

 

[BusyFingers]

So the local GC got another one in and I thought I would give it another try as I foolishly sold off my Fender P junior and wanted another SS. Sonic blue, needed a setup out of the box, lots of buzzing. They set it up and I plugged it into the Rumble 100. I want to love this bass but I just dont. Same issues as the last one I was thinking may have just been that specific bass. Now I know its the model itself. The P sounds weak, nowhere near as deep, warm or articulate as a Fender P or the P junior I had. Grabbed a MIM P and played it, sounded great. The J pickup on this is even more tiny and clanky sounding then the P, just terrible. The only other SS was an Ibanez Mikro which Ive had in the past. Sale price for $149, why not? Grabbed it, plugged it in and the P pickup was much deeper and warmer than the Mustang. J was usable too. I walked out with that instead and saved myself $400! I REALLY wish Fender would just re-release the P junior and give us a SS Jazz here in the US. I really regret selling my P junior and MIJ SS Jazz thinking the Mustang would suffice. Ah well. Hope others are enjoying theirs.

Didn't we go through this the last time you tried one in a store?

Pickups sometimes benefit from being adjusted. Mine did, and they sound excellent. The P is not perfect, but I'm real particular about a P that compresses fat like a bouncing ball. The J sounds as good as any J I've heard. But both of them needed to have their height adjusted.

Really, it's a finishing issue if anything. These pickups are not bad at all.

 

[BusyFingers]

I'm curious if they're going to expand the bass line judging by how fast it sold out. I mean perhaps a US version of this Mustang bass, or the original configuration again as well.

Well, maybe Fender's R&D is perusing this thread and will produce a 30 inch scale jazz bass similar to the Modern Player Jazz, but in black, with a brown tort pickguard, and nordstrand pickups so I can start the Shorty Torty Nordy Brigade®.

 

[BusyFingers]

Just bought a red one out of the classifieds.I have a beater parts mustang that I was going to make PJ.Now i'll have to make another plan for it.

How much did you end up getting that thing for shipped?

 

[Antisyzygy]

>>and just swap the pickups....

They can't make it with pickup _everyone_ will like, but it is a great SS platform to mod for those that don't like it 'out of the box'. I had thought I would switch the pickups but now that I have it I doubt I will.

>>I also do not like that it has a selector switch, can't blend the two pickups together

I thought I would mod it to have a blend, but again, now that I have it I don't think I will.

Different strokes for different folks. Thank goodness there are so many basses out there to choose from!

I am glad I got this one.

When I tried it out in the store I actually was sold in part because of the switch. Every sound was useable and it was kind of a nice shift to something new.

I am tweaking pickup heights though. I almost have it just right.

 

[BusyFingers]

I revisited that P pickup again tonight, and if I dial up the mids and use a pick I can get this thing to flatten out and compress nicely, actually. These are good pickups. Don't be afraid to adjust the height.