New PJ Mustang at Summer NAMM

[mbell75]

Showed up a few days early! Playing this back to back with my SX Ursa 1 JR (30" scale P bass) one thing is painfully clear. I prefer the body of the SX but I prefer the neck of the Mustang. The SX has the nice contour on the back and also that little one on the top of the body where your forearm rests. Far more comfortable to play, especially seated, then the slab body of the Mustang. It's also slightly smaller and lighter. However, the neck on the Mustang is perfect IMO. The SX has a rather large 14" radius and sloppy fret ends. The 9.5" radius and smoothness of the Mustang neck is great. So this sucks because I want the Mustang neck on the SX body and I'm almost positive that's not possible On the plus side, the P pickup sounds fantastic (even with the stock rounds) with the tone rolled off for some of the reggae stuff Ive been messing with. Better tone than the SX pickup. Cant wait to put the flats on.

 

[Brio]

Showed up a few days early! Playing this back to back with my SX Ursa 1 JR (30" scale P bass) one thing is painfully clear. I prefer the body of the SX but I prefer the neck of the Mustang. The SX has the nice contour on the back and also that little one on the top of the body where your forearm rests. Far more comfortable to play, especially seated, then the slab body of the Mustang. It's also slightly smaller and lighter. However, the neck on the Mustang is perfect IMO. The SX has a rather large 14" radius and sloppy fret ends. The 9.5" radius and smoothness of the Mustang neck is great. So this sucks because I want the Mustang neck on the SX body and I'm almost positive that's not possible

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Stick with it. I couldn't stand the slab body at first but like you loved the feel of the neck (and the sound after a bit of pup height tweaking). It took a couple of weeks to get comfortable with the slab. Now its my go to bass.

 

[felis]

Hot poopie, just got notified that my sonic blue Mustang is shipping out today. FINALLY.

It's been delivered! Just needs to make its way to me here a work.

So......

an update?
Did you get it - safe on delivery - like it - hate it - send it back - love it - or what??

 

[copacetic]

I def want one. My only concern is weight. I've held a few of the pawn shop mustangs and they were heavy as sin, considering the size of the bass. My 73 is right at 8 lbs and even that is heavy compared to a few early examples. It's not a huge deal, I just don't see why a bass this size would ever end up at our north of 8.5 lbs

The heaviness of the smaller bodied bass is definitely a concern. I notice that Fender does not state what type of wood the Mustang body is made of, whereas they do state the maple and rosewood neck. For their other basses they always state body/neck woods. It leads me to believe that it is some composite 'wood' materials. What I look for is resonance regardless of wood and balance overall. In the case of these you might be able to lessen the weight by a one pound at most with Hipshot or Gotoh ultralite bridge or keys, or a Babicz bridge.

 

[shoulderpet]

The heaviness of the smaller bodied bass is definitely a concern. I notice that Fender does not state what type of wood the Mustang body is made of, whereas they do state the maple and rosewood neck. For their other basses they always state body/neck woods. It leads me to believe that it is some composite 'wood' materials. What I look for is resonance regardless of wood and balance overall. In the case of these you might be able to lessen the weight by a one pound at most with Hipshot or Gotoh ultralite bridge or keys, or a Babicz bridge.

I read somewhere that it is Alder

 

[Antisyzygy]

The heaviness of the smaller bodied bass is definitely a concern. I notice that Fender does not state what type of wood the Mustang body is made of, whereas they do state the maple and rosewood neck. For their other basses they always state body/neck woods. It leads me to believe that it is some composite 'wood' materials. What I look for is resonance regardless of wood and balance overall. In the case of these you might be able to lessen the weight by a one pound at most with Hipshot or Gotoh ultralite bridge or keys, or a Babicz bridge.

I'm pretty sure it's Alder.

 

[grrg63]

I cant imagine considering this bass heavy.

 

[Antisyzygy]

I cant imagine considering this bass heavy.

Yeah it's pretty light in my opinion. Heavy starts around 9.5 pounds for me.

My full scale Swamp Ash G&L SB-1 weighs 9 pounds and this Mustang definitely doesn't weigh that much.

 

[Antisyzygy]

The heaviness of the smaller bodied bass is definitely a concern. I notice that Fender does not state what type of wood the Mustang body is made of, whereas they do state the maple and rosewood neck. For their other basses they always state body/neck woods. It leads me to believe that it is some composite 'wood' materials. What I look for is resonance regardless of wood and balance overall. In the case of these you might be able to lessen the weight by a one pound at most with Hipshot or Gotoh ultralite bridge or keys, or a Babicz bridge.

I cant imagine considering this bass heavy.

I weighed mine. It was 8 pounds exactly.

 

[mbell75]

Maybe not heavy compared to a 34" scale bass but is indeed a bit heavy for a short scale bass. It's heavier than both my SX Ursa 1 and 2 short scales and even heavier than my 5 string Mikro bass. Unfortunately, as much as I love the neck on this bass, the rather heavy, slab body is literally a pain to play and I will be returning it. Doesn't matter if I'm seated or standing, there is no place to rest my wrist playing it. I tried adjustIng to more of an angle and a claw with my palm resting on the body above the strings and my wrist off the body but that causes my elbow to jut out at an awkward angle. Never realized how much I missed the contours on the P and J bodies.

 

[Axstar]

Maybe not heavy compared to a 34" scale bass but is indeed a bit heavy for a short scale bass. It's heavier than both my SX Ursa 1 and 2 short scales and even heavier than my 5 string Mikro bass. Unfortunately, as much as I love the neck on this bass, the rather heavy, slab body is literally a pain to play and I will be returning it. Doesn't matter if I'm seated or standing, there is no place to rest my wrist playing it. I tried adjustIng to more of an angle and a claw with my palm resting on the body above the strings and my wrist off the body but that causes my elbow to jut out at an awkward angle. Never realized how much I missed the contours on the P and J bodies.

The slab body was one of the things that put me off my MIJ Mustang. I figured I could get away with it because the body was thinner, but a slab is a slab and I totally see where you are coming from.

 

[BusyFingers]

I loved the neck, didn't like the body.

 

[kx-]

It is funny how everyone is not used to the slab body. I guess i am having had a MIJ Mustang and a 78' MM. Contours are more comfortable obviously, i must just be so used to the slab I never really think about it... Would love to have an old competition 'stang with contours though!

 

[mbell75]

It is funny how everyone is not used to the slab body. I guess i'm used to them having a MIJ Mustang and a 78' MM. Contours are more comfortable obviously, i must just be so used to the slab I never really think about it... Would love to have an old competition 'stang with contours though!

Same here but they are expensive and I wasn't crazy about the pickups and I don't think you can just drop a standard P pickup in it.

 

[felis]

About the body - on both of my P/J's, it looks like a round over router bit of at least a 1/2" radius
was used all around the outer upper and lower flat sections of the body. Sanded smooth and painted over,
it's very slick and rounded.
There's not a flat or sharp edge anywhere on it.

Not the same as deep contours, but IMO, very comfortable.

 

[Marial]

So......

an update?
Did you get it - safe on delivery - like it - hate it - send it back - love it - or what??

Safe on delivery and I totally dig it. I haven't run it through my usual gigging rig, but it sounds wonderful through my old Fender RAD practice amp. It's a little dry direct in, but it feels great. I've ordered white pickup covers for it, though. In person the black pickup covers seem out of place and I think the body and pickguard colors will show better with white pickups.

Anyhow, it's much more my cup of tea than the traditional MIJ racing stripe Mustang I had previously. So much so, I may have to look into a 34" PJ one of these days.

 

[felis]

Glad you like it - that was a long wait.
I guess you have a lot of pedals to liven things up, but this bass is pretty lively as-is, especially in the J position with the tone up.
I use a bit of compression, and find it doesn't need too much else in the way of fx.

 

[kx-]

Well guys, after having the Sonic Blue model for about a week... i have just recently decided to sent it back for an exchange of a Torino Red version. There were a few reasons as to why i went for an exchange. I truly did not want to sent it back as i really loved it, but im positive it was not the model itself just that particular bass.

On a side note/question, has anyone on TB had any history with Fender direct return procedures? Good or bad experiences? They seemed very cordial and understanding in emails, I just have never bought direct from them in the past.

Anyways i will update once the new Torino Red PJ comes in!!!!

 

[Kahrmine]

Maybe not heavy compared to a 34" scale bass but is indeed a bit heavy for a short scale bass. It's heavier than both my SX Ursa 1 and 2 short scales and even heavier than my 5 string Mikro bass. Unfortunately, as much as I love the neck on this bass, the rather heavy, slab body is literally a pain to play and I will be returning it. Doesn't matter if I'm seated or standing, there is no place to rest my wrist playing it. I tried adjustIng to more of an angle and a claw with my palm resting on the body above the strings and my wrist off the body but that causes my elbow to jut out at an awkward angle. Never realized how much I missed the contours on the P and J bodies.

The Ursa JR Jazz body is so comfortable. The Mustang body is a slab-o-matic. I don't miss mine for that reason.

 

[mbell75]

Can anyone confirm the stock strings on the Mustang? The website says they are Fender USA, NPS, (Gauges .045 - .105) Fender doesn't make a 45-105 short scale set of strings. Are these 34" scale strings? I have the Mustang and I can't tell. They dont feel like a medium gauge set, they feel light compared to the D'Addario 50-105s on my SX.