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Petition for Fender Mustang

#24
I wish way more for a mexi Mustang. Just like a Classic 50s P bass, a Classic 60s Mustang, priced a tiny bit less than other Classic Mexi basses (come on, it's smaller).

Or a decent Squier model like there used to be, why not a VM or CV Mustang? That Mikey Way one burns my eyes when I look at it (can't stand sparkly colors).
 
#25
Shorty3 said:
Hi All,
I am a new forum member, so I hope I am posting this thread in the right section.

I play mainly Hard Rock and classic 60's and 70's rock music.

I have a Squier Jaguar Short Scale which I really like, and a MIA Fender Precision 2014 three-color sunburst which for me is a real collectors item. I also own a cherry red Epiphone EB-0 2014 Made in Indonesia, which is a wonderful workhorse. All are strung with D'Addario Flatwound Chromes.
In the past I had a MIA Jazz bass, I do not know which year though, quality wise it was not at the level of the 2014 MIA Precision though.
I have to say that recently it seems to me that Fender have improved quality (or brought it back if you prefer). As a matter of fact, I find the 2014 MIA Fender P really top notch in terms of quality and tone, however I do prefer playing short scale.

So here is my proposal:

2016 will be the 50th anniversary of the Mustang bass (it was first issued in 1966), so I am thinking about all the people who like Fender basses to start a sort of internet petition to push Fender to reissue a MIA Mustang.

I know it sounds crazy, but here is my dream-Mustang bass:

Whole Made in the USA.
Fingerboard: Rosewood.
Stringing: BOTH Thru-body AND Topload (this should be a MUST as we may have more strings options to chose).
Pickup: Seymour Duncan High Output vintage sounding (Hand made in USA of course).
Strings: FLATWOUNDS!
Colors: I want a three-color sunburst with tortoise pickguard, and an all black one (black pickguard and black matching headstock). More color options would be wellcome.
Including: Flight Case, Fender Leather Strap, Fender Strap Locks, Fender polish cloth, and high quality cable.

That's it!

Anybody who would like to join this petition, please throw in your ideas.

Thanks in advance to everybody!
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As you've seen, plenty of people to pour cold water on your dream. Maybe they're right - maybe Fender doesn't care, or they won't sell enough to make it viable. But one thing they are not, and that's mind readers. I get a lot of similar opposition when I suggest contacting guitar companies regarding left-handed versions of various models. Still, the important thing is to try. Otherwise, how will they ever know what the consumer is interested in? Maybe they're already considering it, and your petition will be the tipping point. Or maybe nothing will happen; at least then you know you've done something, rather than just sit on your hands and hope.
 
#28
I had a '66 Mustang from around '69-'71, and gigged it hard. I thought it was a great bass for me at that time. They only came in 3 colors though - White, Red and Blue (no 3TS). Mine was Blue with an optional plastic body shield that had foam around the edges.
Dave_-_Karisma_-_Mustang014-1.jpg
 
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#30
I wish you the best, as I think a Mustang comeback would be cool. The surefire option of course is the custom shop, but it may be prohibitively expensive.
 
#33
I'd love to see a comeback as well. I think they are the most popular with people who like to use flats for that old school sound. It seems that there are a lot of videos of that on you tube. A cheaper model would be great because an upgrade is as easy as a deluxe p bass wiring kit and a Nordstrand pick up.
 
#34
JimmyM said:
Oh sure, a few people say they want one, and a couple of them might actually buy one, but how many American Mustangs do you think they could sell? A couple hundred at the most, I'd say. Bear in mind that the price will likely be a grand or so. Also, the Mustang has been discontinued in the past because it wasn't selling. I don't see it as a matter of Fender not getting with the program...I see it more as some folks just don't realize there's not that big a demand for American Mustangs.

OTOH, considering it's the Mustang's anniversary, it's very possible they might be considering a limited run. I guess we'll see.
Click to expand...

Cost also led to its demise. Expensive and complicated bridge/mutes, P bass type pup and tuners, etc, led to cost that rivaled that of the P. Couple the high cost with a lower price and lower volume and it's a receipe for business losses.
 
#35
Early this year, I managed to find one of the last MIJ Mustangs available in the US. It's a great bass for anyone who's into short scales. It was called a '65 reissue, but not being familiar with vintage Mustangs, I can't say how true to the original it is in every detail. This bass with some of the mods the OP lists would be really nice, whether MIA, MIJ or MIM.

Alas, with Fender Japan out of the picture, it probably won't happen. Fender is content with offering the Squier Jag and Mikey Way as their SS options. :sour:
 
#36
I'd be happy if Squier brought back the VM Mustang.

If you read some of the threads here, Squier brought out the VM Mustang first.
The Jaguar SS followed shortly after. The SS was about $100 less, and is a P/J configuration.
I guess most people thought they were getting more for their money by getting the Jag.
(See the post immediately following this one - LOL)

I have both and like both.
But if i were to get another one, I'd rather get the Mustang,
even though it might cost a little more, and only have one pickup.
Too bad they're not available new anymore.
 
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#38
gln1955 said:
Early this year, I managed to find one of the last MIJ Mustangs available in the US. It's a great bass for anyone who's into short scales. It was called a '65 reissue, but not being familiar with vintage Mustangs, I can't say how true to the original it is in every detail. This bass with some of the mods the OP lists would be really nice, whether MIA, MIJ or MIM.

Alas, with Fender Japan out of the picture, it probably won't happen. Fender is content with offering the Squier Jag and Mikey Way as their SS options. :sour:
Click to expand...

And that's the issue right there. Those two are probably enough for Fender. The price of the Jag is hard to beat. A friend of mine plays one of the MIJ Mustangs. It is really nice. I sort of pine for one. However, the price is probably going to make it tough for a lot of folks. It would have to sell for more than a MIA Standard P or J as I don't think they have the tooling just sitting around.

On top of that, there is demand. None of the 4 GC stores in my area have the SS Jaguar. It has to be custom ordered. Now, if there were a real demand for that bass it makes sense one of them would have it in stock. Nope. Don't see it happening with the Mustang either. As was previously stated, maybe they would sell a couple hundred. But not enough to make it.
 
#39
GC stores don't get to select their inventory. Corporate decides and sends it to them.
They can order it for you though, or you can order it yourself.

About not having the tooling - most of the Mustang models were just discontinued this year.
CNC machines can be re-programmed quickly.
 
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#40
I've always thought a 34 in scale Mustang would be cool.

I remember suggesting a B00 Stingray reissue to Sterling Ball and him almost poking fun at me. A few years later the Music Man Classic Series came out.
 

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