Pre-1969 Mustang vs post-1969

[BassAgent]

I've been looking at vintage Mustangs to replace my JMJ. What are the main differences between the slab body Mustangs from before 1969 and the contoured basses, except for the body shape? Are the necks similar?

 

[T McClure]

I'd also be interested in what the differences are in the different eras only because the music shops around me never seem to have these older Mustangs, so I've never had a chance to play any of them.

I see plenty on Reverb or eBay at shops several states away, and I'm not about to spend a bunch of money on something old based only on photos.

 

[jmjbassplayer]

Sonics are so similar all around, I've played so many of these from all gens. My OG '66 has a lot of very solid fundamental beef due to mysterious factors that may or may not include the thickness of the headstock, more wood on the body, slightly more width at the nut (which seems to progressively narrow over the years), who knows. Could it be the pickups? I'd guess not, because every source I've consulted say that pickups never really changed much. If you like lollipops and no arm/belly cut, go pre '69. Otherwise, just go for typical considerations like vibe, color, condition, originality, weight, etc.

 

[BassAgent]

Thanks! I played a 73 last week and that seemed to have a slimmer neck than my JMJ. Might look around for an early 70's bass then...

 

[D Bopp]

I’ve owned a 78 and a few JMJs. The 78 had a much thinner neck front to back, and a narrower width at the nut.

 

[sunbeast]

Vintage Fenders were far more variable overall as they weren't using CNCs to cut them but doing most everything by hand. That means neck depth, nut width, and countless other more subtle things can vary between examples made around the same time in the factory much more than is typical from modern instruments. You really have to try a bunch, which is of course not as feasible these days unless you are rich or live in the small handful of cities with thriving vintage shops- or shop from online stores that can give you very exacting measurements if you don't have local options to try

 

[smatanovic]

Sonics are so similar all around, I've played so many of these from all gens. My OG '66 has a lot of very solid fundamental beef due to mysterious factors that may or may not include the thickness of the headstock, more wood on the body, slightly more width at the nut (which seems to progressively narrow over the years), who knows. Could it be the pickups? I'd guess not, because every source I've consulted say that pickups never really changed much. If you like lollipops and no arm/belly cut, go pre '69. Otherwise, just go for typical considerations like vibe, color, condition, originality, weight, etc.

When someone ask a question about JMJ sig basses and... JMJ responds. Wow. Just a little bit starstruck.

 

[BassAgent]

Sonics are so similar all around, I've played so many of these from all gens. My OG '66 has a lot of very solid fundamental beef due to mysterious factors that may or may not include the thickness of the headstock, more wood on the body, slightly more width at the nut (which seems to progressively narrow over the years), who knows. Could it be the pickups? I'd guess not, because every source I've consulted say that pickups never really changed much. If you like lollipops and no arm/belly cut, go pre '69. Otherwise, just go for typical considerations like vibe, color, condition, originality, weight, etc.

Now I feel embarrassed that I'm considering replacing your signature bass I really love that bass but somehow the vintage bug has caught me in a shortscale way (next to my 3 longscale vintage Fenders). I do like lollipops but I prefer contoured body. It's difficult. A friend of mine had a Dakota Red 1967 that was brilliant as well.
Thanks for replying Justin! I feel honored.

Vintage Fenders were far more variable overall as they weren't using CNCs to cut them but doing most everything by hand. That means neck depth, nut width, and countless other more subtle things can vary between examples made around the same time in the factory much more than is typical from modern instruments. You really have to try a bunch, which is of course not as feasible these days unless you are rich or live in the small handful of cities with thriving vintage shops- or shop from online stores that can give you very exacting measurements if you don't have local options to try

Yeah I know how you need to be lucky. I was lucky with my three vintage Fenders which all three have a brilliant neck but I've played so many dogs...

 

[jmjbassplayer]

What @sunbeast said. Exactly that.

@BassAgent I'm glad you're moving into vintage zone, ain't nothin wrong with that! I have a Dakota Red '67 guitar that I'll never part with, that's possibly my favorite Mustang color, aside from Competition Orange and Daphne Blue.

 

[Boneless]

Question: why are you thinking of replacing a "new" JMJ (a known quantity) with an old (ie. 60-70 years old) Mustang that may or may not be problematic? Never mind JMJ himself, he's got poopie-tons of cash.

 

[BassAgent]

Simple: because the vintage germ is stubborn. For example, this 1973 is for sale in Germany and I can't stop thinking about it.

But the JMJ is an excellent bass and if I can't find an old bass of the same level I'll keep my little blue beast.

 

[Cadillac_Mike]

Vintage Fenders were far more variable overall as they weren't using CNCs to cut them but doing most everything by hand. That means neck depth, nut width, and countless other more subtle things can vary between examples made around the same time in the factory much more than is typical from modern instruments. You really have to try a bunch, which is of course not as feasible these days unless you are rich or live in the small handful of cities with thriving vintage shops- or shop from online stores that can give you very exacting measurements if you don't have local options to try

When did they switch to CNC, sometime in the 70's?

 

[T McClure]

When someone ask a question about JMJ sig basses and... JMJ responds. Wow. Just a little bit starstruck.

Just imagine it’s your bass talking to you.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I've been looking at vintage Mustangs to replace my JMJ. What are the main differences between the slab body Mustangs from before 1969 and the contoured basses, except for the body shape? Are the necks similar?

I haven touched one one the recent versions, but the one I payed in the 70’s was one of the nicest playing best playing short scale bass I’ve ever had my hands on.

 

[jmjbassplayer]

Question: why are you thinking of replacing a "new" JMJ (a known quantity) with an old (ie. 60-70 years old) Mustang that may or may not be problematic? Never mind JMJ himself, he's got poopie-tons of cash.

I do? That's news to me! Tell my wife that.

 

[mikecd1]

My 73 neck was much slimmer than my JMJ and I fell in love with the JMJ profile and sold the 73. Preferred the JMJ custom pickup as well and had swapped out the 73 pickup for an Aero which was very nice. I felt the 73 pickup had really low output and was very difficult to EQ and get a good sound. YMMV

 

[MojoPin]

I wouldn't want anything slimmer neck-wise than the JMJ coming from mainly playing P basses. It allows me to pull out my guitar player-isms when I'm experimenting with sounds and with it being super easy to get around on the neck letting my guitar player brain take over. I prefer playing bass as part of the rhythm section but I love experimentation and improvisation all the same.

 

[REV]

No CNC holes in the vintage Mustang.

 

[sunbeast]

When did they switch to CNC, sometime in the 70's?

Apparently their first CNC came upon the opening of their Custom Shop in the mid-80s. Not sure when CNC took over the main production line, though I suspect Fenders out of Japan were probably the first production line CNC’d stuff

 

[lm183902]

I hope your search works out!

I'm happy to say that my JMJ is a good one! (To the point that it cured my desire to find a vintage one) With prices the way they are these days for vintage, I feel like my JMJ gets too close to justify the difference. However, I completely understand the appeal and if money were no object, I'd get a vintage one in a heartbeat, lol.

Also, the one posted with the racing strip looks great - get it! I saw someone earlier this week with the signature "Life is short, buy the bass", and I'm choosing to live by that.