In defense of the bridge/J pickup: I had to raise the pickup height quite a bit, but then it sounded great in the both-pickups-on setting. I used that setting plenty, and the neck-only setting. I never used the bridge-only setting.
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Which Mustang Bass in 2025?
- Thread starter Just Wrong
- Start date
Yeah I've seen several JMJs posted with the tone pot miswired as well, causing some funky interactions. A reversed output jack is crazy though, as that suggests they didn't ever even plug it in at the factory!
I had the American Performer briefly. I bought it when it was on sale, but I struggled to like it. I get why the video gives it a low mojo score. The Mustang pickup is weak and bland to me, and I didn't think the J added anything.
I ended up selling it and later ordering a JMJ, which has become my favorite. The JMJ pickup is much better.
The Vintera one is awesome as well. I like the JMJ neck shape and finish better, but that's strictly personal preference. The Vintera looks and sounds so good. If you get your hands on both, you can't go wrong picking the one you find most comfortable.
I ended up selling it and later ordering a JMJ, which has become my favorite. The JMJ pickup is much better.
The Vintera one is awesome as well. I like the JMJ neck shape and finish better, but that's strictly personal preference. The Vintera looks and sounds so good. If you get your hands on both, you can't go wrong picking the one you find most comfortable.
D
I have a Vintera Mustang bass and I really like it. Unfortunately I had to return two before I got one without serious flaws. The first one I got had a crooked neck and the second one had cracks in the wood around one of the tuners. You should definitely try before you buy, or buy from a store with a very good return policy, Fender's QC is totally unacceptable when considering the prices they charge for their instruments. These two Mustangs I returned are actually FAR from the worst I've seen from Fender in recent years. If you get a good one, they're great (if a little overpriced). But it really is a lottery.
I guess everyone has different experiences, but I'm a bit mystified (but I believe you) about the precipitating situation about the Fender bass staying in tune. I've never had that problem with any Fender bass, and I've owned about 10 of them over the last 30 years. That has never been a quality or giggability or tuning issue for me. It sounds like some bass you had is trying to pretend it's a Gibson Les Paul in hot afternoon direct sunlight and shade cover.
So the issue seems to me at the core of it, is tuning stability or concerns therein. Whatever bass, invest in better tuners or at least change tuners to an aftermarket option to see if the tuning stablity is increased?
I think a simple (although possibly inconvenient) afternoon spent at a music store playing a short scale or whatever, seeing if it stays in tune for 30-40 minutes AND MORE, figuring out why or why not. If the bass stays in tune, buy THAT bass, literally. It's the one that stays in tune for whatever reason.
In an ideal world, tapes. But they're often buzzy, and I don't have my hopes up about them being silent on a Mustang. So, flats.
I have the JMJ and really like it. The relic finish is really well done IMO and the neck carve feels great for a shortscale bass. It's "chunky" but doesn't feel large in the hand like a Nocaster guitar or whatever. Most people seem to gravitate towards flats on Mustang basses but the JMJ sounds phenomenal with rounds. I prefer well worn-in rounds to get a bit of both worlds.
There are two developments. The creation of hollowed out ash bodies and there are the baked maple necks. Both are in my humble opinion one of the best innovations you want on your instrument.
I own a JMJ and enjoy playing it. I like the relic as I don't need to worry about bumping it on something.
Brandon Shea
Commercial User
On the off chance that you decide to get an American Performer, do yourself a favor and order a set of La Bella 760F-MUS strings to start with. The tension is basically perfect in my opinion, and the tone is fantastic with either/both pickups. People really undervalue the bridge pickup in particular.
I got my Mustang in 2020 and didn't try these strings until last year. While I appreciate the journey, I can't help but wonder how much more I would've enjoyed this bass throughout the past few years if I had just started with the La Bella flats instead of trying a bunch of slightly cheaper options. I've used similar La Bella strings on other basses and haven't loved them this much, so I think there's something special about this pairing that really works.
100% agree. The La Bella 760F-MUS flats are the chefs kiss on any Mustang
La Bella's 760FL are my favourite flats on a 34-inch scale bass, so definitely going to try them. I also found the Fender flats on the JMJ to be brighter than I though they'd be, granted they were new.
JMJ uses the Labellas (JMJ as in the real person, I get that the bass comes with Fender flats). https://www.talkbass.com/threads/chromes-vs-labella-on-jmj-mustang.1666944/#post-28906729
Although... this thread reminded me of the woes of buying La Bella flats. So many LTF with overly bright G strings that won't die...
Brandon Shea
Commercial User
The Fender flats I tried on my Mustang were pretty weak. Lifeless tone and practically no sustain. I kept hoping they'd break in and get better, but it never happened.
Nothing against Fender flats in general though, I love the old set I have on my jazz bass.
I had a Vintera briefly and liked the sound and vibe of it, but make sure you try one first and see if you mesh with it because the neck is chunky (7.5" fret radius) and glossy. That ended up being the reason I sold it.
The JMJ has a wider nut yet less chunky neck due to the 9.25" fret radius. People rave about them but the relic look just isn't for me.
I recently picked up one of the new Player II Mustangs and really love the feel of the neck, the size combined with the rolled fretboard edges just makes it so fast and effortless to play. I recently swapped out the P pickup for NM4s and it sounds awesome, and now feels more like a Mustang than a smaller P bass. Mustang purists will scoff at the J pickup (as some in this thread did about the American Performer), but until Fender puts out a classic looking Mustang with a modern neck and no relic finish this is probably what I'm sticking with.
The JMJ has a wider nut yet less chunky neck due to the 9.25" fret radius. People rave about them but the relic look just isn't for me.
I recently picked up one of the new Player II Mustangs and really love the feel of the neck, the size combined with the rolled fretboard edges just makes it so fast and effortless to play. I recently swapped out the P pickup for NM4s and it sounds awesome, and now feels more like a Mustang than a smaller P bass. Mustang purists will scoff at the J pickup (as some in this thread did about the American Performer), but until Fender puts out a classic looking Mustang with a modern neck and no relic finish this is probably what I'm sticking with.
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