Used - Good Condition
The Mustang Bass was the last original bass designed by Leo Fender before his departure from the company in 1965. The Fender Mustang bass was a short scaled (30") four string bass, produced at Fender's Fullerton plant, California, USA from 1966 until 1983 (but has been reissued as of 2002). At the time it was one of the first new instruments of the CBS era, and companion model to the Mustang guitar. Like all Fender guitars up until that time it was a simple bolt on neck, solid body with electronics mounted to the scratchplate. With its short scale, the Fender Mustang bass was aimed at guitarists dabbling at bass, and students; but nonetheless it is a great playing, solid feeling instrument, with good quality components. It certainly does not feel like an entry level instrument. Solid bass tone is achieved through the use of a split pickup positioned for maximum string response. Each pickup section may be adjusted for custom string balance. Tone and volume controls are conveniently located and provide wide tone variation. Individual bridges for each string are adjustable for length and height. In addition, each has its own string mute allowing the player to control sustaining duration to suit his requirements. A thumb rest is placed to give maximum support to the hand. The truss-rod reinforced neck is slimmed down for fast action and has 19 frets. This sweet sounding bass was made in 1976 and does show some age (or character!) to it. Don't you feel a '70s groove coming on?
Cosmetic and Functionality Description
Body: the top, back, and sides show some age, or character as we like to call it(!), such as lacquer checking, scuff marks, scratches, dings, and dents, but despite all this there is only light buckle rash on the back; the pickguard has some scuff marks and scratches from typical playing and the neckplate just has a few very light scratches on it
Neck, Fretboard, and Headstock: the fretboard has a few scrapes and chips in the lacquer down both edges and some small lacquer cracks around the inlays; the back of the neck has a few very light scratches to be found upon close inspection and a few more noticeable lacquer cracks/dings around the 2nd fret and 12 fret positions; the headstock has a a few small dings and light scratches on the front and back, but most noticeable along the sides and edges where a few chips in the lacquer can also be found
Action and Playability: the action is about medium, plus the neck is straight but the A-string is a little buzzy when played open and the truss rod functions but is quite tight
Frets: moderate wear with very shallow dips in the first four frets and the A-string is a little buzzy when played open
Hardware: the tuning keys are pretty tight, but functional; the tuners show some obvious wear in the finish along with some spots of rust; the bridge shows some small spots of pitting and rust while the saddles and springs show some more obvious wear and rust in the finish; the neckplate has a few very light scratches on it
Electronics: all functions flawlessly but the pickup does show some scuff marks from typical playing
Includes: electric bass guitar and hardshell case (the case shows some holes in the tolex, the storage compartment is loose on one side, and the case will not stand on its edge due to one of the feet missing)
Features
- Short-scale electric bass guitar
- Natural gloss finish
- Ash body
- 4-ply black/white/black/white pickguard
- Bolt-on maple neck
- Maple fretboard
- Black dot inlays
- 19 frets
- Chrome Fender tuners
- Chrome hardware
- 7-bolt bridge with adjustable saddles and string mutes
- Passive electronics
- 1 x split single-coil pickup
- 1 x Volume knob and 1 x Tone knob
- Scale: 30"
- Nut width: 1-5/8"
- Weight: 7 lbs. 6 oz.
- Made in U.S.A.