Up for sale, a 1965 Fender Mustang in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. 100% original save for a pair of pickup switches and a bone nut, this Mustang has a neck heel stamp and pot codes from '64, boasting numerous early features including an L-prefix neck plate, double line Kluson Deluxe tuners, and a wide bevel nitrate tortoise pickguard.

The guitar delivers a smooth acoustic voice that translates well through the stock gray bobbin pickups with great sparkle, clarity, and sweetness. Since the pickups are essentially flat pole Stratocaster pickups with covers over the magnets, the tones are surprisingly similar, although the Mustang has the added benefit of a pair of three-way on/off/on pickup switches for an out-of-phase hollow twang and quack when the switches are engaged in their innermost or outermost positions. Featherweight at 7lbs and professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar with a fresh set of 11-49 roundwound strings and low action, this Mustang is a lively and vital-sounding vintage Fender.

The maple neck has a slender U-shaped profile carve at the nut, with quite a bit of shoulder in every register and notable heft and roundness up the fretboard, measuring .770" deep at the 1st fret and .960" at the 12th. The dark Brazilian rosewood fretboard features pearl dot inlay, and the original slender frets show virtually no wear with good meat, ostensibly lightly leveled and crowned. The guitar plays cleanly in every register up the full 24" scale, the neck is straight, and the truss rod is responsive and optimally adjusted. The nut has Fender's slender "A" width of 1 1/2". On the headstock, the Mustang decal is intact on the face, and the original Kluson Deluxe double line tuners work smoothly and hold pitch well with clean white buttons. The neck heel retains the November, 1964 date stamp, along with the "paint stick" markings in the neck pocket indicative of an original finish.

The electronics all function as intended, the solder joints are untouched, and the Stackpole pots date to the 26th week of '64. The pickups are both hand-dated on the gray bobbins (2-11-65). The original hardware has gleaming chrome plating including the L-prefix serialized four-bolt neck plate, bridge with barrel saddles that show uniform surface patina, and Pat. Pending vibrato unit. This vibrato has excellent tension and actuates smoothly, jumping back to the original pitch with ease and complete with a replacement arm. The original plastic parts are notably clean, including the stock knob pair and red nitrate tortoise pickguard which is well-preserved with virtually no shrinkage.

The Olympic White gloss nitro lacquer finish is 100% original with no touch-up or overspray, exhibiting yellowing of the clear coat, various scuffs and nicks, largely on the back and body perimeter, and one faint circular “tan line” from a removed sticker on the bass-side lower bout on top. The finish on the back of the body is slightly matte in its presentation, likely from extended time in the case. The neck profile is silky smooth, with natural palm wear through much of the gloss.

The original Victoria Luggage-made hardshell case with gray textured exterior is included. The case has clean black leather ends, a trio of stock latches, the original handle, and even the small neck strap.