Up for sale, a 1970 Fender Competition Mustang in collector-grade condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. Finished in Competition Burgundy (Lake Placid Blue with racing stripe), this Mustang has been sparingly played over the past half century.

Smooth and clear-sounding acoustically, this Mustang is authoritative and snappy via the pair of gray bobbin single coils. The bridge pickup has plenty of jangle and sparkling cut, while the neck pickup has more warmth and sweetness, retaining a defined overall character. One of the most fun sounds on the Mustang is the out-of-phase setting, engaged when both on/off/on pickup selector switches are at their innermost or outermost points for a distinctive quack and spank. The guitar weighs 7lbs 1oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar with fresh 10-46 strings, slinky action and accurate intonation.

The maple neck has a medium C-shaped profile carve with generous shoulders and lightly rolled fretboard edges, measuring .830” deep at the 1st fret and .955” at the 12th. The rosewood fretboard has pearloid dot inlay, and the slender fretwire has good meat and crown, exhibiting no wear. The guitar plays cleanly in all registers up the 24" scale, and the neck is straight with a responsive, optimally adjusted truss rod. The replacement carved bone nut measures 1 1/2" in width, and the Competition Burgundy-finished headstock features the original nigh flawless waterslide decal, also retaining the original F-stamped tuning machines with clean white hexagonal buttons. The neck heel has a green ink stamped November, 1970 date, along with the factory “paint stick” markings in the pocket. The truss rod nut is flush with the neck heel, necessitating virtually no adjustment over the past 50+ years.

The original electronics all work as intended, with gray bobbin pickups and CTS pots which date to the 50th week of 1970. Hardware includes the bridge with barrel saddles (complete with bridge cover), and the vibrato unit which has excellent spring tension and actuates with a light touch, jumping back to the original pitch with ease. The chrome plating on the hardware is gleaming, and the original plastics are very clean as well, including the white pearloid pickguard and pair of knobs.

The Competition Burgundy gloss finish is virtually unaged, exhibiting a few isolated areas of very light vertical checking (particularly on the headstock face) with zero touch-up or overspray. Cosmetic wear is limited to a few minor nicks and a few finish chips, largely concentrated on the lower bout perimeter and back. There is faint greening in the clear coat on the back and a small isolated area just south of the controls on the treble-side edge from contact with the case lining. The neck profile retains its smooth unambered gloss.

The original black tolex hardshell case is included. A rare "export" Fender case used in overseas markets, the case features smooth black tolex, a burgundy interior and a raised Fender logo on the lid. The original latches are functional, and the stock handle is intact.