Up for sale, a 1971 Fender Mustang sporting a Competition Burgundy (blue) finish and white pearloid pickguard! This clean and original vintage guitar has a prominent acoustic voice that translates well through the stock pickups with great jangle and clarity. 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 phase switches for a very cool hollow twang when both pickups are engaged and out of phase! Featherweight at only 7lbs 4oz, the poplar body balances well on a strap too. Professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar with a fresh set of 10-46 nickel strings and comfortable, low action, this Mustang is an absolutely killer vintage Fender.

The neck has a notably chunky C shaped profile that has a surprising amount of roundness and heft down at the nut with generous shoulders. The profile stays consistent in depth as you move into the higher registers of the fretboard and has a very substantial feel. The gloss nitro lacquer finish is completely intact on the neck profile aside from a few small nicks that don't affect playability in the slightest. The guitar has the full 24" Mustang scale, new hand carved 1 5/8" wide bone nut, and 7 1/4" fretboard radius. The stock fretwire is intact and has been leveled and crowned in the guitar's lifetime, showing only light, uniform wear beneath frets 1-3 extending beneath the plain strings until fret 5, with no notable wear up the neck. These frets have plenty of life left and play cleanly in all registers with no buzzing or dead spots. On the headstock, the original Fender "F" tuning machines with white hexagonal buttons still work smoothly and hold pitch well.

The electronics all work as intended and everything is original with untouched solder joints. The "F" neck plate serial number and Stackpole pot codes date to early '71. The heel of the neck is dated April, 1971, and the neck pocket has the correct paint stick markings. The original bridge is present, as well as the chrome vibrato unit, complete with a reproduction arm. This vibrato has excellent spring tension and actuates with a light touch, jumping back to the original pitch with ease.

Cosmetically, the body shows signs of light, honest playwear, with horizontal checking on back and some faint marks in the clear coat where it appears the guitar sat on its strap in the case for an extended period of time. There are some assorted shallow nicks around the edges of the contoured body as well as a few finish scratches in the clear coat on the back, but shy of what would be considered "buckle rash." Around the neck plate there is a bit of light finish chipping, and the back of the headstock has a vintage decal from "Herbert Music." The Competition Burgundy finish (not actually burgundy, but Fender's way of saying Lake Placid Blue with a racing stripe) has a slightly yellowed clear coat which gives the finish a faintly green tinge, contrasting nicely with the original pearloid pickguard and black toggle switches. All of the original shielding plates are intact and the routes are original and untouched.

A non-original hardshell case is included.

Check out our shop "Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar," and please let us know if we can answer any questions!

Shipping in the continental USA will be $65, fully insured and shipped via FedEx Ground. Expedited shipping available for an additional fee at buyer's request. We will happily ship WORLDWIDE, but please contact us for an accurate international shipping quote before bidding or buying, as cost varies by buyer location.

International orders will be declared as “merchandise,” and the value of merchandise will be declared as the amount paid. We cannot declare anything as a gift or for a lesser value. No exceptions! The customer is responsible for all taxes and duty, which may be collected upon delivery, as well as any additional charges involved with import.

We do our best to describe all items with honesty and accuracy, but to be sure, please contact us with any questions or concerns prior to bidding or buying. We require payment within 48 hours of auction end. In the unlikely event of a return, buyer pays all shipping costs. Your positive feedback and five star ratings are very important to us, and we appreciate your communication in resolving any issues!