History of the Fender Mustang
The Fender Mustang was first introduced in 1964 but most production of this model started in 1965. The Mustang was intended for advancing students of guitar. It came in three different models (21.5, 22 and a 22.5 inch necks). The Mustang got its shape primarily from the Fender Musicmaster and the Duo-Sonic models. But soon after the Mustangs popularity both the Musicmaster and the Duo-Sonic changed their style to mimic more of the Mustangs offset waist characteristic and were soon called the Musicmaster II and the Duo-Sonic II.
The Mustang was the first guitar to offer the Leo Fender designed tremolo arm which offered the user some amazing results. Original Mustangs are worth about $1650 a piece. With the 22.5 inch neck bringing a bit more because of its scarcity.
The short neck scale that the Mustang has offers a better playability for people with short hands (something of a rarity with Fender guitars). The Mustang was made popular again in the 90’s by alternative rock musicians such as Kurt Cobain.
In 1968 Fender released a “Competition Mustang” which had race stripes on the body. Fender also made a Bass guitar of the Mustang which also carried a name of the Fender Bronco.
The Fender Mustang was discontinued in 1982 along with the Musicmaster only to be reissued in 1990 because of the vintage guitar craze and the movement of the Grunge and Alternative Rock movement.
Electronics:
The Mustang has two single coil pick-ups each with an on/off switch. A master tone knob and a volume knob are located next to the switch for easy access. The Mustang’s switches for the dual coils are interesting because they are not a circuit or pick-up selector instead both control one pick-up.
Colors:
The Mustang has been made in the following colors:
- Sunburst
- Candy Apple Red
- Sonic Blue
- Vintage White
- Blonde
- Black
- Brown
- Olympic White
- Daphne Blue
- Fiesta Red
- Dakota Red
- Surf Green
- Competition Red
- Competition