FACTOIDS & TRIVIA

The Fender Mustang was introduced in mid-1964 prior to the sale of Fender Electric Instruments to CBS. The idea was to create a mid-line model between the student grade Duo-Sonic and the professional quality Telecaster. The Mustang proved to be a very popular model and was manufactured between 1964 and 1981. Originally made as a 22 1/2 inch scale guitar, the Mustang is more often found with a 24 inch scale. Early models had a slab alder body, but it was given the patented Fender contour body in early 1969. The Mustang shown here has the earliest features of the model. These include the first style (pre-CBS) headstock shape, 1 DES number, 3 patent numbers and Pat. Pending headstock decal, and Pat. Pending tailpiece. August 1965 was the last month for these features and this particular Mustang hails from that month. Another interesting feature of this guitar is its large neck profile. Most Mustangs have thin, oval necks, but during second half of 1965, it is not uncommon to find Mustangs, Duo-Sonic II's, and Musicmaster II's with larger than "normal" necks. The larger neck with the 24" scale increases the playability/comfort factors of the guitar.

 Body: Solid, 2-piece alder

 Finish: Dakota Red, nitrocellulose lacquer

 Neck: 1-piece maple, bolt-on

 Fingerboard: Brazilian rosewood; pearloid dot markers

 Number of Frets: 22

 Pickguard: White pearloid/black/white plastic laminate

 Bridge: Fender steel; Dynamic Vibrato tailpiece, chrome

 Nut: Plastic

 Tuners: Kluson Deluxe, enclosed, nickel

 Pickups: Two, Fender single coil

 Controls: Master tone, master volume, two 3-way pick-up selectors

 Scale Length: 24 inches

 Neck Width at Nut: 1 5/8 inches

 Body Width at Lower Bout: 12 inches

 Body Depth: 1 1/2 inches

 Weight: n/a