I Bought The Most Underrated Fender Of All Time

[@kiels2563]

Just bought a mustang here in nigeria, its the best thing that ever happened to me... Now i found my own guitar, a guitar made for me that fits my personality and sound... I'm in love man

[@izakhughes]

Couldn’t agree more with this. I have a mustang and it quickly became my main guitar. It’s amazing and sounds so much bigger than it looks

[@weronikazalewska2098]

The necks are brilliant. You have to get the action just right on them though

[@brad207]

Mustangs have been my main guitar for over 10 years now, they are MASSIVELY underrated. The middle position is incredible

[@studiodsr]

Love the middle position on a Mustang. Kind of like position 2 and 4 on a strat but definitely its own thing

[@tomnelson5815]

Agree. I have both a Fender and a recent Squier Mustang. Both are great, and the mid positions are indistinguishable one from the other.

[@9eyeh8chu9]

I own a real 64 slab body mustang so I am very familiar with the guitar but what are we referring to as “the middle” position? Do you mean both pickups on?

[@nobup7]

In Japan, Mustang is famous and popular, because a famous musician Char uses Mustang.

[@starry6589]

OH MY GOD YES ANOTHER CHAR FAN :D Smoky is so unbelievably cool! and I've tried!! his tone is so cool

[@Taco_Raider]

My Dad Is Car

[@Mark_McC]

Love Char in the PFC videos!!

[@redacted6022]

@@starry6589HOLY SHIT I’ve never even seen another person on the internet mention him

[@starry6589]

@@redacted6022 Neither have I in English speaking media at least.. which is a shame cause he's so unbelievably cool, listening to the first album is such an amazing experience! it had me smiling so hard the entire time

[@BroKnowsGuitar]

1966 Mustang owner here 🙋‍♂️ I’ve loved them since I was a teenager. When I was 17 (in 2017) I ventured into Emerald City Guitars in Seattle, and when I asked Trevor Boone if I could play a Daphne Blue 60’s Mustang they had, he proceeded to bring me EVERY vintage Mustang/Duo Sonic/Musicmaster they had all on stands and told me to play every one and have fun. Unfortunately I didn’t have the money back then to buy any of them, but a couple years ago I finally did 🙌

[@avmed8003]

Who cares

[@andrewbootsdekemper3410]

Cool story congrats. It’s always a great feeling when a guitar shop treats a customer that way.

[@TheBlindAndTheBeautiful]

Love those guys and always down to get Emerald City Guitars some love. Bought a 1988 MIJ Fender strat (Based on the 62 design) in a butterscotch yellow. Thing looked like it had not seen a day's worth of playing. ... can not claim that now. But they were beyond patient with me. Knew I was working with a somewhat limited budget for a birthday present for myself while working in Seattle. Went through a lot of hoops with me to find something both in my price range and something I would like. Nick (The sales guy who got me) was good enough matching me with an incredibly killer amp and guitar combo that I had to fight not to buy that amp right there as well although I can not for the life of me remember the name of the amp other than they are built either in Seattle or Tacoma by hand and kill with a lot of the local high end guys. Point is love these guys

[@BroKnowsGuitar]

@@TheBlindAndTheBeautiful nice! They’re a great shop and run a great KZbin channel as well

[@BroKnowsGuitar]

@@avmed8003 well aren’t you just a bundle of joy?! 🤗

[@andrews2772]

I bought a 1964 Fender Mustang at age 17 in 2002 off a friend in high school for $200.00. Neither of us knew what year it was or what we had on our hands. It had been repainted by a local guitar shop with teal boat paint. He went immediately and bought a knock off SG to play in a screamo band. I kept it for 20 years and it will always be an amazing part of my musical journey.

[@henrykimball6817]

If it's good enough for Cobain it's good enough for me!

[@Cannibal_Actual]

That’s what Billy Corgan said about Cortney Love!

[@Turboyeehawguitar]

@@Cannibal_Actualbilly hit it bc and ad😂

[@bradleybieber3886]

My first guitat teacher had a Mustang and therefore my first electric had to be a Mustang. Saved my money during the summer of '84 and bought a '66 Fender Mustang from Grhuhn Guitars. Had the little flyer they used to send out and had to call them and then send a certified check. No, sadly, I don't still have it. Sold it to a childhood friend so I could buy a '71 Les Paul Custom off of Rick Silk from The Toll. And tragically, I don't have that one either. Many bad choices over the decades. lol

[@eduardogarciapujol9591]

Interesting story !! Jajajaja yup , bad choices , but hope you have a guitar you love now

[@bradleybieber3886]

@@eduardogarciapujol9591 I have several that I love now, fortunately. 😄

[@steverolfeca]

My dad played nice archtops, and I picked up the false impression that only the fanciest gear was any good. Decades later I’m still too big for a Mustang, but I have learned to appreciate cheaper stuff like small 60’s amps, P90’s, Telecasters, etc.

[@KenFernbach]

Me too!

[@rw5170]

I am with you on that! I am6 foot 3, but my reach is a bit longer. And I love mustangs but if I bought one, I'd have to move the bridge and get a different neck so that it was a 25.5 or more. I just can't do short scales

[@steverolfeca]

@@rw5170 oddly, width at the nut is more of an issue than scale length for me. Big guy, big hands. Doesn’t matter whether we’re talking electric or acoustic bass with 4, 5 or 6 strings, baritone or regular guitars, my happy place is 1 3/4” to 1 7/8”. Worst of all, are skinny-ass 1.65” Bass VI’s. The narrow left-hand string spacing feels horrible, and kills my natural vibrato…

[@cartilagehead]

I have a short scale Fender Mustang bass (I think it’s a 2020?) that I absolutely adore. Might be more your size if you’re in the market for a short scale bass (you definitely are, even if you think you aren’t)

[@steverolfeca]

@@cartilagehead Different strokes… Although I appreciate a good short-scale bass, the only one that I currently use on stage, is my little 24” scale Guild Jumbo Junior acoustic. Sounds amazing on ballads, especially with acoustic piano and hand percussion, but it’s kind of a one-trick pony. Growing up in a family music business (and having an accommodating wife), I’ve been able to sample everything. I started out with short-scales as a teen, and still appreciate their round, warm tones. But I stepped up to a ‘64 Precision when I went off to college, and never went back, other than the odd project bass here and there. My favourite affordable shortie was a Hofner Ignition Club. Super-light, and capable of more than just Beatles tones. Duesenberg makes a fantastic up-scale version, if that’s your thing. The nail in the coffin for me, was falling for 5-string basses in the mid-1980’s. The search for a good low B narrowed my options, and once I sampled the punch and clarity of an over-34” Low B a decade later, I was done like dinner. My recent acquisition of a 42” scale NS Design NXTa 5-string electric upright has only fueled that obsession. I still have a super-short Ibanez Mikro 5-string that I keep as a couch and travel bass. It’s just good enough to be giggable, but my Dingwall ABZ-5 (fanned fret, 37” low B and 34” G) slays it and every other extended-range shortie I’ve owned, including a fairly expensive headless Ibanez EHB1005SMS. The sustain, clarity, note definition and tonal range have to be experienced to be understood. Although I t’s mostly about the sound, the ergonomics are amazing as well. At 7.5lb, it’s lighter than some shorties, plus the slender neck and excellent balance on or off a strap are killer. It’s pretty exotic, and certainly not for everyone, but it’s my forever bass.

[@TechOttawa]

Mustang Magic! When I was 15 a new friend showed me how to play Smoke On The Water and Takin Care of Business on one. Within two weeks I had bought a bass and my best buddy a drum set. I went on to produce music for 40 years and just retired. I mainly play bass but also have some guitars around the studio. That Mustang was the key. Twenty years ago I picked up an actual beat-up black Nov 65 Stang with one OG pickup, slab rosewood neck and a route/gouge for a bridge humbucker. I recently got it nitro'd to Dakota Red, white pearl pickguard and brought everything up to snuff. Slab body is xtra thin just 6lbs. Guitar of my dreams. Fits my hands. Looks like a million bucks! I have several pickguards - single coil and double. It is amazing. I have named it "Francois" after my friend. Such a visceral sounding basic guitar sound - add a good trem arm and pedal and it is gold! A great Pink Floyd machine! Tip - 10.5 -50 strings work magic on this scale length - if you can find em!

[@SatelliteSounds]

Got me a Squier Mustang in April for only 40 pounds. (UK) To those who have never played one, if you want to play with a kinda easy bounce and loose kinda feeling, really rock out with fun with behind it, couldn't recommend a mustang more. It's my go to now. I think anyone who has never played one before would be incredibly surprised how great these things feel to play. I mean I have no idea about other mustangs, really, but mine is by far one of the coolest guitars I've ever played.

[@weronikazalewska2098]

They're like the anti Gibson for me- really comfortable to play and lightweight and you can get all sorts of unusual or unique sounds out of them rather than just vague 70s classic rock or jazz sounds.

[@TerrEduarDan]

One of the coolest Mustang variants out there will be the heavily modded Mustang in Sonic Youth’s arsenal.

[@mutantboy8888]

In 71-74 I played a Mustang, it was a great guitar! I was the only one in High School who could play the ***Highway Star*** guitar solo, (self taught) lol...

[@Saatanan]

One tip for when you get the trem arm, buy some nylon tipped grub screws to hold it in place. Regular metal tipped ones tend to bite into the arm and scar it up when you twist the arm out of the way. Love me a mustang though! Always nice to see people discovering how cool they are.

[@Brightglowingtubes]

My sunburst ‘74 Mustang was in pretty bad shape when I rescued it from a dank basement in Philly in 2016. Price: $250, ‘90s Fender case included. All metal was pretty rusted, some frets were green and the G and B strings were slacked and rusted to the upper frets. Original white pickguard had someone’s name carved into it. Just total neglect. After much work to get all metal looking worn but better, I decided to pull all electronics (pots would not clean up and were ceased up when I found it) and repopulate with CTS pots, orange drop cap, Puretone jack, new switches, all vintage pushback wiring, and a set of Fralin split blade for Mustang pickups, which are amazing. Since I’m not a fan of the out of phase sounds, I wired the front switch as a 3-way for pickup selection and the rear switch as a series/parallel switch for massive tones/high output. Fuzz pedal Heaven. It’s a favorite guitar of mine and I feel lucky to have scored it for such a low price, despite all of the work needed to bring it up to speed. If you’re ever in Philly, I play it live along with Strats that I built in a band called Heaven Man.

[@JimmyGallowayGuitar]

Hey Jeff!

[@Brightglowingtubes]

@@JimmyGallowayGuitar yo Jimmy!

[@ssiowi]

True that Rhett; thanks for respecting the Mustang. Death Cab's Ben Gibbard smiles ear to ear over his signature 'stang. Total respect for the design decisions, e.g. 24" scale length, behind the Mustang. Love your posts; thanks again! Cheers from PDX, OR. P.S. beautiful blue body on your Mustang!

[@axol6110]

Try putting some reverb and delay and use the bridge pickup, it’s like the epitome of the “surf guitar” sound; especially if you have the vibrato arm, just remember to set it up properly because they can be kinda a pain without proper care.

[@TemporallyYours]

first guitar was a hand me down '64 mustang- have bought and sold many other guitars over the years, but doubt I'll ever part with the mustang! The vibrato system is a big reason why.

[@tuckernelson5417]

I had that exact guitar (except 2006) and loved it. Only sold because didn't have a lot of room in college and already had a strat and tele.

[@DouglasMcLaughlin-kq7hk]

As a high schooler, bought a red one that had factory wiring problems, a neck coded 08 Nov 65 and an L 158*** neck plate. Decided after a couple years, hot rod it with a PAF in the bridge, by chiseling out the cavity. Soon after, stolen when shipped across country. Whoever has/had it, hope you enjoyed.

[@LazyCat010]

That neck is only a few weeks older than me 😮

[@JoelRossFilms]

Rhett, thanks for posting this. As you were picking out and playing your guitar, I spotted one I was looking for on the wall behind you. Road Worn 50’s purple tele. I called the next day and bought it!

[@Balin_James]

That trem system is absolutely gorgeous, holy shit! I’m not really a lo-fi guy but that thing could do some killer lo-fi work

[@fernandoperdomomusic]

My 74 Mustang never leaves my side. the tremolo is the best one of all the fender designs .. and it really comes alive with Lace Sensor pickups (which look stock) .. Todd Rundgren's Black Mustang was the guitar on Meatloaf's Bat Out of Hell. Jason Falkner cut Jellyfish's Bellybutton with a Mustang as well.

[@minerva8421]

have a '68 mustang i received as an heirloom. dad got it in a trade and it's been in my life basically forever. the dude who had it before us redid the paint (was white, now red, but it was painted on with a brush...), he switched out the original pickups, and made a faraday cage with graphite. i think he was going for a grunge feel. currently in the shop to clean up the guts after 30+ years.

[@soundpropellerpatrick113]

Mustangs have been my main guitars since the 80's, so I'm completely on board with this one!

[@jessethetodd]

So cool to see one of my favorite players bring a Mustang to life. The reproductions - whether the MIJ or the Vintera or even the Squier Classic Vibe are all amazing. To me a Mustang isn’t a Mustang without the trem - used Vintera 1s can be found at the same price point or lower than the Player 2 so I’d highly highly recommend that - or the Squier CV over the Player 2

[@jtf2dan]

Thanks for the explanation of what makes this guitar unique....loved the modulation with your hand on the trem bar..

[@CheBellaTelevisione]

Mustang guy here.. one of the tips I can offer as to tuning stability is to coil the spare string length around the cigar tube and wrap it over

[@max_mittler]

how many extra wraps do you do? curious!

[@CheBellaTelevisione]

@@max_mittler so with the ernie ball lime standard slinky, the lowest two gets three extra wraps, the mid two gets two extra wraps, and the highest two get one extra wrap. you'll actually find that the string lengths work out exactly this way so you don't have to clip anything.

[@ia5662]

I've owned one since 98 (a MIJ 96' model) and I put a Fender Red Lace Sensor pickup in the bridge that really gets some beautiful lead tone and crunch. A Mustang in that color scheme is one of my favorite guitars on the planet - it's jangly as hell. I was all about getting thanks to Kurt, which I'm sure many of us were. He made those retro Fenders cool all over again in the 90s, it's a great guitar.

[@markhammer643]

The three-position slide switches on the Mustang allow for easy modification to the half-out-of-phase mod, devised by Bill Lawrence, and implemented on the Fender Jerry Donahue Tele. By shaving off some of the bass on the neck pickup, when it is phase-reversed with the bridge pickup, the N+B position yields a tone that is shockingly similar to neck+middle "cluck" on a Strat with NO volume drop, and none of the annoying nasal honk of traditional phase-reversed pickup combinations. Mind you, if you *want* that honk, for whatever reason, you can still get it on a Mustang, by leaving the neck pickup as is, and reversing the phase of the bridge pickup. That's 5 different pickup sounds in total.

[@Rogers1977]

My dream guitar is a candy apple red Mustang, no stripe and matching color headstock. Basically the MG69.

[@KevinRibelMusic]

I was blown away a few years ago by the Squier Mustang with humbuckers. Killer little workhorse!

[@daveladd99]

I replaced my original 1966 p/ups with Fender “Noiseless” Strats. Great stuff! Sometimes I miss the old hum…. Don’t know what happened to the originals but I quit playing for about 20 years and when I pulled it out again, they were DOA.

[@TheProducers]

I bought my Mustang as my first guitar in 1981. It was not new but it is still my favorite guitar to play. If I need some rock riff age, that’s my go to, and for subtle and not so subtle vibrato, I use the stop bar a lot.

[@sammybeck7794]

I used to own a 1965 Fender Mustang (which was stolen) with the baby blue finish and the turtle shell pickguard. I used that guitar all the time during rehearsals and during gigs. It's a little smaller than the Strat and lighter which is perfect if standing for long periods. It's a good quality made guitar with 2 single coil pickups. Mine had a built in whammy bar which is rare.

[@andybasic1761]

I love my 67 Mustang! I traded my 66 toward a Strat @ 72 but found a beauty 66 @ 15 years ago and will never sell it. I love that you are always willing to explore different options with an open mind. Rock on Rhett!

[@scottudell7202]

Been a fan of Mustangs for years. Owned a Squier Vintage Modified Mustang in 2012-15. I now own a Squier Sonic Mustang, as well as a Fender Vintera II Competition Mustang. The Fender is quite possibly the best guitar I have ever owned. Always so easy to use. The vibrato is hard to navigate at first, but if you did want to set it up to stay in tune better, you can. Just take the entire vibrato unit out and adjust the springs on the cigar tube. It can be set up to do dives and stay in tune far better. You will lose most upward movement, but it's much more stable for dives after adjusting the springs.

[@rudolphpyatt4833]

That term system, like the Jazzmaster, was originally designed for much heavier strings than are typically used now; .012s or .013s at the high E.

[@adamcoe]

Unless you do a ton of bending (and even if you do, as long as you have strong hands), I've always loved the electric Jazz Light set, 12-52 with the wound G. If you're a person like myself and switches between acoustic and electric frequently, it's effectively the same gauge as acoustic Lights, and I've found it's easier to go back and forth due to the more consistent gauge on both guitars (and hence, consistent string tension assuming the scale lengths are similar).

[@scotthutchens1556]

My parents bought me a sunburst Mustang in 1970 when I was 16. Traded a 3-pickup Teisco Del Rey ES-335 style guitar at a shop for the Mustang. In 1973 I traded the Mustang with loan financing on a ‘67 Tele. That was a big mistake because I couldn’t use my fuzz with the Tele at all because the pickups were microphonic and squealed. Plus, I was using a 1970 Carvin transistor guitar head and 2x12 cab and the transistor amp did not get much of an overdrive. I would’ve been much better off keeping the Mustang until I had enough mine to buy a real Strat later in 1973 when I was working. It was worth the wait for the Strat in 1973. The tones you got with this Mustang are absolutely gorgeous. It’s remarkable how warm and sweet they sound.

[@johnthursfield3056]

My first decent guitar was a 64 Mustang. I still have it, doesn't get played as much as it should but when I do I enjoy it.

[@max_mittler]

what do you play now?

[@johnthursfield3056]

@@max_mittler Mostly Strat but I have a lot of guitars :-). I really only record these days so the different sounds and playing experiences feed into what I do.

[@RobertNolan]

My most prized guitar is a 1970 Comp 'Stang in Burgundy Blue with a matching headstock. Love it.

[@messagedeleted1922]

If you flip the trem around you can string it straight pull. When you string it straight pull it changes the break angle so you can put the trem all the way down on its pegs until it hits the body and stop it from activating. Also changes the feel and massively increases sustain.

[@rawhyde65]

Spring '86 I traded by '81 Rickenbacker 340 Burgundy-Glo, which was my first Guitar, and had for only about 10 months, for a '65 Mustang in Dakota red. Pickups dated late October, mid-November '64. Neck was stamped September '64. When I got it, it had no trem bar. I picked one up in Denver. I was in College at the time. It made its way to Seattle with me, in 1990. I traded it for a '72 Jazz bass. Later I picked up a Duo-Sonic II, same Dakota red and pearloid pickguard. I miss both!

[@dw7704]

I love my Mustang, cool vibrato (Fender even called it a Vibrato!) I like using the heel of my hand to get subtle variety, (or modulation as the video called it.) it also bends up or down. I am shorter so my hand is on the bridge, not the tailpiece, but they are close enough I can adjust. The out of phase sound is great for some stuff, the in phase for other stuff, it does sit between the Strat and Tele, especially using both pickups (and playing with the phase) . The small neck and 25 inch scale make it a great guitar to learn new stuff on. And I agree it does make you play differently, in a good way. When I first got it I didn’t play it as much as I do now. But over time I have come to appreciate it more and more. It has shaped my playing. I took it to a friend’s house, and it inspired some new riffs. He’s a lefty and I’m not, but it just brought them out of him.

[@karmicselling4252]

Thank you Rhett. Love these kinds of videos. 0:34. I don't think the jack on the Teisco guitar is mislabelled at all. It says "In" NOT "Input". It is telling the user where to plug the guitar cable into the guitar. (It would be mislabelled if it said "Out".) Always looking to spot the Rickenbackers ... 0:13 Rickenbacker 330 Limited Edition Midnight Purple. 0:49 FireGlo Bass. 2:04 All those Rickenbackers within easy reach and you picked up the Cornado. Nooooooo !!!! LOL. Finally, many of us who own 1980s MIJ Fender or Squier (Re-issue models) guitars will attest they are some of the finest instruments that Fender has ever produced in terms of build quality, playability and sound. Cheers from the Land Down Under.

[@rvpjohn]

The Mustang was my 1st real guitar-played it in my 8th grade talent show circa 1978! Mine was a 73 in Daphne blue with white speckled pick guard. The trem was horrible as it would ever stay in tune but I loved it bc it was "Fender". Couldn't afford a real Strat plus there no such thing as a "Squire Strat" back then. Thanks for bringing back the Stang Rhett!

[@andreyvanakoff9412]

I like design of Mustang the most from all Fender line. They are quite balanced and comfortable to play. If you'll set it properly, tremolo will do the work confidently and you will have no fret buzz like almost all Strats and Teles have. Cons: sound. Neck PU is neither Strat nor Tele, on bends it's not beautifully singing, just sounding as a random neck PU. Bridge PU is sounding closer to Strat middle PU. General sound is bigger but dull. Pickups has rather low output. Pros: change pickups for your taste and you will have quite unique guitar and sound. I regret that i sold mine american performer before making a mod it could be my guitar for ages. Cheers.

[@tomnelson5815]

Adrian Belew did amazing things with Mustangs in the '80s.

[@svitlanaostapchenko5642]

Hi,this is disrelated from this,,,but,could you do a real budget home practise amp evaluation please,Hotone pulse,Spark 2,and Nux mighty space….for the best sound quality etc. Not all the gimmicks but just what sounds best to your ear….please…i understand that as a professional this is not for you but I honestly think it would be appreciated by a lot of beginners.much respect for your reviews 🙏

[@miguelangelvacaheredia8230]

Great video Rhett...I have been a strat player for many years.... then I bought a Duo Sonic 24" scale (you know de Duo its like the old brother of the Mustang), I just fall in love of this model.... the playability is FANTASTIC...so easy to play...changed and IMPROVED a lot the way I play... you got a unique guitar...its a keeper!

[@spencerfreed6947]

You're also an absolutely underrated player and i mean that in the most complimentary way possible! Super tasty player that services the song and im here for it! Looking forward to the EP. Thank you!

[@RhettShull]

Thanks Spencer!

[@EricAndre615]

Ever since I was a kid I wanted a Jaguar or Jazzmaster. Never thought about Mustang. Finally got a Jazzmaster, then a year or so later decided to go Mustang. As great as the Jazzmaster is I really just fell in love with the Mustang. Now it's my all time favorite guitar. The more I use it the more I love it.

[@shaunoleary8740]

Congratulations on the EP! Looking forward to hearing it when it's released!!!

[@MilesOlsenMusic]

I love your channel Rhett but I have to disagree on the mustang being the most underrated Fender guitar. Underrated yes, but the most underrated that isn’t a weird 80s model (we love you fender katana) is the predecessor to the Mustang, the Duo-Sonic. It’s like the mustang but it has its own vibe with the even shorter scale length and different tren

[@varkonyiguitar]

Welcome to the club. I got hooked when I bought a Vintera Mustang a couple of years ago. These little guitars are awesome!

[@jasons.3921]

I've never really considered playing a Fender Mustang...until now. Thank you for the find. As well, I can't seem to stop listening to Tyler's music. Look forward to your EP, too.

[@postpostpunk]

Agree completely. I love a short scale guitar. My faves are the Jaguar and Mustang. I have pretty big hands, but I played the violin growing up, so these guitars just feel more natural to me.

[@lloydnorval1989]

I have a 1990s Squier by Fender Mustang, made in Indonesia, 22 frets, smaller scale, and it's one of the most amazing, easiest to play guitars I've ever owned. It has two humbuckers, both stock, and just sounds amazing, especially in my Fender Mustang I amplifier ❤

[@BillCampbell-s3u]

Great video. I just bought a Squier Mustang that has a Seymour Duncan Hot Rails pickup in the bridge position. This newbie is in heaven!

[@KleyDeJong]

I have a custom-built parts Mustang that I really love. It has a warmoth neck that's pretty chunky, has a standard nut width, but a 24 inch scale length. I removed the tremolo for a fixed bridge. I also put in a mini humbucker in the bridge and it screams. it makes for an awesome rock guitar.

[@jfinester]

Mustangs are cool! My junior year of high school, I got into my first good band-I’d joined as a lead guitarist, but the only electric guitar I had was a Vox Phantom 12-string, which limited any ability to bend strings, so I played mainly rhythm and some 12-string lead on Byrds songs and the like; and the band brought in another lead guitarist to handle most of the solos, and he had a Fender Mustang. Eventually we started swapping guitars on songs I played lead on, so I got pretty familiar with that Mustang. It was the “longer” scale version-24”, like a Fender Jaguar; they were also available in a short scale version, which was 22-1/2”, really short! I really liked the tones of the pickups, and actually used the out-of-phase setting on R&B tunes like Mustang Sally, which was still pretty current in 1967. Eventually, the Vox got stolen-I had to use a Phillippine-made Jaguar forgery for a week (GI guitar!), and then managed to get a new Gibson SG Standard-but that little Mustang was pretty cool! I loved the vibrato on it-real springy-feeling. By comparison, the Lyre Vibrola on the SG felt like driving a truck! I didn’t use vibrato much by then-I was getting into left-hand finger vibrato anyway, which sounded terrible on the 12-string. When it got stolen, the guy actually did me a favor, as I got more money trading in the fake Jaguar on the SG than I would have gotten for the Vox!

[@Riffs79]

I have a white 97" MIJ Mustang when it was labeled "crafted in Japan". I replaced the pickups with Jaguar pickups just cause I need a little more output. The neck is nice n' worn in now & love the feel of it. Haven't stopped playing it since 97". Great addition to your guitar collection Rhett! Cheers from Massachusetts!

[@albaxter8711]

Get the trem arm in...its the best vibrato system...here's a tip..mine had a grub screw in the side..take it out and drop a small piece of spring in (I used about 5mm from the spring in a clipper lighter)..lots of vids on KZbin about how to make them better..mine is stable an smooth an never goes out of tune..congratulations on your purchase..she's a beauty! Al Northern Ireland

[@NotSamuelJoshuVa]

hi rhett, love what youre doing man, keep rockin!! just wanted to show some appreciation for the great content

[@KenFernbach]

Rhett so glad to hear that you have an EP coming out soon - looking forward to hearing this! Love your playing!😂🎸👍🙏

[@astrorad2000]

Great video. In 1967 I bought my first electric guitar and amp from a poor soul going into the army. It was a 64/65 Mustang and a sweet Fender Twin Reverb. I didn't know anything about electric guitars, but I had a blast playing it and wish I had never sold either of those rigs.

[@Fluxknot]

Coincidentally, I picked up a used MIJ MG-65 Mustang from Atlanta Discount back in 2022 as my first nice guitar. Absolutely love it to death!

[@think-agile]

I bought my 1976 Mustang Sunburst in 2011 - fomerly used by a left-hand guy. After nut correction by my tech, I use it ragularily -espexially because of the sensible trem system and the unique pickup Sound. ❤

[@chrisreese2361]

I actually own an American performer mustang and it’s my favorite guitar that I own. We need more musicians playing them, glad you made a video about this topic.

[@uhoh007]

Mustang used to be the most underrated.....but today the most under appreciated Fender is the MIM Jag-Stang. I love my CV Jag, and my IYV Mustang.....(and the other usual shapes) but the Jag-Stang is in another league in every respect for me. Very light. Slender neck, Short scale. Great Pickup combo. 25 guitars...it's the first which feels alive. Literally. Very inspiring. You find the Cobain Sig now for 850 NIB :)

[@jhonpatrick2965]

I have that exact same Mustang! Color and year and it’s my favorite guitar ever. I got it brand new back then. The neck is my absolute favorite neck I’ve ever played. It’s the smallest Mustang neck I’ve ever felt too.

[@PaisleyPatchouli]

I have a vintage Mustang, similar, but aged, blue with a greenish tint; it's an all-original 1964, (first year of production for the Mustang) in the more desirable 24" scale. (I understand most were made in 22" scale that first year?) I'm its second owner, got it in 79/80 from the guy who bought it new in 65. I've rarely played out with it (mostly used in studio), but it shows its bumps and bruises as that blue nitro paint is a bit delicate. I love the vibrato, it's my favorite of the many Fenders I've had. It's the guitar that I've owned longest, around 45 years now, in my ever changing stable. I'm glad you've got one, use it well!

[@bebopasassin]

Tone is killer and super clean ! The heavy strings sound great and the selection of sounds is awesome! Thanks for great review.

[@nickwort123]

I’ve been almost exclusively gigging mustangs for years now- absolutely love the sound and feel and scale length

[@joshuadupuis346]

I also have a 67 Fender Coronado II but the Wildwood edition in cherry red. The wood grain is incredible on the body and the headstock.

[@joshuadupuis346]

It was my first guitar I got back in 83

[@makoffee]

Yep. I've owned perhaps 7 of them so far, but I've found myself back on a 69 MIJ reissue. Build quality is fantastic, and just a wonderful guitar as a companion guitar around the house, and enough distinct tones for studio work. I even had a 1966 vintage Mustang, but the nut work, and neck joint just aren't nearly as good a Japanese quality finished CNC work. Word to the wise the MG65 RI has even better build quality, and is vintage correct size for all parts and electronics. Push back cloth and all.

[@mikehughes2183]

I know it's not quite the same, but I bought a Squier Mustang a few years ago, and I just love it! The scale length does make you play differently, not necessarily more complex chords with a lot of stretching. One thing with playing power chords for example, it feels more a kin to playing one note on a full sized bass. Kind of gets you into the world where Kurt Cobain habitated, for example.

[@Robowx]

My very first electric guitar was a 1965 Fender Mustang in Daphne Blue. I got it used in 1974 with an Oliver Bass amp. All for $125!!!! I don't have it any more. But I do have a MIJ reissue!

[@BossDS-1]

I am Korea with typical Korean sized hands. I have 4 telecasters , 1 Strat, *Many* LPs (My GF's. She keep buying and selling her LPs) And I happened to play a Squier Bullet Mustang, Boom. Finally I felt like I am at home. So comfortable, easy to play, sounds good.

[@CrazyLazyDave]

Pawn Shop Series.....Mustang Special. MIJ and has humbuckers. Best guitar I own. The switches allow you select the individual coils on each pickup or have the full humbucker. 6 saddle hardtail bridge.

[@partycakes456]

I wanted to buy one of those when they came out, but couldn't afford one. Now you can't find them, and if you do, they are WAAAAYYYY expensive. Long story short, I'll never own one. 😄

[@wenzwenzel2529]

I have a 65 Mustang with a Jag neck on it. It was missing the adjustable bridge,when I got it in 1984 or so. We put a Gibson bridge on it and it works nicely and has incredible sustain. I understand that later Kurt Cobain made that configuration popular, likely because Mustangs are much lighter than their brothers.

[@Texasbluesalley]

I've thought about buying one of these so many times. Something about the size and shape is just adorable.

[@xman00000]

I own a 1972 Mustang. It is one of the best guitars I own. I always have it on the stand because it is the first i grab to play with

[@tamasvarga9206]

hey @Rhett Shull maybe rookie Q, but whats the tuning used from 6:29? love that a lot

[@topika666]

DAGADT

[@alanpettibone]

Great video, Rhett! One habit I’ve picked up is taking one of Mono Vertigo gig bags when shopping, even if I have no real intention to buy anything. I started doing this after picking up several crappy gig bags because I just needed something to get an impulse buy home. People constantly say I shouldn’t keep my guitars in the back of my Jeep, but it’s always just an empty bag😂

[@scottme100]

Agreed. Have some really nice vintage Fenders, but when I pick my MIJ Mustang, it's like a breath of fresh air. May be worth a US electronics upgrade, but that's about it. Thinking of trying lace sensors at some point.

[@erikcnelson]

Agree, I've been playing a '74 Mustang as my #1 for a bit now, one of the best electrics I've owned.

[@driftlessgeardemos]

what makes the newer ones better than vintage are newer frets are much nicer and fender has corrected the bridge pickups. The vintage ones tend to have a neck pickup in both positions, and is why lots of people over the years replaced them. On the old ones you're either lowering the neck below an optimal place for matching output in the middle or just having a quiet bridge pup. While the old ones are cool, feel great once refretted etc, I eventually sold both my 60s models for new stuff. I'm missing the feel however and may just nab a classic vibe or japanese model to fill the gap.

[@joshuadupuis346]

I have a 67 Fender Coronado II as well but mine is a cherry red Wildwood Coronado II. It is the first guitar I ever got.

[@j.jester7821]

i love mustangs. the big flaw is the slide pickup switches. they go bad a lot and are noisy. does not matter what brand you buy either. just a bad designed switch for audio use.

[@iagobroxado]

I had that same Mustang model (69Ri CIJ), same color, same year...also did not come with a gig bag LOL. This video does make me nostalgic.

[@bburritt666]

I have a 92 MIK Fender “Squier Series” Strat and it’s been my go to since I got it in 01. MIJ Fenders are awesome. Very well made.

[@charlesfitch4962]

Good choice! I have a Japanese Mustang with P90's and a hardtail, great sounding guitar that didn't break the bank.

[@moisie13]

My main guitar for 15+ years now. I play Dan Smith strat, 335, sg,avri 60's jazz but always return to my trusty Stang. No other Fender has THAT bass (just like comparing mustang bass with others), light and easy to play, everybody loves that neck and the way it goes with fuzz and distortion pedals...jazzmaster can only get close to that. Only minuses are short scale and lower output, so be more precise and turn up that amp!

[@JohnFromArlingtron]

A mid 1970's 'Stang was my first electric. I modified the heck out of it. Graphite nut, several pickup changes. It's a great project guitar.

[@TheBoboMaker]

The MIJ Fenders are awesome. My main for years was a MIJ Hot Rodded Strat. Years on stage, never let me down.

[@jspanos500]

My Jazzmaster is a 2003 CIJ. The build quality of Fender Japan is top notch. The only ding is they commonly have lesser pickups.

[@MeAFC]

Gain:5 Treble:7 Mid:4 Bass:6 Reverb:144

[@coreypetree6185]

Just got the Squier Classic Vibe vision and am really enjoying the sound and how it plays. I understand the whammy mechanism is improved in the American Performer version. The mechanism isn't superb in other models, but you can learn how to work it. Really having a lot of fun with this guitar.

[@michaelstern864]

My first guitar, bought back in '74 or '75 was a Mustang. Candy apple red, with a racing stripe. MOP pickguard and black pickups. It was all I could afford. I don't remember much about the guitar or if I liked the way it played; all I really remember was that I thought it screamed "beginner!" and I couldn't wait to trade up. Despite its revival as a respectable guitar now, I can't get over my prejudice, still thinking of the Mustang as a budget beginner model. Wrong, I know; missing out, probably.

[@ThatMattGoodMusic]

Ever since I got a Squier VM Mustang in 2018 (when mostly looking for Jazzmasters!) I got hooked on short scale guitars, I quickly got an MIJ Fender (the dream is 70s red competition Mustang). Imo it's essential to mod one of the switches to give you series as an option, and leave the other as phase. Those two pickups in series is a really fun option for rock rhythm playing.