1964-82 Fender Mustang

The Fender Mustang was introduced in 1964 as a dual-pickup, 22-fret, medium-scale guitar that owed much to the Duo-Sonic, although it had an offset waist like a Jazzmaster. 

The Mustang was the first Fender model with a floating bridge and unusual “Fender Dynamic Vibrato” tailpiece that resembled the Jazzmaster, although each Mustang bridge saddle had only one string slot (other Fender guitars had bridge saddles with several slots to enable a small range of string spacing adjustments).

The two slanting, single-coil pickups were wired with electronics that were highly unusual for a Fender.

• First, each pickup had its own adjacent three-position slider switch (in phase on—off—out of phase on), yielding eight different tone settings.
• Second, it had no pickup selector switch or circuit selector switch. The two slider switches allowed the pickups to be used either in single or in parallel; the second “on” position reversed the phase of the selected pickup, enabling the pickups to be in or out of phase when used in parallel.
• It was also possible to modify the wiring to put the pickups as a series in or out of phase without excessive noise. Another option was to install a more conventional pickup selector switch; the Mustang’s body was already routed for this beneath the pickguard (which in such cases would need to be cut accordingly), and the two slider switches could be put to other uses or disregarded. Such electronics changes were common when the model became available and vintage Mustangs are consequently often found with modified pickups and wiring.

Competition Mustangs replaced regular Mustangs in 1970, but were discontinued around 1973.  These Mustangs had racing stripes on the front of the body. Versions with matching & non-matching headstocks were produced.

The Mustang was produced until 1982, when it became the last Fender floating-bridge instrument to be discontinued.  

It would, in 1990, become the first to be reissued, and it became a cult favorite among grunge and alternative guitarists who appreciated its low price and quirky offset look.

 

Vintage Fender Mustang Guitars for Sale

Kurt Cobain's 1969 Fender "Smells Like Teen Spirit" Competition Mustang SN F279651 sold by Juliens May 2022 for $4,687,500 to Jim Irsay (images #3, 4, 5, 6)

• Original MSRP in 1969 was $229, or $2000 today adjusted for inflation
• This guitar was used in the iconic Nirvana "Smells LIke Teen Spirit" music video

 

Kurt Cobain's 1993 Fender MG-69 "Skystang I" Mustang SN O 016988 sold by Juliens Nov 2023 for $1,587,500 (original MSRP was $209)  (Image #6)

• Kurt Cobain played this guitar during his final performance with Nirvana in Munich, Germany on March 1, 1994

 

Jimi Hendrix's 1966 Fender Mustang "Red"  SN 126288 sold by Juliens April 2007 for $500,000  (Image #8)

• Original MSRP in 1966 was $209, or $1800 today adjusted for inflation
• This guitar was used was used at Olympic Studios in 1967 & 1968 to record , as confirmed by drummer Mitch Mitchell.  While it is not clear which songs were recorded with this guitar, these albums contained many of Hendrix's greatest hits including:
  • ' Axis: Bold as Love (1967): “Little Wing,” “If 6 Was 9,” “Castles Made of Sand,” and “Bold as Love.”
  • Electric Ladyland (1968):  “Voodoo Chile,” “Voodoo Child (Slight Return),” “All Along the Watchtower,” and “Crosstown Traffic.”

 

Kurt Cobain custom built and played 1993 Fender Mustang “Skystang III”   SN PO13572 sold by Juliens 10/25/19 for $340,000 (Image #7)

• Courtney Love gave this guitar to a fan soon after Cobain's death.  In 2019, it sold for $340,000.

 

Rod Nadal's 1977 Fender Mustang "Old No 7" (see Mach Five Guitar info section below) 

 

Bill Wyman's (Rolling Stones) 1969 Fender Mustang Bass "Red" serial number 345763 sold by Juliens 9/11/20 for $384,000  (Image #14)

• Bill Wyman Auction Breaks Records for Most Expensive Bass, Amplifier

 

Throughout its long history, the Mustang has been put to good use by scores of other notable musicians, including:

• John Frusciante (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
• David Byrne (Talking Heads)
• Adrian Belew (Frank Zappa, King Crimson, the Bears)
• Frank Black (Pixies)
• Bilinda Butcher (My Bloody Valentine)
• John McLaughlin (Miles Davis, Mahavishnu Orchestra)
• Graham Coxon and Damon Albarn (Blur)
• Matthew Healey (The 1975)
• John McCauley (Deer Tick)
• Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth)
• Buzz Osborne (Melvins)
• Ty Segall
• Brendon Urie (Panic at the Disco)
• Todd Rundgren (Utopia, Nazz)

 

After being discontinued in 1982, the Mustang has been reissued a number of times, and has found some popularity among alternative and indie rock players. 

The 2nd generation Mustang was released in 2016, and features a 24-inch scale length, a C-shaped maple neck with 22 medium jumbo frets, two single-coil pickups, a master volume, a tone cotrol and a three-way pickup switch. It's available in Black, Olive and Olympic White.

• The Mustang 90 model, which exchanges the single-coil pickups for two, raunchier MP-90 pickups. It's available in Silver, Torino Red and Olympic White.

2012-14 Fender Artist Series Kurt Cobain Mustang 

• Made In    Japan ($1999), Mexico ($1599)
• Designed to replicate Cobain's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" Mustang SN F279651
• Body Material    Alder
• Bridge/Tailpiece Type    Tremolo Tailpiece
• Fretboard Material    Rosewood
• Neck Construction    Bolt-On
• Neck Material    Maple
• Number of Frets    22
• Finish   Dark Lake Placid Blue with Stripe, Fiesta Red, Sonic Blue

Made in Japan Reissue Fender Mustang

American Performer Mustang® – Fender  MSRP $1499

The Mach Five Guitar is a vintage 1977 Fender Mustang SN S716185 

• MSRP in 1977 $339 (2025 inflation adjusted ~$1800)
• Ash body (Ash replaced Poplar in 1976)
• 22 fret Rosewood curved board
• Fender large headstock
• Fender F-Key tuners
• Fender F-series neck plate with black plastic protector

This was Rod Nadal's 1st guitar, purchased brand new from Clyde Peters School of Music in 1977, and was used in his high school band, Old No 7 which he played with from 1982-84.

1. The Mach Five Guitar
2. Cobain "Smells Like Teen Spirit" Mustang
3. Cobain "Smells Like Teen Spirit" Mustang
4. Cobain "Smells Like Teen Spirit" Mustang
5. Cobain "Smells Like Teen Spirit" Mustang
6. Cobain "Skystang I" Mustang
7. Cobain "Skystang III" Mustang
8. Hendrix "Red" Mustang
9. Rod Nadal "Old No 7" Mustang
10. Rod Nadal "Old No 7" Mustang
11. Old No 7 Poster
12. Old No 7 30th Reunion T Shirt
13. Original Mustang color offerings

Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit (Official Music Video)

Short Scale, Big Sound: The Mustang Story 

The Fender Mustang Story

The Fender Mustang: A Short History

Fender Mustangs - Why They’re Cool & Why Every Guitarist Needs One!