Offered for sale;
Used 1973 Fender Competition Mustang serial number 510608.
This guitar is in very good condition, neck and frets are fine. Cosmetically there are marks and nicks abounding as well as finish checking and cracking and brightwork tarnish. When this guitar came to us, it was missing one string tree, we have corrected that omission. This is the most excellent example of “patina” one could ask for.
Brings to mind “if you look in the dictionary under patina” here it is!
The Mustang was introduced in 1964 as the basis of a major redesign of Fender's student models, the Musicmaster and Duo-Sonic. It was produced until 1982 and reissued in 1990.
The Mustang has two angled single-coil pickups, each with an adjacent on-off-on switch, and a master tone and volume control.
The Mustang is unusual in having neither a pickup selector nor a circuit selector switch, instead just using the two pickup switches to allow the pickups to be used either singly or in parallel. The second on position reverses the phase of the selected pickup, allowing the pickups to be either in or out of phase when in parallel.
The Mustang introduced the Fender Dynamic Vibrato tailpiece, which together with a floating bridge forms the Mustang vibrato system. The floating bridge concept is common to the Fender floating vibrato developed for the Jazzmaster, but on the Mustang the saddles have only a single string slot, while on other Fender guitars there are multiple slots to allow limited adjustment of the string spacing.
In 1969 Fender released the "Competition" Mustang with a "racing stripe" paint job and painted headstocks.
Body contours were also added at this time. The Competition Mustangs came in Competition Red, Competition Blue (known as Competition Burgundy in the Fender catalog), and Competition Orange. This paint scheme was heavily influenced by the Shelby Mustang cars of the late 1960s.
The competition Mustangs produced from 1969 to mid-1970 came with a matching headstock; from then until the retirement of competition color schemes, an unpainted headstock was standard.
The Mustang with its short 24” scale is very easy to play, and is very responsive, in the 1990s, the Mustang attained cult status largely as a result of its use by a number of alternative rock bands and indie rock players.
Notable Players: Todd Rundgren, Kurt Cobain, John Frusciante and David Byrne among many others.
[Fun Fact: In the ‘80s we had the honor of working on several of Todd Rundgen’s guitars including “The Fool” SG and his gigging Mustangs. Since Todd did not use the vibrato bar Our Founder developed a way to block the vibrato of his Mustangs (which is quite different from a Strat) without altering the originality of the guitars.]
Mustangs have been reissued a number of times. Own an original (and Competition no less!).
“We carefully inspect every instrument when we buy it and bring it up to our standards before we offer it for sale. We also do a full set up before we ship. If you decide to purchase this guitar, please let us know what gauge strings you prefer.”
Gig bag included.
GUITAR SPECS:
Year: 1973
Serial number: 510608
Body: Poplar contoured
Neck: Maple
Finish: Competition Red
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Scale Length: 24”
Number of Frets: 22
Bridge: Fender Dynamic Vibrato tailpiece with floating bridge
Tuners: Fender sealed back
Pickups: Fender single coil
Pot Codes: Vol 1377329, Tone 1377343
Width at Nut: 1 5/8”
Radius: 7.25”
Weight: 6.8
*Please note: we do our best giving descriptions of used pieces. We have found it impossible to describe every
mark on an instrument or amp that is not in the "mint" category. Also, what's important to you may not be
important to someone else. For example, you may say, "I don't care what it looks like as long as it plays or sounds well." Another person may say, "Body cosmetics are very important to me so tell me about every scratch, nick and blemish." So, please ask the questions that are most important to you. If you ask they will be answered. They are free and there's no limit. Additional photos can also be made available.
This is a specific item that is also being offered for sale in our brick & mortar location. It is possible that it has just been sold. Please ask if it is still available before purchasing.
*It is our policy to require a signature on delivery of all musical instruments. Please let us know if you prefer no signature required when ordering or we will automatically require a signature.
If you prefer your item to be sent without a required signature Imperial Guitar and the selected carrier can no longer be responsible for the security of the package once it has been delivered.
We accept VISA, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express, as well as certified checks and bank-to-bank wire transfers. Trades and consignments also welcome. Bank to bank wire transfers seem to work best on foreign orders.
All shipments made by us are fully insured. Also, all new products are fully covered by the manufacturer's warranty and used gear usually carries our 30 day mail order warranty. Most stringed instruments sold by IGS are shipped UPS Ground service for $50.00 to $100.00 for the 48 Contiguous states. (Overnight Red Label is also available). Please call on each item. GUITAR FREIGHT (Foreign) We ship instruments world wide. Our shipping department prides itself in its ability to safely deliver guitars anywhere in the world. We use Fex Ex Great Rates service, wherever possible. You are responsible for any import duties, V.A.T., etc. on delivery. It is advisable to consult with your local customs office.
48-hour approval on most items
