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Post by zontar on Apr 3, 2021 8:16:57 GMT
So time for another 5 best & worst list--this time the Fender Mustang
I have shared some on these in another thread, so here's my 5 best & worst for Mustangs (Which I really like)
Best
1-While a larger guitar isn't a bad thing in & of itself, the size is very comfortable, low weight and all that. A fun guitar to play.
2-the neck--I do like chunky necks, but the slim neck on Mustangs is also a joy to play.
3-Vibrato-while most Fender guitars have it called a tremolo or term--it really is a vibrato--and the Mustang actually gets it correct--The words "Fender Dynamic Vibrato" are stamped right into the bridge/tailpiece plate. But it's not just that they got the name right--I love the vibrate they have.
Some people have trouble with them, but I don't--greta for subtle stuff, and then some--even if it's not a dive-bomber's delight.
4-Phase switches --I love that you can have the pickups in or out of phase with each other. It adds an extra layer of sound/another option.
When I first got one I used the out of phase setting almost all the time, but over time I use the in phase more, but still use the out of phase setting a lot. I love it--it's part for the Mustang sound.
5-Ease of playing--the 24" scale & thin neck make it very easy to play--often when I am trying to learn something new I learn it on the Mustang--and then I can play it on any guitar. If I start with a different guitar, sometimes I can't quite get it--so it's great guitar for that reason as well
Worst-
1-they can be too quiet--but not a big issue--just turn up the amp!
2-Only have a master volume & tone. I prefer having a volume & tone control for each pickup, it means I can set them differently when I switch between pickups (I use both) or when I am using them together. It's not a huge thing, and I have adapted to it on a Mustang
3-Even more of a nitpick, but hey I'm listing 5 worst thing about a guitar I love--but I am not a fan of tortoiseshell pick guards on guitars, and often he come on Mustangs--not a big deal-easy enough to ignore (it doesn't affect the sound or playability) but I think they look cheap--You might disagree. More has a black guard.
4-Since they reintroduced them (After discontinuing them in the early 80s) many models don't have the same pickup switching--so no phase switching--and/or they don't have the vibrato. Those guitars are still cool and fun to play--but really they're more Duo-Sonic than a Mustang--again--not a bad thing to have a Duo-Sonic--but, if I want a Mustang-it needs those things.
5-not a big deal, but of all my guitars, it's the one I like changing strings on the least because of the wrap under bridge (Ok the 12 string I like less) but of 6 strings--it takes loner, etc.
Again-not a huge thing, but still fault of some sort, but made up for by the way the vibrato works.
So once again--the Pros outweigh the cons by a huge margin for me.
Maybe I'll have to do a guitar I'm not a big fan of again. (I'm not a big fan of playing Teles--which I started with, but acknowledged some very good things about them)
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Post by johnreardon on Apr 3, 2021 8:20:16 GMT
Can't recollect ever playing one. I know I used a budget Fender in the 60s for a few gigs, but not sure if it was a Mustang or something else
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Post by zontar on Apr 3, 2021 8:23:22 GMT
Perhaps--it could have been something else.
But my favourite one is the Mustang.
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Post by johnreardon on Apr 3, 2021 8:29:53 GMT
Perhaps--it could have been something else. But my favourite one is the Mustang. The name Duo Sonic rings a bell |
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Post by zontar on Apr 3, 2021 8:46:21 GMT
Perhaps--it could have been something else. But my favourite one is the Mustang. The name Duo Sonic rings a bell Could be. they are basically a Mustang without the vibrato--or is a Mustang a Duo Sonic with the Vibrato (And depending on the year--the shape & switches, etc) |
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Post by johnreardon on Apr 3, 2021 9:03:18 GMT
The name Duo Sonic rings a bell Could be. they are basically a Mustang without the vibrato--or is a Mustang a Duo Sonic with the Vibrato (And depending on the year--the shape & switches, etc) The guitar I used didn't have a tremolo arm/vibrato. Just looked at pics of Mustang and it wasn't one of them.
Looking at pics on internet, I think it might have been a Musicmaster or a Duo Sonic as it was a bit shorter scale than a Strat
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Post by zontar on Apr 3, 2021 9:16:40 GMT
Could be. they are basically a Mustang without the vibrato--or is a Mustang a Duo Sonic with the Vibrato (And depending on the year--the shape & switches, etc) The guitar I used didn't have a tremolo arm/vibrato. Just looked at pics of Mustang and it wasn't one of them.
Looking at pics on internet, I think it might have been a Musicmaster or a Duo Sonic as it was a bit shorter scale than a Strat
MusicMasters had a neck pickup only, and DuoSonics ave two pickups. |
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Post by johnreardon on Apr 3, 2021 9:33:12 GMT
The guitar I used didn't have a tremolo arm/vibrato. Just looked at pics of Mustang and it wasn't one of them.
Looking at pics on internet, I think it might have been a Musicmaster or a Duo Sonic as it was a bit shorter scale than a Strat
MusicMasters had a neck pickup only, and DuoSonics ave two pickups. Duo Sonic then. It wasn't my guitar. A local music shop owner used to lend us gear for gigs including this Strat I used here in 1964
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2021 15:55:16 GMT
I bought a new Mustang in 1970 - blue with a white competition stripe. It was the first Fender I owned and a nice player. I lost my job a few months later and had to sell it. I've never played one since, although I've owned Duosonics which are similar.
I like the 24" scale. The body shape is comfortable to play, sitting or standing.
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Post by Die Bullen on Apr 3, 2021 16:24:38 GMT
I never played a mustang. I was always a fan of the Jazzmaster and have owned a couple. I think the short scale of the mustang might bother me however
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Post by zontar on Apr 3, 2021 19:28:52 GMT
I bought a new Mustang in 1970 - blue with a white competition stripe. It was the first Fender I owned and a nice player. I lost my job a few months later and had to sell it. I've never played one since, although I've owned Duosonics which are similar. I like the 24" scale. The body shape is comfortable to play, sitting or standing. Very comfortable indeed--and the DUoSonics after they started doing the comfort carve, etc are also quite nice that way. They may be regarded as student models--btu they are so much better than that. So keep underestimating them, I know better. (not saying anybody here is doing that--btu some people do) |
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Post by zontar on Apr 3, 2021 19:30:56 GMT
I never played a mustang. I was always a fan of the Jazzmaster and have owned a couple. I think the short scale of the mustang might bother me however As I believe I've mentioned before--try it. But then I don't have any issues switching between my Mustang and other guitars that are 24.75 (Typical Gibson scale length) or the 25.5 of other guitars (Most Fenders & many acoustics) And there are other guitars in between as well (Like Most PRS guitars) |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2021 7:24:57 GMT
Scale length is always going to be a very personal choice. For years, I felt like my limited finger-reach and arthritis meant that short scales would always be my friend. I've built lots of short-scale instruments, and that might hold true, up to a certain point, but there's a point - probably different for everybody - where things start to feel crowded, For me, I've discovered that the size becomes a limitation to where you can reasonably play on my Thinline Tele 22.5" scale or my Duosonic 22.7" scale. But, I find the 24" scale is nice, with a compact feel to it, and the 24.75" scale of my go-to Strat is perfect. When you think about it, a 24" scale means that there's only a difference of 3/4" over twelve frets, so the difference is really pretty miniscule. I suspect that, owning a Jazzmaster style guitar and being familiar with how it feels, dB might get something out of playing a Jaguar, where the 24" scale neck is paired to something in a body style that he's comfortable with.
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Post by infant on Apr 11, 2021 12:42:33 GMT
I’ve never played one. Back in the ‘70s, it seemed to be pushed as a “student guitar”. I guess that just stuck with me all these years.
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Post by Die Bullen on Apr 11, 2021 13:55:10 GMT
Scale length is always going to be a very personal choice. For years, I felt like my limited finger-reach and arthritis meant that short scales would always be my friend. I've built lots of short-scale instruments, and that might hold true, up to a certain point, but there's a point - probably different for everybody - where things start to feel crowded, For me, I've discovered that the size becomes a limitation to where you can reasonably play on my Thinline Tele 22.5" scale or my Duosonic 22.7" scale. But, I find the 24" scale is nice, with a compact feel to it, and the 24.75" scale of my go-to Strat is perfect. When you think about it, a 24" scale means that there's only a difference of 3/4" over twelve frets, so the difference is really pretty miniscule. I suspect that, owning a Jazzmaster style guitar and being familiar with how it feels, dB might get something out of playing a Jaguar, where the 24" scale neck is paired to something in a body style that he's comfortable with. I'm sure I could play the thing. I always thought they looked kind of neat, but something always drew me to the Jazzmaster |
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Post by Die Bullen on Apr 11, 2021 13:58:29 GMT
I’ve never played one. Back in the ‘70s, it seemed to be pushed as a “student guitar”. I guess that just stuck with me all these years. True enough, although a lot of instruments intended for budget conscious people wind up being really good. The Gibson es-125's and the guild x-50's are good examples |
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Post by zontar on Apr 12, 2021 0:17:03 GMT
I’ve never played one. Back in the ‘70s, it seemed to be pushed as a “student guitar”. I guess that just stuck with me all these years. If someone wants to consider ti a student guitar, that's their choice, but it would be a top of the line student guitar--and a student guitar in the sense of short scale and it really is a great guitar for learning stuff on. But not student in terms of quality. |
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Post by infant on Apr 12, 2021 0:54:33 GMT
I’ve never played one. Back in the ‘70s, it seemed to be pushed as a “student guitar”. I guess that just stuck with me all these years. If someone wants to consider ti a student guitar, that's their choice, but it would be a top of the line student guitar--and a student guitar in the sense of short scale and it really is a great guitar for learning stuff on. But not student in terms of quality. I’m serious....back in ‘75, when I bought my Tele, I had an old Fender Catalogue and the Mustang and Musicmaster guitars were shown as student models. That’s why I always considered them student guitars. I know that they became hot guitars with the alternative music scene in the ‘90s and that’s when they were all reissued. But to me, they didn’t seem any different than the old Kalamazoo student guitar that I used to own in the early ‘70s. www.fender.com/articles/gear/short-scale-big-noise-the-mustang-story// |
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Post by zontar on Apr 12, 2021 0:56:53 GMT
If someone wants to consider ti a student guitar, that's their choice, but it would be a top of the line student guitar--and a student guitar in the sense of short scale and it really is a great guitar for learning stuff on. But not student in terms of quality. I’m serious....back in ‘75, when I bought my Tele, I had an old Fender Catalogue and the Mustang and Musicmaster guitars were shown as student models. That’s why I always considered them student guitars. I know that they became hot guitars with the alternative music scene in the ‘90s and that’s when they were all reissued. But to me, they didn’t seem any different than the old Kalamazoo student guitar that I used to own in the early ‘70s. www.fender.com/articles/gear/short-scale-big-noise-the-mustang-story//Certainly they were classified as student guitars --but what exactly that means can vary form person to person. Many think of student guitars as inferior or deficient in some way. Mustangs don't fit that in my view. |
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Post by infant on Apr 12, 2021 1:19:12 GMT
I’m serious....back in ‘75, when I bought my Tele, I had an old Fender Catalogue and the Mustang and Musicmaster guitars were shown as student models. That’s why I always considered them student guitars. I know that they became hot guitars with the alternative music scene in the ‘90s and that’s when they were all reissued. But to me, they didn’t seem any different than the old Kalamazoo student guitar that I used to own in the early ‘70s. www.fender.com/articles/gear/short-scale-big-noise-the-mustang-story//Certainly they were classified as student guitars --but what exactly that means can vary form person to person. Many think of student guitars as inferior or deficient in some way. Mustangs don't fit that in my view. Sorry Zontar, I’m not knocking the guitars and I didn’t mean to offend. I just wanted to explain why I never bothered looking at them. They were considered entry level student guitars just like the Champ was an entry level student amp. Right now, Champs are in high demand and everyone wants one. Hell, Deluxe Reverbs were also considered student models in the early ‘60s. Now, it’s considered a classic. |
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Post by zontar on Apr 12, 2021 1:23:02 GMT
Certainly they were classified as student guitars --but what exactly that means can vary form person to person. Many think of student guitars as inferior or deficient in some way. Mustangs don't fit that in my view. Sorry Zontar, I’m not knocking the guitars and I didn’t mean to offend. I just wanted to explain why I never bothered looking at them. They were considered entry level student guitars just like the Champ was an entry level student amp. Right now, Champs are in high demand and everyone wants one. Hell, Deluxe Reverbs were also considered student models in the early ‘60s. Now, it’s considered a classic. No offence taken, simply just stating my opinion. I like guitars other don't, and don't like guitars others do--for a variety of reasons. I love Mustangs. |
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Post by infant on Apr 12, 2021 1:54:21 GMT
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Post by zontar on Apr 12, 2021 1:59:55 GMT
I've seen them--the only real similarity is the shape & bolt on neck Otherwise no comparison |
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Post by johnreardon on Apr 12, 2021 7:44:41 GMT
I’m serious....back in ‘75, when I bought my Tele, I had an old Fender Catalogue and the Mustang and Musicmaster guitars were shown as student models. That’s why I always considered them student guitars. I know that they became hot guitars with the alternative music scene in the ‘90s and that’s when they were all reissued. But to me, they didn’t seem any different than the old Kalamazoo student guitar that I used to own in the early ‘70s. www.fender.com/articles/gear/short-scale-big-noise-the-mustang-story//Certainly they were classified as student guitars --but what exactly that means can vary form person to person. Many think of student guitars as inferior or deficient in some way. Mustangs don't fit that in my view. When I call guitars..'Budget guitars' I just mean they're cheaper than a manufacturer's 'standard' range. I don't mean they're not good. A friend of mine who's been a semi pro musician all his life, plays a budget Squier Strat. It's never been modded and sounds fabulous in his hands. |
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Post by zontar on Apr 12, 2021 16:19:32 GMT
Certainly they were classified as student guitars --but what exactly that means can vary form person to person. Many think of student guitars as inferior or deficient in some way. Mustangs don't fit that in my view. When I call guitars..'Budget guitars' I just mean they're cheaper than a manufacturer's 'standard' range. I don't mean they're not good. A friend of mine who's been a semi pro musician all his life, plays a budget Squier Strat. It's never been modded and sounds fabulous in his hands. The player is a very important component, but if it doesn't stay in tune then it can be tricky to sound decent. But yes, you can get a good guitar without spending thousands... |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2021 1:32:59 GMT
I have to confess that one thing that never appealed to me was the slide switches used for pickup switching on the Mustang. I know there might be some flexibility in having slide switches that let you put the pickups out of phase (which never appealed to me at all) but it seems like a clumsy way to change pickups on the fly. I was still playing lead guitar when I bought my new '70, and to me, the level-style switches on most models seemed to be one of those things Leo got right the first time.
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Post by infant on Apr 13, 2021 3:31:49 GMT
When I call guitars..'Budget guitars' I just mean they're cheaper than a manufacturer's 'standard' range. I don't mean they're not good. A friend of mine who's been a semi pro musician all his life, plays a budget Squier Strat. It's never been modded and sounds fabulous in his hands. The player is a very important component, but if it doesn't stay in tune then it can be tricky to sound decent. But yes, you can get a good guitar without spending thousands... Quite true on both counts. You can put an Indonesian made Squier Strat in Claptons hands and it'll still sound like Clapton. Also, the current Korean and Chinese Squiers, PRS SE and Epiphones are incredibly good guitars at a fraction of the originals price. I had a Chinese made Epiphone Dot a few years ago that, once it was set up, was a dream to play and sounded incredible. I sold it to a friend who lets me play it whenever we get together |
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Post by johnreardon on Apr 13, 2021 7:56:41 GMT
When I call guitars..'Budget guitars' I just mean they're cheaper than a manufacturer's 'standard' range. I don't mean they're not good. A friend of mine who's been a semi pro musician all his life, plays a budget Squier Strat. It's never been modded and sounds fabulous in his hands. The player is a very important component, but if it doesn't stay in tune then it can be tricky to sound decent. But yes, you can get a good guitar without spending thousands... Of all the guitars I've owned, I can honestly say I have never had tuning issues.
Right from the Broadway guitar I had in the early 60s. Whenever I change strings, I spend quite a time stretching them and playing 'heavy' chords before I gig. Yes I may get an occasional top string go slightly out of tune on a first gig after a restring, especially if I've been bending a lot, but just a touch and it's fine.
Many youngsters I meet have no concept of stretching strings. They just change them and expect to be all right.
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Post by Die Bullen on Apr 13, 2021 23:22:54 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2021 0:01:12 GMT
Judging by what I read on the Offset forum, there doesn't seem to be much doubt which guitar has the better bridge. Changing out the Jaguar/Jazzmaster bridge and replacing it with a Mustang bridge seems to be a fairly common upgrade.
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