HELP on an abused Mustang

[Groovy Tunes]

Hey guys, my local shop has a 1975 Fender Mustang that is one of the most incredible playing guitars I've ever put in my hands. It's super light and the neck feels just right. I played a 1966 and the 1975 felt better to me. It just feels absolutely amazing. But there is a big problem that is keeping me from purchasing the guitar right now - it has been abused like crazy. The body still has the original finish, but it looks like someone took a knife and hammer and beat the hell out of it when they were drunk, and when they sobered up, they painted over the scratches with more black. Also, the nut slot was routed at some point for a larger nut, but the original one is still on there. The neck is perfect; a good, nice, worn condition. There is a gouge where the screw is for the truss rod on the pick guard by the neck that I'm a bit concerned about as well. Everything is original though, it's just...abused...like a lot. BUT, I've been wanting a Mustang for a while now and have played a few different models and this was the best one out of all of them. It still has plenty of life left in it. It's very much intact and playable. But its $800 bucks. I just want to make sure I am not wasting money on this guitar. I'm not concerned about resale value or collectability, but I want to see what you guys think. Thanks.

[shoule79]

I love my 76 mustang. Its light, plays easy and frankly sounds as good (usually better than) every 60's one I've played.

All that said, I bought mine in a local sale for $1000 CANADIAN last year, which is a bit over $700 US, and aside from a non-original case and trem bar, it was as close to mint as I've ever seen a used guitar, much less vintage.

A bit over $1000 US is what Id expect to see them going for online though (unless it's a competition mustang or has a maple board) so $800 isn't too bad. From what you are saying though I'd try to talk the seller down a bit. However, if it's "the one" I'd still say go for it.

[Unicorn Warrior]

This guitar wouldn't happen to be black would it? Saw one at Carter's Vintage in Nashville, TN similarly priced and described just like that. Same year also. Anyway, I paid 1k for my 75' black on black that was in "good" condition back in 2013-14. Was a good player. $800 might be fair, but how's the integrity to the body? Is it just the finished that's damaged or the wood integrity itself? ... A refinish by Marty Bell could do the trick

[Groovy Tunes]

This guitar wouldn't happen to be black would it? Saw one at Carter's Vintage in Nashville, TN similarly priced and described just like that. Same year also. Anyway, I paid 1k for my 75' black on black that was in "good" condition back in 2013-14. Was a good player. $800 might be fair, but how's the integrity to the body? Is it just the finished that's damaged or the wood integrity itself? ... A refinish by Marty Bell could do the trick

Yep it's sitting in Carter's! hahaha Anyways, it's just the finish. The wood itself seems to be in good condition.

[raphaël]

Then buy it !!!

[Jazzmastervsjaguar]

I just had a look, is it this one?


I don't think $800 is a bad deal considering everything is original. The body is rough. I personally would hold out for a different one but I don't think the price is bad for that one if you really love it.

[Groovy Tunes]

I just had a look, is it this one?

It sure is

[Unicorn Warrior]

That guitar did play well. These are hot right now, so might be worth picking up. I don't think you would lose any of your investment even with a refin

[shoule79]

The bridge is definitely not original, and the trem unit doesn't look like it is either (it doesn't have Fender imprinted on it).

The tuners are a bit strange too, they made plastic tuners for mustangs, but I thought they had switched to metal exclusively by this point?

[shoule79]

Here is my 76, notice the bridge and tail piece. The tuners also have steel heads. This is what Ive seen on all stangs of this era.



Mind you, a new bridge probably isn't the worst thing in the world. I had to put an after market one on mine to get the strings lined up over the neck better. But still, it's not original and shouldn't be advertised that way.

[Groovy Tunes]

The bridge is definitely not original, and the trem unit doesn't look like it is either (it doesn't have Fender imprinted on it).

The tuners are a bit strange too, they made plastic tuners for mustangs, but I thought they had switched to metal exclusively by this point?

The tuners are most likely original, because I have seen multiple black
1975 Fender Mustang, but sadly, I think you're right about the bridge/tremlo system

EDIT: I just looked up a dozen different 1975 model year Mustangs and all of them have plastic tuners and bridge plates without Fender Logos. Maybe that was just a 1975 thing I guess? Maybe it's just that the pictures won't focus on well enough. I still think you're right, shoule79. I highly doubt the bridge is original.

[shoule79]

I'd still be leery of the tailpiece, and am 100% on the bridge.

But like I said before, these changes are not necessarily a bad thing and may help playability. If anything this info gives you some ammo when negotiating on price.

If it plays and sounds like mine you are in for a great guitar.

[Groovy Tunes]

I'd still be leery of the tailpiece, and am 100% on the bridge.

But like I said before, these changes are not necessarily a bad thing and may help playability. If anything this info gives you some ammo when negotiating on price.

If it plays and sounds like mine you are in for a great guitar.

Well it played like a dream! I really hope I can maybe get the price down to 650ish.

[Unicorn Warrior]

I would be willing to bet that the trem is probably original. On my 75' it did have the fender logo stamped on the plate, however is was a very weak and almost not visible. Perhaps by this time the engraving machine had bit the dust so they let a few examples out the door without it? It's got a ton of patina on it for it not to be original. Unless some one artificially aged it. Which would have been the case given the rest of the guitar's look. But I can't see why one would want to replace the original bridge and trem for a cheaper alternative. Also, my 1975 mustang looked just like this with the plastic tuners.

[SansRegret]

It doesn't look all that bad to me. I wouldn't be concerned with the finish stuff. But I would try to get the price down on account of the bridge/probably tuners not being original. The 70s mustangs are great guitars. My buddy picked up a '78 natural finish one last year; nice and light and great player. He got it for $450 (with a kahler, non-original tuners and the pickguard butchered to fit a humbucker in the bridge and the body drilled for a sidemount jack). If you can get it down to $650-700 it'd be a solid buy imo.