Current value of a mint 1965 Mustang?

[joeybsyc]

Haven't been buying/selling any vintage offsets in a few years, but came across someone with a near perfect red '65 Mustang with original silver case in equally mint shape. Chrome is perfect, 100% original right down to the double line white plastic tipped Klusons and pop-on bridge cover. Trying to give her an idea of value but honestly don't know myself... Sorry I don't have any pics at the moment, but any ideas of value?

[bencrit]

I'd say 1400-$1700 is a pretty good price for a 65 Mustang, at least in the USA. I think the bottom out at 1000-$1200, although most of the ones I see at that price are refinished.

As for one that is "mint" that can definitely raise the price, depending on the color and whether it has some pre-CBS features, such as Clay dots on the neck.

How much you pay for one of those would depend on your preference as a collector. I think 2200 bucks would really be the tops for what you could expect for a 65 Mustang. If it's loaded with case candy, that something to take into account has that can be worth a bit on its own depending on what you have. Manuals, hang tags, and polish cloth's seem to be worth the most.

Based on your description, I would think 1800-2000 would probably be the most you could expect. Of course, if I were trying to buy it, I'd offer less and see what happens :-).

They do come up fairly regularly in very nice shape, so if the asking price is high it may be best just to wait for a better deal.

[spacecadet]

"Near perfect" overall, "mint case", "chrome is perfect" is very rare on these. I think that what you really mean by this is important to value. Is it really a closet classic? Basically no wear, no checking (not that checking's bad but it's just very uncommon not to have it), no pitting or wear on the chrome, no buckle rash, nut is not worn, electronics all work perfectly, etc.? And does it have the original trem arm? About 70% of Mustangs of that era don't, whatever condition they're in.

If it's yes to all that, then yeah I think $1,800-$2,000 is a fair ask. Maybe even a bit more. That would be a guitar of that year in really hard to find condition.

I have a 66 which is the same thing as a 65, but mine's got the normal amount of wear for a guitar that age (and it didn't have the trem arm) and I paid $1,200. I think around $1,400 is a pretty standard ask for normal wear; that's what the seller of mine asked before accepting my $1,200 offer.

[joeybsyc]

Thanks for the replies... I appreciate the time you both took to not only provide opinions on value, but also to explain why. I have mainly been into the Musicmasters and Duo-Sonics in the past, but quite honestly I have not followed the market even on those models for the past couple of years.

[Despot]

The market for Mustangs seems to have gone a bit bonkers.

I picked up a '66 Mustang in really good condition (apart from paint checking) a few years back for 1400 euro. Consider, as well, that prices here tend to be about 20% higher than the dollar price (if you say dollar = euro rather than at the FX rate of the day). The same seller has a '65 Mustang for sale at the moment for 2,200 euro. It's actually a little more worn than the one I bought from him.

Seems to be a similar story for Duo Sonic IIs here as well. That's a shame really, as that mustang was the 'entry level' vintage guitar for me - it's led to a lot more purchasing since then, but being able to flip some of those Mustang/Duo Sonics a few years back and making a small profit on them was what got me onto this slippery slope of doom!!

[joeybsyc]

Yes, I noticed prices seem to be much higher on just about all the vintage short scales than they were just a few years ago. I wish I still had a few I sold! The only Mustang I've ever owned is a 1970 Competition version which I still have. I actually prefer a 24" Musicmaster II to a Mustang or Duo-Sonic for their sheer simplicity, but even those seem to be going up in price.

[friendshipmaster]

Why aren't we discussing color Blue is the most expensive, then white, then red...

[PJazzmaster]

I think that prices have almost doubled over the last 10-15 years, at least for clean 60's ones with a B neck.

[FrankRay]

it has to be a B width 24" neck for full value. And like Freindshipmaster says, red is the least valuable colour. I'm not sure myself that there's much of a premium on mint condition for mustangs. Prices don't seem to vary that much. They're just not that collectible, with the possible exception of competition stripe guitars with matching headstocks.

[joeybsyc]

Condition isn't much of a factor for value? That's interesting.

[hornz]

it has to be a B width 24" neck for full value. And like Freindshipmaster says, red is the least valuable colour. I'm not sure myself that there's much of a premium on mint condition for mustangs. Prices don't seem to vary that much. They're just not that collectible, with the possible exception of competition stripe guitars with matching headstocks.

This ^

Pre-1971 Competition Burgundy with purple edges or Competition Orange - thats where the high prices are.

[spacecadet]

Why aren't we discussing color Blue is the most expensive, then white, then red...

It doesn't really matter on the pre-compstangs.

This is the only recent blue one that sold on Ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fender-Mustang- ... Swne9ZjsuP" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I can't even find a red one recently.

You see a similar thing on Reverb, though I don't know how to check sold listings there. But asking prices are mostly right around $2,000 for a decent mid-60's Mustang regardless of color, which I think is a little high but I'm sure the sellers are not expecting to get that.

Blue (Burgundy) is more expensive in the compstangs, but the real money with those is in orange.

[joeybsyc]

So are mid 60's Mustangs worth any more than mid 60's Musicmasters or Duo-Sonics? Or is it a preference thing? I always liked Musicmasters, and assumed they were worth less than Mustangs of the same era... but admittedly was never shopping for Mustangs.

[Embenny]

So are mid 60's Mustangs worth any more than mid 60's Musicmasters or Duo-Sonics? Or is it a preference thing? I always liked Musicmasters, and assumed they were worth less than Mustangs of the same era... but admittedly was never shopping for Mustangs.

Duo-sonics and mustangs sell for similar money.

Musicmasters go for less.

[joeybsyc]

Thanks for the info. I have a mint '66 Duo-Sonic II in my collection. They always seem harder to find than Mustangs, and were only made a few years... so I guess the value comparison makes sense. I am hoping to get the Mustang I mentioned in the original post as well. Personally I put extra value on condition, and have always been attracted to exceptionally clean examples. I'm glad to hear I shouldn't have to pay extra for that on a vintage Mustang.