Factory Original Long Scale 1972 Fender Mustang
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Factory Original Long Scale 1972 Fender Mustang
I bought a collection last week which included this exceptionally clean 1972 Fender Mustang. I didn't spend much time with it before buying since it was the least valuable guitar in the collection. It was only after I shipped it back to myself, restrung, and played it that I realized that the notes up the neck were nearly a half step sharp. I measured the neck for the scale length and found that the 12th fret was 12 3/4" from the nut which indicates that the neck is a 25 1/2" scale neck. Not only that, but it has only 21 frets instead of the typical 22 and has a the red SPECIAL stamp on the neck heel.
I'd love to know if this has been seen before? It's strange that they would make a 25 1/2" Mustang but forget that the bridge would be nearly 3/4" too close to the neck to get anywhere close to intonating properly. I do believe that the SPECIAL stamp indicates that the long scale was intentional and not just a factory goof where they grabbed the wrong neck.
(This guitar is not for sale. Post intended to share information only.)
I'd love to know if this has been seen before? It's strange that they would make a 25 1/2" Mustang but forget that the bridge would be nearly 3/4" too close to the neck to get anywhere close to intonating properly. I do believe that the SPECIAL stamp indicates that the long scale was intentional and not just a factory goof where they grabbed the wrong neck.
(This guitar is not for sale. Post intended to share information only.)
- Fiddy
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Re: Factory Original Long Scale 1972 Fender Mustang
Looks more like 24.75 to me, if you're measuring from where the nut meets the fretboard.
Stull, that's a great score. Congrats.
Stull, that's a great score. Congrats.
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Re: Factory Original Long Scale 1972 Fender Mustang
Weird. What numbers/markings does the heel stamp have on it?
It's likely just a factory mistake, there was once recently here where a Jaguar had a Jazzmaster neck (but Jaguar decal) on it brand new from a shop. Shame it renders it unplayable.
It's likely just a factory mistake, there was once recently here where a Jaguar had a Jazzmaster neck (but Jaguar decal) on it brand new from a shop. Shame it renders it unplayable.
Last edited by JSett on Tue Jul 19, 2022 8:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
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- Fiddy
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Re: Factory Original Long Scale 1972 Fender Mustang
Could it be that the factory grabbed the wrong neck?
Edit, i see you think the special stamp makes it seem less plausible.
But yeah, Strat neck with Mustang logo, matched to a standard Mustang body is my guess...
Edit, i see you think the special stamp makes it seem less plausible.
But yeah, Strat neck with Mustang logo, matched to a standard Mustang body is my guess...
Last edited by Fiddy on Tue Jul 19, 2022 8:32 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Factory Original Long Scale 1972 Fender Mustang
That's cool! Was this a vintage Jag or recent? Can you link to the thread?johnnysomersett wrote: ↑Tue Jul 19, 2022 8:10 amWeird. What numbers/markings does the heel stamp have on it?
It's likely just a factory mistake, there was once recently here where a Jaguar had a Jazzmaster neck (but Jaguar decal) on it brand new from a shop. Shame it renders it unplayable.
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Re: Factory Original Long Scale 1972 Fender Mustang
Thanks! I believe that the correct way to measure the scale length is to measure the nut to the 12th fret then double that. I don't have a picture to share of that measurement at the moment. The tape measure next to the bridge was only to show that the bridge is in the wrong spot (as a result of the improper scale length and the missing 22nd fret).
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Re: Factory Original Long Scale 1972 Fender Mustang
Measuring the neck will only tell you the scale length the neck is intended for.
How is the intonation?
How is the intonation?
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Re: Factory Original Long Scale 1972 Fender Mustang
The intonation is not even close. It's a half step sharp at the 9th fret! Any ideas for a non-invasive and fully reversible remedy for this are appreciated.marqueemoon wrote: ↑Tue Jul 19, 2022 8:39 amMeasuring the neck will only tell you the scale length the neck is intended for.
How is the intonation?
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Re: Factory Original Long Scale 1972 Fender Mustang
Put the correct neck on it.CCOffset wrote: ↑Tue Jul 19, 2022 8:42 amThe intonation is not even close. It's a half step sharp at the 9th fret! Any ideas for a non-invasive and fully reversible remedy for this are appreciated.marqueemoon wrote: ↑Tue Jul 19, 2022 8:39 amMeasuring the neck will only tell you the scale length the neck is intended for.
How is the intonation?
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Re: Factory Original Long Scale 1972 Fender Mustang
Could it be that somewhere in the last 40 years, someone needed a new neck and bought the wrong one? It's sort of interesting if it's definitely a factory screw up, but I can't imagine it's that playable!
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Re: Factory Original Long Scale 1972 Fender Mustang
My understanding is “Special” stamps designate samples for salespeople. If you’re just showing the guitar off then it playing in tune is not necessarily important I guess?
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Re: Factory Original Long Scale 1972 Fender Mustang
Do you think your factory guys where trying to play a trick on Derek, the LA sales rep, after he said he could “shred better than Page”?
I have nothing to offer anybody, except my own confusion?
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Re: Factory Original Long Scale 1972 Fender Mustang
It was a modern one, but Fender have goofed like this throughout their years...especially in the CBS years.CCOffset wrote: ↑Tue Jul 19, 2022 8:32 amThat's cool! Was this a vintage Jag or recent? Can you link to the thread?johnnysomersett wrote: ↑Tue Jul 19, 2022 8:10 amWeird. What numbers/markings does the heel stamp have on it?
It's likely just a factory mistake, there was once recently here where a Jaguar had a Jazzmaster neck (but Jaguar decal) on it brand new from a shop. Shame it renders it unplayable.
Here is the thread
"SPECIAL" was used for several purposes: custom colour, sales samples, guitar shows/NAMM, etc. It's not really indicative of a thing being particularly special at all really. I'm 99% certain what you have there is a factory mistake/extreme-blem
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Re: Factory Original Long Scale 1972 Fender Mustang
Here are some posts that might shed some light on the "special" stamp:
https://www.tdpri.com/threads/70s-neck- ... ed.149222/
viewtopic.php?t=61510
It's hard to believe Fender really put a 25.5" in "Mustang" neck on a guitar back then, that it passed inspection, and that the original owner didn't take it back when it wouldn't intonate. I mean all of that is possible, but likely? And could a salesman successfully demo a guitar that can't be intonated? If it were just for a photo shoot, or a display at a show, why have a 25.5" neck?
Is there any red paint transfer anywhere on that neck? And aren't these supposed to have dates/codes on them? I thought they started using the 8 digit code in 1972? I'm not convinced that neck is original to that Mustang. Without paying someone a fortune to make a weird-looking custom bridge to fit a Mustang that has the tailpiece and trem in one unit, I don't see you ever successfully using that neck with this guitar. It would make more sense to find a proper vintage Mustang neck and be happy with it. After all, this is a marriage between a neck and body that didn't leave the Fender factory together:
https://www.tdpri.com/threads/70s-neck- ... ed.149222/
viewtopic.php?t=61510
It's hard to believe Fender really put a 25.5" in "Mustang" neck on a guitar back then, that it passed inspection, and that the original owner didn't take it back when it wouldn't intonate. I mean all of that is possible, but likely? And could a salesman successfully demo a guitar that can't be intonated? If it were just for a photo shoot, or a display at a show, why have a 25.5" neck?
Is there any red paint transfer anywhere on that neck? And aren't these supposed to have dates/codes on them? I thought they started using the 8 digit code in 1972? I'm not convinced that neck is original to that Mustang. Without paying someone a fortune to make a weird-looking custom bridge to fit a Mustang that has the tailpiece and trem in one unit, I don't see you ever successfully using that neck with this guitar. It would make more sense to find a proper vintage Mustang neck and be happy with it. After all, this is a marriage between a neck and body that didn't leave the Fender factory together:
"You WISH your overpriced Fender was actually better than my Squier." --TSElliot
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Re: Factory Original Long Scale 1972 Fender Mustang
I mean, we have documented evidence of it happening on more than one occasion. Fender's QC was terrible in the 70s
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