ped Posted February 3 Posted February 3 19 minutes ago, BassAgent said: I've been looking at vintage Mustangs to replace my JMJ. What are the main differences between the slab body Mustangs from before 1969 and the contoured basses, except for the body shape? Are the necks similar? Not sure RE the necks; pretty sure they’re the same but could be wrong. The bodies are interesting - aside from the contouring, they’re the same dimensions, however all reissues including the JMJ are slightly different, with more booty behind the bridge. 1 Quote
Clarky Posted February 4 Posted February 4 The original US Mustangs up until the early 70s and the CIJ/MIJ reissues from the 90s and early 2000s have slimmer necks with a J width nut. From the early/mid 70s the neck profile on US Mustangs became more P like and the JMJ and current US and Mex models emulate the chunkier neck profile. 2 1 Quote
Stub Mandrel Posted February 6 Posted February 6 1 hour ago, ped said: My 66 seems to be about 40mm You shouldn't have boil washed it. 5 Quote
rwillett Posted February 6 Posted February 6 1 hour ago, Stub Mandrel said: You shouldn't have boil washed it. Agreed. Low temperature only and don't include any pinks... Ask me how I know. Quote
Clarky Posted February 6 Posted February 6 5 hours ago, ped said: My 66 seems to be about 40mm My bad, I did some googling and the 1966 to early 70s Mustangs had a 40mm nut width (not a 38mm J width). It was only the CIJ/MIJ reissues that had a J width neck. 1 Quote
ped Posted February 6 Posted February 6 1 hour ago, Clarky said: My bad, I did some googling and the 1966 to early 70s Mustangs had a 40mm nut width (not a 38mm J width). It was only the CIJ/MIJ reissues that had a J width neck. I didn't know myself to be honest until I measured it just now. I've never really been sensitive to neck dimensions. I might get a JMJ one day for 'flats' duty so maybe I'd feel the difference when they're side by side. Quote
BassAgent Posted February 6 Posted February 6 Another question; I'm currently looking at a 1973 Mustang and it has the thumb rest above the strings. To my knowledge, Mustangs usually have the rest under the strings (so at the G-string side). Does it happen that they're on the other side? Quote
Burns-bass Posted February 7 Posted February 7 11 hours ago, BassAgent said: Another question; I'm currently looking at a 1973 Mustang and it has the thumb rest above the strings. To my knowledge, Mustangs usually have the rest under the strings (so at the G-string side). Does it happen that they're on the other side? They swapped the location of the thumb rest on all basses in 73/74. If you’re worried about originality, I’d post some picture here and people can share their views. (The arguments only seem to happen about the high value pre-CBS Fenders so should all be fine!) 2 Quote
BassAgent Posted February 7 Posted February 7 It looks pretty legit to me. The owner has confirmed the strap buttons have been replaced with strap locks and the original case is missing. The rest looks pretty bang on original to me. I'm not entirely sure about the neck alignment. 1 Quote
Burns-bass Posted February 7 Posted February 7 Looks amazing! Neck alignment can be changed, just loosen off the neck bolts and position the neck in the right place and screw in. Happens all the time. Obviously can’t see inside the bass but it looks all original from the outside. These seem to be rocketing up in value. Best of luck with it. 1 Quote
SurroundedByManatees Posted February 7 Posted February 7 Nice one! The discolored competition blue is the nicest finish for these basses imo. It might sound quite a bit different from your jmj. More rounded/warmer, where the jmj is a bit more modern sounding. 1 Quote
BassAgent Posted February 7 Posted February 7 1 hour ago, SurroundedByManatees said: Nice one! The discolored competition blue is the nicest finish for these basses imo. It might sound quite a bit different from your jmj. More rounded/warmer, where the jmj is a bit more modern sounding. I like round and warm😎 Quote
Reggaebass Posted February 8 Author Posted February 8 42 minutes ago, BassAgent said: Tadaaaaaa Very nice, congrats, I like the ones with the stripe 2 Quote
BassAgent Posted February 8 Posted February 8 Can't believe I went from 2 to 4 vintage Fenders in two years. 10 Quote
Stub Mandrel Posted February 9 Posted February 9 Did we agree on the '40-year-rule' for vintage Fenders? If so, I finally have one after waiting about 34 years. 6 Quote
Bagman Posted February 9 Posted February 9 5 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said: Did we agree on the '40-year-rule' for vintage Fenders? If so, I finally have one after waiting about 34 years. cool tee shirt! Quote
Burns-bass Posted February 9 Posted February 9 5 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said: Did we agree on the '40-year-rule' for vintage Fenders? If so, I finally have one after waiting about 34 years. This may not qualify as vintage, but it’s 100% collectible. I love these! Quote
BassAgent Posted February 9 Posted February 9 6 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said: Did we agree on the '40-year-rule' for vintage Fenders? If so, I finally have one after waiting about 34 years. The one Fender I still would love to have someday. I let a cream white one slip away a couple of years back... Quote
Hellzero Posted February 9 Posted February 9 (edited) 8 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said: Did we agree on the '40-year-rule' for vintage Fenders? If so, I finally have one after waiting about 34 years. One of my favourite Fender design, but you'll have to wait another year as this Performer Bass with its TBX was supposed to have been officially released in 1986 and 1987 by FujiGen Gakki in Japan, 1985 being the year of its conception and presentation of the Katana Bass, not the Performer Bass, by John Page (THE Custom Shop guy of the early years, but not back then as it took place way later) at the Frankfurt Musik Messe, in February 1985. Too bad the American version called Elite with 3 pickups and an ebony fingerboard was only released as a prototype and never put into production... Price wise yours looks pristine and could sell between £2500 and £3500, which is quite extraordinary for a Japanese model. Congratulations @Stub Mandrel, it's a superbly rare bass made in around 100 copies and if yours is really from 1985 then you own some kind of a prototype. Here's almost the only written trace of it from The Fender Bass by Klaus Blasquiz. Here are the two American prototypes, note the different headstocks, the ebony fingerboard for the fourer and the 3 pickups configuration for the fiver. Edited February 9 by Hellzero Spelling 3 Quote
BassAgent Posted February 9 Posted February 9 90% correct: estimates are that around 200-250 were made. Here's the one I didn't buy in 2018 for only €750. Still hate myself for that. 2 1 Quote
Burns-bass Posted February 9 Posted February 9 (edited) Sort of similar design to the Rascal. Loved that and never bought one when I should. Edited February 9 by Burns-bass 1 Quote
Sparky Mark Posted February 9 Posted February 9 10 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said: Did we agree on the '40-year-rule' for vintage Fenders? If so, I finally have one after waiting about 34 years. 30+ years old is more commonly accepted as vintage for guitars. Quote
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