Fender Mustang Competition Burgundy — 1969 — Faded

The Competition Mustang was introduced in May 1969 — Fender's last major styling refresh of the model, adding the racing stripe, new finishes, and a Stratocaster-style upper body contour. The three competition colours were Competition Red, Competition Orange, and what Fender catalogued as Competition Burgundy — a blue-based finish that has always confused collectors, as it reads closer to teal than burgundy from the factory, and fades over decades toward the ocean turquoise seen here. Competition Burgundy is the rarest of the three.

This example left the factory in 1969 and has aged exactly as well as the best of them do. The finish has faded to a stunning shade sitting somewhere between teal and ocean turquoise over 55+ years. The nitro checking is tight, consistent, and even throughout. Early 1969 examples carry the matching headstock — this one does — a feature that disappeared sometime in 1970. The guitar is otherwise original, with the exceptions noted below.

Kurt Cobain's most iconic Mustang was a 1969 Competition Burgundy — the exact same model, colour, and year as this guitar.

Modifications and condition — disclosed in full:

• Neck pickup replaced. Bridge pickup is original.
• Minor finish repair on the side of the body — non-professional work, visible on close inspection, photographed accurately.
• Finish repair under the pickguard — non-professional, not visible during play.

These factors are reflected in the asking price.

Includes original hardshell case and original bridge cover.

Specifications

• Serial: 2572774
• Year: 1969
• Body: Alder, Competition Burgundy nitrocellulose lacquer (faded), matching headstock
• Neck: Maple
• Fingerboard: Rosewood, dot inlays
• Scale length: 24"
• Pickups: Slant-mount Mustang single-coil, bridge (original) / neck (replaced)
• Controls: Master volume, master tone, independent on/off and phase switching per pickup
• Bridge: Fender Dynamic vibrato
• Hardware: Chrome
• Includes: Original hardshell case, original bridge cover
• Made in USA