Very early Fender Competition Mustang in Competition Red with matching headstock, 1968-range serial number, Kluson Deluxe tuners, and original hard-shell case.

Why this one is special (dating): This is one of the very first Competition Mustangs Fender built, made right at the 1968/1969 changeover with 1968-spec parts. The differentiating features:

• Serial number 233566 on the F-stamped neck plate, which falls in Fender's 1968 serial range. Typical 1969-and-later Competition Mustangs carry noticeably higher numbers.
• Original Kluson Deluxe tuners with white buttons, rather than the Fender "F"-stamped tuners found on later Competition Mustangs. This is the quickest visual tell of a first-run example.
• Neck heel stamped 16JAN69B (16 = Mustang, JAN69 = January 1969, B = 1 5/8" nut width). In the interest of full disclosure: the neck date means the guitar was completed in the first weeks of 1969, using a 1968 serial plate and 1968-style hardware. That puts it at the very start of Competition Mustang production. A photo of the stamp is included.
• Original pots dated to the 23rd week of 1967, typical for the period, as Fender was working through a large 1967 pot inventory well into 1969 and beyond. Consistent with untouched original electronics.
• Matching Competition Red headstock, a feature of the early Competition models.

Summary: The classic Fender Mustang with the racing stripe is always a fan favorite. This particular Mustang is in great shape, sounds awesome and ships in its original hard-shell case with the whammy bar.

Body: Double cutaway solid body with a beautifully aged Competition Red finish and the famous competition stripes.

Neck: Maple neck with a dark rosewood fingerboard with pearloid dots, 22 frets, end-of-heel truss rod adjustment, original Kluson Deluxe tuners with white buttons, matching red headstock, 1 5/8" nut width and 24" scale length.

Pickups/Hardware: 2 original single coil pickups with black covers, 2 on/off/on switches, master volume and master tone, Dynamic Vibrato unit and 3-ply pearloid pickguard. All electronics and hardware are original, as confirmed by my luthier when I purchased the guitar.

Cosmetics: This vintage Fender shows the normal signs of wear you would expect from a guitar that is over 55 years old. There are pick scratches on the pickup covers and the pickguard, several small dings on the body, one big ding on the top of the racing stripe and a small ding on the back of the guitar. There are small scratches in the finish on the back. The neck has a few dings on the back but they don't affect playability. The first fret shows some playwear but overall the frets are in pretty good shape with lots of life left.

Playability: The guitar was inspected and set up by my luthier when I bought it, and it plays and sounds wonderful. The neck is straight, the action is low and the frets are in great shape.

Modifications: None.

Weight: 7 lbs 1 oz.

Case: Ships in the original grey hard-shell case with orange interior, with the original vibrato arm. It will be very well packed.

Terms: Sold as-described with no returns. Please look over all of the photos and ask any questions before purchasing. Flat $99 shipping to the continental US.