Fender Mustang Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1977), made in Fullerton, California, serial # S718693, sunburst polyester finish, ash body, maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.

This 1977 guitar represents the final original version of Fender's most popular budget guitar, the Mustang. This version appeared in 1972, with a standard sunburst poly finish replacing the colorful metallic-paint-with-racing-stripe "competition" livery that had reigned since 1969. Over the next few years the Mustang was available in a range of standard finishes and after 1975 the pickguard changed to black. Another notable change in the later '70s was the serial number migrating off the neck plate and onto the headstock, now in the form of a decal.

The guitar otherwise remains physically little changed, with the back body contour added in 1969 and all the standard Mustang features: 24" scale rosewood-fingerboard neck, dual pickups with phase switching, the "Dynamic" vibrato and Fender "F" tuners with metal buttons. This one has been revamped with newer ceramic magnet pickups, a white Allparts pickguard replacing the black original and all the electronics replaced, although still wired in stock configuration. This is a nice player's Mustang with the familiar comfortable feel and a slightly hotted up sound.

Overall length is 39 3/4 in. (101 cm.), 12 1/4 in. (31.1 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 in. (610 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.).

This re-worked Mustang is fairly well-used showing some typical playwear to the all-original ploy finish: dents, chips and dings with some finish loss to the edges and buckle wear-through and scratching to the back. The clear Poly-finished neck still has a lacquer coat over the face (to set the decal) which has ambered and checked over time, the rest is fairly clean. The back of the neck has some dings and dents but no really heavy play wear.

The hardware is a mixed bag. Original parts include the "F" tuners, string trees, control plate and knobs, the bridge and vibrato system and all the grounding plates in the body. The pickguard is a white AllParts piece (possibly someone wanted a more "60s" look and removed the black original) and all the wiring including the switches and pots is more recent. The pickups are Fender-style of indeterminate origin with a Ceramic magnet under the coil (it looks like stickers were removed from the bottom). The strap buttons are more modern as well.

There is some average fretwear but the guitar still plays well. The tailpiece bar is cranked down hard to limit movement and there is no vibrato bar included; this guitar is basically set up "hardtail". While no longer an all original guitar this is still a nice gigging '70's Mustang with a fairly hot sound. It includes a more recent hardshell case. Overall Very Good Condition.