Product: Fender '69 Competition Mustang Reissue
Price Paid: US $489
Submitted
09/24/2002
at
05:11pm
by
mbv
Features
:
10
2001 CIJ, 22 fret-short scale maple neck with rosewood fretboard. Lake placid blue with baby blue racing stripe. Vintage tremolo, pearloid pickguard, natural headstock (the domestic japanese models have painted headstocks like the originals =( ). Vintage tuners.
Sound
:
9
When I first saw this thing, one word came to mind -- TOY. But I'm realizing that this is fairly true, but is not necessarily a bad thing. The pickups sound tastefully thin in some settings (think sleepwalking), but this is useful for acheiving a good tonal palette. Great pristine single coil sound in the in-phase neck position, I'm really impressed by the stock pickups. The key to the mustang's sound is in it's short scale and the vintage mustang tremolo, punchy and clear; it's almost like a built-in compression at points. I play through a VOX Valvetronix ADV120T which gives the mustang a variety of sounds. I can truly hear the difference when using the fender twin preset--the mustang sounds like a dobro (shrill, thin) under normal settings (bass full, treble 3/4, mid 1/2) whereas my strats sound "normal". I have found it necessary to turn back the treble and presence from my usual settings. Bottom Line--If you're expecting anything like a Strat sound from this guitar, you'll be disappointed. Not nearly as versatile as a strat (but what is?), but has a wonderul and unique tone.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
10
Great setup with .10's (I believe) directly from the factory. Definitely a difference with the short scale, which takes some getting used to, but very comfortable neck. Smooth as silk action, no buzzes whatsoever. Finish is AWESOME, it sparkles slightly and tastefully (nowhere near a flamboyant Danelectro or gretsch sparkle, I might add), no blemishes whatsoever
Reliability/Durability
:
No Opinion
Japanese Fenders are usually pretty solid in my experience , but it's too soon to tell anything.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Never dealt with Fender directly, so no opinion.
Overall Rating
:
10
If you can spare the cash and accept the fact that this will not be your main instrument, you'll LOVE this guitar. It's amazing for what it is.
