Better Guitar

player opinions

Name: Mike
Model Year: 1973
Price Paid: $1300
Performance
Tremendous fret action. My fingers feel like they want to 'float' over the frets rather than me 'drag' them over. I'm sure this is a direct reflection on my small hand size. I'd always wanted to try a Mustang. It was worth the wait and I should have done it years ago. As solid and strong an instrument as any I've played. Only adaptation I've had to make to this 'short scale' is using the tremolo arm where I might have just bent a low E on a different instrument with a wider fret board.
Performance Rating: 9
Sound Quality
I love the sound! I get what ever I want. I use a Rocktron Rampage for practice mostly, and a Fender G-DEC for extended playing and when I like back up sounds. I get what ever sounds I want between the guitar and the amps.
Sound Quality Rating: 10
Construction
What can be said that everyone doesn't already know about this brand: quality, quality, quality. Feels rock solid in my hands, hangs perfectly, left hand reach is natural. Maple neck, rosewood fret board, hardwood body. Best stock hardware. Aftermarket non-brand pieces are not better, just different!
Construction Rating: 10

Name: Eric R. Shupe
Band: Randy Jane
Model Year: 1974
Price Paid: $500
Performance
I love it, its my main guitar now. A lot of people said they hate the slide switches, but they never get in my way. The only thing I don’t like about it is the fact that with the radius of the fingerboard, you can’t bend the high e,b, and g as far as you can on a guitar with a flatter fingerboard.
Performance Rating: 8
Sound Quality
I can get whatever tones I want out of it. I go from Nirvana to Buckethead on this guitar and it sounds great.
Sound Quality Rating: 10
Construction
I like the fact that its a 70s model instead of a 60s, because most of the ones made in the 60s didn’t have all the cutaways (belly and forearm) but the older ones had better colors. But I kind of like the sunburst on it, hated it at first, but now I really like it, (I’ve accepted my guitar for who it is, and it has done the same for me)! It’s built with a poplar body, rosewood fingerboard, and maple neck — great guitar! The finish is good but I’ve chiped it a few times. It looks good that way though.
Construction Rating: 10

Name: Ben Kessler
Band: -----
Model Year: 1966
Price Paid: $150
Performance
1966 Fender Mustang. I am the original owner and it is in perfect condition. Neck on this is awesome. You can come up really easy as it is a bit thinner than necks I have used on Teles and Strats.
Performance Rating: 10
Sound Quality
Awesome original American Fender coil pickups. They sound incredible through even a small 15 watt 8" speaker. As most Fenders though it does let off some buzz if volume is brought up high.
Sound Quality Rating: 10
Construction
What must I say? This is an American built original Fender. It can’t get any better than that.
Construction Rating: 10

Name: Calvin
Band: -----
Model Year: 1964
Price Paid: $400
Performance
I love it. What more can I say? The neck is smaller than most of the guitars I am used to playing but I am finding it to be the most comfortable neck I have played. It is very easy to play and it’s light weight is perfect for long sets.
Performance Rating: 10
Sound Quality
I guess “unique” is one way to describe the sound of this guitar. It is an original in every aspect, no strat or Tele sounds here, I totally dig the tone. It has a brass nut and 2 Gold Lace Sensor pickups, other than that it is totally stock.
Sound Quality Rating: 10
Construction
This is a true blue FENDER!! Made in the fine year of 1964 when Fender was in the zone! God bless Leo Fender, he made incredible guitars. I have had no problems with this piece of history, I think I will look for more soon.
Construction Rating: 10