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Post subject: Date/Location of Mustang Bass manufacture
Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 8:34 am
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Joined: Sun May 06, 2012 3:46 pm
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Location: Dallas, Texas
About 25 years ago, I bought a Fender Mustang Bass, the serial number 174181 along with the capital "F" are printed on the neck plate... how can I determine what year and where it was assembled?

************UPDATE:

I have the neck off and 17 September 66B is stamped on the "butt" ... so, I know when, but how do I figure out where?


Also, it is in a rough way, any suggestions for restoration in the Dallas-Ft. Forth area?

Thanks guys!

V/r,
Mike

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Post subject: Re: Date/Location of Mustang Bass manufacture
Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2012 6:44 pm
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Location: Albemarle, NC
Based on your serial, the Guitar Dater Project inquiry I made yielded:
"Your guitar was made at the
Fullerton Plant (Fender - CBS Era), USA
in the Year(s): 1966 - 1967"

It had to be made at Fender's Fullerton, CA plant since that was the only Fender facility in operation then.

The neck date corroborates this being a 1966 model. The 17 is a neck code meaning "MUSTANG BASS" and not that it was made on the 17th of September. The "B" is the neck width. SEPTEMBER 66 is of course the month and year.

Collector class 1966 Mustang bass asking prices at vintage dealers range from 1900 to 2500 dollars for three that I know about that are for sale right now. Yours may have been modified in some regards which would make it player class and worth somewhat less depending on how rough it is.

I don't know what sort of restoration you have in mind but unless it is not working then you should basically clean it, have it setup with new strings and play it. Anything at all you replace on it will be a value deduction hit and these can be painful. Refinishing is a huge no-no unless someone refinished it previously, in which case it won't matter if you refinish it since it is no longer collector class anyway.

I believe in another post you may have mentioned you have broken the pickguard. A reproduction guard can be installed, and they are available from several sources, but it would be better to try and buy an original. However these can cost hundreds, up to about $350 or even more if you manage to ever find one. I'd get a repro to use for now and search for an original.

Before you break anything else you should get this to someone who knows what they are doing and find out exactly what you have. In Dallas/Ft. Worth area I'd suggest contacting Dave at DFW Guitar, phone 972-689-0483 or email Dave@dfwguitars.com. (No relation to me but seems reputable by all accounts.) He will set up an appointment to look at it and see what it actually needs. Again, don't replace anything you don't absolutely have to replace and unless it has been previously refinished, leave the finish alone no matter how worn. Even the original solder joints are critical so don't mess with the electronics either.

The 60's CBS era stuff has all been going up in value and yours is early CBS era so that gives it good potential in my view. Originality down to every screw and solder joint is critical to collector value.


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Post subject: Re: Date/Location of Mustang Bass manufacture
Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2012 8:31 pm
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Brother Dave, thanks as always for your limitless knowledge on all things Fender!

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Post subject: Re: Date/Location of Mustang Bass manufacture
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2012 8:00 am
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A buddy of mine, the very same who introduced me to guitar 23 years ago, takes his guitars to Texas Guitar Workshop in Richardson right off 75 at Arapaho.

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Post subject: Re: Date/Location of Mustang Bass manufacture
Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 3:20 pm
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Thanks for the info!

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Post subject: Re: Date/Location of Mustang Bass manufacture
Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 10:10 pm
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Way late and probably no longer of interest, but as a collector I can tell you that refinishing a bass will cost you over 50% of its value, unless you get lucky and find the sucker that's born every minute...who said that, Barnum?

Over the years I have many examples, but let me focus on one that fits the subject. I have a 68 Mustang I just bought for less than $800 and a 69 Mustang I bought for almost $1700. Guess which one was refinished and which one had all the cool bumps and bruises that come with age.

I am having the 68 refinished to my liking since the damage to the value has already been done.

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