It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 5:03 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 15 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Mustang Questions
Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 11:28 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Nov 06, 2008 11:31 pm
Posts: 311
Location: Lawrence, KS
i have also posted this under General in hopes of getting as much feedback as possible. anyways, i bought a brand new american standard strat but im still really wishing i had bought a mustang. i have a few questions and because my local stores dont keep them in stock and its been a while since iv played one, i figured somebody here could help out.

1. can you lock the tremolo down?
2. because of the short scale, iv heard the strings rattle a bit more and fret out easier, so if i played 1/2 step down would this throw it off?
3. can i buy a replacement pickguard cut for a humbucker/single style?
4. if i cant get a new pickguard, or if its a hassle, i wanna get HOT single coils. Lindy Fralin has hot 15% Mustang pups ($150/set). Is there any other brand that makes Mustang pickups?

if i have more questions i'll probably post a new topic later, but for right now, thanks for all the feedback!

-kc

_________________
Guitars: American Standard Strat, American Vintage 52 Tele, Gretsch Power Jet

Amps: Frontman 212R, Hot Rod DeVille 212 w/ Vintage 30's, AC30 w/ Greenbacks

Pedals: Boss Tuner, XOTiC AC-Booster, MXR Phase 90, Line 6 DL4


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Mustang Questions
Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 7:25 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2007 7:33 am
Posts: 8461
Location: Mars, the angry red planet.
1. Yes.
2. Yes but the scale alone when tuned down isn't the culprit. Rather, it is the lousy bridge and tremolo designs even if the guitar was tuned to A-440.
3. Yes, from an aftermarket manufacturer such as (but not limited to), Terrapin, WD, etc.
4. You are not locked into Mustang pickups, per se. Strat pickups fit in there quite nicely too.

IMO, FWIW: Going from an American Standard Strat to a Mustang is like going from a Mercedes to a bicycle. Clearly, YMMV.

chambers23 wrote:
i have also posted this under General in hopes of getting as much feedback as possible. anyways, i bought a brand new american standard strat but im still really wishing i had bought a mustang. i have a few questions and because my local stores dont keep them in stock and its been a while since iv played one, i figured somebody here could help out.

1. can you lock the tremolo down?
2. because of the short scale, iv heard the strings rattle a bit more and fret out easier, so if i played 1/2 step down would this throw it off?
3. can i buy a replacement pickguard cut for a humbucker/single style?
4. if i cant get a new pickguard, or if its a hassle, i wanna get HOT single coils. Lindy Fralin has hot 15% Mustang pups ($150/set). Is there any other brand that makes Mustang pickups?

if i have more questions i'll probably post a new topic later, but for right now, thanks for all the feedback!

-kc

_________________
You dig?


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Mustang Questions
Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 8:43 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Nov 06, 2008 11:31 pm
Posts: 311
Location: Lawrence, KS
[quote="Martian"]1. Yes.
2. Yes but the scale alone when tuned down isn't the culprit. Rather, it is the lousy bridge and tremolo designs even if the guitar was tuned to A-440.
3. Yes, from an aftermarket manufacturer such as (but not limited to), Terrapin, WD, etc.
4. You are not locked into Mustang pickups, per se. Strat pickups fit in there quite nicely too.

IMO, FWIW: Going from an American Standard Strat to a Mustang is like going from a Mercedes to a bicycle. Clearly, YMMV.



hey thanks for the help, martian! i know what you mean in the Mercedes-bike analogy, but its just a personal preference of mine i guess. i like the short scale and i just love the little body of the stang.

_________________
Guitars: American Standard Strat, American Vintage 52 Tele, Gretsch Power Jet

Amps: Frontman 212R, Hot Rod DeVille 212 w/ Vintage 30's, AC30 w/ Greenbacks

Pedals: Boss Tuner, XOTiC AC-Booster, MXR Phase 90, Line 6 DL4


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Mustang Questions
Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 9:30 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2007 7:33 am
Posts: 8461
Location: Mars, the angry red planet.
chambers23 wrote:
hey thanks for the help, martian! i know what you mean in the Mercedes-bike analogy, but its just a personal preference of mine i guess. i like the short scale and i just love the little body of the stang.


Glad to help.

I must admit, Mustangs are fun in spite of their inherent flaws.

_________________
You dig?


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 12:24 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Nov 06, 2008 11:31 pm
Posts: 311
Location: Lawrence, KS
i think i might keep my strat and just save up for an old used japanese mustang later on. i do however have my mind set on finding an old USA hot rod deville instead of a mex made one... keeping the vintage 30s tho! :lol:

_________________
Guitars: American Standard Strat, American Vintage 52 Tele, Gretsch Power Jet

Amps: Frontman 212R, Hot Rod DeVille 212 w/ Vintage 30's, AC30 w/ Greenbacks

Pedals: Boss Tuner, XOTiC AC-Booster, MXR Phase 90, Line 6 DL4


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Mustang Questions
Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 7:32 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue Nov 20, 2007 9:48 pm
Posts: 2315
Martian wrote:
...it is the lousy bridge and tremolo designs even if the guitar was tuned to A-440.

Well we must have different definitions of lousy bridge and tremolo design--and by the way Mustangs actually have correct designation of "vibrato" on them.

I love the Mustang bridge.

It may not be for everybody--but I like the way they work--very similar to TOM's but rounded saddles, and they move a bit with the bar, so it stays in tune quite well.

I'm a fan of them.

_________________
It wasn't Willy-Nilly, it was at crows.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Mustang Questions
Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 1:31 pm
Offline
Amateur
Amateur
User avatar

Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 11:28 am
Posts: 112
Location: Pennsylvania, USA
Martian wrote:
IMO, FWIW: Going from an American Standard Strat to a Mustang is like going from a Mercedes to a bicycle. Clearly, YMMV.
Mercedes to a Bicycle? Thats just mean. Mercedes to a... well... a Mustang. I have both, so I speak from experience. FYI: I love mine.

Mustangs are a VERY different breed of Fender. More twang than a Strat, less than a Tele, and a less polished sound than both. But a great sound none the less.

To your questions:

1. can you lock the tremolo down?
Yes. but if setup properly, completely unnecessary. Just leave the trem arm in the case.

2. because of the short scale, iv heard the strings rattle a bit more and fret out easier, so if i played 1/2 step down would this throw it off?
Again... this is a setup issue, since tuning down decreases string tension on the neck.

3. can i buy a replacement pickguard cut for a humbucker/single style?
Of course, the internet is full of aftermarket pickguards.

4. if i cant get a new pickguard, or if its a hassle, i wanna get HOT single coils. Lindy Fralin has hot 15% Mustang pups ($150/set). Is there any other brand that makes Mustang pickups?
Most single coil pickups will fit a un-modded Mustang pickguard, so there plenty of manufacturers to choose from. With some routing and cutting, the sky is the limit.

_________________
-- Joe --
77 Bradley Les Paul Custom
06 Ovation Elite-T 1868T-5
12 Martin Custom GPCPA4 RW
07 PRS CE22 MT
11 PRS MC58 Artist
04 Ltd EC-1000FM ASB
95/02 Fender Stratocaster MiM
03 Epiphone '56 Gold Top LP P90
04 Fender Telecaster MiM


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 6:36 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Nov 06, 2008 11:31 pm
Posts: 311
Location: Lawrence, KS
well to be honest, i didnt expect to get this many replies lol. i will take a fender guitar over a gibson, epi, ibanez, prs any day! not because theyre cheap or affordable or i have to, (obviously! bc i have an american standard) but because i just love the style, the reputation, the feel, the sound, the history and just the general feel of 'wow, i have a fender'. i dont get that with gibsons, i dont feel 'wow, its a real gibson'. if i could own an american strat, a mustang and an orange rocker 30 head and 212 cab... my life would rule!

i just think that i get the WOW factor more when im playing a mustang than a strat. i think it just fits 'me' better. ya know?

_________________
Guitars: American Standard Strat, American Vintage 52 Tele, Gretsch Power Jet

Amps: Frontman 212R, Hot Rod DeVille 212 w/ Vintage 30's, AC30 w/ Greenbacks

Pedals: Boss Tuner, XOTiC AC-Booster, MXR Phase 90, Line 6 DL4


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 8:33 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2007 7:33 am
Posts: 8461
Location: Mars, the angry red planet.
chambers23 wrote:
...i just think that i get the WOW factor more when im playing a mustang than a strat. i think it just fits 'me' better. ya know?


Then by all means, keep riding them Mustangs!!

_________________
You dig?


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 7:04 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue Nov 20, 2007 9:48 pm
Posts: 2315
Don't let the Mustang haters get to you.

Some people think that because it was part of the "student models" it's not a good guitar.

That's crap I say.

I love my mustang, and I don't think I could trade it for a Strat.
I plan to buy a Strat at some future date, but not at the expense of my Mustang.

And the Mustang was a bridge between the "Student" models of the time (Duo Sonic, Musicmaster) and the Strat & Tele. It was an intermediate model that way--and much better than the later attempts fender made at "Budget" models, such as the Lead Series and the Bullets.

The Leads weren't bad, but I'll still take my Mustang.

There is no sarcasm at all in this post, in case anyone is wondering.
I love my Mustang.

It is not my first guitar (It was my sixth)
It was not my first electric (My fourth)
It was not my first guitar I paid for myself either (third)

I love it because I love playing it.

_________________
It wasn't Willy-Nilly, it was at crows.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 1:09 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Wed Sep 02, 2009 7:03 pm
Posts: 28
Location: Newfoundland
The mustang vibrato gets a lot of flak, but when set up properly it's actually quite good.
Same goes for the Jag/JM vibrato.
Both are more stable then the strat when set up right.
I've yet to get a strat trem to reliably stay in tune when used frequently.
Maybe I'm doing something wrong.

_________________
Med suð í eyrum ég spila endalaust


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 9:44 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Fri Nov 13, 2009 9:36 am
Posts: 1
will regular fender pickups fit in a 69 fender mustang?


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 8:09 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue Nov 20, 2007 9:48 pm
Posts: 2315
They should.

_________________
It wasn't Willy-Nilly, it was at crows.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2009 9:02 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sat Nov 28, 2009 7:53 pm
Posts: 4
Location: Atlanta, Georgia and Cashiers, North Carolina
Chambers, good questions. Can I make a suggestion? Pose these questions on the internet forum Jag-stang.com

That group is all Mustang & Jag-Stang owners and offset hot rodders. They have a wealth of technical knowledge and customizing experience to share.

Have fun with your project!

Doug in Atlanta


P.S. for Zontar...I have a '65 Mustang (pre-CBS) and not only do I love it like you love your Mustang, but when I took it to be Plek'd the luthier examined it and said the neck, nut, frets and action were so good that Pleking would be a waste of cash...! You understand how I felt, right?


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2009 7:49 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue Nov 20, 2007 9:48 pm
Posts: 2315
ppr_edp@bellsouth.net wrote:

P.S. for Zontar...I have a '65 Mustang (pre-CBS) and not only do I love it like you love your Mustang, but when I took it to be Plek'd the luthier examined it and said the neck, nut, frets and action were so good that Pleking would be a waste of cash...! You understand how I felt, right?


Right.

I do.

In fact my Mustang is the guitar that's needed the least tweaking/set up/adjustment etc.

All it's ever needed was a tweaking of the intonation.

It was set up when I bought it, and it's been great since. the neck has never shifted & it's never needed adjustment--the truss rod hasn't been adjusted in years--it hasn't needed to be.

It's a very well made guitar.

The only thing is it's starting to show some signs of fret wear.

_________________
It wasn't Willy-Nilly, it was at crows.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 15 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: