Fender Bronco Dakota Red | 1974

This 1974 Fender Bronco - despite its student model specs - is about as toneful and fun to play as you'll find in any short scale electric guitar.

This 1974 Fender Bronco - simply put - is special. Maybe it's the no-frills single pickup design? Maybe the 24" scale? What about the awesome neck carve? Or how about all of that and then some? Whatever it is, the sum of these parts and specs has equalled to one really captivating guitar, and it's really caught us by surprise.

Combining elements of a Musicmaster (but a bridge pickup instead of a neck pickup) and Mustang (but only the 24" scale length versions), it kind of stands on its own in terms of what Fender had historically offered in its budget short-scale instruments. It sports a lot of the familiar post-CBS aesthetics of the late 60s like the Dakota/Mustang Red finish, 3-ply pickguard, and uber-cool amp knobs along with one of the nicest looking Indian Rosewood fingerboards we've seen from this period.

Why We Love This

At a tick under 7.5lbs, it's incredibly resonant and acoustically present. The lone single coil Mustang pickup is bright and punchy, with a bigger feeling tone than we're used to in these guitars. The original frets show almost no wear at all, and with the exception of a replaced nut, it's all there. The neck looks borderline unplayed based on its condition, and the body isn't too far behind (save for some small nicks and bumps here and there).

This Bronco is comfortably to play and has an inviting simplicity that produces really impressive tonal results. It's a total sleeper of a guitar, by 70s Fender standards and by vintage Fender standards in general.

Includes modern Fender gig bag.