Fender Mustang Bass, Red (1966/1978)
Vintage
Don't be afraid of a vintage mutt! This Fender Mustang Bass shares an unbelievable feeling 1966 Mustang Bass neck with a 1978 Mustang Bass body and electronics, and it's a great example of what can happen when two pieces just plain work together in all the right ways. These compact short-scale basses are a total blast to play, and this one is no exception.
The CBS-era Mustang Bass neck has lived a life, and it shows! It's got some amazing character by way of some deeply yellowed, checked, and worn original lacquer finish. The original 'lollipop' Fender tuners work great and come with patina to match the wear. With the exception of a replaced nut, the neck is all there, frets and all. We can't stress enough just how great it is to play.
The body is all 1978 here. Original Mustang Red finish over Ash body shows some vibey forearm and contact wear on the bass side body contours as well as some good old fashioned buckle rash up near the neck plate. The pickup is original to the bass, and the volume/tone pots have been replaced along the way (a newer CTS 250k volume pot and a 250k tone pot from the 10th week of 1981). In typical Mustang fashion, it delivers great punchy tone with a little bit of P Bass flavor. The 30" scale length makes it a little more forgiving and inviting to play (these are great basses for a guitar player who wants a recording or writing bass!).
Just another example of an instrument that has the tonal and performance-based qualities we look for in a good vintage piece. It doesn't always have to be all-original, and this bass is a testament to that.
Priced with vintage lined chipboard bass case.
- Maple neck w/ Rosewood fingerboard and pearl dots
- 17 SEPT 66 B neck stamp
- Original Mustang decal and original Fender tuners
- 1978 Mustang Bass body - serial # S812658 inside neck pocket (Fender label)
- Original pickguard and split-coil pickup
- Replaced volume/tone pots
- Original bridge
- Weight: 8lb 8oz
Every instrument is thoroughly checked and set up before shipping fully insured via UPS with tracking to your door. We reuse boxes and materials to cut waste when they meet our protection standard.
Inspect it, play it, and if it isn't right, contact us within 48 hours of delivery to arrange a return or one-time exchange. Returns are subject to a 5% restocking fee, and the buyer covers shipping both ways.
Pricing
We price vintage instruments using current market trends and our extensive in-house sales history, ensuring each piece is accurately valued and fairly positioned.
Tasteful Restoration
When restoration is needed, we approach it with respect and restraint - always in service of preserving the instrument’s integrity and extending its musical life for decades to come.
Accurate Listings
Every vintage guitar we list is authenticated by our seasoned team and photographed in high detail, with clear, honest descriptions that show exactly what you’re buying - no surprises.
Shipping
With decades of experience shipping high-value guitars, we know how to pack and protect vintage instruments so they arrive exactly as they should: safe, sound, and ready to play.