1967(?) Fender Mustang

[Ohioisonfire]

Hello everyone,

I'd like to ask some questions today about a guitar I am looking at trading for. If this not the right place to post this please let me know or move it, thanks.

I'm looking at trading my Gibson SG Platinum for a 1967 (I am told that is the year) Mustang. I did not pay much for the SG so it doesn't necessarily have a ton of monetary value to me. The Mustang has had the tuners replaced with modern ones, and the nut appears to be a replacement that is too big. The finish was stripped at some point and the vibrato arm is missing. Otherwise I am told it is mostly original.

I am mostly wondering what you guys can tell me about this guitar, and what opinions you may have. Attached you should find some pics the seller has sent me:

[Trout]

Has the neck been broken?!

[Ohioisonfire]

Has the neck been broken?!

That was one of my first thoughts as well but I think that spot on the headstock might just be really messed up finish? Haven't seen it in person yet but seller says no breaks/repairs...

[Kent]

There is no way in hell I'd trade any serviceable guitar for that Mustang. Full Stop.

[Axolotl]

Other than the gunk by the headstock, looks legit to me. Maybe that stuff is glue from when they installed that horrible nut? If that cleans up and the guts are original, thats a nice refin stang right there.

[zip73]

‘67 would have a CBS headstock shape. This one is from ‘64 or early-mid ‘65.

[Pacafeliz]

‘67 would have a CBS headstock shape. This one is from ‘64 or early-mid ‘65.

Also PAT PEND bridge. 1964 or transition 1965?

[FenderBob]

headstock damage looks like water damage / maybe sat in a basement for too long.

[Paul-T]

It's a margin call - it's probably a good deal if you can assess it better, and especially if you have access to a good luthier to work on it

I don't like modern Gibsons and would always head for the vintage item; and this could be a good circa 64 guitar. But that depends on what's happened to , eg, the Headstock. It's possible that cleaning with, eg, bicarb of soda could make it look ok, once you've replaced the nut etc. Even if that leaves marks that's probably better than a headstock refin. But a good repairer could tell for sure if water or other damage has had any serious effect.

User gringopig (I think) posted a good Duosonic or similar refin in Olympic white recently that wasn't expensive. (viewtopic.php?f=41&t=109097&p=1508775#p1508775). Then you'd have a good guitar I reckon. Suggest a sunburst or white , as that's less obviously a refin than a custom colour.

But all of this hinges on having access to a good repairer who can sort out the nut and the headstock without bumping up the price too much.

Edit: looking on my laptop I saw the splinter missing below the top E machine. If the neck has been wet but dried out that doesn't present a structural problem for maple, if it's not warped and the fretboard hasn't separated. But in combination with other damage, beware.

[Trout]

I’d ask for more and better pictures.

[Mechanical Birds]

There is no way in hell I'd trade any serviceable guitar for that Mustang. Full Stop.

Yeah hard pass

Sell the SG, get a better mustang, be happier

[timtam]

Fretboard doesn't look good in any of the pics ... but need some close ups to tell for sure. Since headstock (and maybe more) looks like it's been wet at some time I would say no, if you can't try before you buy / swap.