Fender American Performer Mustang & Mustang Bass

[Tehz_]

I considered posting this in the ongoing thread about the Am. Performer Jazzmaster, but was worried it would get lost in the mix; plus, I feel this deserves a separate discussion. I was searching for information about the SH Telecaster from that series when I found this on The Music Zoo’s website: https://www.themusiczoo.com/blogs/news/ ... -performer





I know the Mustang doesn’t have the proper switches, but at least it’s got the right bridge/vibrato and not a Strat or TOM/stoptail bridge, and what at least appear to be proper Mustang pickups. The bass looks about spot-on, besides the extra pickup. If I’m not mistaken, these are the first relatively vintage-accurate American-made examples of either model that I can remember. Thoughts?

[Djdubed]

that mustang is lush, any idea on other colours??

[Djdubed]

not a fan of the input on the bass being on the side

[Futuron]

Great find! I thought USA Mustangs were getting the shaft, looks like they've upped the game instead.

Very keen to see the other versions. Pleased to see the angled SS with a vibrato on the 6-string and the bass full-stop. Although I don't like heel truss-rod adjustments, or the output on the side (always gets banged against things). Curious as to whether the knobs are tone/volume/volume (I hate that config) or tone/mix/volume.

[CROSS_guitars]

wow. these are cool.
I like the metallic pink.

I also like the slightly different Mustang bass bridge.

[gofive]

I bet the neck on that Mustang is terrible.

[Danley]

Something resembling an actual Mustang that is American?

Fuck yeah!

[Embenny]

Something resembling an actual Mustang that is American?

Fuck yeah!

I don't know what to think, to be honest. I'm happy that they're doing it but worried it won't work and they'll go back to....not doing that.

Part of the Mustang Paradox has been that American-made Fenders tend to run a similar price to actual vintage Mustangs. I'll be curious to see where the price point on these lands.

[Danley]

Any guitar company's biggest competitor is their own product, used. For example - Gibson reissued the "The Paul" with a street price something like 3x the cost of a vintage one. Not that they always do smart things. G&L reissued the Skyhawk, and you can buy a vintage one for cheaper still (for now.) If Fender actually charges parity price with a vintage Mustang, that's at least better than that.

It's been what, 35 years since we've had a US Mustang? Guess I'm just over-eager and might buy one out of obligation. I really hope they don't use the Japanese vibrato, though...

[dren68]

Something resembling an actual Mustang that is American?

Fuck yeah!

I don't know what to think, to be honest. I'm happy that they're doing it but worried it won't work and they'll go back to....not doing that.

Part of the Mustang Paradox has been that American-made Fenders tend to run a similar price to actual vintage Mustangs. I'll be curious to see where the price point on these lands.

Same here. I'm glad they're finally making an American-made Mustang that's an actual Mustang instead of the Am. Specials. I don't mind the toggle switch as opposed to the original switches, either. If that's the only change, I'm fine with that. Well... other than the 9.5 radius, medium jumbo frets, and modern tuners.

[Fiddy]

I do like this bass, with the Jbass pickup, though id probably never use it tbh.

One day ill build a Mustang bass and move the stock pickups up closer to the neck. Or maybe even, add a "neck pickup" along with the stock pickup.

[BoringPostcards]

Mustang looks nice. I can deal with a 3 way, although I’d miss the whacky out of phase setting. I like that p bass too.

[HNB]

DAMMIT I WANT CONTOURS!!

[vistavision]

They've been manufacturing those bodies for 2 years now so it makes sense. I'm guessing they're doing well enough with the MIM Offset Series to offer an upgrade.
Anybody know the price range on this stuff?

[zeero9]

Great find! It doesn’t seem to be a Fender sanctioned announcement. I can’t find any similar news anywhere else. When the Player was officially announced, multiple review videos went up simultaneously and the new models were available for order immediately on many stores. I remember being very impressed by the coordinated effort. This is a far cry from that, so I imagine someone’s in trouble!