1966 Mustang

Discussion of vintage Jazzmasters, Jaguars, Bass VIs, Electric XIIs and any other offset-waist instruments.
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KBH123
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1966 Mustang

Post by KBH123 » Tue Nov 24, 2020 11:33 am

Hello all,

Sometime lurker and first time poster here, so thanks for having me!

I’m considering buying a vintage offset. Quite honestly, having only owned Strats and Teles until now I don’t know much about them and how to tell if they’re legit. Thus, I’d appreciate some opinions on this one, please...

https://guitars.com/inventory/ef9421-19 ... er-mustang

I’m aware that there will be a premium for purchasing from a store such as this but it should ensure that the guitar is as advertised...the seller says that it is indeed all original. All things considered, is this a decent price? (Hopefully the link works... it’s Gruhn guitars)

I should add that ‘Unfortunately’ I’m LH so will need to flip if I purchase a RH guitar. Do any of you out there have experience of doing this? I’ve done it with Strats and it’s fine but this is a different type of flip.... is it a dumb idea?! Am I far better off waiting until a suitable LH comes along?

Thank you very much in advance for your opinions and help.

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Re: 1966 Mustang

Post by sa1126 » Tue Nov 24, 2020 11:41 am

Reverb prices seem comparable (plus tax) so that doesn't seem horrible. It looks really clean.
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Re: 1966 Mustang

Post by Super Reverb Swell » Tue Nov 24, 2020 8:25 pm

Price on that is okay given how clean it is but it's still quite a bit for a mustang you plan to flip over! I'd rather buy a beater personally. I'm not sure how hard it is to find a lefty.

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Re: 1966 Mustang

Post by zhivago » Tue Nov 24, 2020 11:50 pm

My brother is a lefty, and he prefers actual left handed guitars...he did flip a guitar over once and the controls/input jack were in the way...he also had to swap the nut and stuff.

Lefty-anything when it comes to vintage guitars is usually rare, but certainly not impossible to find...they made thousands upon thousands of Mustangs in the mid-60s...it's the most plentiful vintage 60s Fender out there probably...I guess it depends on how patient you are. :)
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Re: 1966 Mustang

Post by zhivago » Tue Nov 24, 2020 11:55 pm

Southside had one...but it sold... :(

https://reverb.com/item/35017221-fender ... -1966-blue

It might be worth emailing them and asking if they have leads on another one...sometimes shops even keep track of who bought a guitar, as vintage guitars come and go through vintage stores often in trades. The buyer might be willing to sell...you never know...long shot, but as a friend of mine once said "you don't shoot, you don't score"

Best of luck. :)
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Re: 1966 Mustang

Post by supersonicjazzmaster » Wed Nov 25, 2020 7:57 am

The red one looks like new!

I would also say, if you do changes on the guitar, go a for a beater, a well played 65 or 66 Mustang.
The refinished ones are mostly a bit cheaper!
Good luck, keep us updated.
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Re: 1966 Mustang

Post by KBH123 » Wed Nov 25, 2020 11:19 am

Many thanks for the replies so far. I figured that a beater may be a better option for flipping. Have seen a couple that fall somewhat more into that category although are still - according to the adverts - all original. Any thoughts?

https://www.killervintage.com/product-p ... er-mustang

Bit of additional description from the seller:

“We believe it to be 100% original.
Neck date May '66
Pots date 42nd week of '66

The pickups are one black bottom (neck) and one grey bottom (bridge).
It's a little late for a black bottom but it was the transition phase still and probably not unusual for a Mustang.
Everything is factory solder so this is just the way this one came“

If I could figure out how to post photos I’d post the pictures of the insides that the seller sent me! I’ll keep trying to figure it out.

This one is about $1k cheaper than the other one but it’s not in as good condition and there’s no OHSC...

Thanks in advance!

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Re: 1966 Mustang

Post by mgeek » Thu Nov 26, 2020 5:00 am

KBH123 wrote:
Wed Nov 25, 2020 11:19 am


This one is about $1k cheaper than the other one but it’s not in as good condition and there’s no OHSC...

I'd prefer the more beaten one regardless of price difference. It looks way, way cooler.

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Re: 1966 Mustang

Post by Con-Tiki! » Thu Nov 26, 2020 5:24 am

mgeek wrote:
Thu Nov 26, 2020 5:00 am
KBH123 wrote:
Wed Nov 25, 2020 11:19 am


This one is about $1k cheaper than the other one but it’s not in as good condition and there’s no OHSC...

I'd prefer the more beaten one regardless of price difference. It looks way, way cooler.
absolutely.
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Re: 1966 Mustang

Post by supersonicjazzmaster » Thu Nov 26, 2020 10:14 am

Con-Tiki! wrote:
Thu Nov 26, 2020 5:24 am
mgeek wrote:
Thu Nov 26, 2020 5:00 am
KBH123 wrote:
Wed Nov 25, 2020 11:19 am


This one is about $1k cheaper than the other one but it’s not in as good condition and there’s no OHSC...

I'd prefer the more beaten one regardless of price difference. It looks way, way cooler.
absolutely.
Aaaaaaabsolutely! The more beaten one looks even much cooler to me.
and... who needs cases. Play it!
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Re: 1966 Mustang

Post by Embenny » Thu Nov 26, 2020 10:42 am

The original cases on those Mustangs are not great. I had one with a flat dent in the back of the neck from the wooden neck rest because the thin padding had worn away and you basically had wood-on-wood contact. I know originality adds value, but I don't want to keep a valuable vintage guitar in a vintage case that is damaging it.

If you're flipping it upside down (and will probably be scratching the paint because the pickguard won't be where you need it to be), don't pay a $1k premium for condition and originality. You'll be lighting that extra cash on fire.
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Re: 1966 Mustang

Post by Amon 7.L » Thu Nov 26, 2020 12:25 pm

Left-handed here.
I've flipped both a Jaguar and Mustang in the past and I promise you, as cool as they look played upside down (especially the Jaguar!), they are a major pain in the arse to deal with.

Aside from the obvious issue of the controls being constantly in the way, there's also the neck dive to consider.
You can compensate it by placing the strap button in front of the neck pocket though but still, it's an experience that wears you thin rather quickly.

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Re: 1966 Mustang

Post by KBH123 » Thu Nov 26, 2020 4:14 pm

Thanks for the continued replies. Good to hear from a fellow lefty too - and cheers for confirming my suspicions about the flip. I’ve done it with Strats before and it wasn’t too bad but sounds like this will be more problematic. Sounds like I should possibly wait for a lefty to come along. That said, I’m still tempted to give it a go and see what happens. It shouldn’t lose too much value anyway, especially since I’d be buying stateside and taking it back to the U.K.

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Re: 1966 Mustang

Post by zhivago » Wed Dec 02, 2020 11:29 pm

KBH123 wrote:
Thu Nov 26, 2020 4:14 pm
Thanks for the continued replies. Good to hear from a fellow lefty too - and cheers for confirming my suspicions about the flip. I’ve done it with Strats before and it wasn’t too bad but sounds like this will be more problematic. Sounds like I should possibly wait for a lefty to come along. That said, I’m still tempted to give it a go and see what happens. It shouldn’t lose too much value anyway, especially since I’d be buying stateside and taking it back to the U.K.
Hey this popped up today!

https://www.gbase.com/gear/fender-mustang-3
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Re: 1966 Mustang

Post by KBH123 » Fri Dec 04, 2020 2:47 pm

That’s a great spot. Many thanks, I’ll check it out.

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