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Hey. It occurred to me that I’ve never seen a 1964 Fender Mustang with a slab fretboard. I know that some necks were built that way in 1965-1966 production years, but that’s it, as far as I know. I could be wrong, though: I understand that ‘64 Mustangs are relatively scarce in general let alone mid-60s slab board necks. There are a lot of discussions out there on why some 3/4 scale Fenders came with slab fretboards in that window of time so I’m not going to go there. Just wanted to ask, out of curiosity, if any of you ever came across a 1964 (or, maybe, 1967?) slab board Mustang neck? At this point, my knowledge of vintage Fenders is mostly theoretical so I appreciate any advice from those with first hand experience. Thanks!

I haven't had the neck off in years, but I have what I remember to be a '65 Mustang with pearl dots on the top and side and a slab fingerboard. I'd like to refin back to Dakota Red this summer, so I can probably peek at it in the next few days if you like.

CaptainCrunch wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 15, 2021 1:59 pm

I haven't had the neck off in years, but I have what I remember to be a '65 Mustang with pearl dots on the top and side and a slab fingerboard. I'd like to refin back to Dakota Red this summer, so I can probably peek at it in the next few days if you like.

Thank you, that’d be great. There’s no rush, though. Can wait till you get to your refinishing project. Good luck with it!

I have a 64 mustang. I’ll take some pictures tomorrow. I refinished the guitar in 2000. Pawn shop find for me back then, it was painted with house paint when I found it, restored it with correct DuPont paint to lake placid blue.

As far as I know, most/all 64 mustangs are 22 1/2 inch A neck veneer boards. It wouldn't have been a craftsman making a decision sort of choice- the machines were set up to mass produce short scale veneer-board necks. At some point late 65 fender appear to have changed their minds, made a few slab boards, and then changed their minds back again in early 66.

FrankRay wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 18, 2021 1:03 am

As far as I know, most/all 64 mustangs are 22 1/2 inch A neck veneer boards. It wouldn't have been a craftsman making a decision sort of choice- the machines were set up to mass produce short scale veneer-board necks. At some point late 65 fender appear to have changed their minds, made a few slab boards, and then changed their minds back again in early 66.

Let's go for Most I have a 64 A width mustang neck with a veneer board but its 24"

-A

https://www.instagram.com/p/CMlelwnn0Cj ... ka25nkn8zm Yeah mine’s veneer with clay dots on the side and MOP dots on the fretboard

j67ab wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 18, 2021 7:43 pm

https://www.instagram.com/p/CMlelwnn0Cj ... ka25nkn8zm Yeah mine’s veneer with clay dots on the side and MOP dots on the fretboard

Thanks for checking!

FrankRay wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 18, 2021 1:03 am

As far as I know, most/all 64 mustangs are 22 1/2 inch A neck veneer boards. It wouldn't have been a craftsman making a decision sort of choice- the machines were set up to mass produce short scale veneer-board necks. At some point late 65 fender appear to have changed their minds, made a few slab boards, and then changed their minds back again in early 66.

Interesting. Can you recommend any reading on this?

FrankRay wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 18, 2021 1:03 am

As far as I know, most/all 64 mustangs are 22 1/2 inch A neck veneer boards.

I've owned three '64 Mustang necks, and all were 24" scale.

My 64 mustang was 24 scale and had a slab neck. I sold it about 7 years ago, dude was happy!

"Slab Rosewood fingerboards appear on Mustangs from around SEP65 to JAN66."
(retrieved from http://www.fendermustangstory.com/)
^
I guess this answers my question.

Domm wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 19, 2021 3:01 am

My 64 mustang was 24 scale and had a slab neck. I sold it about 7 years ago, dude was happy!

Are you sure that it wasn't a parts-guitar?

8NOV65B, slab board, pearl top and side dots, so tracks with everything posted so far.

HedonismBot wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 20, 2021 11:29 am

"Slab Rosewood fingerboards appear on Mustangs from around SEP65 to JAN66."
(retrieved from http://www.fendermustangstory.com/)
^
I guess this answers my question.

Domm wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 19, 2021 3:01 am

My 64 mustang was 24 scale and had a slab neck. I sold it about 7 years ago, dude was happy!

Are you sure that it wasn't a parts-guitar?

100% it was a rare bird!

CaptainCrunch wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 20, 2021 4:39 pm

8NOV65B, slab board, pearl top and side dots, so tracks with everything posted so far.

Thanks for checking!

I scored a '65 (according to the previous owner) slab board Mustang with pearl dots on Craigslist just a few days ago. Super excited since I've been dreaming of owning one for a while. I'm curious about the date stamp on mine but I haven't popped off the neck yet (I play it every day and don't want to mess with it: it seems to be set up quite nicely). First impressions - blows away my '74 Mustang, which isn't a bad guitar. Oh, and it stays in tune perfectly even though I use the whammy a lot!