Fender Mustang, sunburst, made in USA 1976. This is a proper raucous noise-machine with a whole lot of swagger. The 42 year old sunburst finish has plenty of miles on the clock; it's got a skeezy vintage aesthetic that can't really be replicated with 'relic' wear. Most 1970s Mustangs (including this one) feature an ash body, which is quite different in tone to the 60s era poplar bodies or the MIJ reissues made of basswood. The ash body adds mass and lends the guitar a thick, strong midrange and some extra definition and cut; pushing it slightly closer to Strat-territory. Combined with the maple board, this has a nice mix of brightness and traditional Mustang-plonk. Mustangs find favour with punk, grunge and surf players because they enthusiastically take a beating and get along so nicely with layers of gain and effects; this one certainly carries on the tradition proudly. It's not a mint condition collectors item, but this will certainly be a perfect partner to crank out some obnoxious tunes with!

Model: Fender Mustang
Made: USA, Fullerton plant, 1976 (serial 7615180)
Finish: three tone sunburst (3TS), gloss poly
Body: ash (approx total guitar weight 3.9kg)
Neck: maple with maple board, 24" scale
Mods: pickguard replaced, volume pot replaced, bridge replaced with Jaguar-style bridge
Pickups: original Fender MG-singles
Case: non-original hard case, good quality and condition

Cosmetic condition notes: moderate finish wear. The headstock has some chips on the end, as well as a few scuffs and scratches and some checking lines. The fretboard has plenty of wear, and looks to have been fled around the edges, presumably to smooth-over some pointy fret-ends. The back of the neck has a few little dimples. The front of the body has a lot of little dings and marks but nothing major: most notably on the top horn, up from the bridge, behind the bridge and around the edge of the body and the back from the knobs to the shoulder carve. The back is similar; there's one larger chip in the middle of the back, aside from that it's a bunch of little marks on the top horn, in the buckle-rash zone and around the edge of the back. There's plenty of little dings for it's 42 years, but it's in pretty good shape all things considered. Overall: fair condition (6.5/10)

Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Frets have some normal wear; they look recently levelled as they're quite even in height and there's no real buzz issues, but there's not a lot of height in them, 4/10 for life left. Wearing fresh 11/49s, ready for action.