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1971 Fender Competition Mustang Bass
This Mustang Bass left the Fender factory in 1971 and remains in 100% original condition, apart from a single screw and washer on the back of the E tuning machine. The instrument exhibits typical signs of use, with some finish blemishes around the edges of the body, minor buckle rash, and a small chip on the pickguard's horn. While many original Competition Red finishes have faded to a copper hue, the finish on this bass retains its unfaded rich and vibrant red tone. The instrument's only flaw is two extra holes on the pickguard from where the finger rest was previously moved to sit above the E string, which became standard practice at the Fender factory in the mid 1970s.
With its 30" scale length and a comfortably round neck profile, this bass is an incredibly enjoyable instrument to play, particularly for a guitarist making the jump to bass. The original pickup, measuring 9.85K, offers full and punchy tones, with a little more clarity and slightly less output than a P-Bass would offer.
Neck dated July of 1971, pickups dated 33rd week of 1971, pots dated to the 17th week of 1971. Neck depth of 0.88" at the 1st fret and 1.00" at the 12th. Weight of 8lbs 11oz. The instrument has been set-up with light gauge flatwound strings, with low action set at 5-6.5 64ths of an inch at the 12th fret. The original frets are in great shape and play cleanly through the majority of the fingerboard, though some minor fret buzz becomes apparent in the high register of the fingerboard.
With hardshell case.
