1965 Fender Mustang L Series with Slab Board + OHSC

Originally introduced in 1964 as a part of Fender’s redesign of it’s student models (the Musicmaster and Duo-Sonic) the Fender Mustang has gone on the earn a solid cult following especially amongst indie or alternative musicians.

What sets this 1965 example apart from the majority of Fender Mustangs is that it features a slab rosewood fingerboard, while the vast majority of Mustangs have a veneer board. There were a couple of short production runs in 1965-66 that were made with the more desirable slab board and this is one such guitar. This guitar also has some very nice flame figuring on the back of the neck – again a rarity for a Mustang and something that is only occasionally seen on the top of the range Fenders like the Stratocaster, Telecaster and Jazzmaster. The neck has the most desirable combination of 24 in scale length, B neck width and slab board.

Everything is as it should be with all original parts and finish. The Daphne Blue finish is of the slightly darker variation that was used from around ‘64/65. There is some moderate playing wear on the back of the neck and a few dings and scratches on the body – mainly on the back and sides. Nothing out of the ordinary though and overall the condition is very good.

Beneath the covers the two pick ups are essentially flat pole piece Stratocaster pick ups with the typical mid 60’s grey bottoms. They read 6.42k on the neck and 5.87k on the bridge so have plenty of output. Each pick up on its own has a Strat like quality to the tone. The switching comprises of two On-Off-On switches, one for each pick up. There are four different tone combinations that can be selected using these switches. Aside from the bridge and neck pick ups on their own, both pick ups can be selected together either in or out of phase. This gives the Mustang a surprisingly wide range of useable tones. The in phase position is a very useful full, crisp tone and the out of phase position (achieved by having the two switches in opposite positions) gives an interesting hollow quack which is quite unique.

A previous owner of this particular guitar was Mike Halls of indie pop band Clean Cut Kid, who used it on the bands debut album Felt as well as extensively as one of his touring guitars. The guitar can also be seen in the video for the single Leaving You Behind. While he owned the guitar he had both of the switches bypassed with both pick ups going directly in phase to the volume pot. The wiring has now been restored to factory spec, so the output leads from both pick ups and the leads going to the volume pot have been re-soldered back onto the original switches. All other solder joints on the switches and in the control cavity are undisturbed.

Overall a very cool vintage Fender. Original mid 60’s Mustangs must be one of the biggest bang for your buck vintage guitars right now and something of an unsung hero in the vintage guitar fraternity. When you consider the kind of money their bigger brethren of similar vintage now fetch, these mid 60’s Mustangs are an absolute bargain.

Comes with the original hard shell case, original tremolo arm and bridge cover, and a copy of Clean Cut Kid’s Felt album signed with a note from Mike Halls confirming his use of the guitar.