If you're a guitar player, you probably think of the Fender Mustang as some sort of old-timer car that's quirky, cool and incredibly valuable because of its rarity. Electric guitars Mustang are super easy to play, look awesome, sound fantastic, and are great for everyone. Are you ready to choose your very first Mustang electric guitar?
History of the Mustang
When Fender, back in the 1950s, felt that there was a gap in the market for new players searching for smaller, affordable and top-quality electric guitars, they came up with the Mustang. In ’56 they launched their first ‘student guitar’ range with the single-pickup Musicmaster, followed by the double-pickup Duo-Sonic soon after.
Shorter in scale and body size (compared to the Stratocaster and Telecaster), the idea was that players who began on a Fender student guitar would eventually graduate to one of the Teles, Strats, or Jazzmasters. In 1964, the student guitar range was updated to the Fender Mustang.
A year later, the Mustang was by far the preferred choice over the Musicmaster and Duo-Sonic and was selling in thousands. It’s based on the Duo-
Sonic, the Mustang was a 22-fret, medium-scale electric guitar. It was the first of this range to include a vibrato/tremolo system with a floating bridge.
By the late ‘60s, the Mustangs with the iconic racing stripe and matching headstock were the popular choice and have remained a staple look of the Mustang range.
Production ended in 1982, and the Mustang quickly became a collector’s item. By 1990, its popularity was so big that it became the first Fender floating-bridge instrument to be discontinued and then reissued – quickly becoming a cult favourite among alternative and grunge artists. Guitarists loved that it was easy to play, its quirky style, and reasonable price.
Types of Fender Mustang
Fender Player & Player 90 Mustang
Fender-Player-Mustang-90-PF, Aged Natural is a fantastic entry point for anyone who wants to dive into the music scene. The Player model sticks to the classic Mustang vibe while offering a little something for everyone. Since 1964, it has been delivering that iconic Fender sound, perfectly blending vintage aesthetics with modern tech. It's designed for top-notch performance, making it a go-to for professional musicians, and it’s played a big role in the Mustang's enduring popularity.
The Player and Player 90 Series are the best investment among electric guitars Mustang – right up there with the Ben Gibbard line (but we’ll touch on that later). They’re not the cheapest or the priciest; they're a solid industry-standard quality without breaking the bank. This Mustang has two angled Fender single-coil pickups at the neck and bridge, giving you a classic, bright tone with a bit of edge.
The Player 90, on the other hand, comes with two P90 pickups, which is the key difference. P90s offer rich mid-tones, clear sustain, and a surprising punch when you crank up the overdrive, giving you a versatile sound.
Both models come with a fully adjustable hardtail bridge for added sustain and a comfortable bolt-on C-shape neck that minimizes strain while you play.
What sets the Mustang models apart are the switches on the body. Player guitars come with two 3-position sliders for each pickup (in phase – on/off – out of phase), allowing for eight unique tone options. This setup is inspired by the original designs.
Fender Vintera 60s Mustang
The Fender Vintera 60s Mustang is a throwback to the classic Mustang vibe, similar to the Player Mustang but with a focus on that iconic ‘60s style and sound. It’s like stepping into a time machine!
This guitar boasts all the quality you’d expect from Fender, featuring an alder body paired with a maple neck. These woods create a rich sound, blending warmth and brightness beautifully. The Pau Ferro fingerboard is super comfortable to play with, and the slightly shorter neck design makes it even easier to handle.
The Vintera is loaded with vintage Mustang features, including a classic tremolo bridge that offers smooth performance while keeping that retro look with its plastic-tipped tremolo arm. The single-coil pickups, equipped with Alnico V magnets, deliver a fantastic balance of warm and clear tones, perfect for that classic Mustang sound. If you’re looking for that old-school Mustang feel, this guitar might just be your perfect match.
Vintera Mustang has a cool pickup switch system. Each pickup has its switch, giving you four distinct tonal options (neck, bridge, both in phase, and both out of phase). Plus, the master volume and tone controls let you fine-tune your sound.
American Performer Mustang
This one has a higher price range and comes packed with all the modern features you’d expect from a Fender, all wrapped up in a vintage vibe. This guitar features an offset alder body and a comfy ‘Modern C’ neck profile, finished with a glossy body and a satin neck. With a shorter scale length of 24 inches and 22 frets, it’s designed for smooth sounds and easy playability.
It's equipped with the classic ‘Dynamic’ vibrato, reminiscent of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s models. It’s not for everyone, as it can sometimes throw the tuning off, but it definitely adds a unique flair. Kurt Cobain modified him to a hardtail bridge, but that tremolo effect is what made this guitar a favourite among punk and grunge musicians in the '90s.
The Performer keeps things simple when it comes to tonal options. The three-way pickup selector lets you toggle the single coils on and off, as well as run them in parallel or out of phase. Combined with a sturdy tremolo bridge and quality tonewoods, the Performer Mustang delivers a rich and versatile sound, proving that it’s more than just a student guitar.
