If you play guitar, you might see the Fender Mustang as a classic choice — unique, stylish, and super valuable due to its rarity. Mustang electric guitars are a breeze to play, they look amazing, sound incredible, and are perfect for players of all levels. So, are you excited to pick out your first electric guitar Mustang?
The Mustang's Journey
Back in the 1950s, Fender noticed a need for smaller, budget-friendly, high-quality electric guitars aimed at new players, which led to the creation of the Mustang. In 1956, they kicked off their first 'student guitar' lineup with the single-pickup Musicmaster, soon followed by the double-pickup Duo-Sonic. These guitars were designed to be shorter in scale and body size compared to the Stratocaster and Telecaster, with the idea that beginners would eventually move up to the more advanced models like Teles, Strats, or Jazzmasters.
By 1964, the student guitar series got a refresh with the introduction of the Fender Mustang. Just a year later, the Mustang had taken off, outpacing the Musicmaster and Duo-Sonic in sales. Built on the Duo-Sonic's foundation, the Mustang featured 22 frets and a medium scale, and it was the first in this series to come with a vibrato/tremolo system and a floating bridge.
During the '60s, Mustang electric guitars decorated with the classic racing stripe and matching headstock became the go-to choice, solidifying their iconic look. The production stopped in 1982, and the Mustang quickly turned into a sought-after collector's item. By 1990, its popularity skyrocketed so high that it became the first Fender floating-bridge guitar to be discontinued and then brought back, quickly winning over alternative and grunge musicians.
Fender Mustang Variants
Fender Player II Mustang MN Hialeah
If you're ready to amp up your music then a brand new Mustang electric guitar is what you need. Initially crafted for students, this compact guitar is all about comfort and delivers a bright, punchy sound that will elevate your tunes. The Fender Player II Mustang MN Hialeah in yellow stands out thanks to its short scale length, making it a breeze to play for those with smaller hands or beginners. Plus, the offset body shape is often more comfortable to grip compared to standard guitars.
This electric guitar Mustang blends classic Fender style with some cool modern features for today’s musicians. It has an alder body that gives you that signature Fender sound and the Modern "C" neck profile with a smooth satin urethane finish makes it super comfy to play. The 9.5"-radius maple fingerboard has rolled edges and 22 medium jumbo frets, making it a breeze to navigate. With Player Series Alnico V Single-Coil Mustang pickups, you’ll get rich, vibrant tones that work well for all kinds of music. The 3-way toggle switch lets you easily switch up your sound, from bright neck tones to bold bridge growls. Plus, the 6-saddle hardtail bridge and ClassicGear tuners ensure your tuning stays spot on.
Fender Player & Player 90 Mustang
The Fender Player Mustang 90 in Aged Natural is a great choice for anyone looking to jump into the music world. The Player model keeps that classic Mustang feel while adding a little extra flair for everyone. Since its debut in 1964, it’s been known for that signature Fender sound, mixing vintage style with modern features. It’s built for high performance, making it a favourite among pro musicians, and it’s a big reason why the Mustang has stayed so popular over the years.
The Player and Player 90 Series offer fantastic value in the electric guitar world, right up there with the Ben Gibbard models (but we’ll get into that later). They strike a balance between affordability and quality, making them a solid choice without emptying your wallet.
This Mustang is equipped with two angled Fender single-coil pickups at the neck and bridge, delivering that classic bright tone with a bit of bite.
The Player 90, however, features two P90 pickups, which is where it really stands out. P90s provide rich mid-range tones, clear sustain, and a surprising punch when you turn up the overdrive, giving you a lot of versatility. Both models include a fully adjustable hardtail bridge for enhanced sustain and a comfy bolt-on C-shape neck that reduces strain while playing.
What really makes these Mustang models unique are the switches on the body. The Player guitars have two 3-position sliders for each pickup (in phase – on/off – out of phase), giving you eight different tone options. This design is inspired by the original Mustang models.
Fender Vintera 60s Mustang
This guitar delivers all the quality you’d expect from Fender, featuring an alder body and a maple neck. These materials create a rich sound that beautifully balances warmth and brightness. The Pau Ferro fingerboard feels great to play on, and the slightly shorter neck design makes it super easy to maneuver.
The Vintera has all the vintage Mustang elements, including a classic tremolo bridge that performs smoothly while maintaining that retro vibe with its plastic-tipped tremolo arm. The single-coil pickups, loaded with Alnico V magnets, provide a fantastic mix of warm and clear tones, ideal for capturing that classic Mustang sound.
If you’re after that vintage Mustang experience, this guitar could be just what you need. Each pickup has its own switch, giving you four different tonal options (neck, bridge, both in phase, and both out of phase). Plus, the master volume and tone controls allow you to really dial in your sound.
