Fender Competition Mustang Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1973), made in Fullerton, California, serial # 436903, Candy Apple Red with Racing Stripe finish, alder body, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, original grey hard shell case.
This is a later-day Competition Red Fender Mustang from 1973, built at the end of the run for this rather whimsical "Competition" version of the model. This was the last year for the snazzy Candy Apple Red metallic "car" finish and "racing" stripe on the body; the matching headstock had been discontinued a couple of years earlier. Soon after this one was made the finish options for the model were changed to sunburst, natural, or black and the "Competition Mustang" series was retired under the checkered flag.
The rosewood-fingerboard neck is clear-dated MAR 73 on the heel; the lead PU is also dated 1973 while the pots are coded 137 7310, also dating to early 1973. Except for the lack of a matching finish on the headstock, the features (including the snazzy pearloid pickguard) of this guitar remain nearly identical to the late 1960s models. These include the springy "Dynamic" vibrato tailpiece, 6-barrel adjustable bridge and twin Mustang pickups with switching allowing in or out of phase combinations.
The Mustang series was Leo Fender's last original design for the company that bore his name, launched in mid-1964 to immediate success. By the early 1970s the proliferation of cheaper Japanese guitars had undercut the market and sales were way down, but the easy handling short scale Mustang endured as a classic in its own right. The Mustang has proved a timeless favorite of countless garage and pro bands from the 1960s and '70s until today, easily exceeding Leo's original intentions as a simple but effective student instrument.
Overall length is 39 3/4 in. (101 cm.), 12 1/4 in. (31.1 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 in. (610 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
This Mustang remains nicely original except for a repro trem bar and is in solid playing condition overall. There is checking to the body finish with some fairly random finish scuffs, chips and dings, a few fairly deep, but no major belt-buckle wear on the back. The neck finish is relatively clean with one deeper scrape behind the third fret area.
The lower tip of the pickguard on the treble horn has split off with some glue residue visible were it was once tacked down. The pickguard itself has shrunk up a decent amount which in turn has outgassed somewhat bled into the finish underneath in some places, but this is only visible when the guitar is disassembled. Everything works as intended, the trem arm is a correct repro. The original frets have only light wear and this is a good playing and sounding Mustang; still snazzy and sporty these many years on! It rests in the original case. Excellent - Condition.
