1969 FENDER COMPETITION MUSTANG

Beautiful 1969 Fender Competition Mustang, in very good condition.

Here is an early example of one of Fender’s most fanciful creations of the late 1960s. These improved Mustangs were intended to give the model a new appeal by incorporating “added features and all-new styling” (sic). The most striking point is obviously the choice of three new finishes in bright colors, along with contrasting stripes reminiscent of the paint jobs given to the hot-rod cars of the 60s: Competition Red, Competition Burgundy and the rarest, Competition Orange. During the first two years of production of these models, the color was also applied as a matching headstock, making for very flashy instruments indeed!

Ergonomically, Fender implemented the same contour found on the Stratocaster at the upper portion of the body to accommodate the contact between the player and the instrument and allow the arm to rest naturally above the strings – note that Mustangs were previously devoid of this element! This set of characteristics was revealed to the public in issue #17 of Fender Facts magazine published in May 1969, and the instrument presented here has a neck stamp dated May 19, 1969: we can deduce that it is one of the very first examples shipped sometime in the summer of 1969!

Originally launched in mid-1964, the Mustang is one of Leo Fender’s last major original creations before his company was bought by CBS. Although designed as a student model, this short-scale, vibrato-sporting guitar was taken to its peak by many professionals over the decades and remains a classic in its own right, particularly for its use in the garage and grunge scenes of all decades to the present day – far exceeding Leo Fender’s original intentions.

We find this little guitar in excellent condition and entirely original with the sole exception of its volume potentiometer. We have taken care of its complete setup, with a full fret levelling, adjusting of the action and intonation, crafting a new bone nut, complete cleaning of the electronics – the guitar is in impeccable playing condition!

Sold in its original rectangular hardshell case.