This is a very clean all-original 1966 Fender Mustang in Daphne Blue finish. This is one of the best colors ever to come out of the Fender factory, in my opinion and others'. The Daphne Blue paint was extremely popular, however, after the guitars were sold and out in the public, the exposure to wear and tear created a notorious reputation for 'toning' to green or simply fading to a lighter shade of powder blue with UV exposure. It was discontinued from the Mustang line in 1967. This one is as unfaded as I've ever seen and only has a couple of very light 'toning' spots. The guitar was made at the original Fender factory in Fullerton California, U.S.A. It is extremely clean and ready to go.
The slab body is in excellent condition as is the Daphne Blue finish. The only toning is in a few spots and it is only a touch at that. You can see how brilliant the blue remains in the photos underneath the pickguard and control plate. The guitar was obviously barely played at all. The paint shines very nicely and the color is rich. The only flaw in the finish is on the backside, where the guitar waylaid on top of a instrument cord-which had a chemical reaction known as "cord-burn" or "cord melt" on the backside-see photos. The paint is just as brilliant on the backside and edges as it is on the top.
The neck joint is solid and an excellent fitment. The neck itself is smooth and perfectly straight with no issues. The truss rod functions smoothly. The neck is best described as a vintage C shape. It measures .877" deep at the 1st fret and .870" deep at the 12th fret. The nut is the standard 1 5/8" width. Mustangs were produced in both 3/4 scale (21 fret) and the longer short scale (22 fret) version is similar to a Les Paul size. This one is the desirable 22-fret version. The tuners all function and the buttons are so clean and bright, they look 'like new' condition. The headstock and logo display MINT. The Brazilian rosewood fingerboard is super clean and the grain is high contrast and very beautiful. The frets appear like-new condition. The edges are just super-crisp and unbelievable. The action is set low for an easy playing experience. The guitar plays excellent up and down the fingerboard-no dead spots anywhere. The pickups both have an excellent signal and they are the earlier black bobbin style with cloth leads. The neck pickup measures 6.13 ohms and the bridge pickup measures 6.18 ohms. Very nice balance. The tone is the quintessential Fender "bell" chime that Mustangs are known for. It sounds killer. The controls operate smoothly and quietly. The switches do function in all 4 positions, as with most vintage Mustangs-the switches are touchy in a couple of spots but generally improve with consistent usage. The potentiometers date to the 42nd week of 1966 and the Neck stamp is from March of 1966. There are hand-written employee inspection marks in the neck slot, bottom of control plate and body. The wiring harness is in superb condition throughout-along with the bright pickguard. The pickgurad is completely flat and unfaded and the pearloid sparkles very nicely. The bridge is super clean and the vibrato system functions smoothly. The saddles are like new condition. The bridge cover and vibrato bar are both super clean.
The guitar has a great weight-it only weighs 7.23 lbs. It is nice and lightweight so you can forget about shoulder fatigue. This guitar has an excellent balance and fits your body nicely. It is really a lot of fun to play, whether it's on a strap or in your lap.
The guitar comes with the original cord, leatherette strap (mint flocking) and Fender polishing cloth with red logo. The original salt & pepper Victoria hard case is included as well and it is in extremely nice condition as well.
