Fender Mustang or modded Squier Bronco?

[foomanfat]

Well, I've got a Mikey Way mustang incoming.

[blakestree]

Congratulations!!! I believe that will be my next instrument.

[rfurtkamp]

Nice. Every Squier sig model seems to be on the higher end of their stuff, which is a damn nice thing.

[Chuckchuck]

Nice. Every Squier sig model seems to be on the higher end of their stuff, which is a damn nice thing.

I agree.

I like the pickup on the MW Mustang. Post a review later.

[benjuro]

Well, I've got a Mikey Way mustang incoming.

How do you like it?

I'm struggling with this exact same question and wrecked shoulder/neck dilemma.

EDIT: Oh, must be discontinued now? I see none on the inter webs, looks like I'm back to a Squier Jaguar SS...

[foomanfat]

Yeah. I happened to find one new on amazon, but that well seems dry.
I like the neck a lot. Had to swap in 500k pots to get some more dynamic out of the pickup, which required boring out the control plate.
It feels way better on the shoulder than my (probably overly heavy) p bass, but not as light as my Grabber.

[blakestree]

I, recently, got one. The neck is my favorite part! It's pretty much a perfect fit for me. I wouldn't say I'm disappointed with the pickup. The tone palette actually seems pretty good. But, it is less aggressive than I expected. Also, the bass weighs a bit more than I thought it would.

[benjuro]

Hmm, I'm trying to get into lightweight territory, so maybe the SS Jag is truly the move.

Anyone have experience with one they can share? Itching for a shred machine for when I'm jamming at home.

[rfurtkamp]

Lightweight on the cheapies in my experience just happens. Some are stupid heavy, some are featherweight.

It's where if you have the option of checking at the store, this is where it matters.

[Chuckchuck]

Although, I've never run into a heavy Bronco. Old Squier II Precisions with ply bodies are light as well. I think--not sure--the giveaway for ply body is solid black Squier lettering opposed to silver, which was solid.

For Jaguars et al you can route under the pickguard (but not under the path of the strings) for a semi hollow effect, and maintain rigidity while cutting at least a little bit of weight. I also replace chromed plates with plastic mirror. Don't laugh; it adds up! You can also take 1-2cm off the back if you're ambitious just don't cut through to the cavities unless you want that Ampeg scroll bass thing going on.

[Chuckchuck]

I doubt this cut much weight:

replacing parts probably more effective. I also drilled a million holes under the pickguard--similar to routing I guess. I didn't have a router at the time.

[rfurtkamp]

Although, I've never run into a heavy Bronco. Old Squier II Precisions with ply bodies are light as well. I think--not sure--the giveaway for ply body is solid black Squier lettering opposed to silver, which was solid.

On the MIKs, anything goes - but there's black label MIMs as well. Those have standard whatever was current Fender baseline bodies - at the time, Fender Mexico had no CNC and just imported bodies and necks from Corona. Usually there's a minor cosmetic defect or somesuch on them compared to the MIA, and the final finishing and fretwork etc was all done in Mexico. Never seen a ply one of those though.

[Chuckchuck]

What's black label Fender? Are they advertised as black label?

[rfurtkamp]

Several types exist. The original "Fender *MODEL*" with "Squier Series" on the headstock ball (most seem to have had the ball marker removed to con people into thinking they were "real" Fenders. Also legit MIM Fenders of the period with "Custom Contour Body" or whatever is normally on the HS ball.

My '94 (right before the original Mexico factory burned and there were no MIM Fenders for a few years) with black label and undefaced "Squier Series" for reference.



The later initial Mexico stuff was gold (barely) with thick black outline (looks near solid black on a lot of them, or black outline with wood rather than gold), etc.

[ronaldpdbrandt]

A couple of years ago, I picked up an early 90s Bronco for $90. It already had decent, full-size tuners unlike later versions:


Then I got some 100-year-old barn wood from my dad down in Arkansas, and turned it into this, using the neck from the Bronco:


With pickups and hardware, the whole thing cost me about $250-300 I think, though I don't recall exactly. Well worth it, if you've got a little woodworking skill!