Fender 0373652503 Electric Guitar: Full Review

The Fender Mustang is an iconic electric guitar model that has been popular since its introduction in the 1960s. As part of Fender's student and budget-focused Mustang lineup, the Mustang Electric Guitar offers classic offset Fender style and sound at an affordable price point.

Fender is one of the most well-known and respected electric guitar brands, with a long history of crafting high quality, versatile instruments. Based in California, Fender has continuously innovated and reimagined their classic guitar designs over the decades while retaining the core DNA of their iconic models like the Stratocaster, Telecaster and Mustang.

The Mustang body shape features offset waist contours and short scale length that make the guitar comfortable and easy to play. Available in a range of vibrant finishes from bright solid colors to two-tone sunburst, the Mustang design perfectly balances vintage vibe with contemporary flair.

Body & Neck

The Mustang features a solid alder body with a modern "C" shape maple neck and a 9.5” fingerboard radius for comfortable chording and soloing.

The contoured body shape along with a slim neck profile makes this an easy guitar to handle and play, whether sitting or standing. Weighing in at just 7 lbs, it's a fairly lightweight instrument as well.

The maple neck contributes to the guitar's bright, snappy tone and also provides excellent sustain. It uses a modern bolt-on construction that allows easy access to the higher frets.

Overall the body and neck design prioritizes playability and comfort over pure vintage aesthetics. It's built for performance while retaining familiar Mustang DNA.

Pickups & Electronics

The Fender Mustang features two single coil pickups which provide a bright, crisp tone. Single coils are known for their articulation and chimey sound. The bridge pickup delivers a biting treble response, while the neck pickup has a smooth, round quality.

This guitar uses a master volume and tone control along with a three-way pickup selector switch. This allows you to blend between the bridge and neck pickups or use them individually. The electronics offer versatility for crafting both clean and distorted tones.

The pickups and electronics complement the inherent sound and feel of the Mustang body shape. Overall, they provide vintage-inspired Stratocaster tones with added snap and presence. The pickups are designed to handle higher gain while retaining clarity.

Hardware

The Fender Mustang features quality hardware that holds tune and intonates accurately. It has a hardtail bridge that provides solid anchoring of the strings and precise intonation adjustment. The bridge has a modern design with a steel block saddles that are both efficient at transferring string vibration and allow for individual height and intonation adjustments.

The tuning machines are Fender's standard sealed gear tuners. They have a precise 18:1 gear ratio for accurate and stable tuning. The tuning pegs have a smooth turning action that makes changing strings a breeze. Overall the hardware components on the Mustang are well made and deliver reliable performance. Between the solid bridge and quality tuners, the guitar stays in tune even under heavy playing.

Sound & Playability

The Fender Mustang electric guitar has a bright, crisp tone that cuts through the mix whether you're playing clean or with high-gain distortion. The basswood body and maple neck provide a balanced sound across the frequency range.

When played clean, the single-coil Mustang pickups have a classic Fender spank and sparkle. Add some overdrive and you can pull singing lead tones with complex harmonics. There's also nice warmth and resonance unplugged.

The slim, fast maple neck is comfortable to play for extended periods. The 24" scale length makes bending strings and soloing easier compared to a 25.5" Stratocaster neck. The modern 9.5" fretboard radius feels smooth during chording and riffing. Overall the Mustang offers an easy playing experience even for beginners while still providing the tone discerning players look for.

Pros

Fender has been one of the leaders in electric guitar design and manufacturing for decades, and the Player Mustang carries on their legacy beautifully. This guitar delivers that classic bright, crisp Fender tone thanks to its pair of Player Series Alnico V single-coil pickups.

The iconic Mustang body shape also looks fantastic, with offset waist contours and pointed cutaways that give it a sleek, stylish vibe. Whether you want classic surf rock tones or sparkling indie rock clarity, the Mustang has the Fender style you crave.

Considering the quality of the hardware, electronics, and construction, this guitar represents an excellent value. It's a very affordable way to get your hands on an authentic Fender with great playability and versatile sound. For guitarists seeking that timeless Fender experience on a budget, the Player Mustang is tough to beat.

Cons

The Fender Mustang has some drawbacks compared to higher-end electric guitars. The main issue is that it uses cheaper hardware and electronics to reach a lower price point.

The tremolo bridge and tuners are lower quality than what you would find on American-made Fender guitars. As a result, staying in tune can be a challenge, especially when using the tremolo arm regularly. The pickups and pots are also basic models that don't allow for advanced tone shaping.

While the wood and craftsmanship are still good, the use of cheaper hardware and electronics is where Fender cut costs on the Mustang. This may bother some players who want higher-end components. However, it's understandable at this price, and helps make the Mustang accessible for beginners and budget-minded players.

Who It's For

The Fender Mustang electric guitar is a great choice for beginner and intermediate players looking for an affordable, versatile guitar. Its shorter 24" scale length makes it comfortable for smaller hands, while the two single-coil pickups provide classic Fender tones.

The Mustang is easy to play, thanks to its slim, fast "C"-shaped neck profile. This makes it ideal for newer players still developing their fretting hand technique and strength. The dynamic vibrato bridge also helps add expression and character to notes.

More experienced guitarists will appreciate the Mustang's smooth playability and flexible sound. The dual pickups and three-way selector switch allow for a range of tones, from sparkly cleans to crunchy overdrive. This lets you experiment with different genres, from indie rock to blues.

Overall, the Fender Mustang hits a sweet spot between quality, cost and approachability. It gives beginners a real Fender playing experience, while offering intermediate players classic design and electronics in an easily gigged package. For under $500, it's hard to find a better electric for improving technique and skill.

Alternatives

Fender's Squier brand offers comparable models at lower price points that are great for beginners. The Squier Bullet Mustang has a similar offset double cutaway shape and two single coil pickups for under $150. The hardware and electronics are more basic, but it's a solid starter instrument.

For a bit more, the Squier Affinity Mustang is a step up around $200 with improved pickups and hardware. The slim C-shaped maple neck and alder body make it comfortable for smaller hands while still delivering classic Mustang tone.

Epiphone's Les Paul Express is another great option for beginners, providing the iconic Gibson Les Paul shape in a more affordable package starting around $200. The Epiphone SG Special also mimics Gibson's SG style well for under $200.

Both Squier and Epiphone give you well-built starter versions of classic guitar shapes and sounds before moving up to the more expensive Fender and Gibson models. The quality and components aren't as robust, but they provide great value as you're learning.

Verdict

The Fender Mustang electric guitar is a great entry-level model for beginners or students looking for an affordable Fender with classic styling. It delivers the iconic Fender tone and look without breaking the bank.

The Mustang features a solid basswood body with a '60s-inspired offset waist design. The C-shaped maple neck and rosewood fingerboard provide comfort and playability. Two single-coil Mustang pickups provide crisp, bright tone that works well for pop, punk, indie rock, blues, and more.

While it doesn't have premium features and appointments found on higher-end Fenders, the Mustang GT still embodies the Fender spirit. The hardware, tuning machines, and other components are decent quality for an instrument in this very affordable price range.

If you're a new player seeking your first real electric guitar, or you dig the offset Fender vibe, the Mustang GT is a great choice. You get the coveted Fender badge and styling along with good playability. This lets you focus on improving your skills rather than wrestling with a poorly constructed guitar.

More advanced players may want to look at American-made Fenders or the Player Series for upgrades in craftsmanship, components and attention to detail. However, the Mustang GT makes an excellent backup guitar for gigs or travel. Overall, it's a solid bang-for-the-buck Fender with timeless appeal.