'66 Mustang - Need some advice

Chicago Mike · Post by **Chicago Mike** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 2:40 pm

I'm going to check out a '66 mustang next week that's been refinished and I was just thought I'd see if anyone could chime in on things to keep an eye peeled out for.....

Apparently it will need some work, frets could use some attention, possibly new nut, bridge pickup doesn't work.

I haven't seen it yet, but it's supposed to have slab board and original case and refinished in a gold/chartreuse'esqe paint job.

Not sure if it's overpriced either (800), espc. with all the potential work that would need to be put into it.

Any advice?

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 2:59 pm

800 usd? Thats a good price.
Check if the neck is true, clay dot inlays, check the date stamp. Its difficult to date a refinished body but you can look for other things like cloth wiring, shrinkage on the scratch plate and pitted chrome hardware.
Worn frets go with the territory, you may get away with just having them stoned or a couple replaced. Nuts are also quite easy to replace. The pickup maybe a loose wire or bad joint.

Chicago Mike · Post by **Chicago Mike** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 3:12 pm

Right on, that's the kind of info I was fishing for...thanks!

I've wanted a vintage Mustang as long as I could remember, so I'm hoping this will work out.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 3:15 pm

On the body, they sometimes stamped the neck pocket, what this means and what to look for though i am not sure on that.

Justin J · Post by **Justin J** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 3:25 pm

'66 should have pearl inlays.

Chicago Mike · Post by **Chicago Mike** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 3:27 pm

They inlays should be Peal?

The date should be stamped on the heel of the neck right?

Justin J · Post by **Justin J** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 3:33 pm

well, mother of pearl or pearloid. i don't know what it's actually made of, but they shouldn't be clay. that was stopped in late '64/early '65.
if the neck hasn't been refinished, there should be a date stamp on the neck heel.

MaMo · Post by **MaMo** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 4:03 pm

The Mustang Story

This page is great, helped me a lot when I was mustang shopping.

Chicago Mike · Post by **Chicago Mike** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 4:07 pm

Great, thanks for the link!

purplehaze19x · Post by **purplehaze19x** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 5:06 pm

Just my opinion here, but $800 seems a bit much for a Mustang that has been refinished, needs fret work, a nut and a pickup.
Just a couple hundred dollars more, and you can get a decent, unmolested Mustang.
And if you ever decide to sell it, the resale value will be more than a refinished, refreted Mustang.

Chicago Mike · Post by **Chicago Mike** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 5:12 pm

Interesting....that was my initial reaction but I'm always weary about buying a guitar on the bay.

I figure all the additional work (with some of my own labor) would be over a couple hundred bucks. SO you make a good point.

purplehaze19x · Post by **purplehaze19x** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 5:29 pm

Yeah. I understang about not really wanting to buy from ebay. Just dont know what your going to get.
I was that way to at first. But, i have bought maybe 6-7 guitars from ebay, and the most any of them really needed was
a setup. I guess i have been lucky. But, if you want to buy the $800 Mustang, go for it! it will be a fun project! I own 6 of the damn things!
Good Luck man.

Chicago Mike · Post by **Chicago Mike** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 5:38 pm

Yeah, I'm absolutely going to see if his price is negotiable.

I've been watching ebay too, but still haven't found something that looks like it's in my price range yet either.

*Side note: From Tulsa huh...I'm originally from El Reno, OKLA. You watching the OU Game?

purplehaze19x · Post by **purplehaze19x** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 5:46 pm

Honestly, im not a huge sprorts fan. I may catch a little here and there if someone else is watching it.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 5:48 pm

purplehaze19x wrote:Just my opinion here, but $800 seems a bit much for a Mustang that has been refinished, needs fret work, a nut and a pickup.

It would be a steal in the UK. You can pay nearly that for a reissue.

Chicago Mike · Post by **Chicago Mike** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 5:48 pm

I hear you...I just remember when I lived there everyone was crazy about OU football and I saw they were on TV.

Thanks for the help tho!

Chicago Mike · Post by **Chicago Mike** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 5:59 pm

Yeah....$800 seems like $8,000 right now with the economy tanking.

Once I get a look at it, I'll know more. I'm not sure how I'll like a gold/chartreuse/green finish....but you never know with that sorta thing.

The one thing that sucks, is if I do happen to pick it up, it'll take awhile to get it up and running. I'm a instant gratification kind of guy..esp. if I drop $800 on a guitar.

purplehaze19x · Post by **purplehaze19x** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 6:41 pm

I hear ya. .. so what other guitars do you have? I used to be a HUGE Mustang fan. I bought 3 Vintage and 3 Reissues.
Now, they are lucky if they get taken out of the cases.
I have two guitar that i concider my 'work horses' a Jazzmaster and a Jaguar.

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 6:50 pm

purplehaze19x wrote:I hear ya. .. so what other guitars do you have? I used to be a HUGE Mustang fan. I bought 3 Vintage and 3 Reissues.
Now, they are lucky if they get taken out of the cases.
I have two guitar that i concider my 'work horses' a Jazzmaster and a Jaguar.

well, that sunburst one won't play itself...

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Fran · Post by **Fran** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 6:58 pm

purplehazes guitar collection is ridiculous, he must have one of the best on here.