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Just wanted to know the differences. I got a lead on a local 73 in pretty pristine condition. I've owned a 64, played a couple 66s and one from 68, all to my liking but too pricey to be had (i'm in NYC. grrr.) and aside from that just MIJ reissues. Is the neck any chunkier at this point than back then? How are the pickups. are they still nitro finished or no more? etc. etc.

I'm loving my 65 reissue but wondering if this will be better in terms of feel and sound. I do like the contours but never got along with the MIJ 69RIs...

Should have contours (vers. Slab body on the older ones). Pickups should be very similar. Nitro finish was not done anymore after 68 or so afaik. No idea about the neck. didn't notice a real difference. Rest depends on specific instrument I think.

I thought the 70s neck seemed slightly chunkier.

My old 72 (now property of mike) has a really chunky neck, and my experience of 70s mustangs is that they're heavier and more 'solid' feeling.

Thanks guys. I'm on the fence. I don't like chunky necks. but then again, would you consider $900 a steal for an all original near mint 73?

I would not call it a steal in this economy. Not a bad deal, but 70's stangs pop up in the 1K range out here in So Cal pretty regularly. You can find older (mid 60's) for a few $ more if you are not in a rush to get them.

If you like the guitar then it is not a bad deal and is worth it. If you are not sold on the guitar but think you are getting some "killer deal" and need to take it while you can, then you are probably making a bad choice. I saw a 70's comstang for 1200 a few weeks ago locally (and they are much more rare/expensive/collectible) than a standard mustan gof the same age. We also see older parts mustangs that are mostly vintage pieces for way less than that 900.

Anyways it is up to you. If the guitar is original and you love it, jump on the deal.

I have a '70 Mustang, but can only compare it to a '69 MIJ reissue.

Neck is similar, but slightly chunkier from the back of the neck to the fretboard, but no wider I'd say. It's still not chunky in my eyes, but I don't know what chunky is to you

Pickups are awesome. I wish all my guitars sounded like my mustang, it's so clear. I use distortion, overdrive, and fuzz, and it handles them all wonderfully. It may be a bit trebly for humbucker lovers, but for me it's ace. It doesn't really feedback a lot, it does a bit, but only when heavily distorted, which most guitars will anyway.


I hope this helps

fwiu, some of those 70's fenders can be kinda heavy.

I have a few different necks that I've been able to compare. My '71 Competition Mustang's neck falls roughly in the middle. It's a bit thicker, but closer in shape to my '94 MIJ ("69 RI" - sic) than to the original USA '65 slab board neck I have, which is very thick in the shoulders. The slimmest of all (and the '94 MIJ is very close to it) is my '75 Musicmaster neck. All of them are B widths.

The only way to know for certain is to play the neck in question, or have the current owner measure it with a micrometer.