Fender Mustang PJ Bass, Rosewood Fingerboard Sonic Blue

Since its original release in 1964, the Mustang Bass has been one of Fender’s most enduring bass designs, finding its way into the hands of bassists ranging from The Rolling Stones to My Chemical Romance. This updated version of the short-scale underground hero adds the power of our venerable P Bass and J Bass pickups to the traditional Mustang design for flexible, thunderous bass tone with smooth playing feel and slick visual style.

Powered by a time-tested pair of pickups, the Mustang Bass PJ is packed with flexible tone that can match any sonic requirement. A punchy split single-coil P Bass middle pickup is joined by a growling Jazz Bass neck pickup in an unbeatable pairing that combines the best of both sonic worlds. Master volume and tone controls, along with a conventional three-way pickup switch get you to all available sounds. Not only is the 30 in. scale more comfortable for smaller hands, it reduces string tension, creating a looser playing feel that lends itself to nimble playing styles while adding a fat, “blooming” quality to the lower notes and sweetening the higher notes. Topped by a 9.5 in.-radius rosewood fingerboard with 19 medium jumbo frets, the “C”-shaped maple neck is comfortable for all playing styles.

This bass’ smaller body easily fits those with smaller frames while maintaining Fender’s classic stylistic appeal, and is also great for energetic stage performances thanks to its light weight. In a nod to its roots, this modernized instrument includes vintage-style Fender tuning machines and a vintage-style disc string tree, along with a four-bolt neck plate and standard four-saddle string-through-body bridge—all finished in gleaming chrome. Case sold separately.

Neck Shape:C Wood:Maple Neck joint:4-Bolt Scale length:30 in. (762 mm) Truss rod:Yes Finish:Satin polyurethane Pickups Active or passive pickups:Passive Pickup configuration:PJ Neck:Not applicable Middle:Vintage-style split single-coil Precision Bass Bridge:Vintage-style single-coil Jazz Bass Brand:Fender Series or parallel:Parallel Active preamp:Not applicable Special electronics:Not applicable Fretboard Material:Rosewood Radius:9.5 in. (241 mm) Fret size:Medium-jumbo Number of frets:19 Inlays:White dot Nut material:Synthetic bone Nut width:1.65 in. (42 mm) Neck width at 12 fret:Info not available Body Cutaway:Double cutaway Construction:Solidbody Body wood:Ash Top wood:Not applicable Body finish:Gloss polyurethane Orientation:Right handed Controls Control layout:Master volume, master tone Pickup switch:3-Way Coil tap or split:Not appicable Tone switching:No Special switching:Not applicable Hardware Bridge type:Fixed Bridge design:4-Saddle standard Tailpiece:Not applicable Tuning machines:Fender vintage-style Color:Nickel/chrome Other Number of strings:4 Pickguard:Yes Special features:Not applicable Case:Sold separately Accessories:Info not available

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This PJ Mustang Is great. I mean seriously great, in every way. It has a tight punchy sound that causes me to explode with excitement every time I pick it up! Oh, and it looks slick AF! The fact that it is a little bit smaller than an average bass makes it so much more controllable, and it's light weight too (but not in a cheap way). Buy it, you won't regret it!!!
Fender Mustang PJ Bass, Rosewood Fingerboard Sonic Blue
.Love the punch of this bass. The short scale doesn't hinder the performance, It only enhances it.

The only problem is the Master volume and Master tone knobs. There needs to be individual volume knobs on a bass like this. For the price you're paying for Volume between 7 and 10 is absurd. I like keeping my tone down near 2 or even just 0. On this bass turning down the Master tone knob robs the overall volume. That toggle switch is only good for the guitars. I'm going to take this to my shop and have him turn the already existing knobs into individual pickup volume knobs and replace that toggle switch with a master tone knob. That's the only weak spot on this quality built bass. They should have put more thought into the controls instead of following the guitar design....
Fender Mustang PJ Bass, Rosewood Fingerboard Sonic Blue
.I received my bass boxed from the factory in Mexico. Beautiful subtle cosmic blue. Action a little high but easily adjusted. Great Fender sound.
I was going to take some bow out of the neck and noticed the truss rod was loose. Then I noticed the truss rod opening was offset. Every guitar I own has the truss rod centered on the neck. This one was centered almost over the A string. I checked the images on the site and saw they were also a little off but not over the A string. I watched a YouTube video and the demo Mustang truss rod was dead center. I called Fender and sent a pic of my guitar and they said that was the way it was designed. I'm a little dubious of that statement. What advantage could an offset truss rod have?

I called MF and sent it back the same day. I'd like to get another one with normal neck. I'm still waiting on my refund and I see a mustang on the site very much like the one I returned as an open box.
Fender Mustang PJ Bass, Rosewood Fingerboard Sonic Blue
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Love this thing. The short scale neck makes reaching from 1st fret to 3rd or 4th so easy. Great tone differences with both pickups. Nice to have toggle switch for both. Very light and again easy to play. Ive never had a short scale bass and Im loving it. Wish it had the 20th fret but it's a Mustang. I also put a P Bass chrome bridge cover on it. Love the sea foam blue. Such a beautiful axe!!!!
Fender Mustang PJ Bass, Rosewood Fingerboard Sonic Blue
.First, a couple of corrections to the specs. The strings are not through the body. They anchor to the back of the bridge. Also the width at the nut is 1.5" not 1.65". This is the same width as a jazz bass and feels great to me (I'm 6' 2" and 200lbs). Another review here says the truss rod is off center but mine is dead center. Because of the normal variable string spacing it appears to favor the A string side but this is correct. If you measure the picture the other reviewer sent it appears his is centered also. Of course it is hard to measure a picture so his may be off center somewhat.
I am a guitar player who just wants to play a little bass so the 30" scale feels great to me. I was concerned that because of the smaller body the bass might be neck heavy but with a good strap that is not an issue. As pointed out in another review the tone knob does effect the volume but I don't see that as a big issue. The build quality is first rate. I have no complaints. You can get great sound in all three positions. Personally I like the middle position (both pick ups on) best but that is just personal preference and also depends on you amp. If you want a short scale bass and want a fender this is the one.
Fender Mustang PJ Bass, Rosewood Fingerboard Sonic Blue
.I was impressed with the build quality of this bass. It also had a very good low-action setup from the factory.

I really dug the sounds you could get on this bass.

The switch actually worked well I think. You could rapidly shift between a sit-in-the-mix mode (neck), a slap mode (middle), and a punchy, bright solo sort of mode (bridge). The solo mode still had some low-end which was a huge surprise.

I found the bridge pickup useable. It's what had some low-end to it, though not as much as the neck pickup. I'd probably lower the neck pickup some to lower output and match the sonic energy of the bridge. Then you'd have one heck of a versatile bass and I could see switching between pickups mid-song.
Fender Mustang PJ Bass, Rosewood Fingerboard Sonic Blue
.I'm a guitar player. I've been looking for a bass as a 'secondary' instrument for many years. This was a terrific choice for me. I've tried full sized basses in the past and the length of the neck just did not appeal to me. This short scale feels very comfortable. But the big surprise was how great it sounded. (I bought a Rumble 25 to go with it,) The difference between the 'P' pickup and the 'J' pickup is amazing. I will use this for creating bass lines for some of my original music -- and for self-improvement as an artist. Only a true bass player can evaluate this instrument as a 'bass' but, if you are a guitar player looking to play some bass, this is a great choice.
Fender Mustang PJ Bass, Rosewood Fingerboard Sonic Blue
.I love short scale basses.
I have a few squire jaguars that I modify and update t get a jazz sound, but I have to say this needs no mods.

I know there is the 'rascal' but I personally didn't like it. The lipstick pickups are just not for me. Plus, the neck gets wide on the high frets where the neck meets the body.

This bass, though, has plenty of punch. It'll change your mind about short scale basses not being as good as a jazz. I have small hands and the 4 inch difference from my Jazz is amazing. The neck is skinny and you wrap your hands around it. It has the pickup selector and when you are in the middle position, you get a deep full sound.

If you think a short scale bass can't deliver the deep tones, try this one.

I like the 'old school' paint, but I wouldn't mind a deep metallic color on it.

Made in Mexico, but it seems to be good quality.
Fender Mustang PJ Bass, Rosewood Fingerboard Sonic Blue
.I play upright bass and my daughter is an advanced cello player who wanted to play bass guitar. She a little on the small size so the PJ Mustang fit the bill, well.
One issue: Hey Fender, you need to make a hard case for this bass or team up with someone who does.
Fender Mustang PJ Bass, Rosewood Fingerboard Sonic Blue
.Being a very active bass player I bought this open box Mustang Bass on a whim. It is a very nice instrument. the pick up configuration is much better than the single coil found on older Mustang versions. I was surprised at the punch and depth the tone has. It is light and fun to play, although the short scale take some getting used to after playing Ps and Jazzes for years. It is a very pretty little bass abd the set up is very good out of the box. I might use it for some small gigs, but I would probably take my P along for just in case. I think it would be a great bass for someone with small hands. I don't have large hands, so it is very easy to play. For me it is kind of a diversion form my usual Fenders. If you are looking for a very cool machine that is a lot of fun, and I think, gig worthy, I would recommend the new Mustang.
Fender Mustang PJ Bass, Rosewood Fingerboard Sonic Blue
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