1966 Fender Mustang Identification...

[lwender]

Hey everyone, I have in my temporary possession an all original 1966 Fender Mustang which is on loan from a friend and local bassist. I am in the process of cleaning it up and doing a fret levelling job and setup to get it back in playing shape. I was just curious if anyone here on TB knew anything about the headstock "Customized" decal? I've looked everywhere and can't seem to find another like it, just wondering if it's super rare or something?
The owner bough this bass in 1978 in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada and played it mostly during his teen years. It has been sitting in his basement unused for many years.

And before I get flamed, I did NOT install those strings!...lol I'll be restringing with flats....


Anyway, check it out, it's a super cool bass!

 

[nixdad]

Hey everyone, I have in my temporary possession an all original 1966 Fender Mustang which is on loan from a friend and local bassist. I am in the process of cleaning it up and doing a fret levelling job and setup to get it back in playing shape. I was just curious if anyone here on TB knew anything about the headstock "Customized" decal? I've looked everywhere and can't seem to find another like it, just wondering if it's super rare or something?
The owner bough this bass in 1978 in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada and played it mostly during his teen years. It has been sitting in his basement unused for many years.

And before I get flamed, I did NOT install those strings!...lol I'll be restringing with flats....


Anyway, check it out, it's a super cool bass!View attachment 4611062 View attachment 4611063 View attachment 4611064 View attachment 4611065 View attachment 4611066 View attachment 4611067 View attachment 4611068

Yep, the "Customized" decal on the headstock is quite curious. I can't imagine it's stock, but I'm interested to see what vintage Fender experts have to say.

 

[lwender]

I would be very surprised if it wasn't stock, judging by the overall look of it...I think it would be impossible to replicate the aged appearance of the finish and decals this perfectly. And I know the owner well, he has had this since 1978 and hasn't so much as cleaned it let alone modified it. But I've been wrong before....maybe it's a Canadian market thing?

 

[nixdad]

I would be very surprised if it wasn't stock, judging by the overall look of it...I think it would be impossible to replicate the aged appearance of the finish and decals this perfectly. And I know the owner well, he has had this since 1978 and hasn't so much as cleaned it let alone modified it. But I've been wrong before....maybe it's a Canadian market thing?

Excellent point!
It’s interesting that the term “Customized” would be used in the first place since this was a new model at the time.