2002 Fender MIJ Competition Mustang MG73 – Candy Apple Red

2002 Fender MIJ Competition Mustang MG73 – Candy Apple Red

Produced in limited quantities in 2002, the Competition Mustang® featured a unique racing stripe on the body finish to give it a true hot-rodded look. Othe features include two single-coil c\vintage style Mustang pickups each with its own on/off and phase slider switch, modern “C” shape neck profile with shorter 24″ scale and floating bridge with “dynamic” vibrato tailpiece. The pickups are on the vintage gray bobbins and have cloth wrapped leads, old school. They are probably a relatively modern set of vintage inspired pups rather than a real vintage set, the cloth on the leads is much too clean to be very old. Pickups read 5.6k isolated in each position and 2.7k with the various in and out of phase circuits engaged.

This one absolutely screams, in rare and beautiful condition. Sounds and plays amazing.

The 2002 MIJ Competition Mustang Limited Edition has a basswood body and a maple neck with rosewood fingerboard for classic Fender tone that’s full of punch and clarity. The early-’70s “C”-shape neck is based on a classic ’70s profile for an intuitive and inviting feel, while the 7.25″ radius fingerboard with vintage-tall frets provide vintage comfort with ample room for big bends and expressive vibrato. Amazingly lightweight, just under seven pounds, play it for days. Rosewood fretboard looks and feels great. The vibrato tail piece was replaced with a modern Fender Japan equivalent, the original had seized, and the cigar couldn’t be raised or lowered.

Condition is 8.5/10 for small marks in the finish consistent with light and careful use, non-original parts. You will find it hard to find a cleaner example. Comes in an aftermarket hard case with tags, trem arm and keys.

Condition

Beautiful, extremely rare in this clean condition, very little not optimal, one or two marks on the instrument’s bouts, nothing where you see and touch. Keep in mind, this is not pristine nor is it in any way new, however, it is very well preserved. There are light swirls in the finish which can only really be seen in harsh lighting, lacquer sink of the candy red paint into the top surface, only visible under harsh lighting. There is a little pitting on the lower bout, there’s a deeper scar on the lower horn, about 1cm long. The neck is great, the frets and fretboard are clean and show only a small amount of wear, there are light pick marks on the plastics, light scratches around the controls.  See the pictures, ask for more. As always there are more and better pictures at my own site. This is getting on now, being a limited edition from 2002 it is already over twenty years old with 60-year-old pickups and switches, what’s not to like? The poly finish will never age if it’s looked after, as this one obviously has been. Comes in a Road-Runner hard case with original tags, tremolo arm.