1968 Fender Mustang

The 1968 Mustang is a CBS-era student model. Brazilian rosewood (transitioning to Indian) fingerboard. F-stamped tuners. The phase-switching system and Dynamic Vibrato continue. Competition series models with racing stripes may appear in 1968. Serial numbers on the neck plate with F prefix (six digits). For 1968, numbers should match documented CBS-era ranges. Neck date stamps (now often ink-stamped rather than penciled) on the heel remain important. Potentiometer date codes (typically CTS or Stackpole pots with EIA source codes and date stamps like '304-6' + last two digits of year + week number) help verify the production date. Two Mustang single-coil pickups with individual phase switches. Dynamic Vibrato bridge complete. F-stamped tuners. Rosewood fingerboard (Brazilian or Indian). Pot codes corresponding to 1968. Serial number on neck plate. Check for Competition stripe if applicable — should be original factory paint. The finish should be nitrocellulose lacquer, though the transition to polyester was beginning at Fender. Nitro finishes check and wear naturally. Look for consistent aging — the finish should show wear at natural contact points (back of body, forearm area, behind the neck). Under UV/blacklight, original nitro fluoresces differently than poly finishes. Refinishes are detected by examining under the pickguard and in pickup cavities for color consistency. Dynamic Vibrato completeness is the most common issue. Missing parts are hard to source. Mustang pickups are sometimes replaced with Strat pickups — verify the correct Mustang pickup design with slide switches. The phase switching system should be functional. Competition stripe models should be verified as original — aftermarket stripes exist. The 1968 Mustang shares the core design with all Mustangs. Rosewood type is transitional. Competition series (racing stripe) models command premiums regardless of specific year.