1971 Fender Mustang
The 1971 Mustang — Fender's student model that became a punk and alternative icon. Short scale, phase switching, Dynamic Vibrato.
Current Market Value
* Prices are estimates based on recent market data. Actual value depends on originality, condition, and provenance. Pricing methodology
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Specifications
| Body Wood | Alder |
| Neck Wood | Maple |
| Fingerboard | Indian Rosewood or Maple |
| Scale Length | 24.000" |
| Frets | 22 |
| Pickup Config | SS |
| Bridge | Dynamic Vibrato (Mustang-specific tremolo) |
| Tuners | F-stamped tuners |
| Finish Options | Sunburst, various solid colors |
| Est. Production | 8,000 |
Pickups & Electronics
Two Mustang single-coil pickups with individual on/off and phase switches.
What Changed in 1971
Standard Mustang production.
Collector's Notes
Competition series (racing stripe) models command significant premiums. Dynamic Vibrato must be complete. Short scale is polarizing — loved by some players.
How to Authenticate a 1971 Fender Mustang
The 1971 Mustang is a CBS-era student model with Indian rosewood or maple fingerboard. F-stamped tuners. Polyester finish. The Mustang continued in production through the 1970s with consistent specifications. These are the guitars that punk and alternative musicians would later adopt. Serial numbers on the neck plate (six or seven digits, typically with no letter prefix in the early 1970s, though some have an F prefix). For 1971, serials should match documented CBS-era ranges. Starting around 1976, serials moved to the headstock decal on some models. Neck date stamps (ink stamp on heel) and potentiometer date codes (EIA format: source code + year digits + week number) remain the best dating tools. Two Mustang single-coil pickups with phase switches. Dynamic Vibrato bridge complete. F-stamped tuners. Indian rosewood or maple fingerboard. Pot codes corresponding to 1971. Serial on neck plate. Polyester finish. Check the phase switching system for functionality. The finish may be nitrocellulose lacquer or thick polyester (poly became standard through the 1970s). Polyester finishes are noticeably thicker, harder, and do not check or wear like nitro. Poly-finished guitars tend to be slightly heavier. A thick, glossy, chip-resistant finish with no checking is consistent with CBS-era polyester. If the finish shows nitro-style checking on a claimed 1971 instrument, verify carefully — it may be a refinish or misidentified earlier guitar. At these price points, outright fakes are not a concern. Focus on Dynamic Vibrato completeness, original pickups, and overall condition. Many Mustangs have been modified for punk/alternative use — replaced pickups, bridges, and pickguards are common. If sold as 'all original,' verify pot codes and neck dates. The 1970s Mustangs share similar specifications year to year. The fundamental design (short scale, phase switches, Dynamic Vibrato) remained unchanged. Indian rosewood or maple fingerboard. These are increasingly collected as the punk/alternative association drives demand.