A '70s Icon, Reimagined for Today
The Mustang has always been something of a rebel. First introduced as a student guitar, it quickly became a favorite of players looking for something different—a shorter scale, quirky controls, and a sound all its own. The Fender Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang captures that '70s spirit with striking Competition Burgundy racing stripes, vintage-correct appointments, and tones that sit somewhere between jangly and growly. Built in Fender's Ensenada, Mexico facility, this guitar blends period-accurate details with modern playability. It's comfortable, distinctive, and built for players who want something that stands out without trying too hard.
At the heart of this Mustang is an alder body paired with a maple neck and slab rosewood fingerboard. The 24-inch scale length makes bends feel effortless and chords easier to navigate, especially if you're used to longer-scale guitars. The early '70s "C"-shape neck profile is slim at the nut and fills out toward the 12th fret, offering a familiar, inviting feel. With its 7.25-inch fingerboard radius and vintage-tall frets, this guitar balances vintage comfort with enough fret height for expressive playing. Whether you're into indie, grunge, rock, or just exploring what a short-scale Fender can do, this Mustang offers a refreshing alternative to the usual suspects.
The dual vintage-style '70s single-coil Mustang pickups deliver the sweet, warm tones Fender is known for, with enough bite to cut through a mix. Each pickup has its own on/off slide switch, and running both in the outside positions engages them out of phase for a scooped, hollow tone that's distinctly Mustang. The vintage-style floating tremolo stays stable once properly set up, and the "F"-stamped tuning machines with aged white buttons complete the period-correct look. If you've been curious about short-scale offset guitars or want a Mustang that nails the '70s vibe without the vintage price tag, this one's worth your attention.
Built for Comfort, Voiced for Character
Alder has been a Fender mainstay for decades, and for good reason. It's a balanced tonewood that delivers punch and clarity with a robust low-end and present midrange. The Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang uses a solid alder body to provide the resonance and sustain Fender guitars are known for, while the offset body shape and classic contours make it comfortable whether you're sitting or standing. The gloss polyester finish in Competition Burgundy—complete with a contrasting racing stripe—gives this guitar an unmistakable '70s aesthetic.
The maple neck is finished in gloss urethane and shaped to an early '70s "C" profile. It's a rounded, comfortable carve that starts slim at the 1.650-inch synthetic bone nut and gradually thickens as you move up the neck. The slab rosewood fingerboard adds warmth to the overall tone and features 22 vintage-tall frets, white dot position inlays, and that classic 7.25-inch radius. This radius is rooted in vintage Fender design—slightly rounder than modern specs—but it pairs beautifully with the short scale for a playing experience that's smooth, fluid, and surprisingly forgiving. Big bends and wide vibrato are no problem here.
The 24-inch scale length is one of the Mustang's defining characteristics. Compared to a standard 25.5-inch Fender scale, the shorter length results in less string tension, which translates to a more elastic, slinky feel under your fingers. Chords that felt like a stretch on a Stratocaster become easy, and bending strings takes noticeably less effort. It's a feature that makes the Mustang appealing to players with smaller hands, but plenty of seasoned players appreciate the way it changes the playing dynamic. If you've never tried a short-scale guitar, this one might surprise you.
Vintage-Voiced Pickups and Player-Friendly Hardware
Under the 4-ply aged white pearloid pickguard sit two vintage-style '70s single-coil Mustang pickups, revoiced under the guidance of legendary Fender pickup engineer Tim Shaw. These pickups are designed to stay true to the tonal character of the era while offering improved clarity and output. They deliver warm, woody tones with bell-like highs and enough midrange presence to hold their own in a full band mix. The controls are simple: master volume, master tone, and two slide switches—one for each pickup.
Each slide switch operates independently: flip it one way to turn the pickup on, the other way to turn it off. The center position is off, and the outer positions are on. Here's where it gets interesting—run both pickups with their switches in the outside positions, and you'll engage them out of phase. This creates a scooped, hollow tone with reduced lows and a pronounced midrange honk that's perfect for rhythm work or adding texture to your sound. It's a quirky feature, but it's part of what gives the Mustang its unique voice.
The vintage-style Mustang floating tremolo is another hallmark of the design. It's a dynamic vibrato system that allows for subtle pitch bends and divebombs, though it's more stable than its reputation suggests—once it's properly set up and the strings are broken in, it holds tune remarkably well. The 6-saddle bridge offers individual intonation adjustment, and the nickel/chrome hardware finish keeps the vintage aesthetic intact. Vintage "F"-stamped tuning machines with aged white buttons handle tuning duties, and a vintage-style butt-adjust truss rod (accessed from the heel of the neck) keeps the setup traditional. The result is a guitar that looks, feels, and sounds like it stepped out of 1974—only better built.
Product Features:
- Alder body delivers balanced tone with punchy mids and solid sustain
- 24-inch scale length for reduced string tension and effortless playability
- Maple neck with early '70s "C"-shape profile—slim at the nut, fuller at the 12th fret
- Slab rosewood fingerboard with 7.25-inch radius and 22 vintage-tall frets
- Dual vintage-style '70s single-coil Mustang pickups with independent on/off switches and out-of-phase option
- Vintage-style Mustang floating tremolo with 6-saddle bridge
- 1.650-inch synthetic bone nut for smooth string travel
- Vintage "F"-stamped tuning machines with aged white buttons
- 4-ply aged white pearloid pickguard and Competition Burgundy finish with racing stripe
- Made in Mexico at Fender's Ensenada facility
Brand: Fender
Model: Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang
SKU: 0149130320
Condition: New
Since 1872, C.A. House Music has been helping musicians across the Ohio Valley find the right gear -- with real advice from a team that actually plays. We're your authorized dealer of all the big names in guitars, keyboards, band instruments, drums, pro audio, and more. With four family-owned and operated locations in Ohio and West Virginia (plus a full online store), you don't have to go far for instruments, lessons, rentals, and repairs. No matter your musical needs, our team of musicians wants to help you Play Music for Life.
