Photo of Fender Competition Mustang and more gear in a pedalboard, guitar, and amplifier

Photo of Fender Competition Mustang and more gear

Fender Competition Mustang

$4,173.56 Price Tier: High-end

4.5 (15)

1 Critic Review

4 Reviews

Find out who is using Fender Competition Mustang

8 community setups

60 wishlisted

94 saved

Page last updated Jul 05, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

5.0 (9)

$4,173.56 1 available New

$2,350.00 59 available Used

View Deal

Average Price: $3,262

High-end/Boutique

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Solid Body Electric Guitars category, Fender Competition Mustang is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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Introducing the Fender Competition Mustang, an epitome of vintage style and modern functionality. The Mustang, traditionally known for its smaller stature and unique offset design, has been an iconic choice among musicians for its unparalleled playing experience. This guitar, a brainchild of Leo Fender, blends the nostalgia of classic cars with a contemporary touch, making it a true standout in its category. Notably, its signature racing stripe design has been admired and utilized by renowned artists such as David Byrne, PJ Harvey, and Thurston Moore.

Key Features:

A pair of single-coil pickups for a rich and versatile sound
Iconic offset design, resulting in comfortable playability and unique aesthetic
Signature racing stripe, adding a touch of vintage allure
Smaller size, making it a perfect choice for younger players or those seeking a more compact guitar
The last guitar designed by Leo Fender, guaranteeing a touch of history and authenticity

Product specs

Brand	Fender
Model	Competition Mustang
Finish	Competition Burgundy (Blue), Competition Orange, Competition Red
Year	1969 - 1973
Made In	United States
Categories	Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Shape	Double Cutaway
Body Type	Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type	Tremolo Tailpiece
Color Family	Blue, Orange, Red
Finish Style	Gloss
Fretboard Material	Rosewood
Model Family	Fender Mustang
Neck Construction	Bolt-On
Neck Material	Maple
Number of Frets	22
Number of Strings	6-String
Offset Body	Offset Body
Pickup Configuration	SS
Right / Left Handed	Right Handed
Scale Length	24"
Series	Fender Vintage CBS Era

FAQs

What makes the Fender Competition Mustang unique compared to other Mustangs?: The Fender Competition Mustang is distinguished by its unique racing stripe finish available in Competition Burgundy, Orange, and Red, and its vintage CBS era design. It features two single-coil pickups and a distinctive tremolo tailpiece, offering a classic sound and style popularized by alternative rock musicians in the 1990s.
Is the Fender Competition Mustang suitable for beginners?: With its short 24" scale length and comfortable double cutaway body, the Fender Competition Mustang is well-suited for beginners. Its ease of play and lightweight design make it an excellent choice for those starting out or players with smaller hands.
How does the pickup configuration affect the sound of the Fender Competition Mustang?: The Fender Competition Mustang features two single-coil pickups, which provide a bright and punchy tone ideal for genres like rock and indie. The unique pickup switching configuration allows for versatile sound options, making it a favorite among players seeking a distinctive voice.
What type of music is the Fender Competition Mustang best suited for?: The Fender Competition Mustang is particularly well-suited for alternative and indie rock, thanks to its bright, punchy sound and iconic design. Its use by legendary musicians in these genres has cemented its status as a go-to guitar for creating distinctive, edgy tones.
Does the Fender Competition Mustang have a vibrato system?: Yes, the Fender Competition Mustang features a unique vibrato system, allowing players to achieve expressive pitch variations. This system is part of what gives the Mustang its distinctive sound and appeal, particularly for rock and alternative music styles.

Videos

Add video

NirvanaGuitars

My Time With Kurt Cobain's Actual Guitar | Ep 3: Smells Like Teen Spirit Fender Competition Mustang

NirvanaGuitars

1968 Fender Competition Mustang | Guitar of the Day

Normans Rare Guitars

1970 Competition Mustang. Original bridge VS Gotoh Tune-O-Matic bridge for Nirvana Tone

Aaron Rash

Building Kurt Cobain’s 1969 Fender Competition Mustang

IsaiahCW

Nirvana Tone - Fender Mustang Competition 1972 #nirvana #kurtcobain #Fender #mustang #70s

TheRoofTop

Reviews

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PROS

Distinctive vintage look with a classic racing stripe design
Offset body and short scale make it user-friendly and comfortable
Original pickups provide iconic, bright, and jangly Fender sound
High-quality build and finish, especially in Japanese reissues
Versatile sound that works well with fuzz pedals
Great playability with a comfortable neck, even for larger hands
Vintage feel with a fat neck preferred by some players
Reliable components with no issues in electronics or frets
Affordable entry into vintage guitar ownership
Ideal for surf music and grunge rock enthusiasts

CONS

Weak output level and potential for buzzing at high volumes
Bridge can shift, affecting vibrato bar and causing string buzz
Phase switches are long and may require modification

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender Competition Mustang.

Build quality

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Some 70's Competition Mustangs lacked matching headstocks, a feature missed by enthusiasts for aesthetic reasons.
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Value and pricing

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Owners note the high price for a Mexican-made Mustang, particularly for a model with a non-matching headstock and basic features.
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Features and functionality

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The release is appreciated for its "Burgundy Competition" color, a rare option that aligns closely with Kurt Cobain's iconic guitar.
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The original headstock finish may exhibit unique aging, such as slight purple bursting around the edges, adding to its vintage character.
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Other

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Custom headstock refinishing is not offered by Fender, which may lead some owners to seek DIY solutions for a matching look.
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Vintage guitar searches can take years, with some owners spending over a decade to find a well-maintained model at a reasonable price.
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User experience

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Left-handed versions are unavailable, frustrating potential buyers who play left-handed and reducing accessibility for some customers.
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Emotional value is high, with owners forming personal connections over the guitar's history and rarity, often purchasing from the original owner.
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Comparisons

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Some owners prefer the Fender Road Worn Jaguar, citing its superior build and value compared to the new Competition Mustang.
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Mods and upgrades

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Owners identified pickups as Schechter F500s or Seymour Duncan SSL-4s, praised for their versatility due to coil tap options offering both powerful and vintage outputs.
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Pickup covers can be removed for a distinctive look, as some owners prefer the exposed aesthetic.
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Setup and maintenance

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Some owners flip the bridge to prevent strings from touching saddle screws, which might reduce single-coil hum, though results may vary.
Source

Critic Reviews

Fender Competition Mustang | Vintage Guitar® magazine

vintageguitar.com

The Fender Competition Mustang is a nostalgic nod to the 60s, embodying the era's car culture with its racing stripe aesthetics. As a "student model," it offers surprising sophistication with features like the Dynamic Vibrato and multiple phase tonal combinations. While not crafted for professional use, its playful versatility and historical charm are appealing, especially for fans of Kurt Cobain who revived its popularity. However, its beginner-level positioning and niche appeal may not satisfy those accustomed to the robustness of Strats or Teles. Overall, it’s a fun throwback for enthusiasts seeking playable history rather than a high-performance instrument.

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Full Review

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 4 Reviews and 15 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

sandra_lee

435

about 8 years ago

My new favorite

69 Reissue Made in Japan 07-10 model. Fiesta Red.

Everything I've ever wanted out of a guitar I have in this guitar. Amazingly thin neck, beautiful finish and light. 7.25 radius, like Fender Mustangs should be. This guitar is high quality and feels high quality. The pickups are a bit weak, but sound amazing with my fuzz pedals. So that isn't really a negative in the end. The only issue, of course, is the mile long Mustang phase switches but that is an easy fix with spacers to lower them. This has been my dream guitar for so long, and to actually own it is a dream come true. I absolutely love this guitar. I wish Fender would reissue it in the states.

pkennethk

26907

5 years ago over 5 years ago

glad to hear some love the the 7.25" radius... on a great neck it just feels "right" to me.

warhol

549

over 5 years ago

Great guitar with a great look and sound !

A super comfortable neck. A great 70's look! Sounds very ... Fender Mustang : pretty bright, and Jangly! However the output level is not huge and it can quickly sizzle, but this is not a guitar made for metal of course. Fans of surf music, or grunge rock would love it!

Roles:

Guitarist

Genres:

Rock Pop Blues

From Gear Setup

noel_rudloff

126

almost 11 years ago

2011 Kurt Cobain Mustang

I own a 2011 Cobain Mustang that I used all the time before I purchased my Telecaster. It has become my Telecasters backup but I use it at least once a show just to get a different sound.