Fender: Modern Player Mustang (review)

To many of us, 'Fender' & 'Made in China' should not go together. It's production execration to say the least. But this relationship had been going on for a while for a reason; China's QC is up there, together with other India, Vietnam & Indonesia among other developing countries offering top notch manufacturing for less cost. So the fault lies with us who fall into denial every time we see this twosome.

To the uninitiated, the Modern Player series are Fender's take on its established makes with a dash of eccentricity. Historical accuracy isn't the objective here, it's the freedom to include slight differences that are appealing. So the MP Mustang you see above is every bit a Mustang less the P-90s in there.

The QC is rather faultless. Coming from an appraiser's perspective, the Chinese hands should have devoted some quality time on matters pertaining to set up as well. In brief- everything's top notch less the set-up. The Mustang also exudes that typical Fender experience, namely a C-type neck profile with lots of twang coming from the weight-electronics chemistry. By the way, the Mustang sports a pine body which isn't a bad thing considering the familiar mass it has to offer (as opposed to its lighter Japanese counterpart) & its similar grain pattern compared to the traditional alder- so now we know why this wood was considered above the availability & costs factor. 

Tone wise, the traditional Mustang was a single coil proponent & having a pair of P-90s in this one isn't a wayward inclusion. The traditional Mustang switching system is retained, regular/ off/ out of phase so you need some getting used to especially when you are more at home with a Strat-type selector. Whatever you expect from a P-90, this one delivers; fat & twangy with lots of midrange warmth. However, the issue with many of us is the fact that we have limited applications for an out-of-phase P-90 tone. Personally, I find it too nasal with lots of drive/distortion, so most of my test time with this guitar was hearing it in its traditional P-90 tone. In this aspect, please acknowledge the fact that P-90s are hum excessive with lots of drive & this might be the put off factor. In clean mode, there's nothing to dislike. The P-90s deliver that expected midrange warmth they're known for, enough to differentiate themselves from the standard single coils or humbuckers.

All in all, the MP Mustang is a little more 'special' with the inclusion of P-90s but this is the Modern Player philosophy; traditional with a dash of likable eccentricity. I'd recommend this to the more adventurous players who would want to embrace a slightly different Mustang experience & wouldn't mind doing just that.

Rating: 80%

Fender: Modern Player Mustang

Availability: Swee Lee Co.

Price: TBA $700