I don't have a bass and went to guitar center, picked one of these up and it felt so good! It's switch is trash but the tone of it is so nice, and I like the smaller neck because I'm used to guitar necks and it made it a lot easier for me to play It. Good looking bass too!
the neck pickup is hum-cancelling by design, hence the split pickup ;) agree with you, the switch is not great. You could always replace it with a blend knob..
I have this Bass, is very comfortable, and solid, good build, excellent quality sound, is fun to play thanks to the low string level, and yes is compact for the short scales and body size.
I've been playing the Mexican made version of this bass for 4 months and love it. I agree completely with the switch complaints, I'm always hitting it, mostly coming in and out of the bag so it's now routine to check after putting on my strap.
I have been considering buying a Fender bass guitar for awhile. I am a man with small hands, probably the size of an average woman. I work around it on the piano and know that there are many great women bassists who play long-scale instruments, so I could probably work around my limitation on, say, a Jazz Bass. Research on the Mustang PJ Bass brought me to this video and your RU-vid channel. Your videos are interesting and entertaining, and I appreciate your quirky sense of humour. A Mustang PJ Bass might be better than fighting a Jazz Bass. Keep the bass booming and the videos coming. All the best from Winnipeg, Canada, eh.
good, knowledgeable, practical advice-super appreciate this as a gigging bassist! i find this so much more helpful than videos made by and for people who just collect basses to play at home
Just bought one today online for my birthday. ( Gift from my wife....well she signed the permission slip to buy it lol) my worship team at church needs a bass player. So I switched from beginner acoustic and put on my efforts to learning base and really enjoyed it.
I just wanted to say that I LOVE your channel. I just found this video out of the blue, and these are actual real problems and real things actual players deal with. Talking about dealing with hum in a real world setting is just something you don’t see people talking about
I have not seen a Mexican Fender Mustang PJ bass with three knobs. The American Performer Mustang has three knobs, but it has an oval shaped split coil neck pickup and a single coil Jazz bridge pickup. It also retails for $1,249, because it's made in the USA. I have the exact same bass that you have and my J pickup hums whenever I turn on the LED can lights in my living room and kitchen. It's relatively quiet with the tone knob rolled off or with my the lights turned off, but it hums very noticeably when the tone is fully on. I professionally shielded everything thing with shielding paint and copper tape and ohmed it all out with a meter. That helped quite a bit, but it still hums. The split coil P is as quiet as a mouse at all times. I bought a set of cream colored Dimarzio Model P and J pickups to go with my pearl green pickguard that I purchased from WD Music, online for $70. I haven't installed the pickups yet, but the pickguard looks absolutely gorgeous. WD makes direct replacement pickguards for our Mustang PJs. You can get any color you want. The pearl and tortoise pickguard are pricey, but it's a top quality 3 ply pickguard. My Dimarzio Model J pickup should solve my hum problems since it is essentially two coils placed end to end, inside a single coil J pickup package. The Dimarzio P pickup was not neccessary, since the stock split coil is quiet, but I wanted my set to match, especially since I'm changing my pickup colors to cream. Hopefully my bass will look and sound great. I think these basses are a dream for modifiers like me. I put a set of medium light D'Addario Chrome flatwound strings on mine and I love them. Oops, I forgot that your bass is sonic blue. Mine is Olympic White, which looks fantastic with Pearl Green. If I had your bass, I would buy either pickguard that was either Pearl White, tortoise or Pearl Blue. www.wdmusic.com/wd-custom-pickguard-for-fender-short-scale-mustang-bass-pj-details.html
@@realbeal Okay, I need some motivation to finish the upgrades, anyway. I'm a terrible procrastinator. I told my daughter that I wouldn't start any other projects, until I buy and hang some new blinds in her room. You just gave me another reason to get these things done. Thanks!
Love this review! I am looking to get my first proper Bass for writing (I’m a singer/songwriter, guitarist) & I love to see normal (non-music store demos) people doing demos. A real-world perspective. Cheers!
Hey! You could wire the bass to have a stacked knob to control the pick up switch! Then get a new pickguard and you'll never know the switch was ever there!
I have the (apparently)same model 2019 MiM. Shortly after I got it, I had it rewired so that the switch is now the tone pot and each pickup has its own volume. Did not need to change the pickguard or chrome plate at all, just a new pot and some wiring. There is no cavity shielding that I can see so it hums in some usage, not in others. The biggest problem, and improvement, was fixing the ragged fret ends. Now quite smooth.
Where do you live? I hear fret sprout has to do with the difference between where you live and where the bass was made. Well, I may get the cavity shielded then. Wish I knew how to do that wiring! Such a good idea.
I had the exact same bass, and it was a lemon. The pickup switch had issues as well as the bad location. The bridge pickup was too trebly and useless when soloed. The vintage style tuners look awesome but are too heavy for a short scale bass. The biggest issue for me was, the curse of the dead E string thing with short scale basses. I'm not kidding, my E string would start out bright and articulate, and by the 3rd set it would be dead and thumpy, like James Jamerson while A, D, and G still bright and zingy. I traded it in for a Gretsch 2202 shorty and I'm happy with it 👍
@@realbeal That's brilliant! I never thought of that. Definitely going to try that with my Gretsch Electromaic and Hofner B-bass. Thank you for the most useful information. God bless 👍
Wonderful review. I play guitar but bought this bass a few years ago just to have one in the house for any impromptu sessions. Started playing it a few months ago. I like it and was curious how other bassists felt about it. Seems I made a good choice!
I'm a few years late I just wanted a review of this bass sounds like a nice bass I hope you changed that switch into a stacked knob by now to solve that problem your videos are very encouraging and inspiring thank you Di
Hi Di!! Merry Christmas 🎄 to you and your family 😊 Glad your still having fun with you bass! I loved mine but don’t have it anymore 😱 yikes 😬 But traded it and another guitar for a Hofner Ignition violin bass! Which I absolutely love 😍 Paul McCartney is my favorite bass player as well as Bill Wyman from The Rolling Stones. It’s a great bass. I’ve had issues with my shoulders and back with other basses, like P-Basses etc. my Hofner is super light and I play it everyday!!! Mostly Beatles songs lol 😂
realbeal yeah he’s amazing! I have no idea how he played and sang those bass lines at the same time 😳 Hmm 🤔 they have sooo many songs to choose from, but the first song I remember hearing was I Want To Hold Your Hand! I really like the bass line to The Ballad Of John and Yoko as well! 👍
Yes, the switch is a problem, the other day - same thing. Tech asked me for sound check and it was not up to par. I looked and noticed my switch was down on the jazz p/u only and I knew immediately. I switched back to P solo or both P and J and everything was fine...I think I need to change my switch, not to mention shielding my pots - lots of noise unless I touch the strings. Thanks RealBeal.
The switch location is likely a carry-over from the Mustang guitar. Yes, there's a slide switch Mustang version, too, but I don't believe that is the dominant version of the guitar. Slide switches are okay, unless you use them a lot. My experience with slide switches is they don't take long to get noisy when switching. Maybe just my experience. It's a cool bass, and I'm thinking about getting one to play with when the 6-strings aren't doing it for me. Short scale seems like an easy adjustment.
People who play bigger basses and go down to short scale, don't seem to have problems with it! I would go with a knob and eliminate the switch entirely, but I don't think it would look very cool. :)
I have one of these basses, and replaced the switch with a blend control. I did mine myself, but I'm sure it wouldn't cost much to have it done by a tech. Now I can blend the pickups to my liking, and that cheap switch (that hardly worked anyway) is gone. Just a thought...
Recieve one of these tomorrow, and since I have the American Performer Mustang guitar already for about a year now, its no longer a problem with the switch location, but it's a pain at first like nothing else. Finesse, or fail with Fender ponies.
Thanks for a nice review. You mention the newer ones have a third knob instead of the switch. I’ve only seen them this year with the same switch. Are you talking about the more expensive American line with the small P type pickup and string through body?
Great update. I bought this one around the time you made your original vids. Just fell in love with the color. For some reason thought I needed to get rid of a guitar so sold it but missed it so much, I bought another one. Btw it’s Mexican not Japanese and the pick guard is mint not white.
I like mine but I don't like the PJ configuration that much. I dig in when I pick and that jazz pickup gets in the way so I ended up lowering it, so sometimes I can play in the middle position. That switch was giving me problems so I sprayed some tuner cleaner in it. Yeah sometimes I accidentally hit the switch. That's another reason why I'm thinking of doing away with the J pickup and just doing away with the pickup. No problems with neck dive, I have a thick leather strap and I love it. I had another padded strap that was a little more slippery but I didn't like how it stretched when it was hot.
I need me one of them dang big ol thick harness straps for my bass. 7 to 9 pounds ohhh that doesn’t seem like much weight......wrong lol big guitar straps are the best.
That pick up switch is the main reason I've avoided this bass. Not a fan of the bridge pick up either. I like the Fender Vintera Mustang bass, but $1000 for a made in Mexico bass is way too much. They just came out with a new Squier Mustang bass that looks real good for $400. Just waiting for my local shop to get one so I can try it first.
You should let them know. I am sure they will be able to sell it if you don't like it. The Squier's I have checked out needed the frets sanded. Just the trade off for the great price!
Hi Di! Nice review as always! I think the switch can be replaced for a stacked knob so you dont have that problem anymore of accidentally switching between the two pickups. Just think about it 😊.
@@realbeal i know for sure your local "guitar-guy" can remove the switch and replace the volume knob for a stacked concentric knob, one knob to control the volume and the other knob as a balance knob between the neck and the bridge pickup. there are pre-wired control plates with the knobs already in place to do this yourself :)
Another thing you can do is bypass the switch completely and have your favorite position always on. You’ll lose some versatility but don’t need any new parts. The p-style neck pickup on your bass is hum canceling. The bridge pickup might also be.
The switch gives you each pickup either individually.. or together. A knob in place of the switch is a blender knob. The fretboard is Pau Ferro...not rosewood.
Currently shopping for a Short Scale Bass. Narrowed it down to 3 = This one, G & L Fallout or Music Man Sterling ? - Any input from the Bass community?
Part of me wants a Mustang badly, but I’d want a high mass bridge to fix the dive and that’s not cheap especially for a new bass. I have a Squire Jaguar SS which I love at home but the pickups are a bit weak and the dive is real. It could be awesome with new pups and a high mass bridge, but I’m not sure a Squire is worth the effort and money. Also, I’m playing Christmas music with some coworkers at my office Christmas party Thursday. It helps to know I’m not the only one with imposter syndrome. I’ve been playing for years, but still make mistakes which can be frustrating bc to me they’re very obvious. But I’ve noticed nobody notices. As long as there is thump, nobody really knows what I’m playing anyway. 🤣 Thanks for another great vid!
It is hard to play perfectly on bass because the mistakes are so obvious... to me anyway! It is hard to know how much to invest in a Squier but I hear with some work they can be great basses! It might be worth it. I think Christmas music is the hardest. What do you think?
realbeal ya we played classics like Rudolph, etc. I had a blast. It was the first show I’ve ever played that I didn’t feel any nerves, even when our CEO and CFO walked in and went to the front. They told my boss they thought we were lip syncing/playing to a recording. 💪🏻 I had so much fun!
I installed a Fender high mass bridge on my mustang bass and it barely did anything for the neck dive. I have the same jaguar bass too, but I never really noticed the neck dive on that one.
@@realbeal I was actually sitting the whole time so it balanced well in the lap. Maybe I’ll check for it next time I go into guitar center With strap. I’m honestly thinking about biting the bullet and getting the American mustang which doesn’t have that stinking switch and also has a string through body and hopefully neck dive resolve. Honestly ease of play is so important, as can be seen by the many guitar players starting to play ukulele.
Hi,this is my first-time seeing your video. Very cool thanx! I'll be glad to change the switch to a knob for you, no charge (you buy the parts). Feel free to let me know. My Mustang bass is a '69 and I really like it. My family has had it since 1971. Jyst 1 split pickup, so no switch issue. Take care
The knob Mustang Bass you mention is part of the American series and is a lot more expensive. Your Bass was is not Japanese made as it was part of the Mexican made Offset series which has now been discontinued and replaced by the Mexican made Player series which looks very similar but still has the switch in the same position unfortunately.
@@realbeal hiiii from Chile at the moment (NYC is where I reside) I brought I really cool bass this year (guitar player) and I should I have bought it earlier really cuz it's made me a better musician in general. I have now moved on to a synth and looking forward to writing more. Keep up the good work!!! Happy New year!
@@realbeal Hi there, my mustang arrived today. Ihad Sweetwater do a set up and install Rotosound flatwounds. It feeks really nice. Now I need to fugure out how to learn to play it.
Hi, thanks for posting. I'm new to playing bass and I have one of these I got as a gift, although mine is the 2020 model. So far I think it's great but my only issue is the neck dive. I know there are certain things that can be done with the strap that can help, as you mentioned, but I'm wondering if it's always necessary to play with a strap unless you're performing? It seems like a lot of weight on the shoulder. I'm used to acoustic guitar so obviously that's made me used to no strap when playing sitting down. Just wondering your opinion because I know there are certain things that can improve neck dive other than the strap, such as lighter tuning heads, but I'm not sure if it would be worth the trouble. I've heard some bass players say to always use a strap no matter what. Any thoughts? Still trying to figure out what's what and what works for me. Thanks :)
I practice without using the strap while I am sitting. I rehearse with the band while standing to prepare. I have strap locks, so I can move the bass to my back if necessary.
I don't know if you're still having this issue or you got it fixed but I saw where another guy said he changed the tuners to smaller, lighter ones and it helped a whole lot.
I want that bass!! I’ve been learning on a no-name cheap bass which has been fine, but played around with some fender basses at a store recently for the first time, and now I can’t stop thinking about the mustang.
Ibanez make a short scale Talman bass, and it's all but identical to the fender. the headstock is very different tho. and it would be just under $200 . I've played both and there's nothing in it in terms of feel and quality. I put in quaterpounder pick ups and a made in usa highmass bridge. and it still cost 100 uk ponds less than the fender
I am in the same boat right now, it played like a dream at guitar center. So much that I ignored a lot of other Basses. Also I live so close to where fender started I can see it so fender is a little extra special to me.
if you don't mind me ask - where (roughly) in the us are you situated? just for the sake of knowing where in the states people speak such a clear, accent free english. a bit of context, I am from germany, just curious. ty & all the best
I am from the Seattle area. Yes, we sound like news anchors here in Washington and Oregon! I have heard we actually say Washinton with a bit of an accent. But we can pronounce so many Native American words like Puyallup and Tulalip!
Nice bass for sure. I’ve been looking at the mustang bass for practicing at home. I usually play a standard scale so I’m not sure if playing around with a short scale would mess me up??? What’s your thoughts? I just play for fun. No gigging for me!!!!
I play baritone ukulele and soprano ukulele and it doesn’t trip me up when I switch......when I go from soprano uke to long scale bass or vice versa that’s pretty dramatic
You actually had this bass for two years right? I just ordered the exact same one, can't wait for it to arrive! I love the combination of the (P)recision and (J)azz pickups. (also, the neck is Pau Ferro, not Rosewood)
@@realbeal So this is your second Fender Mustang? I just watched the clip from january 2018 where you just got a Fender Mustang Bass for christmas as well :)
@@lucythegiant4104 Thanks. Originally I was thinking of purchasing this one but I saw the Sterling by MusicMan Stingray Short Scale and asked my music teacher who is a guitarist/bassist and he recommended the Sterling for its quality, much better tone, and it's less expensive than the Fender.
Hmm (lol!) I’ve never noticed a big problem with hum with my ‘78 Musicmaster, either with the original pickup or with the one I replaced it with in the mid 80s
realbeal in the case of the Classic Vibe series, often better than Fender. I have the 70’s Strat, 60’s Jazzmaster, and 50’s Tele (which I converted into a Tele Custom). The main thing is that they replaced the awful Jazzmaster bridge on the VI with a Mustang bridge so you don’t get any buzz or strings popping out of the grooves. I suppose the main concerns would be the string spacing and Floating Tremolo since the VI was always built more like a guitar than a bass. The Bass Cut switch is also very extreme compare to the Jazzmaster, but needs to be to cut some of the extra low end that comes in from being a short scale to allow it sound more like a full scale bass. I just wish they made them left-handed so that I could comfortably purchase a VI rather than struggling with one upside down.
Eugenio Osorio she owns the bass. She’s probably seen the “Made in Japan” or “Crafted in Japan” a hundred times on that bass. Why does it make her racist all of a sudden?
@@jaxonvictoria4345 i own that bass too, its made in México. You can look it up if you want to, and i didnt say that makes her racist, i just asked if shes racist...
Love this review! I am looking to get my first proper Bass for writing (I’m a singer/songwriter, guitarist) & I love to see normal (non-music store demos) people doing demos. A real-world perspective. Cheers!