❌SOLD❌ Fender Mustang Bass Fretless Conversion Mocha, 1975

Here we have a Fender Mustang Bass Fretless Conversion in Mocha, sometimes called Walnut, finish, built during 1975 at Fullerton California, about half way through the CBS ownership of Fender. Construction and materials followed the usual Fender pattern of the time, pairing an Alder body with a Rosewood-capped Maple neck. Slightly smaller tuners and a fully adjustable bridge were installed, and for electronics a smaller split pickup led to a volume and tone control and an output jack mounted on a separate metal plate. A thumb rest is installed near the low E string.

The Fender Mustang Bass was introduced in 1966 as one of the first new CBS-produced instruments, and was the last instrument designed by Leo Fender during his ownership of the company. It stayed in production until 1983; CBS sold Fender to a management group in 1985.

This Fender Mustang Bass Fretless conversion followed a pattern common in the late 1970’s well into the 1980’s. The sound of fretless basses became more desirable and outmatched the number of fretless basses available. Repair shops, including The Twelfth Fret’s, were often tasked with converting fretted basses to fretless. Frets were carefully removed and the fret slots filled with veneer or purfling, providing the fretless sound and also a visual reference for note location. An advantage of this approach is that if desired, the slots can be re-cut and frets installed. Over time, manufacturers introduced stock fretless models and conversions decreased.

This Fender Mustang Bass Fretless Conversion was very recently serviced at The Twelfth Fret Repair Shop and is in excellent playing condition. It was likely set up for left-handed use at some point – there is a strap-pin hole on the lower cutaway. The finish has wear expected for a mid-1970’s model used as intended.

Sold with its original silver coloured rectangular case.