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A Basic Instruction for the Setup and Adjustment for the New Fender
Mustang Owner.
The following setup procedures and specifications are for a Fender Mustang bass. This is a
basic primer for the new bass owner. I wish I had one. If you are a seasoned and accomplished
musician and used to doing your own setup you might find this a bit simple and incomplete.
Modifications of the specs may also be made (within limited parameters) to adjust for your
individual playing style or application (i.e., how hard you pick, finger, slap, pop or fret the bass).
To begin with the following is the recommended minimum specs from Fender for the Mustang
Bass.
NECK RELIEF
9.5" Radius
.012" (0.3 mm)
STRING HEIGHT
Bass - 6/64" (2.4 mm) feeler gauge .610+.584+.559+.533+.127 mm = E & A strings
Treble - 5/64" (2 mm) feeler gauge .610+.584+.559+.254 mm
= D & G strings
All strings are measured at the 12th fret.
PICKUP HEIGHT
Standard "P" and "J"
Bass 7/64" (2.8 mm) .610+.584+.559+.533+.508 mm
Treble 5/64 (2 mm)
.610+.584+.559+.254 mm
Note: These are minimum specifications that are meant as a guide; they should not be
construed as hard and fast rules, as I realize that every player's subjective requirements often
differ.
TOOLS NEEDED
Set of automotive feeler gauges (.002-.025) (0.05–1 mm)
6" (150 mm) ruler (with 1/32" and 1/64" increments) (0.5 mm increments)
Light machine oil (3-in-1, toy locomotive or gun oil)
Phillips screwdriver
Electronic tuner
Wire cutters
Peg winder
Polish and cloth
STRINGS
New strings can breathe new life into your bass. For strings to stay in tune, they should be
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Summary of Contents for Fender Mustang
- Page 1 A Basic Instruction for the Setup and Adjustment for the New Fender Mustang Owner. The following setup procedures and specifications are for a Fender Mustang bass. This is a basic primer for the new bass owner. I wish I had one. If you are a seasoned and accomplished musician and used to doing your own setup you might find this a bit simple and incomplete.
- Page 2 changed regularly. To check if your strings need changing, run a finger underneath the string and feel for dirt, rust or flat spots. If you find any of these, you should change your strings. Many companies offer numerous variety of bass strings. Which should I use? That is a personal choice that only trying each type out can answer.
- Page 3 TRUSS ROD First, check your tuning. Affix a capo at the first fret and depress the fourth string at the last fret. With a feeler gauge, check the gap between the bottom of the string and the top of the 8th fret—see the spec chart below for the proper gap.
- Page 4 Experiment with the height until the desired sound and feel is achieved. Neck Radius 7.25" 9.5" to 12" 7/64” (2.8 mm) MUSTANG PJ 15" to 17" 6/64" (2.4 mm) .610+.584+.559+.533+.127 5/64" (2 mm) .610+.584+.559+.254 NUT HEIGHT (press 3rd fret) Now this is personal taste and action dependent.
- Page 5 Note: This is another one of those personal preference adjustments and a good starting point. Fine tuning can be done when all is set. Setting pickups too high can cause a number of unusual occurrences. Depress strings at last fret. Using a 6" (150 mm) ruler, measure the distance from the bottom of the first and fourth strings to top of the pole piece.
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