It may have been a 'starter' guitar, but no-one expected a racing-striped Mustang to start a revolution in the hands of Kurt Cobain in Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit video.
Long before Cobain became Mustang savvy, the model started life in 1964 as Fender's latest affordable student guitar, joining the Musicmaster and Duo-Sonic.
"The 'student' moniker is derived from the Mustang's shorter scale lengths"
Like 1956's Duo-Sonic, the Mustang had two single-coil pickups, but was the first student guitar to feature Fender's new floating vibrato, as well as three-position switches for each pickup, with on/off/ reverse-phase options.
The 'student' moniker is derived from the Mustang's shorter scale lengths: customers were offered a choice of a 21-fret 572mm (22.5-inch) or 22-fret 610mm (24-inch) - the latter lives on in current models.
After an eight-year absence, the Mustang returned in 1990, thanks to alt-rock heroes Sonic Youth and Mudhoney, and as of 2015, it's more alive than ever, with Mustang Special, Squier Vintage Modified, Kurt Cobain Signature, Modern Player and American Special models all launched in the past five years.
And with contemporary bands such as Warpaint, The 1975 and Peace all using 'em, this Mustang shows no signs of slowing down.
1964
Fender launches the Mustang, with a short scale length aimed at beginners.
1969
'Competition' Mustang launched with 'racing stripe' finish.
1982
Fender discontinues Mustang production in the USA.
1990
Fender reissues the Mustang - this time it's made in Japan.
“You never know what will happen. You’re on a bus with pythons”: Orianthi on her Orange Oriverb amp, how soloing is like rapping and why confetti cannons are just one of the risks on an Alice Cooper tour
“Your faithful companion, musical soulmate... the tool that lets you express your creative vision”: Modern, versatile, affordable, the Les Paul Studio Session offers a compelling update on Gibson’s most-loved electric guitar
