The Ultimate Guide to Setting Up Your Fender Mustang: Mastering the Short Scale & Dynamic Vibrato

The Fender Mustang is a unique beast in the offset world. With its 24-inch short scale length, phase-switching electronics, and the distinct "Dynamic Vibrato" system, it requires a specific approach to setup that differs significantly from the Stratocaster or Jazzmaster.

While its smaller stature makes it incredibly fun to play, the Mustang's bridge and vibrato system can be finicky if not set up correctly. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step—from basic action adjustments to advanced tricks like neck shimming—to ensure your Mustang plays effortlessly and stays in tune.

Why we love it: The Classic Vibe and Sonic series Mustangs offer incredible value, delivering authentic offset specs and tone at a fraction of the vintage price.

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Part 1: Understanding Mustang String Height (Action)

Quick Answer: Mustang string height is the distance between the string and the fret top. Due to the lower tension of the 24" scale, slightly higher action is often preferred to prevent buzz. Standard targets are 1.6mm (high E) and 2.0mm (low E) at the 12th fret.

String height, or "action," defines how your guitar feels. On a short-scale guitar like the Mustang, the strings have less tension than a Stratocaster (25.5" scale) when tuned to the same pitch. This means the strings vibrate in a wider arc, potentially causing more buzz if the action is too low.

Standard Mustang Action Specifications

To measure accurately, you need a precision gauge. Don't guess—mm matters!

Part 2: Adjusting Action on a Mustang Bridge

Quick Answer: The Mustang bridge "floats" on two adjustable posts. Use an Allen key to raise/lower the posts for overall height. Do not rely solely on saddle screws for action; use them to match the radius.

Unlike a Strat bridge which is screwed flat to the body, the Mustang bridge rocks back and forth on two pointed posts.

Step-by-Step Adjustment

1. Loosen Strings: Reduce tension to protect the knife edges on the posts.
2. Adjust Post Height: Insert the appropriate Allen key (usually 1.5mm or .050") into the holes inside the wider bridge posts.
   • Clockwise: Raises the bridge (Higher Action).
   • Counter-Clockwise: Lowers the bridge (Lower Action).
3. Level the Bridge: Ensure both sides are even relative to the fretboard radius.
4. Radius Match: If individual strings feel off, use the tiny screws on the saddles themselves to fine-tune the curve to match your neck (usually 7.25" or 9.5").

Critical Tip: The bridge plate should not sit directly on the pickguard. It needs clearance to "rock" with the vibrato use. If it's decked, tuning stability will suffer.

Part 3: The Impact of Pickup Height

Quick Answer: Mustang single-coils are low output and sensitive. Setting them too far results in a thin, weak sound. Start at 2.4mm on the bass side and 2.0mm on the treble side.

Mustang pickups are often mounted directly to the pickguard (on reissues) or body (on some vintage models). Proper height ensures you get that signature "snappy" tone without magnetic string pull killing your sustain.

Mustang Pickup Height Specifications

Want all offset specs in one place? The Fender Setup Cheat Sheet includes Mustang-specific measurements alongside Strat and Tele specs—perfect for players with multiple guitars.

Adjustment Process:

1. Press the String: Hold the string down at the last fret.
2. Measure: Measure from the top of the pickup pole piece to the bottom of the string.
3. Adjust: Turn the mounting screws to raise or lower. Listen for a balance in volume between the neck and bridge positions.

Part 4: Solving Common Mustang Bridge Problems

Quick Answer: The most common issues are the "Sinking Bridge" (action drops over time) and "Bridge Buzz" (rattling components). Fix these with Loctite and proper Setup.

Problem 1: The Sinking Bridge

Mustang bridge height screws (inside the posts) often vibrate loose, causing the action to lower firmly while you play.

• Fix: Apply a small drop of Blue Loctite (242) to the threads of the height adjustment screws. Set your height, let it cure for 24 hours. Never use Red Loctite.

Problem 2: Bridge Buzz

The vintage-style saddle screws can rattle.

• Fix: Clear nail polish or Loctite on the threads can stop the rattle. Also, ensure your break angle is sufficient (see Part 8 about shimming).

For a deep dive into fixing buzz, check our detailed guide: Mustang Bridge Buzzing Fix Guide

Part 5: Fender Mustang Intonation Guide

Quick Answer: Intonation ensures your guitar plays in tune all the way up the neck. Adjust the saddle position forward (towards neck) if flat, or backward (towards tailpiece) if sharp.

Challenges with Vintage Saddles

Vintage Mustang bridges often have a single "barrel" saddle with no individual string height adjustment, and sometimes shared intonation screws. This is tricky.

• The Barrel: You must find a compromise. Usually, you prioritize the tuning of the plain strings (G, B, E) as they are used for melody/chords more often up the neck.

How to Intonate

1. Tune Open: Get the string perfectly to pitch (e.g., E).
2. Check 12th Fret: Fret the note at the 12th fret.
3. Compare:
   • Note is Sharp (+): The string is too short. Move the saddle Back (tighten screw).
   • Note is Flat (-): The string is too long. Move saddle Forward (loosen screw).
4. Re-Tune: You must re-tune the open string after every movement.

Part 6: Mustang Truss Rod Adjustment

Quick Answer: The truss rod controls neck relief (bow). For the 24" scale, a relief of 0.25mm (0.010") at the 8th fret is ideal.

Checking Relief

1. Capo the 1st fret.
2. Press the Low E string at the last fret (where neck meets body).
3. Slide a feeler gauge under the string at the 8th fret. There should be a slight gap.

Adjusting

• Adjustment Location: Most Mustangs have the adjustment at the Heel of the neck. You may need to loosen the neck bolts and tilt the neck back to access it. Some modern Player/Vintera models have it at the headstock.
• Direction:
  • Tighten (Clockwise): Straightens neck (less relief). Fixes high action/bow.
  • Loosen (Counter-Clockwise): Bows neck (more relief). Fixes buzz in first few frets.

Part 7: Dynamic Vibrato & "Cigar Tube" Setup

Quick Answer: The "Dynamic Vibrato" is the Mustang's defining feature. Setup involves two main variables: Tailpiece Height and Spring Tension.

1. Tailpiece (Cigar Tube) Height

You can raise or lower the entire tail bar (cigar tube) using the side posts.

• Lower: steeper break angle over bridge. More sustain, stiffer feel. Best for stability.
• Higher: shallow angle. Slinkier feel, but strings may pop out of saddles.

2. Spring Tension

Under the main vibrato plate (you have to unscrew it from the body), there are two springs. You can move them to different "notches" on the posts.

• Outer Notches: More tension. Use for 11s or 12s.
• Inner Notches: Less tension. Use for 9s or 10s.

Pro Tip: Lubricate the "knife edge" pivot points inside the unit with a little chapstick or graphite grease to ensure it returns to zero perfectly every time.

Part 8: Advanced Setup: Shimming and Hardtailing

Quick Answer: Mustangs are designed to have the neck shimmed. This increases the neck angle, allowing you to raise the bridge, which creates more downward pressure (break angle) on the saddles. This cures 90% of buzz and sustain issues.

Neck Shimming

If your action is low but the bridge is basically touching the pickguard, you need a shim.

• Place a thin strip of veneer (or a specialized shim) in the neck pocket closest to the body.
• This angles the neck back.
• Result: You must raise the bridge to compensate, creating a steeper string angle. The strings now push down harder on the bridge, stopping buzz and increasing resonance.

Reversible Hardtailing

Don't use the whammy bar?

1. Remove the cigar tube.
2. Place metal washers over the posts under the plate.
3. Re-install. Tighten the tailpiece all the way down until it clamps onto the washers.
4. Now it's a fixed bridge!

Part 9: Maintenance & Care

Quick Answer: Clean your fretboard, polish frets, and keep hardware tight. The Mustang has many moving parts—check them regularly.

Recommended Strings

The short scale needs tension! We highly recommend 10s or 11s. 9s often feel like spaghetti on a Mustang.

Safe Shipping for Your Mustang

Short-scale guitars are easy to ship but still require care. See our Fender Shipping Setup Guide for packing tips.

Complete Your Mustang Rig

The Mustang's plunky, resonant character pairs beautifully with these amps:

Classic Pairing - Vox AC15

The chime of a Vox complements the short-scale thud perfectly.

Modern & Versatile - Boss Katana 50

Great for dialing in those grunge and indie tones at bedroom volumes.

Want All These Specs in One Printable Reference?

If you're tired of tabbing between pages mid-setup, the Fender Setup Guide puts every measurement—action, pickup height, relief, intonation—in one place.

FAQ: Common Mustang Setup Questions

1. Why does my Mustang bridge buzz?

Answer: The vintage bridge rocks back and forth. Buzz usually comes from the bridge sinking (posts slipping) or low string tension. Use heavy strings or Loctite on the post screws. See our Bridge Buzzing Fix Guide.

2. Can I use Strat strings on a Mustang?

Answer: Yes, but be aware of tension. Standard 9s might feel too floppy on a Mustang due to the 24" scale. We recommend going up one gauge size from what you use on a Strat (e.g., if you use 9s on a Strat, use 10s on a Mustang).

3. How do I stop the tremolo from going out of tune?

Answer: Lubricate the nut slots and bridge saddle contact points with graphite. Ensure the "cigar" bar is balanced and pivot points are smooth. Old springs may need replacing if they don't return to zero.

4. What is the correct neck relief for a Mustang?

Answer: 0.010" (0.25mm) at the 8th fret is the standard factory spec. However, short-scale players sometimes prefer slightly flatter necks (0.008") if they play with a light touch.

Related Guides

• Mustang Pickup Upgrade Guide - Transform your tone.
• Mustang Bridge Buzzing Fix - Detailed troubleshooting.
• Guitar Action Height Guide - Universal setup tips.
• Jaguar Setup Guide - Compare with its offset cousin.

Tags

• Guitar Setup