Introduced two years after the Mustang guitar, the Mustang Bass was the first student-level bass produced by Fender as well as the last production bass designed by Leo Fender before he left the company. Targeted towards younger players, the Mustang Bass offered a shorter 30-inch scale length as well as a lower price-point than the Precision or Jazz Basses of the mid-'60s. The split single-coil pickup was also smaller than that of the P Bass, but still captured a wide range of bass tones.

Years of Production: 1966 - 1981

Unique to this Year: This was the first year of Mustang Bass production 

Body Style: Offset solidbody 

Wood Composition: Alder body, Maple neck with veneer Rosewood fingerboard

Design Elements: Bolt-on neck, dot inlays, 30-inch scale length, split single-coil pickup

Finish Specifications: Red was one of three colors offered in the first few years of Mustang Bass production. 

Notable Players:  Bill Wyman, Tina Weymouth, Fred Smith