Fender Mustang Bass- Competition 1969 SURF GREEN ALL ORIGINAL AND IN FENDERS RAREST COLOR! Start Price USD 1,000.00 Current Price USD 1,630.00 Time Left - Bid Count 10 Buy It Now Price USD 1,750.00 Reserve Price - Start Time Monday, September 29, 2008 End Time Thursday, October 09, 2008 Location Spirit Lake, IA See more about 'Fender Mustang Bass- Competition 1969 SURF GREEN' Description You are bidding on a 1969 Fender American Made Competition Mustang bass in SURF GREEN.  Funny thing is that it wasn't until well after 1969 that Fender had a color called Surf Green.  For new collectors I will explain the history of the Fender Competition Mustang Bass: The Mustang bass was first made by Fender in 1966 as a smaller version of the Precision bass.  It was a 22 1/2 scale with 19 frets- and made until 1983.  The first mustang's had slab bodies (no contour where the back of the body meets yours).  In 1969 Fender switched to a contour body for the first time and also it was the first year of the "Competition Mustang" which was made in Red, Orange, Blue with three white stripes on the front only. The 1969's also had a matching headstock- meaning the head was the same color as the body.  This was discontinued in 1971. THERE NEVER WAS A SURF GREEN COLOR MADE BY FENDER.  INSTEAD BECAUSE OF A CHEMICAL REACTION IN THE CLEAR FINISH COATS ON ITS BLUE COMPETITION MUSTANGS THEY TURNED GREEN AFTER EXPOSURE TO LIGHT.  THAT IS WHY I HAVE PROVIDED A PICTURE OF THIS BASS BODY WITH THE PICK GUARD REMOVED TO SHOW THE ORIGINAL COLOR. VINTAGE GUITAR GUIDE 2008  LISTS TWO VERY RARE FENDER COLORS- SURF GREEN AND SHELL PINK.  THE TRUE SURF GREEN WAS ONLY ON THIS BASS AND ONLY FOR 1 YEAR. NOTICE THAT EVERYONE ON EBAY SELLING A VINTAGE BASS SAYS IT IS "RARE" ?  RARE IS THE TEMPERATURE OF A STEAK AND NOT A DESCRIPTION OF A COLLECTABLE BASS.  A COLLECTABLE BASS IS ONE THAT IS ALL ORIGINAL (THIS ONE IS), OLDER, IN PLAYING CONDITION AND LIMITED PRODUCTION WITH NO REFURBISHING- EVEN BY A PRO.  THIS BASS MEETS THOSE CRITERIA AND IS VERY PLAYABLE AS WELL.  IT IS NO VIRGIN. IT WAS PURCHASED NEW BY A TEENAGE IN B.C., CANADA AND PLAYED BY HIM FOR YEARS.  HE THEN PUT IT WAY AND IT HAS BEEN IN ITS CASE FOR OVER 20 YEARS.  I BOUGHT IT FROM HIM AND AM RE-SELLING IT WITH PROCEEDS OF COURSE TO MY SCHOLARSHIP FUND FOR STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES. THE LAST BASS CLOSE TO THIS SOLD ON EBAY FOR $1945 AND YOU DON'T SEE THEM OFTEN.  IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A GOOD PIECE FOR YOUR COLLECTION THIS IS IT.  FEEL FREE TO ASK QUESTIONS.  SERIOUS BIDDERS ONLY PLEASE.On Sep-30-08 at 05:11:40 PDT, seller added the following information:I TRY TO DO MY RESEARCH ON VINTAGE BASSES BEFORE LISTING THEM FOR SALE.  IN THIS CASE I HAVE RECEIVED NEW INFORMATIO FROM ANOTHER EBAY MEMBER THAT I BELIEVE IS CREDIBLE BASED ON HIS EMAILS TO ME AND MY REVIEW OF HIS PROFILE AND FEEDBACK WHICH INDICATES HE IS A BUYER AND SELLER OF HIGH-END VINTAGE BASS GUITARS. THE INFORMATION HE PROVIDED ME AFTER SEEING MY LISITING WAS: "THIS IS A COMPETITION BLUE AND WAS ONLY AVAILABLE ON MUSTANG GUITARS AND BASSES. SURF GREEN IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT COLOR THAT WAS NOT AVAILABLE ON MUSTANGS.THIS BASS'S COLOR IS PASTEL, LIGHT GREEN AND IS RARE AS HEN'S TEETH." MY APOLOGIES FOR MY ORIGINAL INFORMATION.  I AM CORRECT THAT THE COLOR IS RARE AND CAUSED BY THE PROBLEM WITH THE FENDER PAINT- I JUST HAD THE WRONG COLOR.On Sep-30-08 at 09:58:35 PDT, seller added the following information:forgot to add to description that this bass does come with the original hardshell case!!!On Oct-01-08 at 07:03:13 PDT, seller added the following information:Since listing this bass I have received a lot of email from collectors and vintage dealers about this bass.  The lastest is that the original color was called competition burgandy (often competition blue) because it acutally gave off purple hues on the edges.  I in the pictures I took off the pickguard to show the original color.  It seems the yellowing of the clear coat causes this unique color that is now a green.  Its a funky deal that occured only on this color for two years.  All of the parts on the bass are original as is the case.  Latest appraisal by a vintgage dealer is up to $2,000 and would be up to $3,000 if in great condition.  The bass plays well. If you want a unique piece for your collection this is it.  It will be a conversation piece amongst the relatively standard basses in your collection and give you some good fun.On Oct-06-08 at 16:07:18 PDT, seller added the following information:WILL SHIP INTERNATIONAL.  ACTUAL CHARGES MAY VARY, BUT AVERAGE $125.  BECAUSE OF SIZE LIMITATIONS I CAN'T SHIP THE CASE.On Oct-07-08 at 19:51:14 PDT, seller added the following information:please note that as of 10/7 this is one of only 2 competition mustangs offered on Ebay and should tell you how hard they are to come by.  It is first year production with matching headstock that is even harder to find. Place a Bid!