Fender Player II Mustang RW BLK

Fender Player II Mustang RW BLK review

The Fender Player II Mustang RW BLK is a compact electric guitar built around a 24-inch scale, an alder body, and two Player Series Alnico 5 Mustang single-coil pickups. Its specifications point to a straightforward setup: a maple bolt-on neck, rosewood fingerboard, three-way pickup switch, and fixed string-through-body bridge. It has no tremolo and ships without a case or gig bag. The listed price is 649.

Field feedback describes a guitar that can feel immediately comfortable and lively, especially for players who prefer a shorter scale. It also raises a practical caution about setup consistency. Reports from two individual instruments mention nut-slot placement issues, so checking the nut, string spacing, and first-fret intonation on the specific guitar is sensible before settling on one.

Compact proportions and short-scale playability

The 609 mm (24-inch) scale is shorter than the scale found on many full-size electric guitars. In the reported experience, that made the Mustang feel easy to handle and quick to play. One owner found it easier to move around on than a larger guitar and recommended the format for beginners, younger players, and anyone who prefers a smaller instrument. The body was also described as light, with one example weighing about 3.1 kg. That is an individual measurement, not a guaranteed weight for every unit.

The neck has a Modern C profile, a 42 mm nut, and a 241 mm (9.5-inch) fingerboard radius. Its 22 medium jumbo frets and white dot inlays give the playing surface a familiar layout. One reviewer found the fretwork good and was able to set a low string action. The same feedback noted that the maple neck felt very dry and somewhat rough on both guitars tested, with the condition more pronounced on one. The rosewood fingerboard was also described as dry.

These impressions are worth treating as inspection points rather than universal defects. On one instrument, the nut was installed at an angle and its slots sat too far toward one side. The low E string ran close to the edge, and first-fret intonation was difficult. A second guitar had a better-aligned nut, but its slots still appeared off-center. The owner kept that instrument because the remaining issue was mainly cosmetic. If buying in person, check that the strings sit evenly across the fingerboard and that the open strings fret cleanly near the nut.

Pickup sound and controls

Two Alnico 5 Mustang single-coil pickups provide the core voice, with a three-way switch and master volume and tone controls. The reported sound was clear and bright, with a sharper edge than some other guitars. That character suited the player who supplied the feedback, particularly for clean tones and driven sounds with some bite. Another brief assessment found the sound satisfactory but not exceptional, so the pickups may be more compelling to players who specifically want a lean, direct single-coil response than to anyone seeking a broad range of built-in tones.

There are only two pickups and three switch positions, so the guitar does not offer a large menu of pickup combinations. A modeling amplifier can extend its range considerably, according to one owner, who used a Boss Katana to cover blues and heavier sounds. Pickup height may also matter: on one of the two guitars, the pickups needed to be raised closer to the strings before their output seemed right.

One owner later replaced the bridge pickup with a humbucker in a single-coil-sized housing, modified to split through the volume control. That change is a personal modification, not a factory feature. The owner felt it added output and presence while keeping the Mustang's basic character. Out of the box, the Player II Mustang remains a two-single-coil guitar with standard volume and tone controls.

Bridge, hardware, and setup

The fixed six-saddle bridge uses a string-through-body design and bent steel saddles. Combined with Fender ClassicGear tuning machines and nickel/chrome-finished hardware, the specification favors a simple, stable layout without a tremolo arm. The original strings are Fender USA 250L nickel-plated steel, gauged.009,.042. One player changed to.010,.046 strings because the supplied nines felt too light. String choice will affect feel and tension, particularly on a short-scale guitar, so players may want to budget for a setup after changing gauges.

The black finish is paired with a three-ply black, white, and black pickguard. The reported owner liked the appearance and found the instrument small, light, and comfortable in hand. Available since August 2024, this model carries item number 595117.

Verdict

The Fender Player II Mustang RW BLK makes a strong case for players seeking a compact electric guitar with a short scale, fixed bridge, and clear single-coil sound. Its proportions and reported playability are the main attractions. The tradeoff is that individual setup quality deserves attention, particularly around nut alignment and string spacing. Fretwork received positive feedback, but the dry, rough neck feel noted on two examples is another reason to inspect the instrument rather than assume every unit will feel identical.

At its listed price of 649, the feature set and reported comfort offer solid value for someone who wants a Mustang-style experience. Beginners can find the shorter scale approachable, though a knowledgeable player or guitar technician should check the setup before purchase. For players who already know they like short-scale feel and bright single-coil tones, this is a distinctive, practical option. It is less suitable for anyone expecting tremolo effects, a case in the box, or an especially wide tonal palette from the stock electronics.