Would you have any concerns about buying a guitar in this condition?

[barryg_nyc]

My local GC has a used MIJ Fender Mustang.
It feels great and plays well.

But, it's got some damage to the body - there's about a half-inch deep gouge as you can see from the pictures below.

Other than the cosmetic issues, is there anything to be concerned about? With the position of the damage, I can't imagine that it would dramatically affect tone or playability. But, maybe that's not the case. And, of course, anyone whose guitar gets a chunk knocked out of it probably abused the guitar over the years.

Would you have any concerns about buying a guitar like this?

Also - any thoughts on price? GC has it listed at $449, but it's been there for about 6 weeks, so my guess is that, considering the difficulty in selling a damaged guitar, they'd take a lower offer. What do you think it would be worth?

I think it's a 69 reissue, probably made in the 2000-2003 time frame, but if anyone has more insight to this guitar, I'd welcome it.

Thanks for your input!

Here's the guitar:


Here's a closeup of the damage:

[funkmaster]

nope.


I hate clean looking, right off the shelf sparkly guitars. Unless I buy them like that and through the course of time they begin to wear.

[doublee]

Nope, but That Stripe?

smiley...

[mc5nrg]

No.

However, I wouldn't buy a Fender Mustang- if you like it, go for it. Cool competition red finish.

[hippiebob]

When I was in the market for a Stang about a year ago, the competition models were bringing ~$750. If you like it, I'd say go for it.

Oh, and it looks like the pickups have been changed - a definite upgrade.

[AustinIsPresent]

Go for it, see if you can get it for $400 for fun, but that's not a bad deal to begin with. Who cares if it's got a ding! It'll let you really rip in from the get go and not worry about it

[Tonefish]

Originally Posted by barryg_nyc

....It feels great and plays well.

....and.....

.... they'd take a lower offer.

That should answer your question.

[Scott Auld]

No issues with the gouge.

[barryg_nyc]

Thanks, all. That was my assumption but always good to get confirmation from the crowd of experts.
My hands are a little on the small side and the neck & fretboard of the Stang feels really comfortable. I'll play it a bit more tomorrow and if all goes well will bring it home (and post some pics of course).

[bynt]

Originally Posted by barryg_nyc

Thanks, all. That was my assumption but always good to get confirmation from the crowd of experts.
My hands are a little on the small side and the neck & fretboard of the Stang feels really comfortable. I'll play it a bit more tomorrow and if all goes well will bring it home (and post some pics of course).

That's what I was going to say. If you like the feel of the guitar, a gouge wouldn't bother me at all. Especially on a Fender type (see also: nearly indestructible) guitar. I say that to say that Mustangs aren't the most popular guitars and if you find a used one at a decent price, grab it. I have the opposite problem, I can't find necks big enough. Situation reversed, I'd grab it in a heart beat, gouge and all. Good luck! Let us know if you pick it up!

[barryg_nyc]

Thanks, all.
I went forward and bought the Mustang today.

It needs a setup and might need a little fretwork down the road (around the 20-22nd frets, but I don't play up there very often), but overall it plays really well. I was able to negotiate a good deal with GC since they clearly knew it wasn't going to be an easy sale with the gouge near the output jack - I was able to grab it for $335, which I think is a pretty decent price.

It's the CIJ 69 Mustang Competition reissue. Based on the S/N I think it was built somewhere between 1999-2002. I love the feel of the neck and the traditional frets (my hands are reasonably small).

And, of course, without pics it didn't happen, so here are some new pics:





And here's a close up of the gouge by the output jack:


With a little touch-up paint it will be hardly noticeable. Or, I might leave it as-is for "character".

Thanks, again, for all the advice.

[Zilmo]

Good score!

[funkmaster]

I would leave as is, shows that you're not some pretty boy who treats a guitar too delicate. they are tools after all.

[Dashface]

Glad you bought it. It looks rad, and that kind of damage means nothing. Hell, I've bought a Gibson that was broken off at the heel for god's sake. If the guitar speaks to you and is a good deal, anything can be fixed

[XmasTree]

those are badass!
red w/ racing stripe!!

Those are NOT stock pick ups.
I wonder what they are?