Fender American Professional Classic Mustang Bass Faded Dakota Red Short Scale Bass, (Nearly New)

The Fender American Professional Classic Mustang Bass in Faded Dakota Red is a premium short-scale electric bass that blends vintage Fender charm with modern professional playability. With its comfortable 30" scale length, alder body, maple neck, maple fingerboard, Coastline™ ’70s Mustang Bass split-coil pickup and Greasebucket™ tone circuit, it delivers punchy, articulate bass tone in a compact and highly playable format.

This example is listed in Mint condition, meaning it is virtually indistinguishable from new and presents as an exceptionally clean instrument.

Supplied with a deluxe gigbag, this Mustang Bass is a superb choice for bassists who want classic offset styling, short-scale comfort, professional Fender quality and a bold Faded Dakota Red finish.

At A Glance

Key Detail	Information
Brand	Fender
Model	American Professional Classic Mustang Bass
Finish	Faded Dakota Red
Fingerboard	Maple
Type	Solid Body Electric Bass Guitar
Scale Length	30" Short Scale
Body	Alder
Neck	Maple
Neck Shape	Modern “C”
Pickup	Coastline™ Mustang Bass Split-Coil
Electronics	Master Volume, Master Tone with Greasebucket™ Tone Circuit
Bridge	4-Saddle Mustang Bass Strings-Through-Body Bridge
Tuners	Vintage-Style “Lollipop” Non-Reverse Tuners
Condition	Mint Condition
Included	Deluxe Gigbag
Main Appeal	Professional short-scale Fender Mustang Bass with vintage looks and modern playability
Best For	Studio work, live performance, indie, rock, pop, soul, funk, alternative and players wanting short-scale comfort
Skill Level	Intermediate to professional

Condition Overview

Mint Condition

This Fender American Professional Classic Mustang Bass is in Mint condition. This means it is virtually indistinguishable from new, with no notable signs of previous use supplied for this listing.

Mint condition is ideal for players who want the confidence of a near-new bass with premium pre-owned value.

What’s Included?

✔ Fender American Professional Classic Mustang Bass Faded Dakota Red
✔ Deluxe Gigbag

✘ No Additional Accessories Included

Condition Notes

This bass presents in Mint condition, with no notable cosmetic wear, faults, repairs or modifications supplied for this listing.

The bass has been checked for playability and functionality before sale.

Fair Deal Inspection & Assessment

This Fender American Professional Classic Mustang Bass has been inspected and assessed by the Fair Deal Music team before being offered for sale.

Our checks include:

• Electronics tested
• Coastline™ Mustang Bass pickup checked
• Master volume control checked
• Greasebucket™ tone circuit checked
• Output jack tested
• Frets inspected
• Maple fingerboard checked
• Neck condition assessed
• Vintage-style lollipop tuners checked
• 4-saddle Mustang bridge checked
• Hardware inspected
• General playability assessed
• Deluxe gigbag checked for basic usability

Service / Setup Work

All bass guitars at Fair Deal Music are set up and checked before leaving the shop.

This Fender American Professional Classic Mustang Bass has been assessed for playability, with the following checked:

• Action checked
• Neck relief checked
• Frets inspected
• Tuning stability checked
• Electronics tested
• Hardware checked
• Bridge setup checked
• Intonation checked

Please note that bass guitar setup can sometimes shift slightly during delivery due to changes in temperature and humidity. We take this into account during our checks, but wood can naturally move in transit.

Why Choose The Fender American Professional Classic Mustang Bass?

Professional Short-Scale Fender Feel

The 30" scale length makes this Mustang Bass exceptionally comfortable to play, especially for players who prefer a more compact feel, easier stretches and a slightly softer string response than a long-scale bass.

Classic Mustang Bass Character

The Mustang Bass has a distinctive personality: punchy, focused, compact and extremely musical. It sits well in a mix and feels especially natural for players who want a bass that is easy to handle without sounding small.

Coastline™ ’70s Mustang Bass Pickup

The Coastline™ Mustang Bass split-coil pickup gives this bass a strong, articulate voice with depth, punch and clarity. It is ideal for bassists who want vintage-inspired tone with enough output and definition for modern playing.

Greasebucket™ Tone Circuit

The Greasebucket™ tone circuit rolls off high frequencies without adding excessive bass, helping the tone stay clear and defined as you shape the sound.

Modern “C” Neck

The Modern “C” maple neck gives the bass a comfortable, familiar feel. Combined with the 9.5" fingerboard radius and medium jumbo frets, it makes the instrument smooth and approachable for both rhythm-section work and more melodic bass playing.

Faded Dakota Red Finish

The Faded Dakota Red finish gives this bass a beautifully aged-style Fender look. It has vintage-inspired character while still feeling clean, modern and stage-ready.

Deluxe Gigbag Included

The included deluxe gigbag adds practical protection for transport, rehearsals, gigs and storage.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

Fender American Professional Classic Mustang Bass vs Fender Player Mustang Bass

The Player Mustang Bass is a great accessible option, but the American Professional Classic Mustang Bass offers a higher-end Fender specification, professional hardware, upgraded pickup design and a more premium playing experience.

Fender American Professional Classic Mustang Bass vs Fender American Performer Mustang Bass

The American Performer Mustang Bass has its own modern feel and PJ-style versatility. The American Professional Classic Mustang Bass leans more into classic Mustang character with the Coastline™ split-coil pickup, vintage-style hardware and faded finish options.

Fender Mustang Bass vs Precision Bass

A Precision Bass offers classic long-scale punch and a larger feel. The Mustang Bass gives a shorter 30" scale, easier reach and a more compact offset body, making it ideal for players who want comfort without losing low-end authority.

Fender Mustang Bass vs Jazz Bass

A Jazz Bass offers two-pickup flexibility and a brighter, more articulate long-scale feel. The Mustang Bass is more direct, compact and punch-focused, with a short-scale response that many players find extremely comfortable.

Who Is It For?

Short-Scale Bass Players

This is ideal for players who prefer the comfort, feel and reduced stretch of a 30" scale bass.

Guitarists Moving To Bass

The shorter scale and comfortable offset body make this a strong choice for guitarists who want to add bass to their setup.

Studio Bassists

The focused tone, simple controls and mix-friendly Mustang voice make it useful for recording.

Live Performers

The professional Fender build, comfortable neck and included deluxe gigbag make it practical for rehearsals and gigs.

Indie, Alternative And Pop Players

The Mustang Bass has strong appeal for indie, alternative, pop, rock and modern players who want a bass with character and easy stage handling.

Suitable Genres And Uses

This Fender American Professional Classic Mustang Bass is well suited to:

• Indie
• Alternative
• Rock
• Pop
• Soul
• Funk
• Blues
• Punk
• Worship music
• Studio recording
• Live performance
• Rehearsals
• Home practice
• Short-scale bass playing
• Pick playing
• Fingerstyle bass
• Players wanting compact Fender bass comfort

Educational Section: Why Choose A Short-Scale Mustang Bass?

A short-scale bass has a shorter distance between the nut and bridge than a standard long-scale bass. On the Mustang Bass, the 30" scale length makes the instrument feel more compact and easier to play, especially for players who prefer less left-hand stretch or a slightly looser string feel.

Short-scale basses can sound full, punchy and extremely musical. They often have a rounded attack and a focused low end that works well in recording and live mixes. The Mustang Bass format adds Fender offset style, straightforward controls and a practical body size that many players find instantly comfortable.

The American Professional Classic Mustang Bass takes that familiar short-scale formula and upgrades it with professional hardware, a Coastline™ pickup, Greasebucket™ tone circuit and modern playability.

Looking for advice on choosing the right Fender bass, Mustang Bass or short-scale instrument? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store.

Story & Context: The Fender Mustang Bass

The Fender Mustang Bass has long been loved by players who want a compact, punchy and characterful alternative to a full-scale Precision or Jazz Bass. Its short-scale design, offset body and straightforward electronics make it easy to play and easy to love.

The American Professional Classic Mustang Bass updates that classic formula for today’s working player. It keeps the vintage-inspired soul of the Mustang Bass while adding modern feel, improved hardware and a refined pickup voice.

This Mint condition Faded Dakota Red example is a standout choice for bassists who want professional Fender performance in a comfortable short-scale format.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Product Type	Solid Body Electric Bass Guitar
Brand	Fender
Series	American Professional Classic
Model	Mustang Bass
Finish	Faded Dakota Red
Body Shape	Mustang Bass
Body Material	Alder
Body Finish	Gloss Urethane
Neck Material	Maple
Neck Shape	Modern “C”
Neck Finish	Satin Urethane
Fingerboard Material	Maple
Fingerboard Radius	9.5" / 241mm
Scale Length	30" / 762mm
Number of Frets	19
Fret Size	Medium Jumbo
Nut Material	Synthetic Bone
Nut Width	1.625" / 41.3mm
Position Inlays	Black Dot
Pickup	Coastline™ Mustang Bass
Pickup Configuration	SS
Controls	Master Volume, Master Tone with Greasebucket™ Tone Circuit
Switching	None
Bridge	4-Saddle Mustang Bass Strings-Through-Body
Tuning Machines	Vintage-Style “Lollipop” Non-Reverse
Hardware Finish	Nickel / Chrome
Pickguard	3-Ply Black / White / Black
Pickup Covers	Aged White
Factory Strings	Fender 5250XL Nickel Plated Steel Roundwound Short Scale .040-.095
Included	Deluxe Gigbag
Condition	Mint Condition

Power Requirements

No power supply or battery is required. This is a passive electric bass and only needs a standard 1/4" instrument cable and a suitable bass amplifier, pedalboard, PA system or audio interface.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The Fender American Professional Classic Mustang Bass in Faded Dakota Red is a superb short-scale bass for players who want professional Fender quality, vintage-inspired style and modern comfort. Its alder body, 30" scale length, maple neck, Coastline™ Mustang Bass pickup, Greasebucket™ tone circuit and vintage-style lollipop tuners make it a highly playable and characterful instrument.

This Mint condition example, supplied with a deluxe gigbag, is an excellent choice for studio players, live performers and bassists who want premium short-scale Fender feel with standout visual appeal.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

Choosing Fair Deal Music means buying from a passionate team of musicians who genuinely understand the products we sell. Whether you're purchasing your first instrument, upgrading your current setup or searching for something special, we're here to help you make the right choice with friendly advice and expert support.

When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:

Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians
Carefully checked new, used, pre-owned and ex-display equipment
Competitive prices on leading music brands
Secure UK-wide delivery
Flexible finance options available (subject to status)
Friendly support before and after your purchase
A trusted independent UK music retailer with decades of experience

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.

We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Whether you're looking to upgrade your guitar, keyboard, amplifier, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.

Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available.

It's an easy way to unlock the value of the gear you no longer use while making your next instrument even more affordable.

FAQ

What condition is this Fender American Professional Classic Mustang Bass in?

This bass is listed in Mint condition, meaning it is virtually indistinguishable from new.

Does this bass come with a gigbag?

Yes. This Fender American Professional Classic Mustang Bass comes with a deluxe gigbag.

Is this a short-scale bass?

Yes. It has a 30" short scale length, making it more compact and easier to handle than many long-scale basses.

What pickup is fitted?

It is fitted with a Coastline™ Mustang Bass split-coil pickup.

What is the Greasebucket™ tone circuit?

The Greasebucket™ tone circuit rolls off high frequencies without adding extra bass, helping the tone stay clear and defined.

What styles does this bass suit?

It suits indie, alternative, rock, pop, soul, funk, blues, punk, worship music, studio recording and live performance.

Is this suitable for beginners?

Yes, the short-scale design is comfortable and approachable, but the American Professional Classic specification also makes it ideal for experienced and professional players.

Does it require a battery?

No. This is a passive electric bass and does not require a battery.

Is this good for recording?

Yes. Mustang Basses are popular in recording because of their focused, punchy and mix-friendly short-scale tone.

Can I try this bass in-store?

Fair Deal Music has a large Birmingham showroom, and our team can offer advice on Fender Mustang basses, short-scale basses and premium pre-owned instruments.