Mustang-Jaguar Tremolo Conversion and Hybrid

[PJazzmaster]

yes, basically a Mustang - Bigsby conversion plate - so that the trem itself is not under the hood

[Danley]

...I like the Jaguar/Jazzmaster trem but...

I'd MUCH rather have a Jaguar/Jazzmaster unit with a Mustang-style Cigar The cigar being so far back would remove it from the influence of your picking hand (a problem for me on occasion), and give a lot more range than a stock unit. Imagine slacking the strings Mustang style on a Jaguar

I don't know if the more limited range of a Jaguar/Jazzmaster trem would appeal to me as much on a Mustang, considering what used to be there. Are we wanting to do this for stability?

EDIT: Lefties? Isn't it possible to just flip the cigar?

[Addam]

Lefties? Isn't it possible to just flip the cigar?

The string holes are counterbored for the ball-ends, but you could counterbore the other side relatively easily.

[Amon 7.L]

yes, basically a Mustang - Bigsby conversion plate - so that the trem itself is not under the hood

This is another possible solution... Maybe combining the plate joeld posted with a standard bigsby screwed on top?

...I like the Jaguar/Jazzmaster trem but...

I'd MUCH rather have a Jaguar/Jazzmaster unit with a Mustang-style Cigar The cigar being so far back would remove it from the influence of your picking hand (a problem for me on occasion), and give a lot more range than a stock unit. Imagine slacking the strings Mustang style on a Jaguar

I don't know if the more limited range of a Jaguar/Jazzmaster trem would appeal to me as much on a Mustang, considering what used to be there. Are we wanting to do this for stability?

The Mustang-style Cigar on top of the Jag/Jazz Tremolo is another great idea I would like to see in real life..
The purpose of this Thread is to find the easier solution for a direct replacement onto a standard Mustang with the minimum modifications on the body whilst still maintaining -or improving- the stability and functionality that the Mustang/Jaguar Trems sports..

Lefties? Isn't it possible to just flip the cigar?

The string holes are counterbored for the ball-ends, but you could counterbore the other side relatively easily.

It's indeed possible to flip the cigar.. I'm a lefty and I did this mod to my jagstang but main problem is that the Mustang Cigar holes will face forward the neck instead of the guitar butt causing the standard Arm on the Cigar to a non-functioning mode. The arm will be so badly angle downwards the pickguard that they even collide..

Even thou I now have the cigar locked, you'd easily note how this make a simple flipping un-working as a Vibrato




I guess that instead of counterboring the ball-ends on the other side of the cigar, it would be better to actually leave the dynamic vibrato in normal Right-handed position and to drill a mirrored trem arm hole on the left side of the cigar..
(I didn't do that yet on my Jagstang just because I can't manage to make the dynamic vibrato work neither on my lefty Mustang with the correct lefty device.. )

Cheers

[Horsefeather]

I just received the parts necessary to convert my Mustang bridge to Jazzmaster functionality and will post pics of my progress as it occurs.

In the mean time, has anybody gone anywhere with this thread's idea since the last post?

[Horsefeather]

I really wanted to make a conversion plate with the same outline as the original Mustang plate but the JM guts, when arranged to work with the bottom two Mustang plate screws, place the arm collet in the same airspace as the bridge so something need to be adjusted. I first thought about redrilling the JM tailpiece to move the collet closer to the pivot but decided to try a slightly lengthened plate first. I think this looks pretty decent but I'm not decided yet.

Either way, it should be a fairly simple operation, once I figure out a good way to get an exact CAD version of the stock plate outline. I plan to have the final piece laser cut from stainless steel sheet, which I will polish to as reflective a finish as I can manage.

The custom arm, as is apparent in this shot, will need to come out of the hole headed due east before making a 90 degree jog up around the bridge.

[Horsefeather]

The experiment continues. The vibrato bar hole still needs to be relocated southward and I've found that the bottom two plate screws will need to be relocated to the sides because the JM piece blocks them. Aside from those issues, the JM hardware looks right at home on the Mustang and promises a much more playable instrument!

For now I'm using the old center plate mounting hole as the hole for the JM spring anchor but while it's close, it's not exactly where it should be, which is slightly northward. But the bridge occupies that space so it might require a flat topped countersunk screw.

[arkivel]

where are the blue saddles from?

[s_mcsleazy]

im keeping an eye on this one

[Shadoweclipse13]

Love it!! I love the JM tailpiece shape, but I love some of the alternative shapes out there. This would be my favorite of the alternatives.

[palesnow67]

really cool project man, hope it works out for you!

[sirspens]

I love it!

I really like the Mustang wiring scheme and the tones available, but hate the tremolo. This is a nice compromise, while conserving most of the original aesthetic.

Very nice.

[Horsefeather]

Arkivel, here is the thread where I cover the bridge modification: http://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/vie ... 8&t=102824

[Horsefeather]

Okay, it's done and it works perfectly and I love my Mustang again!

I just need to get a JM arm and add a 90 degree bend to it at the base now. Aside from that, this proof of concept is complete. It works just like a JM vibrato, from what I remember of them at the music store. I can deck the arm and it comes right back to pitch (pretty novel for a Mustang) and same with upbends. I love how you can see the original cigar tube holes here with their chewed up forward edges from that ridiculous stock design.

I may refine and redo this plate in laser cut stainless steel some day but I may just play it and not worry about it... we'll see.

[Amon 7.L]

This is great, fellow!! You managed to put my concept -who photobucket graciously set to oblivion - into a working reality! Well done, kind sir!!