Mastery Vibrato 2020 edition

Discussion of newer designs, copies and reissue offset-waist instruments.
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Meriphew
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Mastery Vibrato 2020 edition

Post by Meriphew » Sat Nov 21, 2020 7:31 am

I'm probably going to replace the vibratos on two of my offsets ( Fender '62 AVRI Jazzmaster & Fender Marr Jag). I've already replaced the bridges with Mastery Bridges (which I dig), and I'm using heavy gauge strings (11's on the Marr, 13's on the JM). The issues I'm having is some slight buzzing/rattling that's happening down at the vibrato. I don't know if it's caused by the string ends touching the tops of the vibrato's mounting screws, or if it's something internal on the vibratos. I get it on both guitars. Nothing major, but enough to make me consider swapping the vibratos. I've had both guitars setup at a couple of great local guitar shops multiple times.

How is everyone liking their Mastery Vibratos?

I know the Mastery Vibrato has been discussed a lot here, but I'd like to get some updated opinions on it.

This pic of the string angle (not touching any screw heads) is one of the things that got me thinking about this mod.

Image

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BoringPostcards
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Re: Mastery Vibrato 2020 edition

Post by BoringPostcards » Sat Nov 21, 2020 8:29 am

The only thing I can say about Mastery, is that I wish they offered a chrome version of both their Bridge and Vibrato.
They don't look too bad on a Jazzmaster, but on a Jaguar, they stand out like a turd in a punchbowl, due to them being brushed steel or whatever.
Det er mig der holder traeerne sammen.

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Meriphew
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Re: Mastery Vibrato 2020 edition

Post by Meriphew » Sat Nov 21, 2020 9:05 am

BoringPostcards wrote:
Sat Nov 21, 2020 8:29 am
The only thing I can say about Mastery, is that I wish they offered a chrome version of both their Bridge and Vibrato.
They don't look too bad on a Jazzmaster, but on a Jaguar, they stand out like a turd in a punchbowl, due to them being brushed steel or whatever.
They do have the polished vibrato (OMV-P). That's what I was planning on getting.

Image

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Larry Mal
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Re: Mastery Vibrato 2020 edition

Post by Larry Mal » Sat Nov 21, 2020 9:20 am

I own one, I'm not in love with it. The main thing I like about it is that the screws don't hit the strings, otherwise it's probably 5-10% better than an AVRI model.

I will probably not buy another one. I have a Jaguar project I'll get to some day, and I don't think it will have a Mastery on it.

Fender has that new tremolo unit and if that's available, I'll use that. Otherwise, there are other companies that make vibrato units I like.

I am sort of over the whole Mastery thing. I still think the bridge is exceptional and I don't see anything better out there for offsets or Rickenbacker guitars, and I have a Mastery on a Telecaster and it's good there. So I'm very experienced with Mastery stuff.

But the vibrato unit is expensive as hell and really doesn't offer anything better. If you have the money, go for it... it's not bad. But if the sky for whatever reason isn't the limit, it's not a must have.
Back in those days, everyone knew that if you were talking about Destiny's Child, you were talking about Beyonce, LaTavia, LeToya, and Larry.

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Re: Mastery Vibrato 2020 edition

Post by Larry Mal » Sat Nov 21, 2020 10:05 am

My big hopes these days are for Fender to produce the Panorama tremolo unit in such numbers that one can purchase it. That's no guarantee, though.

I had been excited for the Halon tremolo unit, but if you want to see an example of everything wrong with website design in one place take a look here. It doesn't inspire one to purchase the unit.

There was another guy who made one, it was also pretty rare and expensive, I would probably buy that instead of a Mastery in the future, though. I forget who it is.
Back in those days, everyone knew that if you were talking about Destiny's Child, you were talking about Beyonce, LaTavia, LeToya, and Larry.

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Re: Mastery Vibrato 2020 edition

Post by marqueemoon » Sat Nov 21, 2020 10:15 am

I have one on my lipstick JM. It’s smooth and quiet which works well on the guitar because the pickups are pretty low output, so the less “self noise” the better. My main complaint is it’s super heavy.

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Re: Mastery Vibrato 2020 edition

Post by BoringPostcards » Sat Nov 21, 2020 11:19 am

Meriphew wrote:
Sat Nov 21, 2020 9:05 am
BoringPostcards wrote:
Sat Nov 21, 2020 8:29 am
The only thing I can say about Mastery, is that I wish they offered a chrome version of both their Bridge and Vibrato.
They don't look too bad on a Jazzmaster, but on a Jaguar, they stand out like a turd in a punchbowl, due to them being brushed steel or whatever.
They do have the polished vibrato (OMV-P). That's what I was planning on getting.

Image
Oh wow. I didn't keep up with the company, because the aesthetic didn't interest me whatsoever. Count me as educated!
Thx. My wallet now hates you. Lol.
Det er mig der holder traeerne sammen.

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Re: Mastery Vibrato 2020 edition

Post by kingmedicine » Sat Nov 21, 2020 1:11 pm

I had the standard AVRI units on both my JMs (with Mastery bridges), then went the StayTrem collet route, and now have Mastery vibratos on both. I really like them in terms of how smooth they feel, where the arm sits, and also being able to adjust the rotation resistance of the arm (I felt like the StayTrem was way too stiff). They are both a bit less creaky than my AVRI units were as well.

That said, I would agree that they’re not a massive improvement over the AVRI units. The extra cost isn’t too bad if you hunt around used (I snagged both of mine off Reverb) and they’ve been worth it to me, but I wouldn’t expect too huge a difference in performance.

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Re: Mastery Vibrato 2020 edition

Post by adamrobertt » Sat Nov 21, 2020 1:27 pm

Add another to the "they're nice but overpriced and don't really perform that much better than an AVRI" category. It's also easy to find some low profile screws to replace the domed ones if you're running into interference issues. Just get some low profile 1/4'' 8-32 machine screws at McMaster-Carr. Mine have hex heads and they work great.

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Re: Mastery Vibrato 2020 edition

Post by GreenKnee » Sat Nov 21, 2020 1:45 pm

Is it the sliding lock that's causing the rattle? On my '62 I sometimes have to put the lock on and off again to stop it rattling, it must move around gradually while playing and then sit in the middle of its slide and vibrate a bit. Nothing major and is inaudible when the guitar is cranked anyway

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Re: Mastery Vibrato 2020 edition

Post by Larry Mal » Sat Nov 21, 2020 1:46 pm

adamrobertt wrote:
Sat Nov 21, 2020 1:27 pm
Just get some low profile 1/4'' 8-32 machine screws at McMaster-Carr.
The coarse thread spacing?

Seems to be all there is but I thought I would check. That's good advice.
Back in those days, everyone knew that if you were talking about Destiny's Child, you were talking about Beyonce, LaTavia, LeToya, and Larry.

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Re: Mastery Vibrato 2020 edition

Post by adamrobertt » Sat Nov 21, 2020 2:12 pm

Larry Mal wrote:
Sat Nov 21, 2020 1:46 pm
adamrobertt wrote:
Sat Nov 21, 2020 1:27 pm
Just get some low profile 1/4'' 8-32 machine screws at McMaster-Carr.
The coarse thread spacing?

Seems to be all there is but I thought I would check. That's good advice.
I believe I got these: https://www.mcmaster.com/93615A317/

I've had them installed on my Thin Skin for awhile now with no issues. The heads are a smaller diameter than the stock screws but I haven't had any issues.

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Re: Mastery Vibrato 2020 edition

Post by JamesSGBrown » Sat Nov 21, 2020 3:18 pm

Do countersunk screws work?
Looking for ones to order in the UK. I can't be doing with any more high e's winding.

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Re: Mastery Vibrato 2020 edition

Post by GreenKnee » Sat Nov 21, 2020 3:29 pm

JamesSGBrown wrote:
Sat Nov 21, 2020 3:18 pm
Do countersunk screws work?
Looking for ones to order in the UK. I can't be doing with any more high e's winding.
If you remove the vibrato system you can flip the screws over so they drew in from the under side of the trem

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Re: Mastery Vibrato 2020 edition

Post by JamesSGBrown » Sat Nov 21, 2020 3:31 pm

Fortunately my father is an engineer, so I think we may try using a drill to countersink the existing holes in an AVRI vibrato... I'll report back.

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