Mustang vibrato not floating with extended scale neck, what can I do?

[RominRonin]

I’m building a Parts-Stang out of a Rosser jag stang body and a custom neck - the neck is a conversion neck, extending the scale to 25” (which gives me 24 frets).

I put the parts together and to my surprise, I found that the mustang style tailpiece bends all the way forward, such that I cannot do a drop bend at all on the guitar. But I want it to float as designed.

The springs are already on the highest notch, which means that even on the highest setting, they do not have enough tension to balance into a floating position; ie. The springs are not strong enough.

I’m currently in communication with the seller about this issue, it seems they are as surprised as I am.

I just wanted to ask if anyone with a conversion neck that extends the scale has had a similar issue on a Mustang style vibrato.

I’m wondering what my options are if I want a floating vibrato (I know I could just buy a locked vibrato if all else fails).

Are the springs on Jaguar/jazzmasters compatible with Mustang vibratos? I guess there are no off the shelf springs with the right shape, so am I limited to modifying what I have?

I’d rather not have to detune the guitar, but I guess I could try that too…

[RominRonin]

one other possible solution might be to use thinner strings. I’m already on 9s and I’m prepared to use 8s.

Bring the slink!

[windmill]

Test how slack the strings are if you detune it to point where the vibrato is the normal position.

[interceptör]

Wouldn't stiffer springs solve the problem? If the springs are the same that you'd find in a Strat, which I assume they are, there should be about half a million different varieties available.

[ThePearDream]

Have you tried adjusting the height of the cigar? This has a big effect on the range of the vibrato and I didn't see you mention that. I suspect yours is too high and needs to be tightened.
I find it hard to believe that a Mustang vibrato wouldn't be able to be adjusted to balance a set of 9s on a slightly longer scale. These units are on 25.5" scale guitars, like Marauders and Mavericks and work just as well on those.

Here's a guide to setting up a Mustang vibrato

[interceptör]

^ What he said first, obviously.

[RominRonin]

I tried adjusting the height of the tailpiece (the cigar), and then it occurred to me: I haven’t screwed in the string tree yet - this is my first custom neck, and I hadn’t got round to it yet.

That made all the difference - I have a little more to do to balance it, but I have room to manoeuvre now!

Thanks