Mastery Vibrato 2020 edition

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

Post by BoringPostcards » Sat Nov 21, 2020 3:43 pm

GreenKnee wrote:
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
I have experienced this rattle, which you are describing, on several Japanese vibrato units, but never with an American unit. I haven't much experience with vintage models, but maybe they can loosen over the years to be like the Japanese ones sometimes are.
Det er mig der holder traeerne sammen.

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Re: Mastery Vibrato 2020 edition

Post by adamrobertt » Sat Nov 21, 2020 5:45 pm

JamesSGBrown wrote:
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.
It has been done, although I think that simply buying lower profile screws is preferable.

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Re: Mastery Vibrato 2020 edition

Post by August » Sat Nov 21, 2020 6:42 pm

GreenKnee wrote:
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
I've had this issue a couple times over the years and each time a wrap of plumber's tape under the lock button has solved it

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Re: Mastery Vibrato 2020 edition

Post by Larsongs » Sat Nov 21, 2020 10:57 pm

I have no problems with the Stock Locking Trems on my AV65 Jag & AV65 JM... Although I don't use 13's.. 09's & 10's do everything I need them to do....

Do any of the Mastery offer Locking feature?

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Re: Mastery Vibrato 2020 edition

Post by Meriphew » Sun Nov 22, 2020 7:48 am

Lots of great tips/info here! Thx!

A low profile/flathead screw would be ideal. I'm surprised someone hasn't produced some for Offset fanatics. I'd pay $25 for a pair of screws that solved the issue.

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Re: Mastery Vibrato 2020 edition

Post by adamrobertt » Sun Nov 22, 2020 8:44 am

Meriphew wrote:
Sun Nov 22, 2020 7:48 am
Lots of great tips/info here! Thx!

A low profile/flathead screw would be ideal. I'm surprised someone hasn't produced some for Offset fanatics. I'd pay $25 for a pair of screws that solved the issue.
You can buy a pack of 25 of the ones I posted earlier for $10. They're stainless and they look nice on the vibrato.

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Re: Mastery Vibrato 2020 edition

Post by Meriphew » Sun Nov 22, 2020 8:56 am

adamrobertt wrote:
Sun Nov 22, 2020 8:44 am
Meriphew wrote:
Sun Nov 22, 2020 7:48 am
Lots of great tips/info here! Thx!

A low profile/flathead screw would be ideal. I'm surprised someone hasn't produced some for Offset fanatics. I'd pay $25 for a pair of screws that solved the issue.
You can buy a pack of 25 of the ones I posted earlier for $10. They're stainless and they look nice on the vibrato.
Are those a perfect fit, or do you have to mod them or your guitar? Thx!

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Re: Mastery Vibrato 2020 edition

Post by GreenKnee » Sun Nov 22, 2020 9:09 am

ga20t wrote:
Sat Nov 21, 2020 6:42 pm
GreenKnee wrote:
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
I've had this issue a couple times over the years and each time a wrap of plumber's tape under the lock button has solved it
Such a simple fix, thanks! I'll get some PTFE from work and give it a try. It's never really bothered me as it's not heard through an amp, and I tend to play loud :D

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Re: Mastery Vibrato 2020 edition

Post by adamrobertt » Sun Nov 22, 2020 9:13 am

Meriphew wrote:
Sun Nov 22, 2020 8:56 am
adamrobertt wrote:
Sun Nov 22, 2020 8:44 am
Meriphew wrote:
Sun Nov 22, 2020 7:48 am
Lots of great tips/info here! Thx!

A low profile/flathead screw would be ideal. I'm surprised someone hasn't produced some for Offset fanatics. I'd pay $25 for a pair of screws that solved the issue.
You can buy a pack of 25 of the ones I posted earlier for $10. They're stainless and they look nice on the vibrato.
Are those a perfect fit, or do you have to mod them or your guitar? Thx!
Perfect fit. Same threads and screw length, just the head is different.

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Re: Mastery Vibrato 2020 edition

Post by Meriphew » Sun Nov 22, 2020 11:15 am

adamrobertt wrote:
Sun Nov 22, 2020 9:13 am
Meriphew wrote:
Sun Nov 22, 2020 8:56 am
adamrobertt wrote:
Sun Nov 22, 2020 8:44 am


You can buy a pack of 25 of the ones I posted earlier for $10. They're stainless and they look nice on the vibrato.
Are those a perfect fit, or do you have to mod them or your guitar? Thx!
Perfect fit. Same threads and screw length, just the head is different.
Awesome - Thx so much! I may still pick up a Mastery vibrato (or two), but I'm definitely ordering the screws.

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Re: Mastery Vibrato 2020 edition

Post by Veitchy » Sun Nov 22, 2020 2:45 pm

Larsongs wrote:
Sat Nov 21, 2020 10:57 pm
I have no problems with the Stock Locking Trems on my AV65 Jag & AV65 JM... Although I don't use 13's.. 09's & 10's do everything I need them to do....

Do any of the Mastery offer Locking feature?
None of the Masterys lock, nor do any other aftermarket vibrato units (to the best of my knowledge). The locking function is tied up in Fenders patent on the unit itself, so if you're a fan of the lock your only option is getting a Fender unit that suits your budget.

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Re: Mastery Vibrato 2020 edition

Post by algeriet » Sun Nov 22, 2020 3:43 pm

adamrobertt wrote:
Sun Nov 22, 2020 9:13 am

Perfect fit. Same threads and screw length, just the head is different.
Thanks for the link! I've flipped the screws on almost all of mine and they've worked fine that way, but this seems cool and I may actually order a package.

To OP: Check out Chris Swope of Swope Guitars' Descendant vibrato. It's 5$ cheaper and tbh a true step up in the world of offset vibratos. Very content with mine and I've owned AVRI/Am Pro/original '63 and tried a bunch of Masterys vibratos.

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Re: Mastery Vibrato 2020 edition

Post by timtam » Sun Nov 22, 2020 9:13 pm

Veitchy wrote:
Sun Nov 22, 2020 2:45 pm
Larsongs wrote:
Sat Nov 21, 2020 10:57 pm
I have no problems with the Stock Locking Trems on my AV65 Jag & AV65 JM... Although I don't use 13's.. 09's & 10's do everything I need them to do....

Do any of the Mastery offer Locking feature?
None of the Masterys lock, nor do any other aftermarket vibrato units (to the best of my knowledge). The locking function is tied up in Fenders patent on the unit itself, so if you're a fan of the lock your only option is getting a Fender unit that suits your budget.
Mastery etc can't use Leo's patent as an excuse for omitting the lock ... since it expired in 1978. ;)
https://patents.google.com/patent/US2972923A/en
Probably Mastery just decided the lock is not useful 'enough' ... in their opinion (ie used for Leo's original string break function, or its spring mid-range/neutral reference point setting function). But I wonder if there's any scope/demand for someone now making a lock that actually fully locks the trem, rather than just blocks one direction like Leo's design ? Although setting the current lock plus tightening the spring all the way kind of achieves that. And unlike some peoples' reason for blocking a strat trem (they can't keep it in tune otherwise), the offset trem's tuning stability probably doesn't differ that much if it's (b)locked or not. So even if you rarely use it, having it floating doesn't really cause extra problems.
"I just knew I wanted to make a sound that was the complete opposite of a Les Paul, and that’s pretty much a Jaguar." Rowland S. Howard.

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Re: Mastery Vibrato 2020 edition

Post by adamrobertt » Mon Nov 23, 2020 6:49 am

timtam wrote:
Sun Nov 22, 2020 9:13 pm
Veitchy wrote:
Sun Nov 22, 2020 2:45 pm
Larsongs wrote:
Sat Nov 21, 2020 10:57 pm
I have no problems with the Stock Locking Trems on my AV65 Jag & AV65 JM... Although I don't use 13's.. 09's & 10's do everything I need them to do....

Do any of the Mastery offer Locking feature?
None of the Masterys lock, nor do any other aftermarket vibrato units (to the best of my knowledge). The locking function is tied up in Fenders patent on the unit itself, so if you're a fan of the lock your only option is getting a Fender unit that suits your budget.
Mastery etc can't use Leo's patent as an excuse for omitting the lock ... since it expired in 1978. ;)
https://patents.google.com/patent/US2972923A/en
Probably Mastery just decided the lock is not useful 'enough' ... in their opinion (ie used for Leo's original string break function, or its spring mid-range/neutral reference point setting function). But I wonder if there's any scope/demand for someone now making a lock that actually fully locks the trem, rather than just blocks one direction like Leo's design ? Although setting the current lock plus tightening the spring all the way kind of achieves that. And unlike some peoples' reason for blocking a strat trem (they can't keep it in tune otherwise), the offset trem's tuning stability probably doesn't differ that much if it's (b)locked or not. So even if you rarely use it, having it floating doesn't really cause extra problems.
I feel like making a notch in the solid piece of the actual lock cylinder that could slide into the internal plate (instead of just blocking its upward travel) could work, but actually getting it into the proper position without being able to see it might be tricky...

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Re: Mastery Vibrato 2020 edition

Post by Veitchy » Mon Nov 23, 2020 2:00 pm

timtam wrote:
Sun Nov 22, 2020 9:13 pm
Veitchy wrote:
Sun Nov 22, 2020 2:45 pm
Larsongs wrote:
Sat Nov 21, 2020 10:57 pm
I have no problems with the Stock Locking Trems on my AV65 Jag & AV65 JM... Although I don't use 13's.. 09's & 10's do everything I need them to do....

Do any of the Mastery offer Locking feature?
None of the Masterys lock, nor do any other aftermarket vibrato units (to the best of my knowledge). The locking function is tied up in Fenders patent on the unit itself, so if you're a fan of the lock your only option is getting a Fender unit that suits your budget.
Mastery etc can't use Leo's patent as an excuse for omitting the lock ... since it expired in 1978. ;)
https://patents.google.com/patent/US2972923A/en
Probably Mastery just decided the lock is not useful 'enough' ... in their opinion (ie used for Leo's original string break function, or its spring mid-range/neutral reference point setting function). But I wonder if there's any scope/demand for someone now making a lock that actually fully locks the trem, rather than just blocks one direction like Leo's design ? Although setting the current lock plus tightening the spring all the way kind of achieves that. And unlike some peoples' reason for blocking a strat trem (they can't keep it in tune otherwise), the offset trem's tuning stability probably doesn't differ that much if it's (b)locked or not. So even if you rarely use it, having it floating doesn't really cause extra problems.
I had no idea it had expired - in all these years I never thought to check the actual patent.

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