Noob Question - Mustang Tremolo setup

othomas2 · Post by **othomas2** » Mon Jul 30, 2012 2:00 pm

Any tricks for stabilising the tuning on the tremolo ?

Last time I had one it was on my Jagstang and I locked it off. Don't want to do that again.

I guess the only real increments that can be adjusted are the height of the lipstick tube and the positioning of the spring underneath, as well as lubing up the nut and bridge perhaps. Taping the bridge posts thought to be a plus or a negative ?

What's the best way to find it's zero point with 11s ?

thanks
Owen

othomas2 · Post by **othomas2** » Mon Jul 30, 2012 2:03 pm

This confirms much of what I was thinking:

http://musicwrench.blogspot.co.uk/2009/ ... setup.html

HNB · Post by **HNB** » Mon Jul 30, 2012 4:51 pm

Normally I string it, intonate it, and then carefully use the tremolo. Up pitch, down pitch, etc. Retune and repeat. I do that until it stays in tune with use. Same trick for Jazzys and Jags for me too. Once they stretch a little and get worked in a bit, normally I don't have a tune issue after that.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Tue Jul 31, 2012 11:30 am

I can't yet attest to this, but maybe Honeyiscool can: I suspect a a fixed roller bridge in tandem with well lubed string contact points will make the trem work as well as it can.

With the standard set up there's a lot of variables that can lead to tuning issues. Roller bridge would take some out of the equation and probably allow for a more full range usage.

That's just using my engineering head though. I will be sticking a roller bridge in my Jag-stang at some point so will know for sure.

NickD · Post by **NickD** » Tue Jul 31, 2012 9:00 pm

Mine has been set up with pencil lead on the nut, taped bridge posts and a pretty low action. The strings are 10s and it stays in tune faultlessly. Its a 73, but the theory should be the same as yours.

I didn't use the trem when I first got it, but once I did it's great.