squier vista musicmaster convert to a broncomaster

Johnny Noir · Post by **Johnny Noir** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 9:34 am

Hello
i'm new on the forum but not new on shortscale

i recently buy on ebay a squier vista musicmaster; this guitar was only mad during the year 1999.
i was disapointed about the neck, not a shortscale! what the fuck for a musicmaster!
i don't like the HB but i had in mind to change it.
One amazing thing is the pot, you can pull it and the pickup runs on single. but useless for me.
the guitar sounds good, i was just expecting a shortscale and just change the pickup.

My project:

- change the neck: mustang RI65
- change the pickguard: white bronco style
- mod the pickguard: add a control plate
- hat knobs
- put a new pickup: i have a 74' pickup from my musicmaster bass
- maybe put a decal "broncomaster"

something strange: the bridge on this squier seems to be farwest from the neck than my mustang. I'm affraid to can't intonite correctly. What do you think?
i'd like to change the bridge for a musicmaster bridge, but it's very hard to find. if someone know?

jamba72 · Post by **jamba72** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 10:33 am

what exactly is the scale from nut to 12th fret? 324 mm ( Fender standard) or about 305 mm( 24 inch) ?
when the scale is longer, the brisge has to be moved downward the butt of course..the bridge is nice, very similar to the original one, and good adjustable. As a fact, it is the most adjustable bridge I know.
humbucker can easily be replaced because the pickguard is covering..

greets

Johnny Noir · Post by **Johnny Noir** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 10:41 am

it's 324mm

i checked with my mustang, the bridge doesn't need to be removed if i use big string gauge and put the saddles almost at the max.
but i would prefer to find an original musicmaster bridge or a clone.
i have had a musicmaster, and i intonated correctly, question of strings sizes.

James · Post by **James** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 3:51 pm

It's Gibson scale, 24.75".

jamba72 · Post by **jamba72** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 4:35 pm

James wrote:It's Gibson scale, 24.75".

Wiki:
Â´25.5 in (648 mm), closest to the classical guitar scale:

* Fender Esquire
* Fender Stagemaster 24 Fret Guitars
* Fender Telecaster
* Fender Jazzmaster
* Most Jackson Guitars
* Squier Stratocaster
* Kramer Striker
* Most Ibanez guitars
* Most Schecter guitars
* Gibson L-5
* Gibson Super 400
* Gibson Johnny Smith Model
* Fender Stratocaster some 24.75
Â´

greets

Johnny Noir · Post by **Johnny Noir** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 4:52 pm

yes i know, not a shortscale.
i ordered a 24inch neck.
and a mustang white pickguard with only one hole for the single neck pickup.

Shaguar · Post by **Shaguar** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 4:54 pm

24.75" versus 24 might not seem like a big difference but you might not be able to get it to intonate without changing the position of the bridge.

James · Post by **James** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 4:57 pm

jamba72 wrote:
James wrote:It's Gibson scale, 24.75".
Wiki:
Â´25.5 in (648 mm), closest to the classical guitar scale:

* Fender Esquire
* Fender Stagemaster 24 Fret Guitars
* Fender Telecaster
* Fender Jazzmaster
* Most Jackson Guitars
* Squier Stratocaster
* Kramer Striker
* Most Ibanez guitars
* Most Schecter guitars
* Gibson L-5
* Gibson Super 400
* Gibson Johnny Smith Model
* Fender Stratocaster some 24.75
Â´

greets

Wiki for what? The Squier Musicmaster is 24.75" scale.

Johnny Noir · Post by **Johnny Noir** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 5:10 pm

Shaguar wrote:24.75" versus 24 might not seem like a big difference but you might not be able to get it to intonate without changing the position of the bridge.

i've big strings (11 54) on my mustang. I mesured the e from the neck. On the squier musicmaster this distance is the same with the saddle on max. i think i able to intonate correctly with a big gauge.
but maybe i'm gonna find an original bridge and put it closer to the neck. I'm affraid about its price!!

on the squier, the strings are through the body. very anoying to move it. I've never routed a guitar.

toez10 · Post by **toez10** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 5:34 pm

Johnny Noir wrote:
Shaguar wrote:24.75" versus 24 might not seem like a big difference but you might not be able to get it to intonate without changing the position of the bridge.
i've big strings (11 54) on my mustang. I mesured the e from the neck. On the squier musicmaster this distance is the same with the saddle on max. i think i able to intonate correctly with a big gauge.
but maybe i'm gonna find an original bridge and put it closer to the neck. I'm affraid about its price!!

on the squier, the strings are through the body. very anoying to move it. I've never routed a guitar.

You could always damn the holes, and get a top-loading duo sonic bridge from allparts, and just located it where it needs to be to properly intonate. You could also fill the string-through holes with dowels if the bridge plate doesn't cover them.

Johnny Noir · Post by **Johnny Noir** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 6:08 pm

Toez10 wrote:
You could always damn the holes, and get a top-loading duo sonic bridge from allparts, and just located it where it needs to be to properly intonate. You could also fill the string-through holes with dowels if the bridge plate doesn't cover them.

you mean the new squier bridge, the small one? not too fan about it.

we can find some original on ebay for 100$ , crazy!!!

James · Post by **James** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 8:43 pm

I don't understand the talk of the bridge. The gap between the neck heel and bridge is larger than it is on a Mustang because the scale length is longer. It can intonate fine from where it is (assuming it's not been fitted in the wrong place during manufacture which seems very unlikely). The saddle screws are long because the saddles sit relatively far up, but there's plenty of room for intonation. It has nothing to do with the Mustang.

Johnny Noir · Post by **Johnny Noir** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 10:12 pm

James wrote:I don't understand the talk of the bridge. The gap between the neck heel and bridge is larger than it is on a Mustang because the scale length is longer. It can intonate fine from where it is (assuming it's not been fitted in the wrong place during manufacture which seems very unlikely). The saddle screws are long because the saddles sit relatively far up, but there's plenty of room for intonation. It has nothing to do with the Mustang.

'cause i'll put a mustang neck

i'm a shortscale lover like you guys

since the first time i see Smell Like Teen spirit video when i was a teenager

James · Post by **James** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 10:15 pm

Well in that case, my advice is to sell this and buy a RI Mustang. It will work out about the same price or maybe even cheaper and you'll end up with a much better guitar.

Joey · Post by **Joey** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 11:20 pm

agreed

Johnny Noir · Post by **Johnny Noir** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 7:55 am

i make it because:

- i've already a mustang and i want something atypical between musicmaster and bronco (a half duo sonic)
- i like to have a project, find solution, searching
- it's cheaper than a RI mustang or a vintage musicmater or a bronco
- and 65 mustand doesn't exist in black (except possible to paint a RI mustang)

jamba72 · Post by **jamba72** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 11:35 am

James wrote:It's Gibson scale, 24.75".

he said: Â´it's 324mm Â´.
That is not Gibson scale

its a classic Fender scale.
the only Gibson-scale Mustang lookalike is the Cyclone as far as I know.

I thought the Vista Musicmaster WOULD have at least a Gibson scale though..
I also like they have an alder body, although its a bit thinner.. I really dont like the tone of poplar too much..

IÂ´d put on a Jaguar neck an correct the bridge IF necessary ( possibly not, because its string trough)
or put on a nice Wilkinson short Tele bridge
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2673/401 ... 18d111.jpg

and do a nice pickguard.

cheers

James · Post by **James** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 11:48 am

jamba72 wrote:
James wrote:It's Gibson scale, 24.75".
he said: Â´it's 324mm Â´.
That is not Gibson scale

The Squier Musicmaster is Gibson scale. No question about it.

jamba72 · Post by **jamba72** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 12:14 pm

James wrote:
jamba72 wrote:
James wrote:It's Gibson scale, 24.75".
he said: Â´it's 324mm Â´.
That is not Gibson scale
The Squier Musicmaster is Gibson scale. No question about it.

so, you mean, he didnt measure right..hm..

Johnny Noir · Post by **Johnny Noir** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 12:57 pm

you're right LP scale, didn't mesure right;
310mm 12th fret to the nut, 24.75 scale