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Installing a Mustang trem and bridge onto a CV Duo Sonic

Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 6:02 pm
by adamrobertt
So I've had a Squier Classic Vibe Duo Sonic for about 3 months now, and I really dig it. Sounds really great through my Hot Rod Deluxe, honestly. Obviously it's not as nice as a US guitar but for $320 I'm really impressed.

It's one downfall for me is the lack of a tremolo bridge, which I obviously knew when I was buying it and planned to install a trem. I bought a Mustang trem and modified Mustang bridge from Warmoth (the one with individually adjustable saddles) and I'm just waiting to have them installed, pretty much just have to wait until I have the money free.

My question is this: Will it work? I don't know much about guitar scale length so I assumed that it would work with the neck. I've read a little about a compensated scale lengths and to be honest I don't completely understand what they are. My understanding so far is this: as long as the bridge is in the same place, it will work as intended. Am I correct? Should I make sure my guy knows about the scale length issue on these or is this something that any decent luthier will be aware of? Thanks.

Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 6:10 pm
by robroe
the other problem you might run into is if the bridge on a mustang is longer / shorter left to right than a telecaster.

from low E to hi E i mean....

you might have strings mushed together on a giant tele neck, or you might have strings hanging off the sides of the neck.

Re: Installing a Mustang trem and bridge onto a CV Duo Sonic

Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 6:11 pm
by kypdurron
adamrobertt wrote:as long as the bridge is in the same place, it will work as intended. Am I correct?
to be exact, the saddles need to be in the right position - I assume you meant that. The Mustang bridgeplate is larger than the CV Duo bridge, so there may be the need to cut awy sa bit from the pickguard.
adamrobertt wrote:Should I make sure my guy knows about the scale length issue on these or is this something that any decent luthier will be aware of? Thanks.
Don't see a problem here if the point above is taken care of. And yes, he should know that if he's a luthier.

edit: Robroe may be right - String positions on a Mustang bridge are "fixed". I haven't got those 2 guitars anymore, so I can't compate the neck / string spacing width. An easy way to solve this IF it happens would be to use a Jazzmaster bridge instead of the Mustang bridge. On that you can put the strings nearly where you want to.

Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 6:11 pm
by robroe
on the other hand i just remembered they use mustang bridges on teles with fender style bigsbys so you should be fine.

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Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 6:14 pm
by kypdurron
he's not speaking of a Telecaster, he seaks of a Squier CV Duo Sonic.

Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 6:37 pm
by sp3k
kypdurron wrote:he's not speaking of a Telecaster, he seaks of a Squier CV Duo Sonic.
but isn't the bridge on the duo the same kind they put on a tele?

Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 8:15 pm
by kypdurron
nope, the Tele brisge is a typical tele bridge and the Duo bridge is ... much smaller.
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Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 8:16 pm
by adamrobertt
Good point about the string spacing. I'll have to double check that. Worst case scenario I do happen to have a Jazzzmaster bridge laying around. I'm aware about having to cut the pickguard too, my guy says that he's wiling to do that.

Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 8:19 pm
by sp3k
kypdurron wrote:nope, the Tele brisge is a typical tele bridge and the Duo bridge is ... much smaller.
I thought the sandals were the same

Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 8:22 pm
by adamrobertt
Well, I just checked and the Squier's nut width is exactly the same as the current Fender Mustangs. Hopefully this translates into the same bridge spacing. I'll have to compare the two bridges when I get home later.

Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 8:24 pm
by robroe
shit when ever i read "squier CV" i automaticly think of the telecaster, because its the best built valu guitar ever built.


if they built this thing back in the 80's it would be like 100 bucks

Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 8:38 pm
by adamrobertt
robroe wrote:shit when ever i read "squier CV" i automaticly think of the telecaster, because its the best built valu guitar ever built.


if they built this thing back in the 80's it would be like 100 bucks
The Duo is just as good of a value. So are the strats. Impressive line.

Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 11:35 pm
by paul_
Spacing is the same on tele and stang/jazzy bridges, hence the spacing also being the same on their respective bridge pickups. The thing to look out for is whether the parts you're trying to interchange are both American [imperial] or imported [metric, narrower string spacing]. There's also enough leeway on screw-thread style saddles (like on 60s teles and jag/jazzy bridges) where none of this really matters. I don't think you'll have any problems with spacing.

Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:49 am
by adamrobertt
paul_ wrote:Spacing is the same on tele and stang/jazzy bridges, hence the spacing also being the same on their respective bridge pickups. The thing to look out for is whether the parts you're trying to interchange are both American [imperial] or imported [metric, narrower string spacing]. There's also enough leeway on screw-thread style saddles (like on 60s teles and jag/jazzy bridges) where none of this really matters. I don't think you'll have any problems with spacing.
I think you're right. I just compared the new bridge to the one currently on the guitar and the saddle slots seem to line up perfectly. I didn't take any measurements, but just by eye it looks like it'll be fine. Thanks for all the input guys. :)

Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 5:39 am
by hotrodperlmutter
kypdurron wrote:nope, the Tele brisge is a typical tele bridge and the Duo bridge is ... much smaller.
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naye entirely true.

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Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 7:40 am
by kypdurron
wow, that is ugly :D

Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 8:47 am
by stewart
didn't timhulio stick a mustang trem on a mexi or squier duo? he certainly owned one a while back.

Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2011 10:07 am
by gavin_rossdale
robroe wrote:on the other hand i just remembered they use mustang bridges on teles with fender style bigsbys so you should be fine.

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Thise tele is one of the best looking guitar that ive seen. It definitely inspire me to learn guitar more if i have one of that kind.. :)

Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2011 5:03 pm
by hotrodperlmutter
god damnit gavin rossdale

Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2011 7:01 pm
by ekwatts
I used to like you in Bush and your wife is hot and all but you're a dick on the internet.