After a solid hour of googling and searching forums, I've decided to just log in and ask: How do I install a tune o matic in my mustang?
this is the one I bought.
gibson ABR-1.
i read over at jagstang that what I have to do is similar to taping the mustang bridge so it doesnt wiggle, just tape it the fuck up until its snug.
any tips on how to do this??
'78 Fender Stang
Fender Jag HH Special
Crybaby>Korg Pitchblack Tuner> Boss SD-1> Boss DS-2> EHx Big Muff Pi>EHx The Clone Theory>
EHx Small Clone> EHx Deluxe Electric Mistress> Boss DD-6> Boss RV-5
Always seemed easier to set up the Mustang bridge properly since it's designed for the Mustang's neck radius. Easiest way would be to somehow install the studs into the Mustang tremolo system, or tape it a lot/
Come on man, I posted this because I need some info on how to get it done, not to get this kind of stuff from you guys.
'78 Fender Stang
Fender Jag HH Special
Crybaby>Korg Pitchblack Tuner> Boss SD-1> Boss DS-2> EHx Big Muff Pi>EHx The Clone Theory>
EHx Small Clone> EHx Deluxe Electric Mistress> Boss DD-6> Boss RV-5
I honestly don't think tune-o-matics are meant to fit on mustangs. I don't think it will line up with the existing holes for the mustang bridge, and the string spacing won't be the same. Just cause Kurt did it doesn't mean it's a good idea.
Obviously there's a way to do it, because Kurt did it, but I just don't think it's a great idea.
when I tried a TOM on my Jazzmaster all I did was take the JM bridge out and drop the TOM into the existing timbles. No tape, no screws, no nothing. it doesn't get much easier. I was pleased with it exept for the radius mismatch.
''First, the nut had to be cut for heavier strings, then the neck shimmed for a better bridge angle with the cardboard backings from hotel stationery pads, and a Gotoh Tune-O-Matic bridge was installed. Earnie also had to modify the tailpiece to block the vibrato, which Kurt hated. He would remove the two springs for the vibrato bar, add washers to the posts beneath the bridge plate, which locked it down to the plate. Lastly, Earnie would flip the tailpiece around allowing the strings to feed directly through the tailpiece, not under, and the ball ends of the strings would fit in the tailpiece's recesses ''
Dude Kurt didn't give a shit. That shit went straight on and thats the way it went.
I had a jazzmaster once with a tune-o-matic and at the same time one with mustang saddles. The string spacings on the tune-o-matic are alot closer together than with mustang saddles, I really didn't like it at all - picking strings became much more difficult due to the closeness of the strings. Just a warning in case this is likely to be a problem for you. Mustang saddle also have quite a drastic curve (radius) to them which you may not be able to get using a tune-o-matic so it might feel and play kind of strange.
poorhillbilly wrote:''First, the nut had to be cut for heavier strings, then the neck shimmed for a better bridge angle with the cardboard backings from hotel stationery pads, and a Gotoh Tune-O-Matic bridge was installed. Earnie also had to modify the tailpiece to block the vibrato, which Kurt hated. He would remove the two springs for the vibrato bar, add washers to the posts beneath the bridge plate, which locked it down to the plate. Lastly, Earnie would flip the tailpiece around allowing the strings to feed directly through the tailpiece, not under, and the ball ends of the strings would fit in the tailpiece's recesses ''
Dude Kurt didn't give a shit. That shit went straight on and thats the way it went.
You'd better find out what hotels he got the stationary pads for the neck shims from to make sure you get teh kurdtz tonez correct.
With the ABR TOM, wrap tape around the post until it's snug. If you wanna get techincal, drop dowels into the pot/thimbles and drill out the new post hole. On the Jagstang, the ground wire is hidden under the bridge pot/thimble. So if you pull em out you gotta make sure you reconnect it, otherwise the guitar will be noisey.
I think I used the Modern TOM on my Jagstang. I used it cause it had a flathead adjustment for the bridge height. I had to drill out the Jagstang body for the larger bridge pot/thimbles. I offset my bridge bass side back at an angle like you'd see on a Gibson (better intonation).
Last year I shaved the bottom of my TOM bridge down using a belt sander. The TOM is a tall bridge, I used to set the TOM flush with the tremolo plate. And would shim the neck to fine tune the action. After I shaved the bridge, I was able to remove the shims and use the bridge height adjustment more accurately.