Pawn Shop Mustang trem mod?

Ankhanu · Post by **Ankhanu** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 9:02 pm

My local music store (yeah, we pretty much have just one) finally got a Pawn Shop Mustang in, and I was able to give it a shot. First off, I pretty much LOVED it, to the point that I actually plugged it in to an amp to try it (I almost never plug in in a store)... and from there I quite liked the switching (though I would have liked an out-of-phase option) and was pleasantly surprised by the difference in the three coil options for each pickup. I was expecting less variation between inner and outer coil tones, but they were pretty distinct!

My only real complaint with the Pawn Shop was the bridge. This got me wondering if anyone's tried to install a proper Mustang bridge/trem on a Pawn Shop?? I didn't quickly find anything in a search, and I imagine the string-through factor might mess up the plan a bit... but a proper Mustang trem would make it a pretty awesome guitar.

SKC Willie · Post by **SKC Willie** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 9:24 pm

it wouldn't be overly complex but you need to route out a couple of pretty big holes behind the bridge which would make it irreversible and something that someone with zero routing experience could make look professional.

Mages · Post by **Mages** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 9:34 pm

you should just put a toronado bridge on it. I'm pretty sure that they were string through.

Mages · Post by **Mages** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 9:35 pm

yeah

endsjustifymeans · Post by **endsjustifymeans** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 9:35 pm

Mages wrote:you should just put a toronado bridge on it. I'm pretty sure that they were string through.

yep. put one on my duo-sonic.

Mages · Post by **Mages** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 9:44 pm

and if it's not obvious, I'm suggesting this because of how it's designed after the duo-sonic/musicmaster bridge

so it fits well on the guitar.

SGJarrod · Post by **SGJarrod** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 10:06 pm

i think it would be pretty easy to do..... these Mustang Specials really are lovely.... I would so have the LPB one if it would not make me look like a giant...the body is just to small for my 6'3" 230lb frame

Ankhanu · Post by **Ankhanu** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 10:14 pm

Mages wrote:you should just put a toronado bridge on it. I'm pretty sure that they were string through.

Yeah, this is something that I commented on with the first pictures released before the guitar hit stores.

But, I'm talking about the trem specifically. I've gotten used to having one on my Jag, and while testing this guy out, I found myself wishing I could do some trem system vibrato.
Hard tail is fine (if changed to a Toronado/DuoII bridge), but I really like the Mustang trem!

Was mostly curious if anyone had made this mod already, or if the body was maybe too thin for the trem routes or what have you.

Ankhanu · Post by **Ankhanu** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 10:22 pm

SGJarrod wrote:i think it would be pretty easy to do..... these Mustang Specials really are lovely.... I would so have the LPB one if it would not make me look like a giant...the body is just to small for my 6'3" 230lb frame

Yeah, it's the LPB one that I played. It was absolutely gorgeous. I'm only 5'10", so, while small, wouldn't look TOO small

I have some reservations about the appearance of the shortened back end with the Trem plate in place, but, I don't think it'd look too crowded.

Leisureclub · Post by **Leisureclub** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 10:32 pm

I'll bet that they're too new for somebody to have tried adding a trem. It's possible of course, just lots of routing. I do however think that they're probably too thin to do a strat type system. Maybe a Kahler flush mount would be the easiest as far as routing? I'm not sure.

kypdurron · Post by **kypdurron** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 10:44 pm

easiest may be a top mounted bigsby style system, but would still require some woodwork.

Rox · Post by **Rox** » Sat Feb 25, 2012 3:36 am

kypdurron wrote:easiest may be a top mounted bigsby style system, but would still require some woodwork.

I would say that would be the best bet . A tune-o-matic with a Bigsby . Be a lot like the Fano MG6 ..

http://www.fanoguitars.com/altdefactoMG6.html

Holy Schnikes · Post by **Holy Schnikes** » Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:23 pm

Swapped Strat hardtail bridge on my Mustang with a string through Toronado model. Cosmetic reasons really but also a chance to attempt the mod. The baseplate on the stock bridge is twice as thick as the Toronado's but it worked out perfectly, setup way better than before honestly. Go figure. I found the bridge new on eBay for $20 shipped. They're stocked at GuitarPartsResource too I think. Came with Fender "stamped" bent steel saddles which seem fine but I had the Callaham stuff hanging around from an older Mexican Tele so went with those.

As for install, the string-through holes matched up perfectly but not a drop-in job as far as mounting. Still an easy mod, no screw holes overlapping or anything, just plugged the old holes and drilled the new. The stock bridge has 3 mounting screws only, located in a line near the rear of the bridge. The Toronado has five, 2 near the rear (perfectly spaced between the original holes) and 3 in front of the saddles.

For some reason, the front holes weren't countersunk on the new bridge plate while the rear pair was. This was a problem as my saddles had to scoot over those screws to for intonation. Patiently, I used a basic countersink bit and drilled away, again slowly, until I the flathead phillips screws would sit just below the surface. Other than that, easy as could be.

honeyiscool · Post by **honeyiscool** » Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:27 pm

That looks very well done.

jcyphe · Post by **jcyphe** » Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:28 pm

That looks so much better.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:32 pm

jcyphe wrote:That looks so much better.

Holy Schnikes · Post by **Holy Schnikes** » Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:33 pm

Thanks!

Fender must be trying to get rid of a Strat hardtail surplus because this is obviously the correct bridge for this guitar.

othomas2 · Post by **othomas2** » Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:38 pm

That's awesome, good job !!

Ankhanu · Post by **Ankhanu** » Thu Mar 29, 2012 10:31 pm

Holy Schnikes wrote:Thanks!

Fender must be trying to get rid of a Strat hardtail surplus because this is obviously the correct bridge for this guitar.

This is definitely what the guitar should have been, if it had to be hard tail instead of a trem!
Beautiful!

Phil O'Keefe · Post by **Phil O'Keefe** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 1:21 am

That turned out really nice - thanks for letting us know that it works, and the things to watch out for.