mustang vibrato rattle

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michaeltullo
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mustang vibrato rattle

Post by michaeltullo » Sun Nov 09, 2014 5:31 pm

help me make it stop!

i'm almost certain it is the vibrato and not the bridge, and definitely not any loose wire or anything shaking around inside, because i removed the pickguard and control plate and it still rattles/buzzes. i wrapped a little tape around the bridge posts and the little threaded guys that raise/lower the action. still rattles. if i kinda pinch all the saddles together when i strum i still get the rattle. i took out the grub screw that holds the trem arm on, still rattles.

when i put my ear up to it, where it sounds the loudest is right under the vibrato plate... so i took off the vibrato and put a couple tiny pieces of gaff tape under where springs meet the plate, and it still rattles. i tried really hard to move the springs down to the furthest notch in the post to tighten them up a bit, but goddamn those things don't wanna move in either direction!

my last idea is to wrap tape around the vibrato springs, or where the springs meet the posts that are screwed to the cigar tube?

obviously i'd like to solve the mystery and the problem without tape, but, whatever is necessary...

help! thanks!

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michaeltullo
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Re: mustang vibrato rattle

Post by michaeltullo » Tue Nov 11, 2014 3:37 am

damn, is mine the only mustang vibrato that buzzes like this?

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michaeltullo
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Re: mustang vibrato rattle

Post by michaeltullo » Tue Nov 11, 2014 9:40 am

so im hoping that upgrading from my current allparts model vibrato will solve all of life's problems.

anyone know where i can get an american made fender dynamic vibrato or do i have to go with the japanese model?

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daCod
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Re: mustang vibrato rattle

Post by daCod » Tue Nov 11, 2014 9:54 am

try a bit of blue loctite on all threads - bridge, the little height adjustment screws on the posts, the spring tension screws on the vibrato, the set screw for trem arm... ALL SCREWS GET BLUED!

;D

worth a shot. and the blue stuff is not permanent.

when strung up, is the bridge standing straight up centered in the thimble holes? if its leaning/resting on the front or back of the thimble it can rattle a bit. this happened most recently with my jag after the marr bridge went on.
your paranoia must be weapons-grade.
“I have terrible hearing trouble. I have unwittingly helped to invent and refine a type of music that makes its principal proponents deaf.” ~ PT

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michaeltullo
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Re: mustang vibrato rattle

Post by michaeltullo » Tue Nov 11, 2014 10:00 am

bridge is straight up and centered. like i said i'm probably 99% sure that the buzzing/rattling is coming from the vibrato springs, it definitely sounds like its coming from under the plate... i'm hoping upgrading from the allparts vibrato i originally installed to a fender model will cure what ails me.

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daCod
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Re: mustang vibrato rattle

Post by daCod » Tue Nov 11, 2014 10:17 am

sounds an awful lot like my SQ Jaguar. i get the usual behind the bridge ghost notes and such, but the springs for whatever reason seem to RESONATE and/or vibrate like no other. it's getting an AVRI bridge soon enough.

and fwiw...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fender-Mustang- ... 2598e186b7" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Fender- ... 4621f2659c" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
your paranoia must be weapons-grade.
“I have terrible hearing trouble. I have unwittingly helped to invent and refine a type of music that makes its principal proponents deaf.” ~ PT

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michaeltullo
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Re: mustang vibrato rattle

Post by michaeltullo » Tue Nov 11, 2014 10:25 am

thanks!

pretty sure the reason i can't find find an american reissue vibrato is because fender has never reissued an american made mustang... though i could be wrong about that!

anyway darrenriley has the same ones you posted (japanese reissues) for a few bucks cheaper, so im about to pull the trigger on that and cross my fingers.

thanks again, ill try to remember to post here after i install the new one

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michaeltullo
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Re: mustang vibrato rattle

Post by michaeltullo » Sun Nov 16, 2014 5:37 pm

damn damn damn. it was not the allparts brand vibrato... i put the new fender one on and shes still rattling! :( also the dimensions of the two are slightly different and i had to shave off a little of the pickguard where it meets the vibrato... i see a staytrem in my future

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michaeltullo
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Re: mustang vibrato rattle

Post by michaeltullo » Wed Mar 04, 2015 7:30 am

finally got around to ordering a staytrem bridge, and the buzz is gone!

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