What string gauge are you using on your Mustangs? Question regarding string gauge and set up.

[muffonrat]

So after reading about the Mustang vibrato set up I noticed that in my Mustang the "cigar tube" feet are not sitting straight on the body due to high string tension.

How can I make this straight without changing to a lighter string gauge?
I use 12s and the neck is tiny so any other lighter string gauge would not work for me .

[supersonicjazzmaster]

Try to get the cigar higher maybe?
This will lower the tension a bit.
Your Mustang is a japanese one from the 90´s, early 2000´s?
Try to get the two big screws who hold the cigar perpendicular to the trem plate.
Maybe you have to change the neck angle also...

Love 12sets also!
But I ended up with 11-50 chromes (flatwounds) for Mustangs. This works best for me. I can also change the 11 for a 12.
This is for me a similar feeling like 12-52 on Jags/Jazzys.
What is your set? A 12-52? Rounds? Flats?

[supersonicjazzmaster]

The bridge looks in high position.
So maybe the neck angle is the point!?

[muffonrat]

Hey thanks for the reply. It is a Fernandes copy late 70s/early 80s , got it disassembled and put it together my self. Bridge is not original since it looks new compared to the other metal parts.
I shimmed the neck ,moved the springs to the lowest holding positions on the two cigar tube posts and raised the bridge and pick ups. Pretty much the same procedure I do to all my offsets and never had a problem. On this one the vibrato feels a little bit more loose, my understanding is that there is no spring tension screw like the jaguar/jazzmaster vibrato so probably I should be looking for higher tension springs?
I use GHS roundwouns 12-52.

[HarlowTheFish]

I'm using 11-58 on mine, like a heavier light top heavy bottom set.

I'd lower the bridge one or two mm, as long as it still rocks okay, swap the springs to the lower notch if you haven't already, and drop the cigar a bit.

I think dropping to slightly lower-tension treble strings might not be a bad pick, because at those pitches dropping even half a gauge (to 11.5s) will lower the tension enough to make a difference.

[supersonicjazzmaster]

so probably I should be looking for higher tension springs?

Yes, good idea.
My experiences with the springs are: In the 1965 and 1966 trem units there is the good material. (maybe in others also of course, but with those old trem units I have good experiences)
My two japanese Mustangs had Japanese material, which made problems after a few years playing..
On one I will also change the springs best.
For example I use a 1965 Mustang trem unit in a Jagstang and it´s awesome and I never had any problems with it.

[muffonrat]

Lowering the bridge is not an option here, any lower and the I get fret buzz, cigar tube is already in the lowest position and the springs already in the lowest notch.

I am pretty happy with the set up right now cause I prefer higher action than the standard set up.

Does anyone know where I can source higher tension vibrato springs?

Funny thing is that I had a squier vintage modified mustang which I sold after I got this one and the spring in there actually felt better, tighter and more stable. I got that guitar used so there is a possibility the springs where already replaced but it is kind of ironic..

[muffonrat]

Just a small update to this thread in case someone wants to do the same in a Mustang style vibrato unit: managed to source 2 springs that are strong enough for .12s from Yahoo Japan. They feel very stable and the movement is smooth, could not be more happy about this small upgrade!

[ChrisDesign]

Fantastic! Have you also tried shimming the neck?

[muffonrat]

Yup, neck is already shimmed!