Descendant Tune-O-Matic Replacement

[wooderson]

I didn't care for the regular Descendant because it was more fiddly than a Staytrem but it's cool to see they have a TOM replacement now. Mascis Squiers are back on the menu, baby! And the HH Jaguars that have TOMs too.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C0FGStIOlcB/

[timtam]

Not exactly a radical new design, but a new application of their existing design and a useful new option nevertheless. Similar to how Halon did theirs (and earlier DIY approaches) - just leave off the bridge height posts.

[GilmourD]

Not exactly a radical new design, but a new application of their existing design and a useful new option nevertheless. Similar to how Halon did theirs (and earlier DIY approaches) - just leave off the bridge height posts.

This reminds me... And I'm asking you, timtam, because you probably have all the dimensions somewhere in your files...

What are the dimensions on the inside of a proper offset thimble? And do you know the inner and outer dimensions of the various ToM bushings?

[timtam]

Not exactly a radical new design, but a new application of their existing design and a useful new option nevertheless. Similar to how Halon did theirs (and earlier DIY approaches) - just leave off the bridge height posts.

This reminds me... And I'm asking you, timtam, because you probably have all the dimensions somewhere in your files...

What are the dimensions on the inside of a proper offset thimble? And do you know the inner and outer dimensions of the various ToM bushings?

Sorry I don't have exact inner/outer thimble dimensions saved anywhere. Only a mental note that they vary a little (MIA vs MIK vs MIJ), so would need measuring on the thimble you intend to use.

For Fender TOMs/AOMs, most are the Classic Player 0076230049/0076230000, that persists through to the current Vintera Modified. Below is the diagram I have for that - bottom posts are M8. I believe it's this bridge from retail/OEM arm of WSC Music in Korea (diagram there has a few more measurements) ...
https://shoppartsland.com/lp002brd/

The only other Fender one I can think of is the Cobain jag's black Gotoh (Fender p/n 0091718000).

I have never tried to keep track of the Mascis Squier's TOM, as I suspect they might have varied across the several generations of that guitar, so you'd have to get one in your hands rather than rely on a supposed 'specification' that might be wrong. The advantage of the design of the Descendant and Halon AOM retrofit bridges is that because they sit on the existing AOM posts, they only need to match several dimensions. Firstly, the diameter of the top posts, which should all be 6mm. But Halon sells two different post-to-post spacings: 73mm and 74mm, because that apparently varies in some Squier (?) TOMs.

[GilmourD]

Not exactly a radical new design, but a new application of their existing design and a useful new option nevertheless. Similar to how Halon did theirs (and earlier DIY approaches) - just leave off the bridge height posts.

This reminds me... And I'm asking you, timtam, because you probably have all the dimensions somewhere in your files...

What are the dimensions on the inside of a proper offset thimble? And do you know the inner and outer dimensions of the various ToM bushings?

Sorry I don't have exact inner/outer thimble dimensions saved anywhere. Only a mental note that they vary a little (MIA vs MIK vs MIJ), so would need measuring on the thimble you intend to use.

For Fender TOMs/AOMs, most are the Classic Player 0076230049/0076230000, that persists through to the current Vintera Modified. Below is the diagram I have for that - bottom posts are M8. I believe it's this bridge from retail/OEM arm of WSC Music in Korea (diagram there has a few more measurements) ...
https://shoppartsland.com/lp002brd/

The only other Fender one I can think of is the Cobain jag's black Gotoh (Fender p/n 0091718000).

I have never tried to keep track of the Mascis Squier's TOM, as I suspect they might have varied across the several generations of that guitar, so you'd have to get one in your hands rather than rely on a supposed 'specification' that might be wrong. The advantage of the design of the Descendant and Halon AOM retrofit bridges is that because they sit on the existing AOM posts, they only need to match several dimensions. Firstly, the diameter of the top posts, which should all be 6mm. But Halon sells two different post-to-post spacings: 73mm and 74mm, because that apparently varies in some Squier (?) TOMs.

So, just to let you in on my thinking, I'm figuring that there's enough people hemming and hawing over the ToM/AoM-equipped offsets (plus the bodies on eBay drilled for ToM/AoM that appear to be Mascis bodies painted different colors) that there might be a small, niche market for replacements for those bushings that have the inner dimensions of a standard offset thimble. I'm aware that there's multiple dimensions for the bushing ODs, but realistically there's nothing wild about throwing some metal rod on a lathe, working it down to the correct dimensions, and having the ID be that of an offset thimble with the conical bottom.

[ldp54002]

I've made a few of these myself over the years by just drilling out the posts on Squier Mustang bridges, typically with mixed results. I was never able to get the tolerances tight enough such that the hole in the bridge would fit over the TOM post but also wasn't so large that it rattled slightly while playing. Even a half millimeter seemed to end up buzzing/rattling under heavy use. I finally got it to sit tight with a very heavy break angle, but at that point the strings were making contact with the back of the bridge, which introduced its own issues.

I eventually gave up trying and learned to love the couple TOM offsets I have/had. For $125, though, I may just try it DIY again

[Nudger]

I've made a few of these myself over the years by just drilling out the posts on Squier Mustang bridges, typically with mixed results. I was never able to get the tolerances tight enough such that the hole in the bridge would fit over the TOM post

Slightly gappy on my mustratmaster but has no adverse affects on playabililty (pos due to mustang trem angle). I used a "modified" staytrem, when the plastic bushes started to get sloppy I replaced them with nuts.
Near impossible to knock outa tune..

[bipedal2]

I didn't care for the regular Descendant because it was more fiddly than a Staytrem but it's cool to see they have a TOM replacement now. Mascis Squiers are back on the menu, baby! And the HH Jaguars that have TOMs too.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C0FGStIOlcB/

Nice, thanks for sharing! I thought I was finally done fiddling around with my Sq JMJM. I've been satisfied with the Wilkinson roller bridge that I installed years ago, but . . .

[bipedal2]

Thought I might try this bridge out, but the post spacing on my Squier JMJM (2013-ish) measures 74 mm while the Adapt-O-Matic is 2.875 inches = 73 mm.

Oh well.

[karolt]

Just found this post. I got Vintera 60s modified. Wandering if it's an option... although somehow my first rough measurements also show 74mm which would be a shame...

[karolt]

I double checked and it seems this could be a good option for Vintera 60s Modified:




This would be great news.

[karolt]

Just got a reply from Chris, and seems string spacing is 2.125" (53.975mm).

On stock bridge I see 51mm when measuring from inside, and 52mm when measuring from outside.

I don't think it will be a good option, as I wouldn't like to push strings closer to the edges of the fretboard.

It seems Halon would be a better option as string spacing is 52.5mm there (Halon bridge website).