Mustang Les Trem conversion. Yes, really...

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JSett
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Re: Mustang Les Trem conversion. Yes, really...

Post by JSett » Fri Oct 22, 2021 3:54 am

MechaBulletBill wrote:
Fri Oct 22, 2021 3:41 am
did you drill an original 60s vibrato plate? those are very hard compared to repro/reissues, which wear away just through minor use.
Yeah, it's the original one. I knew they were hardened steel but I wasn't prepared for just how hard it would be.
Silly Rabbit, don't you know scooped mids are for kids?

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Re: Mustang Les Trem conversion. Yes, really...

Post by Shadoweclipse13 » Fri Oct 22, 2021 5:46 am

johnnysomersett wrote:
Thu Oct 21, 2021 9:03 am
I kind of lucked-in that the plate for the Les Trem was almost the same curve as the back of the Mustang plate so it doesn't look too jarring in contrast.
That is my favorite part!! Curves that look the same or damn close always make me happy. This is a fantastic looking mod!!! Thanks for posting it!
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http://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=104282&p=1438384#p1438384

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Re: Mustang Les Trem conversion. Yes, really...

Post by BTL » Fri Oct 22, 2021 5:49 am

Yet another fun project on a vintage guitar with lots of character...nice work!
Owner, Lowe Custom Guitars

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Re: Mustang Les Trem conversion. Yes, really...

Post by Shadoweclipse13 » Fri Oct 22, 2021 9:39 am

BeeTL wrote:
Fri Oct 22, 2021 5:49 am
Yet another fun project on a vintage guitar with lots of character...nice work!
We aren't usually in short supply of those around here, and when we are, it's not for long.
Pickup Switching Mad Scientist
http://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=104282&p=1438384#p1438384

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JSett
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Re: Mustang Les Trem conversion. Yes, really...

Post by JSett » Fri Oct 22, 2021 9:50 am

Shadoweclipse13 wrote:
Fri Oct 22, 2021 9:39 am
BeeTL wrote:
Fri Oct 22, 2021 5:49 am
Yet another fun project on a vintage guitar with lots of character...nice work!
We aren't usually in short supply of those around here, and when we are, it's not for long.
Yeah, there's definitely been a long-standing 'vibe' here in OSG-land for beater vintage projects.

Unless there's some subtle sarcasm in that original statement I'm not picking up on?
Silly Rabbit, don't you know scooped mids are for kids?

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Re: Mustang Les Trem conversion. Yes, really...

Post by BTL » Fri Oct 22, 2021 11:24 am

I believe we are all in agreement. ;)

Because I build new, it's a very different perspective, and one I enjoy vicariously.
Owner, Lowe Custom Guitars

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Re: Mustang Les Trem conversion. Yes, really...

Post by Shadoweclipse13 » Fri Oct 22, 2021 11:57 am

johnnysomersett wrote:
Fri Oct 22, 2021 9:50 am
Unless there's some subtle sarcasm in that original statement I'm not picking up on?
I don't think so. Unless it's a really obvious joke, Brad is usually very positive and not sarcastic that I've ever noticed.
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Re: Mustang Les Trem conversion. Yes, really...

Post by JSett » Fri Oct 22, 2021 12:12 pm

Shadoweclipse13 wrote:
Fri Oct 22, 2021 11:57 am
johnnysomersett wrote:
Fri Oct 22, 2021 9:50 am
Unless there's some subtle sarcasm in that original statement I'm not picking up on?
I don't think so. Unless it's a really obvious joke, Brad is usually very positive and not sarcastic that I've ever noticed.
Thats good. My sarcasm radar is often over-sensitive.
Silly Rabbit, don't you know scooped mids are for kids?

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Re: Mustang Les Trem conversion. Yes, really...

Post by tryggvi » Sat Jun 03, 2023 12:36 pm

JSett wrote:
Thu Oct 21, 2021 2:45 am
After finally admitting defeat on my old '64 vibrato...
I knew I couldn't be the only one who thought of this. My install is, however, a bit more complex. I drilled into the body and installed studs for the Les Trem II behind the routs for the old springs. Then I fashioned a new aluminium plate with a cutout for the Trem (it's not holding the strings so don't need the hard metal). That way the Trem doesn't sit as high as it would if it were on the plate. The pic shows my first test cut of the new plate. The edges are a bit rough because I hand cut it with a Dremel. Next step is to have the plate CNC machined and polished to a chrome-like finish.

Image

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Re: Mustang Les Trem conversion. Yes, really...

Post by F15hface » Sat Jun 03, 2023 4:01 pm

I somewhat regret not picking up the firestang last time it was up for sale. It seems every time I see a picture of it I find a new way it was ridiculously awesome and janky.

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Re: Mustang Les Trem conversion. Yes, really...

Post by MattK » Sat Jun 03, 2023 4:20 pm

JSett wrote:
Fri Oct 22, 2021 3:54 am
I wasn't prepared for just how hard it would be.
*chokes back juvenile quip*

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Re: Mustang Les Trem conversion. Yes, really...

Post by inkeye » Tue Jun 06, 2023 5:33 am

Nice mod. I debated on using a Les Trem on an MJT body I'm getting but I went for the standard JM trem route.

I've heard good things about the Les Trem but I haven't had a chance to use one yet.

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Re: Mustang Les Trem conversion. Yes, really...

Post by tryggvi » Tue Jun 06, 2023 5:52 am

The main reason that I replaced the original Mustang trem was to have some more flexibility in the setup and adjustment. The Mustang trem is such that you have to set it up so that it works properly. After that there's really little that you can do with it to adapt it to your playing style. On my Stang it worked fine (I could even say that I was fairly impressed with it) but there a few notable challenges. First, it was too sensitive. The slightest jiggle produced more modulation than I usually wanted. Second, the cigar bar was too high and too close to the bridge so that it screwed with my right hand positioning. My mods fix all that. A JM trem would've accomplished the same but they don't fit well on the Stangs and require extensive mods to the body. Plus, the results that I've seen don't look good. If I want to, I can actually reverse my mod without it showing. The original metal plate will cover the holes that I made for the Les Trem studs. The likelihood that I will ever do that are next to none, though. I'm very happy with the mod.

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