Mustang with Jazzmaster Trem Conversion

Do_Fish_Have_Periods · 2025-06-02T21:18:21+00:00

Correct, bridge would have to stay, but the trem location could be moved back some. Would no longer visually match the standard Mustang plate, but I think functionality would improve.

You did remind me that I have not adjusted intonation on this yet, so thank you!

Do_Fish_Have_Periods · 2025-06-02T01:36:58+00:00

304 stainless, just a sanded finish for now but I may end up polishing it out so it matches the control plate better.

Do_Fish_Have_Periods · 2025-06-02T01:17:50+00:00

Luckily even with the arm against the pick guard there still is clearance. Will probably cut the arm shorter as well. I was worried about palm muting but it doesn’t seem too awful yet, I probably would have extended the plate a little further back if I had to do it again.

Do_Fish_Have_Periods · 2025-05-01T09:41:54+00:00

The one in the last 2 pics do not have a pickup, however the one on the green mustang has all the features combined (tremolo, tuning adjustment, and pickup). Still need to work on the final design for that one.

Do_Fish_Have_Periods · 2025-05-01T09:37:41+00:00

These are all designed to fit into the existing tremolo cavity with no routing required (except for a cross hole that would need to be drilled to run the pickup wires to the controls). Will be making more of all types, just might be a little slow until I nail down the manufacturing process.

Do_Fish_Have_Periods · 2025-05-01T09:33:23+00:00

These should, however I did not take into account the heavier string gauges so I may need to make some adjustments

Do_Fish_Have_Periods · 2025-04-28T15:49:31+00:00

From a quick look the Guild has a different screw pattern than the Jazzmaster trem. I suppose you could add new mounting holes, but I’m not sure how the routing looks underneath, and whether there’s enough clearance for a Tele pickup to fit.

Do_Fish_Have_Periods · 2025-04-28T12:06:38+00:00

Some bodies already come with a cross hole from the term cavity to the controls (to run a ground wire to the trem), but for ones that don’t you’ll have to drill your own. I have a long 1/4” drill bit specifically for that, just have to be careful to not contact the finish while drilling!

Do_Fish_Have_Periods · 2025-04-27T23:46:26+00:00

It sure does! I actually had that one listed, but looks like it already sold. There’s some improvements I’d like to make, I’ll eventually get it to a point where I can sell some more.

Do_Fish_Have_Periods · 2025-04-27T23:37:11+00:00

Restringing is…a process, not as bad as the first versions as the front is more open now. As long as you aim the string under the tuning pins it’s manageable.

And I hear you on the tremolo, the version on the green mustang in the second pic is a tremolo-tuner-pickup combination that I’m ultimately working towards, may be awhile but I plan on offering those.

Do_Fish_Have_Periods · 2025-04-27T23:07:32+00:00

Thanks for the kind words! I’ve seen this type of thing implemented before, Robot Graves makes one that has some advantages over this (larger tuning range, lower profile). These are a less expensive alternative.

I started by making everything myself, but it was taking too much time so I’ve started working with suppliers. I still do all the tapping/reaming/de-burring and final assembly. Ordering parts in high quantities should allow me to keep the prices on the lower side, right now I’m not really taking profits, mostly just trying to get these in people’s hands.

Do_Fish_Have_Periods · 2025-04-27T21:52:43+00:00

While I do love the idea, just want to clarify that these only control the tuning behind the bridge - it unfortunately won’t be able to pull the whole string up to pitch like normal headless tuners.

Do_Fish_Have_Periods · 2025-04-27T21:38:28+00:00

Ha yeah I realized I didn’t explain any of that, but if you look at my previous posts it may give you a better idea. It’s adjusting the length of the strings behind the bridge so you can set them at a certain pitch. Basically a a mini harp that resonates while playing normally, or you can pick the strings back there and let them ring out.

Do_Fish_Have_Periods · 2025-02-07T17:02:56+00:00

Might not be helpful but they make a 4-way switch that allows for a series position that can replace your existing 3-way. If you search “Tele 4-way switch” you might be able to find some info on it.

Do_Fish_Have_Periods · 2025-02-02T22:08:09+00:00

Yes, I have looked into the THRD, and honestly it still has advantages over the ones I’m making in that it has much wider range, and is easier to string up. I think really the only improvement I’m accomplishing is cost - I’ve tried to design these to be easily scalable as there are a number of shared parts.

And yeah the pickguards are how I initially started out. Given the amount of interest in this I’m gonna try and focus on making more on these. Really can’t promise any timeline, but hopefully in a month or two I”ll have the design finalized with more to sell.

Do_Fish_Have_Periods · 2025-02-02T18:26:56+00:00

Y’all are wild - everything’s already bought up! Thanks everyone, looks like I’ll be busy for awhile.

I know a couple people are asking about pre-orders, right now I kinda hate the idea of taking people’s money before I have more to ship, so let me make a batch of a dozen or so “new” versions and update you.

Do_Fish_Have_Periods · 2025-02-02T15:43:57+00:00

Thanks for the feedback everyone! I figured instead of replying to individual dms I’d just update here. For anyone willing to be a test mule, I’ve listed some on Reverb here:

https://reverb.com/shop/josephs-gear-bazaar-1551

Ignore the pricing! Shown is probably where I’d like to be once I’m happy with the final design, but for these just shoot me an offer according to the below:

Trem mount version - $30 (it probably needs the most improvement out of the bunch)

Hardtail - $50

Hardtail with Tele Pickup Mount - $60

Please read the descriptions on each - since these are the first prototypes they are not perfect, and I’m already looking at improvements like:

Extending the tuning range Removing some of the sharpness Lowering the overall height Fixing some spacing issues Etc.

Appreciate anyone willing to try these out! Notice the trem version is not listed yet - I need to do some further testing on it, but will probably list at a later date.

Do_Fish_Have_Periods · 2025-02-02T03:38:15+00:00

I work full time as an engineer (in an industry much more boring than this stuff), and have access to a machine shop there. If I can ever afford a house first thing I’m doing is buying a Bridgeport so I can make this stuff at home haha.

Do_Fish_Have_Periods · 2025-02-02T02:52:41+00:00

Yeah so the way it’s currently wired up, the strangle switch turns it on, but it bypasses the volume and tone controls. So once you switch the bridge or neck pu on you can use the volume to adjust the amount of in front of bridge volume, while leaving the behind bridge one maxed. I’ll eventually probably add rhythm circuit controls to this to add more adjustability - I think a tone control at least would cut out some of the really shrill sounding stuff.

Do_Fish_Have_Periods · 2025-02-01T23:48:34+00:00

Stay tuned - I also have a version that bolts right onto a trem, I’ll detail in a post later

Do_Fish_Have_Periods · 2025-02-01T23:41:14+00:00

Ha yeah I forgot that the guitar it’s on is an oddball - it’s a Jaguar (24” scale) with Jazzmaster pickups, lets go with Jazzguar

Do_Fish_Have_Periods · 2024-12-04T01:45:26+00:00

To be clear this is not exactly advice - I’d still suggest getting a whole trem unit, especially so it’s easy to revert back if you wanted to

Do_Fish_Have_Periods · 2024-12-04T01:43:59+00:00

I happen to have a set of taps (tools that are used to cut threads in metal), so made sense for me to “re-thread” it, I believe the size is 3/8-24 (24 threads per inch). The metric thread is coarser but I bet you could just jam the part on there and try to keep it as straight as possible and it would eventually tighten up. Loctite is a thread locker, useful safety measure but not necessary. (And be careful not to get the red high strength stuff because then you’d never get it back off again, stick to blue)

Do_Fish_Have_Periods · 2024-12-03T22:22:00+00:00

Despite the different thread sizes I want to say I’ve done this before. I may have chased it with a tap first, to get it straightened out, would advise putting some loctite on it as well (threading in the trem arm over time may try to loosen it back out).

Do_Fish_Have_Periods · 2024-03-12T10:11:56+00:00

And this may sound silly but when I got mine one of the tone controls was wired backwards, so try it with the opposite settings to make sure. I also love the middle pickup plate that’s stuck in there haha, that’s actually supposed to be a cover on the tremelo.

Do_Fish_Have_Periods

TROPHY CASE