How to fix a Fender Mustang vibrato/whammy/trem system (How to make it not suck)

[@Andrew-wv2uk]

That’s not how it works.

[@thekipinator7660]

I’m sorry I just really love methods of communication

[@mattdoliver1984]

You know bro I've suffered with the same problem and I'm from England and over here they sell grub/set screws with rubber on the end and they work a treat, I think it works better than the spring, I could probably find you out a link if your interested, then I just use a bit of loctite on the grub screw ......& Voilà

[@wandajames143]

@@mattdoliver1984I’d like to know

[@tanjw4455]

A spring from a pen should work too

[@bluwng]

To weak.

[@nathanielwaletzko1096]

I just tried this and it worked! I already had some Fender trem springs laying around to fix my Cyclone's strat-style trem. For the strat-style you just drop the spring in the hole. For the Mustang, I just cut one of the springs in half and it is all working great.

[@mattdoliver1984]

I use a nylon tipped set screw, just buy one the same size works a treat

[@johowohoj]

Will a ballpoint pen spring work?

[@itaintmebabe714]

It's definitely worth a try. Thanks for the tip

[@nj1255]

It's supposed to be a small plastic insert between the screw and the arm, but maybe yours didn't have one? You should be able to make one yourself with some 2-3mm thick plastic and a hole punch. Your method works too I guess.

[@thekipinator7660]

That’s really strange, I’ve owned this jagstang, and two different American performer mustangs, all of which didn’t have that, had to do this same trick on all of them, what model do you have?

[@gordianknot6867]

My MIJ comp had one but I threw it away by accident not having a clue what it was for 😂

[@mattdoliver1984]

That's strange, I've never seen this and had multiple Mustangs

[@BryanClark-gk6ie]

American preformers come with the plastic sleeve. I have 3 of them.

[@jeffmurdock8321]

My '76 never had one. I've seen new models with the insert tho.

[@bluwng]

Fender sells springs for the Strat that would probably work.

[@thekipinator7660]

@@bluwng unfortunately they don’t work

[@filmsonsong]

Anyone know exactly what size screw you need? I just got a mustang vintera and it didn’t come with the screw

[@riddlesgun]

5mm

[@angieyay1827]

Same. I got it from a website called guitar repair parts. It’s super inexpensive!

[@laffta6727]

someone mentioned that these mustangs are hard to restring-something about the tailpiece -what say you

[@thekipinator7660]

@@laffta6727 yeah they’re a little bit of a pain in the ass, you have to string it backwards and then feed it under the tailpiece while holding the bar down, it’s weird

[@Miin2000forwithered]

how can i get that small screw

[@LostSpringBand]

Thanks! Now I just need to know how to make it stay in tune!

[@thekipinator7660]

What’s worked for me is applying a heavy amount of liquid lubricant in the two holes where each post goes into the bridge plate. Pushing the bar down and applying lube to the more opened side, and then pulling up to apply lube to the other side. Repeating this a lot and then just going ham on the bar for a few minutes, working the lube deep into it. Repeating this process usually makes it stay in tune

[@thekipinator7660]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/ioXCeXSeYsSqpc0si=JoA7_s8vDTc2OKU1 At 23:20 he explains this process much more clearly. He used a special lube for this purpose, I just used liquid lube from my local hardware store, and I’m sure any general oil lube should work. This is just what works for me so I can’t speak for all mustangs but I hope this helps

[@chrisbangos2048]

this is the most guitar fix video ever

[@GRUDGEDGuitars]

Love that jag-stang RIP Kurt Cobain 😢

[@TelecasterMaster1]

Big brain move indeed 👏👏👏

[@BillHinerman]

Way kool! BUT, it seems a tiny bit better to put the cut end inside, against the whammy bar lever. It kinda grips more but certainly not too much, making it more secure, but still movable. That's just my thot. Good job!

[@Chopper1095]

Blue lock tite works to..

[@teratogen614]

How are you using the loctite exactly?

[@JimbosModelkits-w2t]

Just put some loctite on the threads of the set screw. Tighten the set screw where you want it.

[@riddlesgun]

Great tip! Thanks

[@monmixer]

blue loctite

[@monmixer]

That's a jagstang. I know same thing,

[@unrealistic3285]

🤨

[@thekipinator7660]

😎

[@90sasf16]

Personally I think all Mustang tremolo systems are kinda bad and unreliable. playble ofc but not as reliable and solid as the old strat trem. Hardtail Mustangs are where it's at heh.

[@thekipinator7660]

Definitely understandable. And yeah, love that there’s some great hardtail mustangs out right now, love the player series ones and the Squier bullet mustangs are pretty awesome!

[@gordianknot6867]

It needs setting up properly and maintaining like all tremolos. My strat trem gives me just as many issues as the mustang vibrato.