Squier Sonic Mustang: One heck of a mod platform!

Link to schematic in this video: pC27mgt8LJ...
Link to original schematic for reference: www.offsetguitars.com/forums/...
I wanted to do a simple video, just to show the steps to working over a sonic mustang and giving it the look and functions of a traditional mustang. To be sure, this was a quick job - and I could have smoothed out the pickguard cuts a bit more - but hopefully this should give you an idea of what to expect if you embark on this project! Overall, a fun and useful mod job.
Also I have no idea why the clip at the start of the video sounds so thin ... some kind of Gremlin in the youtube transfer!
Key steps to remember:
- Measure and cut the pickguard. If you buy an American or Japanese pickguard, the dimensions will be different,
so you'll need to cut away at a bit of material to make it fit around the Squier control plate and bridge.
- Measure and route a spot for the slider switches - it has got to be wide enough that you can fit any leads that bridge the side of your switches.
- Cut your leads - I recommend primary (doorbell) wire for the switch body leads, and regular gauge wire for the rest.
- Get those body leads in place first, then move on to the pickup leads and any other leads going to back of the pots or elsewhere.
- Make sure the switches are grounded together as per the diagram - ground to the screw on switch 2 if necessary.
- Test it all out - the bottom switch should work in all 3 positions, and the top switch will work in the first position (parallel) and in the 3rd position (series), with the middle positon just being a kill switch. Note that the series switching puts both pickups in series and ovverides switch 1.
Hope this helps - and look forward to seeing your own version of this!
Products used in this video:
Pickguard: www.amazon.com/Musiclily-11-H...
Slider Switches (3 way on-on-on): www.stewmac.com/electronics/c...

[@nilesthrompton]

Hi guys, let me know if issues hearing the vocals on the audio at the start. An audio tech friend of mine said he thinks the audio part at the beginning has gone out of phase - if that's even possible - probably karma for all the out of phase mods I've done! I may need to re-upload the vid to see if it solves the issue.

[@blueslawyer]

0:18 - 0:33 sounds rough. Every KZbinr needs to have a video (or 5) with some tech issue. 1:59 - 2:17 as well... looks like it's something with a room mic.

[@nilesthrompton]

@blueslawyer Thanks! I had a tech friend look at the video, and he says that audio part at the start sounds out of phase - strangely the final video cut on my end sounds fine on a bunch of different devices, but once it got to youtube that's likely where the pre existing issues with this vid finally showed up. A good lesson to use a new microphone next time and probably a new editing suite!

[@blueslawyer]

@@nilesthrompton it happens to everyone! Trying new stuff is what it's all about.

[@PipeCat1965]

I was in love with it right out of the box. Those singles handle high gain perfectly for me.

[@christopheraaron8299]

I really like mine, I got the red one as well. I did a few mods. Locking tuners, roller trees, a white pearl pickguard and red metal knobs. Once I got it properly intonated, it's a great guitar. I had 10s on it because I thought short scale guitars needed heavier gauge strings, but I just put a set of 9s on it and it feels so much better. I also have a Bullet Mustang that I turned into a Bullet Mustang-90 with a set of P-90s. Also locking tuners, roller trees, pearl pickguard and metal knobs.

[@m33st3rdanny]

You are such a hero… I got this guitar for my birthday last weekend! It has got my Fender strat stuck in its case for over a week now😂 It’s sounds too good to keep a three- way toggle on there. I was literally searching weather this mod was possible! Thanks! I subbed! 🙌🏻🎸

[@nilesthrompton]

Thanks! Glad the video helped! Check out other diagrams online, but this one is probably a safe bet, since a lot of other diagrams I saw warned of potential dead spots.

[@ohyeahthatjason]

The switch modification goes a long way with this guitar. Really nice to have that additional sound palette...

[@nilesthrompton]

I agree - having that extra series boost in this gives a combined output of about 11k which really helps drive an amp!

[@actcoolable]

This is great and you’re an entertaining KZbinr. I’m getting a Will Forte vibe and I love it!

[@nilesthrompton]

Thanks! Appreciate the kind words! I try to keep it entertaining... I don't always succeed but I'm super happy when people like it!

[@ALTDOK667]

Good job! Looks and sounds great! 😃

[@nilesthrompton]

Thanks man! Appreciate the kind words! I hope this provides a bit of a road map to help people modify the sonic mustang to the original mustang style if they choose!

[@joshwilliams0391]

I’ve just put a DiMarzio Tone Zone S in the bridge of mine. Pretty good so far.

[@nilesthrompton]

Awesome - great pickup! Nothing better than rail style pickup in a guitar like this. I'd love to see a vid and hear what that sounds like! I've got an SD STK S1B on hand for a future drop in on this...

[@tastegreenbean2183]

I got the same Indonesian mustang in sunburst. Mine sounds great, actually like the stock pickups. Tuners better than expected. But the frets are razor sharp, almost unplayable

[@nilesthrompton]

That's a shame on the fret ends - although mine were rounded off, quality control on these sonics can be a bit hit and miss... Are you gonna do the old sanding block on an angle job to smooth them down or do a proper fret job?

[@lazikptg]

When you cut body for extra space for switches did you noticed the body is made from solid wood or ply?

[@nilesthrompton]

It's made of solid poplar, I believe it's a 3 piece poplar body. A good tone wood!

[@EasyHeat]

Your room mic sounds odd through my monitors. Voice over mic sounds fine. Just tying to help. Great video tho man!

[@nilesthrompton]

Thanks! Yeah for some reason that part of the audio at the start seems to have gone out of phase... I think now that its because of the new editing suite I switched to at Christmas, which was a total waste of money!

[@leeasbury7273]

Mod it! 👍👍

[@nilesthrompton]

I think I just might - a new set of pickups, new switching and the tremolo!

[@tjchad1]

I find on mine the saddles slide around too much when bending and throws the tuning way out.

[@nilesthrompton]

For sure, that can be an issue with these especially since it's a shorter scale guitar, even shorter than a Gibson. It has been recommended to me to that the issue can potentially be solved by replacing the bridge with a tele half bridge, supposedly the 3 brass barrels will stay in place and provide more stable tuning... That's what they used on the original duo sonic for example.

[@Topher_ofthe_North]

I'd like to see that in the comments....

[@nilesthrompton]

I'll try my best to visualize a mustang tremolo install in the comments... I may need to seize control of youtube and change the code in the back end to do it but by gawd it will be a sight....😊

[@yeoldefoxeh254]

Please stop saying exetera instead of et cetera....

[@nilesthrompton]

Lol good point... I should probably stop using that altogether, as my jumbled Atlantic speech makes words difficult.