VegaTrem On The Harley Benton Fusion III SSP

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

HI! just to let you know if you like this video and wants to show your appreciation, you can buy me a cup of coffee with the "Thanks" button which is just next to the share button! ✌❤ Please support me in what I do thru Patreon! www.patreon.com/Jonathankoh 0:00 Intro 0:14 Unboxing 1:24 Song 3:37 Installation of the VegaTrem 8:47 Review 10:32 Conclusion

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

Please note that Wayne is a trained professional Luthier... Do not do your routing on your lap. It is highly dangerous.

[@yetimatzenightcat8702]

😄👍

[@Barbarapape]

It doesn't bear think about what dammage a router bit will do if you do the work on your lap, instant castration at the very least!

[@yetimatzenightcat8702]

@@Barbarapape 🤭

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

Yes Wayne had repented… and will not be doing this in public anymore ✌️❤️

[@Barbarapape]

@@JonIsJustTooLoud Very wise, i once badly burned my inner leg when i dropped a soldering iron down there, it hurt for weeks!

[@Sylhux]

WheneverJon gets a new guitar, you know the traditional VegaTrem video is coming ^^

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

lol...no no..I do believe..if there 's no need to...there's no need... ✌❤

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

It’s does not pertain to just Harley Benton.. there are many guitars out there which need a better trem.. like I’ve said , this guitar’s original trem is really good.. you can always rout the cavity without getting a vegatrem if you do a lot of dive bombs…

[@mountainman8775]

To be fair, I think at least on this particular model the guitar has benefitted also tonally massively from swapping out the Wilkinson. The hardware just sounds better on this particular instrument and there’s more clarity,

[@linaivanuta5943]

It's hard to hear good players like you review guitars like this! I'm so happy!! Beautiful playing!!

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

Thanks a lot!✌💚

[@jitsroller]

That's one of the best if not the best solo piece (2 sections) I've ever seen you do. Nice man really nice.

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

Thank you Tim! ✌♥

[@nonrevnosnibormetalbeerrev6251]

Awesome playing my friend, you are proof that no one needs to be a guitar snob 🎸🤘

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

Thank you ! Snobs is general sucks....ig time ✌❤

[@yetimatzenightcat8702]

👏👏👏👌👍

[@Steven_SK]

We all need a Wayne in our lives!!!

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

We do ✌️❤️

[@alfaalex101]

You’re playing is musical, clean, and I can really hear your emotions played through the guitar.

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

Thank you ✌💙

[@Stoffendous]

​@@JonIsJustTooLoudAre you a man of emotion Jon?

[@martgryfny]

Hey John. Please, never let anyone to use a router while holding a piece on his lap. This is extremely dangerous and reckless...

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

I know that...I should put a disclaimer...My bad.✌♥

[@nobodys.shapeshifter]

That solo was bananas! I love your playing.

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

Thank you !✌❤

[@barrywebber100]

Great mod Jon, the satin finish fits so well. The guitar is beautiful and your playing sublime. Thanks for posting.

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

Thank you kindly!✌♥

[@Barbarapape]

A great improvement if you want more than a subtle tremolo action. I think the Vega Trem would be more popular if they lowered the price. Thanks for the demo Jonathan.

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

My pleasure Allan ✌️❤️

[@marksvideochannel3592]

Whilst I'm sure the manufacturing costs dictate the price I tend to agree with you. I'd like one for my strat but it's just a bit too much. Esp with NZ $ exchange rates....basically double the US / Euro price.

[@Barbarapape]

@@marksvideochannel3592 I live in the UK and face similar problems with anything that is imported into the UK, the shipping and custom fee's almost adds 50% to most items. Thomann are now stocking them, but they are still expensive.

[@kas1755]

I was in the market for a new trem and it was between Callaham, Fender 62, Gotoh, and Vega. Saw the price on the Vega and I ended up with the Gotoh 510. Sweet trem.

[@Barbarapape]

@@kas1755 Gotoh make great trems, i used one to upgrade my Ibanez Jem which now stays in tune. Re the Vega trem is good but overpriced when you have to pay the full retail price.

[@jeshely]

Congratulations! Such a good value and visually it even looks nicer now with the Vega tren, a nice slick look.

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

Right???😆

[@mahdiyussuf9804]

Lovely playing as always, Jon! Lovely mod. I'm planning to get a fusion iii with a FR, and repaint it something wild lmao

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

You should!✌💚

[@swordofhonor2]

man, every time I hear you, you sound better!!!

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

Thank you ✌️❤️

[@dar6095]

He is a great player !

[@mountainman8775]

Loads more harmonics jumping out with that trem, fairly gigantic improvement with this mod.

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

Yes it Is indeed✌️❤️

[@BenjaminKanarek]

Amazing performance Jon and Gorgeous guitar!

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

Thank you✌️❤️

[@anthonygonzalez8684]

Wow what a difference made in tone. That's a 👍 for me. Your chops are cooking.

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

Thank you Anthony ✌️❤️

[@jamesseverin]

Damn Jonathan!! I wish i could play guitar like you. Your a amazing player!

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

Thanks James ✌️❤️

[@JosePineda-jn8jk]

My Harley Benton fusion-T arrived with unfortunately some very high frets, so I leveled it re-crowned everything and added a small shim to the neck to give it a little back-tilt. Man that thing plays like my Kiesel now no joke. Just took some work but, now the Wilkinson trem is also floating a little higher so I have some back pull as well (not this much nearly though)

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

Nice!!✌️❤️

[@tomdameek]

So simple and yet so effective Jon. It looked and sounds fantastic on the excellent intro. Also great job Wayne Brilliant!! 😀👍

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

Thanks Tom ✌️❤️

[@thisguy2973]

I wouldn’t normally buy a guitar like that, but the finish quickly grew on me. It looks great!

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

lol...me too✌♥

[@bullyakker]

Same here but it arrived Monday. me, Mr Sparkly??? lol It's even better looking in person. For real! And for the record, i'd never EVER thought about buying a sparklecaster in my life! But this one just had everything.. the neck, frets, wilkinson trem, locking tuners... and it's different unlike all the dyed finishes which have gotten a bit blaze' to me nowadays.

[@sbrave]

Never heard of the Vega Trem before, sounds good and great playing as always! Just ordered the Fusion III in Purple w/Floyd Rose.

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

cool ✌❤

[@mikaeljohansson83]

Poor Wayne one slip and children won't be an option unless adopted🤣 Great video and great guitar.

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

That’s why I was shouting.. don’t try this at home kids!! Lol

[@j.schaefer5622]

A router is an extremely dangerous tool. In my life I have met many people that have lost limps or had serious accidents with routers. I only work with a router when I had good sleep and clamp everything down…

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

@@j.schaefer5622 Yes..I totally understand. I've placed a warning on the video itself.

[@mikaeljohansson83]

@@j.schaefer5622 Personally I'm scared as hell when it comes to those routers. Once you've powered one up you feel the immense power it holds. Scary machine! Useful yes but be careful.

[@mark5150ty]

Great upgrade 👌✌

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

Thanks! ✌❤

[@dmcarter1512]

Looks and sounds better than the Wilkinson, great choice for replacement

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

Thank you Daniel!✌❤

[@richardlynch5632]

Like the simplicity and functionality of this design 😎👍 Let us know about wear and tear of components in the future?😎👍 😎👍❤🖖 Love brother

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

Well I can tell you that I had one installed like more than a year ago.. and it’s all good ✌️❤️

[@richardlynch5632]

@@JonIsJustTooLoud That's encouraging😎👍 Thanks for the information 😎👍 😎👍❤🖖 Love brother

[@maikelsolo]

That guitar is really beautiful but I think the Wilkinson tremolo is very good too and is not nessesary the change. Great sound as usually.. : D

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

Yes .. like what I said in the video ✌️❤️

[@christianboddum8783]

The Wilkinson will wear out quick, mine is blocked now because of it FYI

[@NuclearSoda]

Hey, nice video, thanks. Can you please give the cavity measurements after the routing?

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

dont follow my measurements..it's slightly big...✌❤

[@JoelDubay]

To me, your style sounds like a cross between David Gilmour and Kyogi Yamamoto.

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

✌💚

[@joorock63]

😎 Burning that fretboard 👍👍🎸😇❤️

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

✌♥

[@joorock63]

@@JonIsJustTooLoud 😎❤️😇

[@VukBackingTracks]

Wow I love it beautiful guitar!!!

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

Thanks ✌️❤️

[@davidletterboyz]

Can't we just route off some part of the rear cavity to accommodate bigger range motion for the Wilkinson trem?

[@bullyakker]

Same guitar arrived monday. Looks like I could easily dremel out for more movement if i wanted to.

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

Yes you can!!✌️❤️

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

Again, yes you can ✌️❤️

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

Guys.. if you’ve watched the video, I did state that you don’t have to do what I did.. you can just rout out a bit more space if you need to dive bomb

[@ElcanaldeReyesManuel]

Me gusta esa guitarra

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

✌♥

[@larryfleming7295]

what is this guy doing!!!!! OMG!!! HE IS KILLING THAT POOR GUITAR!!! Im gonna have to contact KZbin and the Cops!!!!!! #GUITARSMATTER Thanks for sharing your sounds and spirit, its beautiful!!

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

lol✌💙

[@philbivins7133]

I have a sneaky suspicion that you just might like this guitar Jonathan...LOL

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

Lol… you can tell???

[@TheOfficialManuelBurnett]

I first heard about this trem from Darrel Braun Guitar channel. It looks like it uses some of the same tech as the Bladerunner from Supervee. I like the Vegatrem design, but I may go with a Bladerunner for a Strat paired with Wilkinson ws130 locking saddles similar to what Pete Thorn uses on his signature Suhr...

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

Go for it!! ❤️❤️

[@80Days]

I’ve put a Bladrunner in a Squier partscaster and it’s very stable. There’s a slight difference in design from the VegaTrem in that the mounting plate that you screw to the guitar and the trem block & saddle unit are physically connected by a strip of thin steel to make one single piece. The steel ‘blade’ flexes when the trem is raised or lowered. There is no pivot point. It’s the tensile strength of the steel strip that brings it back to zero point. The VegaTrem however is in two pieces with a defined pivot point. Super easy installation of the Bladerunner. It’s a little stiff compared perhaps to a fully floating 2 point trem, but the tuning stability compensates for that. For approx half the price of the VegaTrem it’s great (apologies if you knew all of that already..!!).

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

Thanks for the heads up Ian! Interesting✌️❤️

[@TheOfficialManuelBurnett]

@@80Days You're absolutely right about the design differences.

[@nazmoking3171]

Curious how/why you were able to completely remove the string trees without causing any issues? Did you switch to staggered tuners as an alternative to the string tress? I ask because I have a Charvel that I think has tuning stability issues because of the very sharp angle to its string trees (more than most strat style models) and because it uses a very high quality Gotoh style bridge and has locking tuners and a graphite nut. So I can't figure out what else other than the string trees with the very sharp angles could be the problem.

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

I am able to do that because the guitar comes with staggered tuners. Look at the angle/profile of your headstock.. and if viable, take out the string trees and get yourself a set of staggered locking tuners ✌️❤️

[@nazmoking3171]

@@JonIsJustTooLoud Yep, I think I'm likely going to have to do that (which I hate because it already has locking tuners but I can always save them and use them on another guitar). Thanks for the suggestion Jon!

[@matereo]

Yes! But is it really better than the compensated Wilkinson trem?

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

Watch the video..brother...It;s a different design which I personally like. I also like the wilkinson trem too✌♥

[@superpete1961]

Nice work Jon👍 I will be trying the guitar without the spring trees and 2 springs vs 3, however, I think I will keep the Wilkinson because as you said, it isn't a must for more jental use. Mine works great for songs like Wicked Game and Thousand Miles to Nowhere. QUESTION: I saw black springs attached when it came out of the box, but once it was installed I saw it had silver springs. Did you use the springs that came with the Wilkinson or did the Vega trem come with both colors? Please explain.

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

Ok...I put on the low tesion springs but swapped them out with the medium tension✌♥

[@davideskelin8266]

Hi there. Nice setup! I just bought a 1987 Fender stratocaster that was never played. Cool, in off white. Thinking about the Vega Trem, but don't want to route out this guitar. So, the question is, did you need to route out your stratocaster for the Vega?

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

For my Strat...nope...it was easy. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j53Ue6KroLyhaNk

[@knowitall1694]

Cool looking tremolo... but, not sure if the price, routing and the gap is worth it. But, how does it sound compared to the Wilkinson?

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

Soundwise...no difference✌♥

[@knowitall1694]

@@JonIsJustTooLoud Aww, I was hoping it would improve the sound considering the price...

[@adrian_V99]

Gorgeous! Weight please?

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

Check out the original review of the guitar

[@chrisgmurray3622]

Jonathan, I wonder ,since you had yo rout out some of the trem cavity amyway, do you think it would be possible to rout the cavity so it slopes back and forward at each end of the cavity at a slight angle enough thst you could have more travel while still using the existing trem?

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

I believe you can ✌️❤️

[@bullyakker]

Dremel says "Yes you can! lol

[@redcloud80]

VegaTrem is a cool trem but the truth nobody will tell you before buying it is that it will slowly slide downward over time and usage. This means that strings will not be centered on the fretboard (unless you want to drill new holes in the body to compensate this unwanted movement) causing high E string to drop off the fret while performing a vibrato.

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

Well I have the Vegatrem on my strat for over a year now.. had at least 3 changes of strings.. never had the problem that you mentioned ✌️❤️

[@redcloud80]

@@JonIsJustTooLoud well it really depends on the neck width and nut size&typology: in my case, the space between the high E and the fret end was around 1 mm while on the other side (low E) the space was around 6mm. Even if I recenter the bridge, in the end it will move downward with usage of the tremolo (due to gravity force)

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

Totally understand.. I have guitars that fret out too because of the neck width.. as long as you installed the vegatrem properly, there should be any problems.. you have seen my videos and you know how hard I work my trems.. The vegatrem is a solid piece of hardware✌️❤️

[@redcloud80]

@@JonIsJustTooLoud yep but it could not work for everyone, I'd prefer more transparency on this aspect by VegaTrem and demonstrators since it is a quite expensive upgrade. It's an aspect that should be underlined IMHO. This is the one and only flaw that maybe can be fixed in a new version of the trem. Great piece of hardware anyway.

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

I don’t get your statement about transparency.. I’ve always been transparent in my reviews.. I reviewed the products as it is.. and in this case, it worked on my guitars without any major issues like you’ve mentioned. If you have doubts about the product, don’t buy it… just don’t insulate otherwise.

[@nodrog5150]

Wilkinson trems are just as good for a 1/3rd of the price. And they have a steel block

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

✌️

[@Guitarizer]

Hi Jon, did you use staggered tuning machines when you removed the string trees? Also the most important question: Does the Vega trem dip a little when doing bends like any regular floating trem? I hate having to compensate with a micro-bend when doing a bend on double/triple stop but that's just the nature of the beast

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

The guitars came in with staggered tuners. And yes like all tremolo systems the time will be affected when you do bends✌️❤️

[@Guitarizer]

@@JonIsJustTooLoud Awesome, thanks Jon!

[@MultiGuitarDave]

My first idea with my Fusion 2 was to replace the Wilkinson tremolo for the Vega Trem. The Wilkinson does not go back 100% to the starting position. There is a difference if I push the tremolo forward or backward. But I'm also going to replace the pickups because with my Fusion they really don't sound good. No balls at all. Really very thin. It will be Dimarzio Transitions of Lambertones The Grinders.

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

Nice ✌️❤️

[@Snaps_Provolone]

Hi Jon, would this trem fit the HB CST-24T PRS style guitar? I have the same one you do or did. Would love to upgrade the trem on it. Thanks!

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

It should✌️❤️

[@leesbassment6393]

Were you having tuning issues with the original trem, or was it just the clearance issues for dive bombs?

[@Ron_Padgett]

He explained this pretty clearly...

[@leesbassment6393]

@@Ron_Padgett, actually he didn’t. He said the Wilkinson was fine for lighter use, and also that there wasn’t clearance. My point is/was that if the Wilkinson was staying in tune, he could have simply routed the inside of the cavity to give it more clearance. Since he had to route for the Vega anyway, I’m not sure the Vega was really the fix, in this instance.

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

No tuning issues.. just the clearance. And I really like the Vegatrem lol

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

Lee.. I actually did explained why.. like Ron said. Within the course of the 3 videos I did about this guitar…and the Vegatrem did fixed the problem ✌️❤️

[@leesbassment6393]

@@JonIsJustTooLoud, I know you do. All good! I have a Fusion 1. Stays in tune fine. I may make a bit more room in the cavity for more term movement. It’s a HSH, ebony board, black stain over quilt veneer. I still want the “Guthrie” one. 😎

[@slimsantilli4476]

Any info on the pickups?

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

roswellpickups.com/?s=LAF&post_type=product

[@Major00Tom]

I swear it sounds more les-paul-ish than my Sg standard

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

lol😀

[@colinricgmailcom]

How do you feel about having to remove the rear spring cover to change a string?

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

I'm actually ok with it. I'm using 10s...I dont break strings easily✌💙

[@xamxamxamxa]

🌚🎶🎶🎸

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

✌️❤️

[@cdnpunk2270]

Do you use a compressor boss?

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

Yes I do!

[@kas1755]

Isn't that thing more expensive than the guitar?

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

No.. please do a comparison of the prices in Thomann✌️❤️

[@danielgreenberg4751]

Why did you have to route the guitar?

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

Watch the video and you will know

[@danielgreenberg4751]

@@JonIsJustTooLoud Oh okay sorry I must have just skipped over that part on accident. Also, awesome playing! I saw that the cavity was too small and that is what I suspected. Did you route out the size of a standard fender strat trem cavity? Or is the opening smaller than it is on a fender strat? I’m sort of curious because I may want to replicate what you have done instead of getting the Floyd Rose model.

[@bluematrix5001]

How do u compare vs a Floyd? did u try all the springs, which one did you prefer? thanks

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

I definitely prefer this to a floyd...I've tried the medium and the low...its all up to your preference✌♥

[@markburgess6466]

Far be it from me to sour the love for Wayne as the routing looks really clean and well done but the gap looks a bit too big at the back and the look of the guitar is ruined

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

The gap is already there..but the Wilkinson bridge was big enough to hide it. ✌♥

[@markburgess6466]

@@JonIsJustTooLoud I thought Wayne made it bigger to accommodate the back pull on the new trem . ?

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

@@markburgess6466 no no.. that would defeat the purpose of getting the Vegatrem.. it’s the sides that needed some space

[@markburgess6466]

@@JonIsJustTooLoud arh thank you Jonathon now I understand great video as always !!

[@danieleacquavera4107]

235€... 😭😭😭

[@JonIsJustTooLoud]

✌♥

[@danieleacquavera4107]

@@JonIsJustTooLoud Send me one... 😁😁