Modifying the Squier VM Mustang | Part 6: Installing Locking Tuners
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ก.ย. 2024
- Hey friends, here's a quick video to show you how I went about installing Gotoh locking tuners in the SVM Mustang.
This was a fairly simple process that can easily be done within half an hour, but I suggest you take your time if it is your first time doing something like this.
The best thing about using these tuners (Gotoh SD91 Kluson Style MGT Locking Tuners) was that it required no modifications to the existing tuner key holes on the headstock, so anybody can install these with basic tools i.e a hammer and screwdrivers.
Hopefully this video is helpful if you are thinking about installing locking tuners on your Squier VM (These tuners also work on any Japanese Fender Mustang, Jagstang etc)!
Please Subscribe, leave a like, and as always feel free to comment with any questions!
Thanks for watching!
The tool supplied could have been used to knock the old string ferrules out rather than risk using a screwdriver. Brilliant tuners.
i just bought these tuner for my skystang 1 seem very good tuner i love that they are staggered tuner will be more stable
These are really cool to watch, great video
Thanks again Oliver! I appreciate it mate!
Great video again! Thanks for explaining everything clearly!
Thanks as always Greg! Glad you liked it :)
Why did you knock out the original tuner bushings when these Gotoh tuners fit them exactly? And you should have inserted the strings - lock them - and then cut them off as close as possible to the tuner posts: no wrap arounds needed as the break angle is suffice because of the staggered posts.
You are awesome guitarist and you modify guitars too all by yourself that's so much talent. I'm happy I subscribed your channel. I hope you get more subscription your channel deserves it.
Rahul Star thanks so much Rahul! I have seen all your heartwarming positive comments on my videos lately! Sorry for the late reply! I have been very busy of late (as shown by my lack of uploads). Hoping to make more content soon and thanks for being such a big supporter of the channel, I really appreciate it!
Your welcome I wish your channel grow and you get more likes and subscribe for your efforts .
Another great video alex! Thanks for sharing this, I've always wondered how locking tuners work, and by the way I'm still on the hunt for one of this guitars in "fiesta red" color hahaha!
Jordy Ren thanks man! Yeah I was curious too whether these locking tuners would fit and all that so I gave them a shot. Turns out they do so I’m really happy with them, and they are definitely better than the stock tuners!
Jordy Ren and I’m sure you’ll find the perfect stang! They have a way of appearing when you’re patient!
Do you think the string tree is still necessary, after you've done the extra wraps and have short pegs for the high strings?
Yeah I do, the string tree does most of the work for the E and B strings to give a good break angle over the nut. Without it, even with the extra winds there won't be as much tension and the angle will be shallower
"That's why you go to University people, so you can have a nice text book to rest your guitar on."
Yup, you're my best friend now.
Would these also fit the classic vibe 50s?
I want to retain that vintage look and these are great.
Great video mate. Wanted to buy this VM Mustang but it's discontinued :(
Hi! Great Mustang video! could you give me some tips to keep the mustang in tune? When I do bending, it gets out of tune or when I move backwards the tremolo arm does not turn the famous cigar all the way back.thankss
Thanks Diego!
Ok a few things to make sure of so your guitar stays in tune, mustangs can be fickle. Quite a lot of the time the problem is actually with the nut of the guitar. So make sure the slots are wide enough to let the strings move back and forth through them when you are bending or using the tremolo arm without being choked. The key is for their to be minimal friction. To help with this you can put some graphite in the nut slots (I just use a lead pencil for this) which will help keep them lubricated for the strings.
Another thing to check is the string gauge you are using. I found the standard strings were too light and i would accidentally bend to far and stretch the strings which makes staying in tune almost impossible. So if you are bending too far or too easily, maybe go up a string gauge size, making sure to check the nut slots fit the higher gauge of strings.
You can also get some higher tension springs for the tremolo like I did in this series of videos, this has particularly helped when using the tremolo. Also if the springs are on the middle notch of the posts from your cigar tube and you are having trouble with your strings returning to pitch, i suggest placing them on the third notch (the notch furthest away from the cigar tube)
Also make sure your bridge is setup correctly with your saddles set parallel to the body of the guitar, if they are slanted this will mess with your setup and cause issues.
When you string your guitar, make sure that the string wraps at least 2-5 times around the post of your tuner, this will help keep a decent break angle for the strings coming over the nut towards the tuners and keep a good tension.
If your tuners slip or struggle to find and keep pitch when you are tuning your guitar, I would consider replacing them, if you can't get or don't want locking tuners I would consider other 6-in-line kluson style tuners.
Finally, if none of this helps at all (keep in mind that sometimes now matter what you do, your strings are likely to lose pitch on a mustang if you play hard, bend excessively or use the tremolo violently which it is not designed for) then the only other option I can think of right now is to lock the tailpiece altogether, essentially turning your guitar into a hardtail mustang. You wont be able to use the tremolo but it is the most guaranteed way to at least add some stability to the overall tuning of the guitar (if your nut is correctly setup). To do this you can take the springs off the tremolo completely. Then all you need to do is add a couple of washers in between the cigar tube and the top of the tremolo plate and tighten the posts going through the plate until the tailpiece is solid and the tube doesn't move. You can put the washers underneath the tremolo plate and flip the cigar tube around so the strings go straight through at the bottom and go towards the neck. However I do not recommend this option as more often than not the break angle over your bridge will be too shallow.
Hope this helps :)
How much money have you spent on these mods and how much was the guitar in the first place? Cheers
What is the weight difference a vintage tuner compared to the locking tuner?
Fino Roverato there was t enough of a weight difference to actually notice while playing the guitar. At least I don’t feel any difference. I’m sure there is a technical difference, but in terms of affecting the overall balance and weight of the instrument, there is little to no difference between them imo
Hey great vid! Been looking into these tuners for the squier vm jaguar. Are the headstock holes the same size?
Did you ever figure that out? I'm also looking to get for my vm jag.
@@BA-vv4jy I did actually, they come with two separate sized inserts that go on the face of the headstock. A tiny amount of wood glue holds one set it, or a tiny amount of sanding for the other. They work great. Played them on the most recent tour in a VM and CV Squier jag w @FeatherTrade
How has this helped with tuning stability? Particularly with the vibrato arm use. How well does it stay in tune with locking tuners plus the staytrem? Can't decide to get a tune o matic that will lock down rather than a staytrem that will still rock back and forth? I've seen staytrem websites says it needs to be floating or the vibrato arm will throw the guitar out of tune. Usually when I see the tune o matic in a mustang they've also locked down the vibrato system. But I've also seen j maclscis has tune o matic on his jazzmaster and he uses his vibrato a ton and stays in tune... what is the truth lol
Are the tuning posts 1" apart or 15/16"? Thanks
I ve read that squiers are all 1
You don't need to wrap your strings around the post, when using locking tuners
You don’t have to, but it’s a well known tech/luthier trick for getting a better break angle over the nut though, which is the reason for doing so here.
How does it play? Planning to modify one myself but I was wondering if the overall playability had improved or not.
It plays amazingly, couldn't be happier with it. And yep overall playability has improved dramatically!
You try rhcp Riff's on this ?
Do you know if these tuners will work on a Squier VM Stratocaster (surfcaster)?
Should work for all squiers with the vintage/Kluson style tuners
I just bought a set of these for my 1964 mustang. I took out the old tuners and the poles are all the same length. Why do the gotohs differ in that regard?
Nvm I answered my own question. There are 3 long ones and 3 short ones. The longer poles are meant for the thicker strings. More room to wind and less harsh of a break angle from the pole to the nut
Yep, you nailed it!
so cool/3rd coment
Thanks man!
Do you have to replace the Ferrells (not sure how u spell it)
I’m pretty sure that wasn’t necessary, but I did anyway to have nice shiny new ones. Very easy to do so I thought why not
When are you painting your headstock
Lightrow should begin painting after the Easter weekend, so hopefully tuesday onward. The process is gonna take me at least 2-3 days just cos of the paint I’m using. So the video will be like a week away!
Yeah I'm gonna have to sand it off unfortunately. Need to get the surface right so the new paint can stick to the headstock. Gonna be applying a white fender mustang decal to it (would use a squier one but I couldn't find one in white)
Oh cool thanks I'll check that out now. Would definitely prefer it if the headstock said Squier!
do you know where to get the hot rails for under $90
Lightrow hmmm I’m not sure about under $90. I got mine brand new for $110 AUD of Ebay though
how much cost all these locking tuners?
Hoël caullery kempf I got them for about $80 AUD
thx
I can't seem to find these tuners online :(
www.realparts.com.au/tuning-machines/locking-6-in-line/gotoh-sd91-kluson-style-mgt-magnum-lock-tuning-keys-nickel.html
Locking tuners and wrap the strings around the post.. NOGO
It’s not necessary, but it’s not harmful if you need break break angle.
you dont wrap locking tuners
You can… depends if you need to make compromises for extra break angle over the nut as I found was necessary for this guitar. Go check out twoodfrd’s latest telecaster vid to see a master luthier also do it for the exact same reason…
5:05 what you are doing is totally pointless! The point of the vise tuner is to wind as few strings as possible.
Getting break angle where needed behind the nut is never pointless, but I agree in most cases it’s not necessary, especially with staggered locking tuners