garagelass
Joined: Aug 05, 2018
Posts: 47
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Posted on Apr 20 2019 02:38 AM
I bought an old Mexican Duo Sonic that I want to rebuild completely. The pickups are not great, but the sound is much more mellow than from my tele, maybe due to the very short scale. Currently deciding on what pickups to buy.
The caveat: while the strings are super easy to bend it doesn't have a trem bar. With it's thin body I can't install a normal trem system, and so I'm looking at top mount trems. Does anyone have experience with different systems?
Bigsbys: of course tried and tested. But very expensive, and maybe a bit too much for such a cheap, small guitar. On the other hand: https://i.imgur.com/NRrJwlF.jpg
Xtrem? I can't quite decide whether I like or not like this look. Certainly a lot cheaper. https://www.guitarfetish.com/Xtrem-Top-Mount-Vibrato-Four-Finishes_c_376.html
Hofner? Now that looks very cool! Though I don't find a lot about it: https://s3.amazonaws.com/sg101.forum.photos/iZEsPUakTYetZa8QyS6ScQ.jpg
Something else?
What would your suggestion be? I know this guitar will not remain a hardtail, it's just about making the right choices and not wrecking the guitar.
Last edited: Apr 20, 2019 02:39:07
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Surf_Skater
Joined: Sep 06, 2012
Posts: 1300
Lawrenceville , GA
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Posted on Apr 20 2019 07:34 AM
https://www.ebay.com/itm/MosLike-Vibrato-And-Bridge-Assembly-Mosrite-Style-Tremolo-LB/282800079932?hash=item41d832c43c:g:ivsAAOSw~~NcewpY
These are another option. I put one of the ez-pz bigsby copies on a lp style guitar and have been very unhappy with it. It's sticky and noisy.
I've heard the xtrem works well, but I think it's kind of ugly.
Lately I've had my eye on the Duesenberg trem and have been wondering if anyone has tried one.
I think Crazy Aces/Jeff tried the mosrite style on one of his builds.
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garagelass
Joined: Aug 05, 2018
Posts: 47
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Posted on Apr 20 2019 07:52 AM
Thanks a lot. Wow, that's one pretty trem! Maybe just a bit too shiny and elegant for what I have in mind but really lovely looking.
Also thanks for sharing your experience. No ez-pz bigsby then as I don't want to fill in holes from things that didn't work.
The xtrem.. yeah, it's ugly. Attractive in some aspects, but I don't like the string 'rollers' and this unpolished piece of metal in it.
I'm currently talking to a custom pickup builder for new pickups. As this is such a cheap guitar I don't want it to look glamorous. Instead I'll probably stay with plastic pickup covers and buttons. Get a fairly simple new pickguard, not too shiny and not too much tsemi-transparency/depth either. See if I can rework the bridge to the first link I posted.
I might as well change my mind and go full on bling, with a two part tort/mustang like pickguard, silver buttons and pickup covers, and an appropriate trem. My guitar is black, btw, thus black/tort will look rad.
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Chippertheripper
Joined: Mar 11, 2011
Posts: 819
Semass
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Posted on Apr 20 2019 10:49 AM
If you’re going towards a mosrite style wiggle stick, look at the shade.
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garagelass
Joined: Aug 05, 2018
Posts: 47
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Posted on Apr 20 2019 11:26 AM
Can you explain what you mean by shade?
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revmike
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3852
North Atlantic
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Posted on Apr 20 2019 11:35 AM
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Reverb17
Joined: Jun 14, 2006
Posts: 521
NYC
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Posted on Apr 20 2019 11:38 AM
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Reverb17
Joined: Jun 14, 2006
Posts: 521
NYC
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Posted on Apr 20 2019 11:43 AM
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garagelass
Joined: Aug 05, 2018
Posts: 47
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Posted on Apr 20 2019 11:45 AM
Oh, now I get the shade. I thought it had some kind of shading effect on ... anything really. Looks nice. So you think this is a good'un?
I saw the B50 on sale here at indeed a much lower price than the B5. I think they have a lot less sustain due to how they are build. Something to consider. But I'm not in a hurry here. I guess though that I won't be buying from the US due to high shipping and customs costs. At least if I can help it. Lets see 
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Reverb17
Joined: Jun 14, 2006
Posts: 521
NYC
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Posted on Apr 20 2019 11:51 AM
I have both B5's and a B50 on guitars, and although I prefer the B5 it has nothing to do with sustain.
The only reason I prefer the B5 is that I like to modify my units , and it is a little easier with the original rather than the licensed version.
Reverend guitars use the B50 on their guitars.
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Redfeather
Joined: Jul 30, 2016
Posts: 896
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Posted on Apr 20 2019 02:25 PM
The Duesenberg Les Trem II is a very good unit. I'd describe its action as similar to that of a Jazzmaster. But it's less fussy. The only drawback in regard to your project is that it's meant for a Les Paul type bridge setup.
But I'd say it's actually worth it to make the conversion.
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garagelass
Joined: Aug 05, 2018
Posts: 47
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Posted on Apr 20 2019 02:38 PM
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Surf_Skater
Joined: Sep 06, 2012
Posts: 1300
Lawrenceville , GA
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Posted on Apr 20 2019 02:49 PM
Redfeather wrote:
The Duesenberg Les Trem II is a very good unit. I'd describe its action as similar to that of a Jazzmaster. But it's less fussy. The only drawback in regard to your project is that it's meant for a Les Paul type bridge setup.
But I'd say it's actually worth it to make the conversion.
Thanks for the input. I may have to give one of these a try. I'd been thinking of converting mine back to hardtail since the bigsby copy was such a disappointment. I've gotten so used to playing with a wiggle stick though that I find myself reaching for it on guitars that don't have one.
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Redfeather
Joined: Jul 30, 2016
Posts: 896
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Posted on Apr 20 2019 06:21 PM
The Duesenberg isn't any more work than any of the other options, now that I think about it. They all necessitate ditching the original saddle bridge and replacing it with an independent (hopefully roller) piece. If anything the Duesey might be called simpler, as it only requires two post holes for the vibrato mount rather than four screw holes for a plate type.
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Redfeather
Joined: Jul 30, 2016
Posts: 896
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Posted on Apr 20 2019 06:26 PM
Tangentially, here's a thread where I was proposing a way to turn a standard Toronado type fixed bridge into a vibrato. It's as of yet untested in the real world but it would be a cool way to gain the functionality without altering the general appearance of the bridge footprint.
I know the woodwork involved isn't within the scope of your project, though.
https://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/31363/
Last edited: Apr 20, 2019 18:26:37
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garagelass
Joined: Aug 05, 2018
Posts: 47
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Posted on Apr 21 2019 01:05 AM
Interesting! This would certainly look cool as I like the look of this bridge. Maybe not for me but I’m sure someone else will find it useful. Thanks for that.
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Tqi
Joined: Dec 07, 2014
Posts: 1222
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Posted on Apr 21 2019 04:06 AM
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Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 14:48:27
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Patrick_Strain
Joined: Feb 20, 2017
Posts: 70
Gilbertsville, NY
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Posted on Apr 21 2019 06:50 AM
I have the XTrem on one of my baritones. It's basically a Bigsby, but without the string pin hassle.
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garagelass
Joined: Aug 05, 2018
Posts: 47
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Posted on Apr 22 2019 02:44 AM
How well do Bigsbys and the likes actually work, and return the strings to their tuned length? I mean, they look absolutely cool, but cool doesn't help if you can't use it properly as it messes with your playing.
Patrick, the Xtrem looks really cool on your guitar! All comes nicely together with the colour
Swoon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhor6EDNQVU&feature=youtu.be
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Patrick_Strain
Joined: Feb 20, 2017
Posts: 70
Gilbertsville, NY
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Posted on Apr 22 2019 11:35 AM
garagelass wrote:
How well do Bigsbys and the likes actually work, and return the strings to their tuned length? I mean, they look absolutely cool, but cool doesn't help if you can't use it properly as it messes with your playing.
Patrick, the Xtrem looks really cool on your guitar! All comes nicely together with the colour
Swoon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhor6EDNQVU&feature=youtu.be
It really just depends on being properly setup. If you're having tuning stability issues, it's usually a problem with the nut. A little bit of lubrication helps. Mine has a roller bridge, too.
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April Birthdays 
and living in a small flat, the space to do this kind of work is limited. Rewiring the guitar will be fine, drilling holes as well, changing an existing bridge depends but will be necessary I guess. Proper wood working, painting and smoothing: I don't think that's a good idea 
But I'll keep it in mind as I might completely change my opinion a bit down the line. So thanks for your suggestion 
