I have had to route quite a few import guitars before fitting a quality vibrato bridge for my musical friends guitars, I have a fair few people who's instruments I maintain repair and upgrade, I never actually intended to get into a guitar tech sideline, it started by working on some friends guitars and then them recommending me to their friends, rinse and repeat. Like yourself I love tinkering with guitars and even more so now I have retired. RE the bushings, did you use a metric bit to drill them out? I have some bits made by a local toolmaker that I used to work for before I retired and I have some larger drill bits that increase by 0.25mm and 0.15mm, there have been quite a few times that I would have been snookered had I not had these bits, saying that I have some end mills that I could have perfectly milled out holes to spec using my CNC.
Nice video Tony. Put a Wilkinson VS-100N on one of my Kramer Barretta's. Definite improvement. Only difficulty was to plug the six screw holes from the original. Like your tip for removing the original posts.
A picture really does paint a thousand words! Your travails helped me to understand the mechanics of how trems work without taking one apart. I couldn't see how a two point system didn't pull the pivot pins out after a couple of goes. Great tip on the paper wrapping too. Thanks!
I bought a Harley benton fusion 111 great guitar, but it had a cheaper Wilkinson bridge I had tuning issues tried lubing the nut put in better strings ect, so I am going to put in a better quality Wilkinson bridge
Hell yeah Tony. This is the part of guitar that always scared me. I just got a new 920D Custom wiring harness to bring my LP to 50’s spec. Also putting in some MojoTone 59’s. Can’t wait. Not sure I can stomach doing the mods myself.
Great instructional video, Tony. A few years ago I also had a Chinese guitar where the trem block didn't fit. Kinda pisses me off these manufactures don't care enough to at least use components that fit. How is a beginner going to figure out that the idiots put in a trem block that was too big?
.. a 2 point bridge that's not too far 😬 .. 2 point bridges are for thicker guitars .. personally, no issue as I don't even close/use the plastic covering the claws
Great video Tony. If you had used the original post and bushongs you would have had a reversable modification. Woukd have been worth a mention for thise of us that tend to cycle through guitars.
I thought of that but the posts were just a little too small. I preferred to use tge new ones as I am certain I won’t be putting the old bridge back in.
Tony, your tip on removing the bushings was a good one so thanks for that. I have a new big metal flake purple alder XGP body that honestly looks in two words unbelievably spectacular and it was only $99 USD plus m punishing 80 buck USD shipping fee, I couldn’t help myself I got a couple of their beautiful looking ( they really impressed me with their Filtertron type pickups, they really look like a quality build with the proper screw types for poke pieces and look way more expensive than they are. These are going to replace the cheap junky looking pickups in my Harley Benton “ Chickenbacker” electric 12 string. as the final mod to bring it to pro quality. But anyways my problem with my current body and Wilkinson bridge is, there are no mounting holes for the posts nor are there any instructions to be found on the location of the bridge posts. I know it’s a 25 1/2 scale length so it should measure 251/2 from edge of nut to the edge of the saddle that the strings touch with the saddles in the middle of their travel length. I think. Do you have any pointers as to where the posts need to be located? I do not want to mar this beautiful finish by needing to re-drill multiple times and dowel and etc. Any pointer you might have would be really appreciated. I must say, I’ve learned to appreciate your channel.
Great video. I did not know how to easily remove the old post and you have a great technique. Thanks.
I'm planning to install a Wilkinson Trem on my favorite partscaster today and found several helpful tips in your video.
I have had to route quite a few import guitars before fitting a quality vibrato bridge for my musical friends guitars, I have a fair few people who's instruments I maintain repair and upgrade, I never actually intended to get into a guitar tech sideline, it started by working on some friends guitars and then them recommending me to their friends, rinse and repeat.
Like yourself I love tinkering with guitars and even more so now I have retired.
RE the bushings, did you use a metric bit to drill them out? I have some bits made by a local toolmaker that I used to work for before I retired and I have some larger drill bits that increase by 0.25mm and 0.15mm, there have been quite a few times that I would have been snookered had I not had these bits, saying that I have some end mills that I could have perfectly milled out holes to spec using my CNC.
Tony, If you brought the HB Fusion II or III it comes with a Wilkinson Bridge and a Roasted Maple neck with SS frets!
Excellent job Tony…chasing the spring/string tension on a floating trem can make you pull your hair out…great stuff my man!!!!
your guitar is gorgeous ❤
I put a Wilkinson trem on Squier Affinity Jazzmaster and is really smooth
Awesome upgrade, Tony! I did the same on my Strat. Rock on!
Very nice!
Congratulations on a well deserved 26K subs Tony! 👏👏. You make Sundays fun days. 👍. \m/ Play On!
Thanks Gene, I could not have done it without all you guys! See you on Sunday...
Did the bridge come with a recommended drill bit size for the posts?
Nice video Tony. Put a Wilkinson VS-100N on one of my Kramer Barretta's. Definite improvement. Only difficulty was to plug the six screw holes from the original. Like your tip for removing the original posts.
awesome sir
What kind of neck is on there? it appears really top notch quality
Roasted maple stock neck
A picture really does paint a thousand words! Your travails helped me to understand the mechanics of how trems work without taking one apart. I couldn't see how a two point system didn't pull the pivot pins out after a couple of goes. Great tip on the paper wrapping too. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful thank you you for watching stay tuned for more!
I bought a Harley benton fusion 111 great guitar, but it had a cheaper Wilkinson bridge I had tuning issues tried lubing the nut put in better strings ect, so I am going to put in a better quality Wilkinson bridge
How did it work for you? My sibling had Fusion III HSH and the tuning stability is good actually
What about a Wilkinson locking trem?
Hell yeah Tony. This is the part of guitar that always scared me. I just got a new 920D Custom wiring harness to bring my LP to 50’s spec. Also putting in some MojoTone 59’s. Can’t wait. Not sure I can stomach doing the mods myself.
Sweet! Those mods will make the guitar sound great! I hear nothing but good things about the MojoTone 59's
@@addictedtogear Yeah the pickups in it now are just ok. I think the Mojotones are a little more low output.
@@MarkJohnsonJams Let me know how you like them once they are in.
Great instructional video, Tony. A few years ago I also had a Chinese guitar where the trem block didn't fit. Kinda pisses me off these manufactures don't care enough to at least use components that fit. How is a beginner going to figure out that the idiots put in a trem block that was too big?
I agree, many would simply sell it thinking it’s not a good guitar when it could be an easy fix.
I'm the same way. I enjoy modding them and trying to make bad guitars play well
.. a 2 point bridge that's not too far 😬
.. 2 point bridges are for thicker guitars .. personally, no issue as I don't even close/use the plastic covering the claws
Tony you can change block on tremolo.
Yes you can, but the rest of the original bridge used pretty soft metal that would not last very long IMO.
Afta using my tremolo it goes slightly offtune plz help
Check the nut slots!
Nut slots means sir
Great video Tony. If you had used the original post and bushongs you would have had a reversable modification. Woukd have been worth a mention for thise of us that tend to cycle through guitars.
I thought of that but the posts were just a little too small. I preferred to use tge new ones as I am certain I won’t be putting the old bridge back in.
Tony, your tip on removing the bushings was a good one so thanks for that. I have a new big metal flake purple alder XGP body that honestly looks in two words unbelievably spectacular and it was only $99 USD plus m punishing 80 buck USD shipping fee, I couldn’t help myself I got a couple of their beautiful looking ( they really impressed me with their Filtertron type pickups, they really look like a quality build with the proper screw types for poke pieces and look way more expensive than they are. These are going to replace the cheap junky looking pickups in my Harley Benton “ Chickenbacker” electric 12 string. as the final mod to bring it to pro quality. But anyways my problem with my current body and Wilkinson bridge is, there are no mounting holes for the posts nor are there any instructions to be found on the location of the bridge posts. I know it’s a 25 1/2 scale length so it should measure 251/2 from edge of nut to the edge of the saddle that the strings touch with the saddles in the middle of their travel length. I think. Do you have any pointers as to where the posts need to be located? I do not want to mar this beautiful finish by needing to re-drill multiple times and dowel and etc. Any pointer you might have would be really appreciated. I must say, I’ve learned to appreciate your channel.
You should've gotten a Gotoh bridge.
I’ll give this one a whirl first.
Wilkinson are made by Gotoh.
1st!
Change does not mean upgrade.
It does if it’s better