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Alternatives to Mosrite Vibrato? preferably cheap
Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2011 12:46 pm
by SeanTheFunky
Does anyone know of a Mosrite-like vibrato unit, just not quite as expensive as say, the M-3 models, the Hallmark models etc, basically a nice surf vibrato that has a kind of 'pawnshop' look, that doesn't cost a new mortgage - i.e. around £50 - £60? I was thinking something along the lines of a Fender Mustang Dynamic vibrato copy, but if there is anything that might be a bit more effective, or you simply don't have to route the guts out of your guitar body to install, let me know
So yeah preferably something surface mountable, but if anyone has any recommendations at all, I'll welcome them

Re: Alternatives to Mosrite Vibrato? preferably cheap
Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2011 1:38 pm
by dubtrub
Re: Alternatives to Mosrite Vibrato? preferably cheap
Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2011 1:43 pm
by SeanTheFunky
Hey man
I have seen this vibrato unit before and to be honest, it seemed pretty perfect for what I was looking for, however I have heard that they kinda suck a bit

Have you used one before? If so, are they actually any good? I hear they are bad at holding their tuning, then again, I have heard the same about Mustang bridges unless you tinker around with the workings of it

Re: Alternatives to Mosrite Vibrato? preferably cheap
Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2011 1:47 pm
by dubtrub
Hopfully Mel Waldorf will chime in as I think he has used one. As for going out of tune, I'd bet it's the result of other issues such as strings, vibrato spring, nut or tuners and not the vibrato.
Re: Alternatives to Mosrite Vibrato? preferably cheap
Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2011 1:52 pm
by SeanTheFunky
Well I'm sure a nice roller bridge ought to help sort any tuning problems out anyway, that and nicely stretched strings

I don't really intend to use it much anyway, it's just in case I do, y'know for the sake of having a little more versatility on the instrument, so as long as it can hold it's tuning alright, I might look into it

Re: Alternatives to Mosrite Vibrato? preferably cheap
Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2011 3:23 pm
by Bob Shade
Our Hallmark vibrato is available direct on our website and is loved by players the world over.
Re: Alternatives to Mosrite Vibrato? preferably cheap
Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2011 3:42 pm
by MWaldorf
I put one of these vibratos on a National Westwood, and it didn't cause any tuning problems. It's got a pretty small range of travel, much like the Teisco unit it's based on, however it's good for at least a 1/2 step up or down. The biggest issue I had was the rear overhang making it a little challenging to restring. Not a big deal, just a minor issue.
Overall, it's a great bang for the buck deal.
Re: Alternatives to Mosrite Vibrato? preferably cheap
Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2011 8:07 pm
by FritzCat
My Noble has one of those, it's what a bigsby/mosrite type trem would be if it was stamped out of sheet metal instead of cast. Seems to work well to me.
Re: Alternatives to Mosrite Vibrato? preferably cheap
Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2011 9:28 pm
by MWaldorf
The basic design is the same as a Mosrite vibrato; the difference is that the strings anchor closer to the line of rotation so there's less travel.
Re: Alternatives to Mosrite Vibrato? preferably cheap
Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2011 10:16 pm
by panther
If you shop around you can find these for a lot less. I paid $29.00 for one.
Dan
http://tinyurl.com/747l63w