What type of trem was on Vintage SG Juniors?

[vh5150]

Was curious about these trems as I've not had a chance to play one, but local store has a couple vintage SG Juniors with this trem. Has a side arm that is attached via a screw (small footprint overall). What are these called? Are they problematic at all?

[bigsby'd]

Could be a Maestro, could be a Vibrola (which is often called a Maestro). Some people hate them, but they've never given me problems on a properly set up guitar.

[vh5150]

Thanks. Looks like a bridge with a kickstand arm.

[Litcrit]

That sounds standard...you can also wrap the strings directly through the wrap-tail; bypassing the trem altogether.
Here's a Firebird strung both ways.
From this:


To this:

[MBrown]

Beautiful Firebird!

But get that bubble wrap outta there!

[TW59]

There's a third option, with that stop tailpiece and vibrola.
Use the vibrola for a single string bender, like a B-bender.

[j45]

Some in '62 and '63 had this one as well:

[vh5150]

Originally Posted by j45

Some in '62 and '63 had this one as well:

Many Thanks! This is the trem I was referring to in my original post. Thanks!

[bigsby'd]

That would be the Maestro.....and so would this:

[vh5150]

Are these pretty solid from a tuning perspective? I dont plan on using the trem, so I'd likely take the arm off. Just curious because I've not had a chance to play one. Curious if folks bypass and utilize the stop tail approach with these a much as the other trems?

[j45]

The only thing I noticed on guitars I've owned with the Maestro above is that it does not give a really good break angle or down pressure on the bridge. You can see in the pic of the SG above that the strings are nearly straight across the bridge. Tuning stability seemed to be fine, though. I would say much more solid that the vibrolas on the Firebird above which have always been fine for me anyway.

Not sure if you can under wrap these, it didn't seem to be an option when I had them but I could have missed it.... anyone?

[Mr. 355]

Originally Posted by j45

Some in '62 and '63 had this one as well:

This version is actually the "short" (necessary mechanisms only) version of the Epi. "e" vibrola. The other flat style is the short wersion of the lyre vibrola.

[bigsby'd]

The Epiphone had a compensated string retainer to keep chords (theorhetically) in tune, so they were a bit different. Same basic design though.

[Mr. 355]

[quote=bigsby'd;2340495]The Epiphone had a compensated string retainer to keep chords (theorhetically) in tune, so they were a bit different. Same basic design though.[/QUOTE



Correct...each section of the barrel that a string passed over was a different diameter.

[j45]

They work well with a Flying V, too. I picked up a 1974 V body in Arlington a few years back. Had a headstock repair, completely stripped but only $500 and it felt really good....a real feather and resonant non-sandwich body. Everybody was looking at me like I was stupid when I showed them what I bought at the show. Brought it home and made a dirt cheap and killer sounding player's project guitar out of parts I already had. Found good use for one of these I had laying around:

[frazettafan]

Originally Posted by j45

They work well with a Flying V, too. I picked up a 1974 V body in Arlington a few years back. Had a headstock repair, completely stripped but only $500 and it felt really good....a real feather and resonant non-sandwich body. Everybody was looking at me like I was stupid when I showed them what I bought at the show. Brought it home and made a dirt cheap and killer sounding player's project guitar out of parts I already had. Found good use for one of these I had laying around:

That Vee looks amazing! Kerry. I really like the combo of that style trem and those gold knobs you put on. Do you still have it?

Any 'before' pics too?

[Litcrit]

Originally Posted by frazettafan

That Vee looks amazing! Kerry. I really like the combo of that style trem and those gold knobs you put on. Do you still have it?

Yeah, I want it! (and I don't even like V's)