Replacing stock Mustang bridge with tune o matic

[Birdman642]

I have a Squire Vintage modified Mustang. I'd like to replace the stock bridge with a tune o matic. What would I have to do to accomplish this? Is there a way to do it without having to heavily modify the guitar? I've searched and can't really find any definitive answers or a walkthrough on how to do it

Edit:
Would it be possible to wire the slide switches for coil splits? I plan on redoing the wiring entirely

 

[Supernut]

Re: Replacing stock Mustang bridge with tune o matic

If you have any pictures you could post, it might inspire some ideas of what you could do for the bridge. Something like the Hipshot baby grand might be an option.

 

[Birdman642]

Re: Replacing stock Mustang bridge with tune o matic

I want to keep the stock Mustang tremolo. I just want to change the bridge to a tune o matic. Like how Kurt Cobain did to his Mustangs

 

[AlexR]

Re: Replacing stock Mustang bridge with tune o matic

You will need to have measurements - the post spacing for one is essential.

If you want to keep the trem operational, a roller bridge would be a great idea. The mustang style trem works as the bridge rocks to and fro.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Replacing stock Mustang bridge with tune o matic

The stock bridge is a rocker design. It's a fine design. The T.O.M. bridge in and of itself offers no advantages, if you want to use your vibrato. Its radius is fixed, just like the Mustang bridge (and fixed to the wrong radius for a Mustang, so that has to be changed). The only real reason to go T.O.M. instead would be if you completely defeated the rocking action and/or didn't use your vibrato...and if you're doing all that anyhow, then doing it with the Mustang bridge is just as good. If you are going to defeat the rocking action, and still use the vibrato, then you at least want a roller bridge IMO.

In short, your best option is to keep it a fully stock Mustang bridge, IMO. What exactly are your problems with it?

You can defeat the rocking action in one of two main ways:

1. Put inserts around the stock bridge height posts

2. Pull the stock bushings, plug the holes, and drill for a T.O.M.

Again, defeating the rocking action is the wrong way to go, unless you also install a roller bridge on T.O.M. posts. The rocker action helps tuning stability when using the vibrato; it doesn't hinder ​it.

 

[Birdman642]

Re: Replacing stock Mustang bridge with tune o matic

I was planning on hardtailing the trem. I'm not a trem user anyway.
So, I put a tune o matic I had laying around in there tonight. The posts fit directly in the bushings (barring a little wiggle room) the distance between posts was all good too. I thought I had success. Then I strung it up and the action was so high it was unplayable. I even shimmed the neck and it did almost nothing to lower the action. I can post pictures tomorrow