ksbandman Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 Hey all, I have a 1971 or 1972 (pots say 71) SG Standard with the Maestro tremolo. I've played on a Epiphone Elitist ES-335 and love the sustain and tuning stability of the stop tailpiece. I've heard that a stop tailpiece will give her more sustain, and all the new Gibsons have the drilled tailpiece, so maybe the Maestro was a research & development pitfall. Part of me thinks that there is a special place in hell reserved for those that deflower a vintage guitar. My question: What are your thoughts on changing out the tremolo for a stop tailpiece? Pros? Cons? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 I don't think the differnce would be significant enough to change, especially if that 71/72 is all original. The maestro has three screws transmitting vibrations to the body while a bridge and stop setup would have four. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 I'd say...Leave it alone! If you want one, with a stop tailpiece, get a new one, or good "used but not abused" version. Right now, there are some bargains, on them. But, I (really) wouldn't alter your '71/72. But, it's your guitar... CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeoConMan Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 There are a few guys here who swear the Maestro robs sustain. I can see how it might have some effect, the spring steel possibly dampening some vibrations. In my experience, I would have to say it would be tough to hear. I have a 61 RI with a Maestro and trust me, it will sustain just fine.... I'm with CB, leave 'er as is and get a used SG for variety. Play 'em side by side (with the same new strings) and tell us what YOU think! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I´d rather sell the guitar as it is and would get me the one I like instead. You might even find someone who´d swap a non Maestro vintage guitar for the one you have. Or buy a second one with stop tailpiece. I wouldn´t alter a 71 or 72 guitar. Personally I like Maestros, but I also don´t think that you wouldn´t hear much of a difference. Definitely not enough to make it worth the ruin of a vintage SG. Greetings Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksbandman Posted January 9, 2010 Author Share Posted January 9, 2010 I really do love my SG the way it is. It is a player guitar; the bridge pickup had been replaced (with the same serial number pickup) and there are some dings and scratches. Neck and frets are fast, and she has a great tone. Thank you all for your thoughts and advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*sgstandard* Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 Unfortunately, the Maestro tailpieces often go out of tune fairly easily. STILL, unless it's a reissue SG, you'd be wise to leave it original. Even THEN, you better be sure you're going to keep the guitar, as even the value of a reissue is drastically reduced with this type of modification. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hbomb76 Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 There are a few guys here who swear the Maestro robs sustain.I can see how it might have some effect' date=' the spring steel possibly dampening some vibrations. In my experience, I would have to say it would be tough to hear. I have a 61 RI with a Maestro and trust me, it will sustain just fine.... I'm with CB, leave 'er as is and get a used SG for variety. Play 'em side by side (with the same new strings) and tell us what YOU think! +1 These guys are right. ANY "sustain loss" is totally neglible at most. If you REALLY need "endless" sustain, wobble it a little with your finger like Angus (vibrato, hello!). All my SG's have Maestros or Bigsbys, and when I hold that 15 second high-A note on "Stranglehold", there is no question that sustain comes from the soul. :) Unfortunately' date=' the Maestro tailpieces often go out of tune fairly easily. STILL, unless it's a reissue SG, you'd be wise to leave it original. Even THEN, you better be sure you're going to keep the guitar, as even the value of a reissue is drastically reduced with this type of modification. [/quote'] Even the tuning stability issue is one that a little use and maintenance can remedy, and should never be an excuse to ruin a perfectly decent SG! Put a few drops of Nut Sauce or that Graphitall stuff in the nut slots and bridge saddles (assuming you have no hard edges or burrs on either...a little "sawing" with an old string prior to a string change can fix that), OR you can slap a roller-saddle bridge on there (they make many different ones with different post-accommodations) and VIOLA! No more tuning problems AT ALL. I utterly ABUSE all my vibratos, and even on a song like "Cult of Personality" (which is heavily abusive tremelo-wise...Reid used a Floyd on his Hamer, after all), I still come back into tune after the lead break. Fear not the whammy...make it your friend! :) H-Bomb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeoConMan Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 Unfortunately' date=' the Maestro tailpieces often go out of tune fairly easily. [/quote']I've not had that experience. Are they as stable as a TOM? No, but for a trem they actually work very well - especially if you don't thrash it like H-Bomb... :D/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuitarJunkie Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 I've not had that experience. Same thing here. I have a couple Gibsons with Maestros (including my main guitar) and have had no tuning problems at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*sgstandard* Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 I agree - In my experience, both the maestro AND Fender vibratos work best if used lightly. I think the tuning problems occur if you go overboard, dive-bombing and such. They weren't designed for that originally, and you probably need a Floyd Rose type trem if you want to get really wild, IMO. As more of a purist, I wouldn't do that to an SG - I'd buy a guitar with one already installed. I remember when the smaller Bigsby came stock on some SG's in the 70's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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