Mod a Vela with a vibrato without routing?

[CivoLee]

So for as much as I've been harping on about a non-PS Vela with a vibrato option, chances are one won't be available soon,, it'd have the new pickup configuration of having a Narrowfield in the neck and probably raise the cost of a Vela into the range of the CE24. So probably I'm better off getting a stock Vela and modding it.

Are there any options for adding a vibrato without having to route the body? I don't have the woodworking knowledge to do it myself and none of the in-house techs will do any mods that extensive.

Also added a poll so maybe if any of PRS' own people are around, maybe they can bring the idea to PRSH if demand is high enough.

 

[Russ73]

I would look at some of the Tele offerings out there since it's basically a vintage tele bridge....I feel like I've seen it done on TGP....maybe google tele bridge trem conversion ...

 

[CivoLee]

I would look at some of the Tele offerings out there since it's basically a vintage tele bridge....I feel like I've seen it done on TGP....maybe google tele bridge trem conversion ...

The issue there is that many of the Tele trems have the plate surrounding the bridge pickup built in.

The Vega Trem has the plate as a separate piece, but I don't know if it'd work without it. Anyone have any experience with this unit?

 

[Russ73]

The issue there is that many of the Tele trems have the plate surrounding the bridge pickup built in.

The Vega Trem has the plate as a separate piece, but I don't know if it'd work without it. Anyone have any experience with this unit?

The HH teles don't always have the pup in the plate...look for that maybe...

 

[Russ73]

I just looked there's something called a vibramate II...might not be an easy swap though...

 

[dogrocketp]

I believe the Duesenberg trem would bolt right onto the studs with no modifying. Chech it out.

 

[d^rren]

I believe the Duesenberg trem would bolt right onto the studs with no modifying. Chech it out.

What studs? We're talking about a Vela here.

 

[d^rren]

A Stetsbar might work, but also might require new holes to be drilled.

Stetsbar for the Fender® T style and 3 screw style

This model is a direct mount to the Fender® Telecaster hard tail bridge. Mounting to the 3 screw holes found on the Strat hard tail and Tele slim lines. Shown with optional pickup plate with riser and barrel saddle bridge. If you have a similar guitar, please check the fit with the layout...

stetsbar.myshopify.com

 

[d^rren]

The issue there is that many of the Tele trems have the plate surrounding the bridge pickup built in.

The Vega Trem has the plate as a separate piece, but I don't know if it'd work without it. Anyone have any experience with this unit?

The Vega Tele trem got terrible reviews for poor tuning stability.

 

[shimmilou]

Bigsby?

 

[SinSir]

Bigsby?

That's what I'd be looking at. Just double check it'll work with the offset and bevel carve.

 

[d^rren]

The thing with a Bigsby is you'd have to find a suitable replacement bridge that would allow the strings to exit through the back of the plate.

Hardtail Mastery Bridge - Mastery

masterybridge.com

 

[László]

Sacrilege Alert: I'm going to mention the name of another guitar maker. Look away if you must.

Tom Anderson makes an offset body guitar that can be ordered in either 24.75 or 25.5" scale length, called the Raven. It can be equipped with their fairly large choice of pickups and at least 3 different trem options.

They do make a nice guitar.

I only mention it because it makes more sense to me than cutting up a Vela and trying to make it something it's not.

 

[d^rren]

I think it's interesting that people keep calling the Vela an "offset" guitar and lumping it in with Jazzmaster- and Jaguar-type instruments. Yes, the Vela body has an "offset" compared to the "normal" PRS body shape, but it kind of has its own vibe that's distinct from what the typical "offset guitar" community goes for.

If you want a trem, get a trem.

 

[CivoLee]

Sacrilege Alert: I'm going to mention the name of another guitar maker. Look away if you must.

Tom Anderson makes an offset body guitar that can be ordered in either 24.75 or 25.5" scale length, called the Raven. It can be equipped with their fairly large choice of pickups and at least 3 different trem options.

They do make a nice guitar.

I only mention it because it makes more sense to me than cutting up a Vela and trying to make it something it's not.

I am aware of the Raven, as well as the Suhr Classic JM. Nice instruments for what they are, but even if they're half the cost of a PS build they're out of my price range (even modding a Vela would cost less); and even if I did have that kind of money to spend on an offset guitar, I'd sooner go for a Don Grosh ElectraJet. More unique design.

I think it's interesting that people keep calling the Vela an "offset" guitar and lumping it in with Jazzmaster- and Jaguar-type instruments. Yes, the Vela body has an "offset" compared to the "normal" PRS body shape, but it kind of has its own vibe that's distinct from what the typical "offset guitar" community goes for.

If you want a trem, get a trem.

I saw that one; it was routed.

PRS themselves have referred to the Vela as a offset design. So if they're going to try for the offset market then they should accept that certain "rules" have been established by Fender. One of those rules is that hardtail designs aren't the norm for offsets. I feel that they miscalculated by not offering a trem option.

 

[SinSir]

If you go bigsby just notch the existing plate if necessary. People do it with a tele. Looking at my Tele and Vela there's more clearance from the plate edge and saddles for the Vela than the tele saddles. May not have to notch at all or much if any.

Looking at my bigsby and the Vela. Your only option that might work, because of the comfort bevel carve and offset body, is a horseshoe style bigsby.

 

[László]

I am aware of the Raven, as well as the Suhr Classic JM. Nice instruments for what they are, but even if they're half the cost of a PS build they're out of my price range (even modding a Vela would cost less); and even if I did have that kind of money to spend on an offset guitar, I'd sooner go for a Don Grosh ElectraJet. More unique design.

I suggested Anderson merely because I've had a few over the years and liked them. Suhr and Grosh are wonderful guitars, too.

All this stuff is personal choice. The last guitar I had heavily modded was my '65 SG Special back in 1971. It works fine, but looks pretty bad. Still have it.

 

[dogrocketp]

What studs? We're talking about a Vela here.

My bad, I forgot it was a plate bridge. No more posting when I’m tired.