Anyone lived with a Vega trem for a while?

Lewy · October 2023

I'm particularly interested to see if the claims of Floyd-esque return to pitch live up to the hype - I'm a bit skeptical if used with standard nut and tuners.

Thanks!

Bennyboy-UK · October 2023

(Watching

)

maltingsaudio · October 2023

I assume your talking the Wingman or it’s ilk, I’ve come across Vega banjos and acoustic guitars many a time in the past but no experience of the new electrics. Except I’ve played a Gibson Victory with almost the same headstock.

stickyfiddle · October 2023

I like the claims, but the fact that every photo on the website shows the grub screws sticking up out of the saddles is concerning. That's a complete non-starter for me.

barnstorm · October 2023

For whatever it's worth: RJ Ronquillo had one on his main Strat (the white/rosewood Senn) for a while and seemed pretty enthusiastic (have a google), but it's not there anymore.

axisus · October 2023

I like the look of them and people seem to like them on videos. I was going to buy one for my current project but then I decided to use a Fishman/piezo trem that I already had.

drippycat · October 2023

stickyfiddle said:

I like the claims, but the fact that every photo on the website shows the grub screws sticking up out of the saddles is concerning. That's a complete non-starter for me.

I installed one on a fender Elite strat and that was exactly the issue I found. To the point where I played with the grub screws until I stripped the thread of one. Mind you, I think I can lay claim to being the single worst forumite for setting up a guitar, so I may have been doing something wrong.

Maybe a better person could lower the trem posts and then raise the saddles to the point where the screws don't dig into your hand when you palm mute. But what would that do to the angle of the strings over the saddles? Or a much better person could source some shorter grub screws or file down the existing ones(?)

It is a pity since the original bridge was crap, and for the time I had it on the Vega felt wonderful, although the heel of my right hand has another opinion about the matter. @Lewy I wasn't doing wild dive bombs so I couldn't really comment about it being as good as a Floyd. I manage to send them out of tune as well.

digitalkettle · October 2023

maltingsaudio said:

I assume your talking the Wingman or it’s ilk, I’ve come across Vega banjos and acoustic guitars many a time in the past but no experience of the new electrics. Except I’ve played a Gibson Victory with almost the same headstock.

No...this is something else: https://vegatrem.com/

howard_moon · October 2023

I’ll start off by saying I’m now endorsed by them..but I bought my first two and love them. Been using Floyd’s and Kahler for years but love the feel of Strat Trems on the old hands. Don’t have any problems with the saddles rubbing or digging in. Was a bit wary with the block not being huge but haven’t noticed any detriment to the sound on any of the guitars they are on.

Lewy · October 2023

howard_moon said:

I’ll start off by saying I’m now endorsed by them..but I bought my first two and love them. Been using Floyd’s and Kahler for years but love the feel of Strat Trems on the old hands. Don’t have any problems with the saddles rubbing or digging in. Was a bit wary with the block not being huge but haven’t noticed any detriment to the sound on any of the guitars they are on.

Interesting! And how's return to pitch after divebombing?

stickyfiddle · October 2023

drippycat said:

stickyfiddle said:

I like the claims, but the fact that every photo on the website shows the grub screws sticking up out of the saddles is concerning. That's a complete non-starter for me.

I installed one on a fender Elite strat and that was exactly the issue I found. To the point where I played with the grub screws until I stripped the thread of one. Mind you, I think I can lay claim to being the single worst forumite for setting up a guitar, so I may have been doing something wrong.

Maybe a better person could lower the trem posts and then raise the saddles to the point where the screws don't dig into your hand when you palm mute. But what would that do to the angle of the strings over the saddles? Or a much better person could source some shorter grub screws or file down the existing ones(?)

The solution is to shim the neck to give a little back-angle and let you get the saddles high. I've done exactly this on my own Strat.

But the fact that the manufacturer of this new miracle trem hasn't done it in their own marketing photos instantly tells me they don't understand Strats that well

drippycat · October 2023

stickyfiddle said:

drippycat said:

stickyfiddle said:

I like the claims, but the fact that every photo on the website shows the grub screws sticking up out of the saddles is concerning. That's a complete non-starter for me.

I installed one on a fender Elite strat and that was exactly the issue I found. To the point where I played with the grub screws until I stripped the thread of one. Mind you, I think I can lay claim to being the single worst forumite for setting up a guitar, so I may have been doing something wrong.

Maybe a better person could lower the trem posts and then raise the saddles to the point where the screws don't dig into your hand when you palm mute. But what would that do to the angle of the strings over the saddles? Or a much better person could source some shorter grub screws or file down the existing ones(?)

The solution is to shim the neck to give a little back-angle and let you get the saddles high. I've done exactly this on my own Strat.

But the fact that the manufacturer of this new miracle trem hasn't done it in their own marketing photos instantly tells me they don't understand Strats that well

Ah! Thanks for the advice!

stickyfiddle · October 2023

I should clarify - I haven't tried one and it's entirely possible the grub screw thing is fixable with a shim without messing with the trem's operation. It just puts me off, is all!

TheModiesel · October 2023

You can also buy grub screws in varying heights (I've done so for a Fender bridge where they were too high) and I'd be surprised if they used a difference sized screw. It's a cheap fix even though the vegatrem is already pricy enough without needing a small additional purchase

Philly_Q · October 2023

stickyfiddle said:

drippycat said:

stickyfiddle said:

I like the claims, but the fact that every photo on the website shows the grub screws sticking up out of the saddles is concerning. That's a complete non-starter for me.

I installed one on a fender Elite strat and that was exactly the issue I found. To the point where I played with the grub screws until I stripped the thread of one. Mind you, I think I can lay claim to being the single worst forumite for setting up a guitar, so I may have been doing something wrong.

Maybe a better person could lower the trem posts and then raise the saddles to the point where the screws don't dig into your hand when you palm mute. But what would that do to the angle of the strings over the saddles? Or a much better person could source some shorter grub screws or file down the existing ones(?)

The solution is to shim the neck to give a little back-angle and let you get the saddles high. I've done exactly this on my own Strat.

But the fact that the manufacturer of this new miracle trem hasn't done it in their own marketing photos instantly tells me they don't understand Strats that well

Or you could buy shorter grub screws, not difficult so long as you can get the right thread size. (Edit: sorry, @TheModiesel has already made the same suggestion)

howard_moon · October 2023

Lewy said:

howard_moon said:

I’ll start off by saying I’m now endorsed by them..but I bought my first two and love them. Been using Floyd’s and Kahler for years but love the feel of Strat Trems on the old hands. Don’t have any problems with the saddles rubbing or digging in. Was a bit wary with the block not being huge but haven’t noticed any detriment to the sound on any of the guitars they are on.

Interesting! And how's return to pitch after divebombing?

I’ve had no major issues, just the same as my Floyd’s and less than my kahlers tuning wise. I did an hour and half set and it worked spot on using my PRS.

maltingsaudio · October 2023

digitalkettle said:

maltingsaudio said:

I assume your talking the Wingman or it’s ilk, I’ve come across Vega banjos and acoustic guitars many a time in the past but no experience of the new electrics. Except I’ve played a Gibson Victory with almost the same headstock.

No...this is something else: https://vegatrem.com/

I commented befor @Lewy altered the title of the thread, the original title didn’t mention the trem bit , hence my comment . This is what I found after a quick google https://baumguitars.com/vega-wingman/

digitalkettle · October 2023

maltingsaudio said:

digitalkettle said:

maltingsaudio said:

I assume your talking the Wingman or it’s ilk, I’ve come across Vega banjos and acoustic guitars many a time in the past but no experience of the new electrics. Except I’ve played a Gibson Victory with almost the same headstock.

No...this is something else: https://vegatrem.com/

I commented befor @Lewy altered the title of the thread, the original title didn’t mention the trem bit , hence my comment . This is what I found after a quick google https://baumguitars.com/vega-wingman/

Fortheloveofguitar · October 2023

I have one and it’s my favourite trem I’ve owned. Can’t stand Floyds and really love a standard 2 point trem.

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Anyone lived with a Vega trem for a while?

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