Hoping someone can answer this for me. I own and Fender Roadworn strat body and an Robert Cray MIM neck that I intend on assembling into a nice guitar. Last night on ebay I bought a American Vintage Tremolo with 2 7/32 mounting spacing and 2 1/16 string spacing (I think from a Highway One).

From what I've read, the mounting spacing on the body and the tremolo are the same, but what problems will I encounter with the string spacing. I believe Roadworns have wider string spacing, but will it still work?


Thanks
Bill

Welcome.

The string spacing of itself will not be an issue in terms of the guitar's functionality. However, the 6 screw mounting holes will be the issue. Their spacing on the tremolo plate and where they are drilled into the guitar are in direct proportion to the string spacing. In other words, if you are replacing a MIM spaced tremolo with an American vintage spaced tremolo, you will find the mounting holes further apart.

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You dig?

"the 6 screw mounting holes will be the issue. Their spacing on the tremolo plate and where they are drilled into the guitar are in direct proportion to the string spacing"

Current Highway Ones have sort of an odd bridge -- the mounting screws have wide vintage spacing but the string spacing is modern narrrow. Some Wilkinson trems are like that also.

Switching to narrow string spacing won't cause any problems (unless you're a fingerpicker/hybrid picker who prefers wide string spacing).

Thanks to both of you for the comments, I didn't think about the 6 mounting screws. I guess I could always fill the old holes and redrill.

"Last night on ebay I bought a American Vintage Tremolo with 2 7/32 mounting spacing and 2 1/16 string spacing (I think from a Highway One)."

That should fit perfectly on a Roadworn body. Roadworns use the MIM Classic/Deluxe bridge which has 2 7/32" mounting screw spacing.

And the narrow spacing will be ok with the Cray neck. There'll be a little more room between the E strings and the edges of the fretboard, most noticeable at the higher frets. Many players actually prefer that.