WVS54

Authentic Vintage Tone

WVS54 YEAR ONE

The classic 1954 vibrato design has remained in many ways unchanged from the original design right up to the present day; however like most industries that produce components for mass production, manufacturers have always sought to either streamline a process by utilising different build methods, or substituting other materials to reduce overall costs and create greater profit.

While many manufacturing processes have greatly benefited the guitar industry and different and new materials have created a vast array of sounds/tones, guitar players and builders are still drawn to and inspired by the classic electric guitars of the 50’s era and the sounds they created. Pickups are one of the most recreated components that are designed to recapture those iconic tones, but pickups are only one part in the puzzle!

INSIDER KNOWLEDGE

The WVS54 is another part of the puzzle, and one that Trev Wilkinson has been determined to create to be as close as possible to the original in both material’s and production methods. “Short cuts were not an option when we started this project”.

Helped greatly in the creation of the WVS54 was the time Trev spent with one of the true legends of the electric guitar, Leo Fender.

As Trev recalls, “I spent a lot of time talking to Leo about his invention, Leo was very open about all the aspects of the vibrato from construction methods to materials used within its build, as you can imagine talking with Leo was an inspiring and wonderful experience for me”.

THE MECHANICS

The mechanics of the classic vibrato created by Leo are based around the concept used in a set of vintage weight measurement scales; a central pivot point (Knife edge) forms the balance point of the system and weights or items are placed either side of the pivot, when the scales are balanced or level we have equilibrium.

The classic guitar vibrato uses the strings and the springs in the rear cavity to create the same process, the central pivot point being the knife edge on the vibrato top plate that meets the six screws inserted into body. The WVS54 recreates this system with its heat treated top plate and beautifully countersunk under plate screw holes.

SUM OF THE PARTS

As in a recreation of a vintage pickup it is the sum of the parts the construction and the individual nuances that ultimate dictates the sound or tone reproduced by the pickup, in this the WVS54 is no different, and while we would love to reveal all the secrets in this bridge, its in many ways much more exciting to keep some mysteries just that and, to tell you simply this is as close as it gets to the original, and in this we mean it will perform as the original and sound as the original.

As Trev says; “The WVS54 is my recreation of the 50’s classic vibrato, and while its tuning stability will not be as on a modern vibrato it will be true to the original in every way possible, sounding and feeling just as special”.

SPECIFICATION

  • Model WVS54

  • Finish Chrome

  • Block Material Billet Steel

  • Saddle Material Barrel Nickel Plated

  • String Spacing 11.27mm (vintage correct)

  • Arm 10/32 Threaded, Vintage Bent Steel