Best/Reliable Non-Floyd Trem

[metalmaniac93]

I am putting together a spec for a custom guitar I am going to order soon and was wondering which is best non-Floyd trem for reliability, staying in tune, feel, tone, etc? I have played the following on-Floyd trems: Wilkinson, G&L, and PRS. Of course the later two are not an available option. Just trying to avoid the whole Floyd thing, if I can.

 

[tom_h]

You can get a PRS trem if that's what you want.

http://www.mannmadeusa.com/
http://stores.homestead.com/JohnMannsGu ... Detail.bok

As for other options, Look into the Gotoh 510 series.

http://www.g-gotoh.com/international/?b ... t=510t-fe1
http://www.g-gotoh.com/international/?b ... t=510t-sf1

 

[metalmaniac93]

I really really dont want a PRS trem. They are pretty good though. How how is the Gotoh 510 series? Which one has more of a Floyd feel? I know Suhr uses them on their guitars and it appears that the 510TS-FE1 is the one that I see the most. What the differences between the different Gotoh 510s?

 

[El Chiguete]

I would say http://www.super-vee.com/ that's what I'll use on my next build!

 

[bhuard75]

.

 

[RSRD]

+1 for the gotoh 510. Awesome trem. Better then what PRS does. More reliable and workable.

 

[rupe]

Bigsby

 

[Lriagan]

So, why don't you get an Original Floyd Rose? I'm a bit confused here about... well, why not?

 

[metalmaniac93]

So, why don't you get an Original Floyd Rose? I'm a bit confused here about... well, why not?

They are great of course, but I just hate messing with them.

 

[metalmaniac93]

+1 for the gotoh 510. Awesome trem. Better then what PRS does. More reliable and workable.

Thanks, which one though?

 

[Mailman1971]

If I was going that route....I would do the kahler fixed bridge with the fine tuners.

 

[metalmaniac93]

If I was going that route....I would do the kahler fixed bridge with the fine tuners.

I cannot stand the Kahler!! Had one back in the 80's and did not like the feel of it.

 

[Mailman1971]

If I was going that route....I would do the kahler fixed bridge with the fine tuners.

I cannot stand the Kahler!! Had one back in the 80's and did not like the feel of it.

Yup...I hate Kahlers too...
But.....if I was going fixed bridge with tuners....it would be this for sure.
I been using a Schaller Floyd the last few years with brass block and I wont trade it for nothing.

 

[metalmaniac93]

If I was going that route....I would do the kahler fixed bridge with the fine tuners.

I cannot stand the Kahler!! Had one back in the 80's and did not like the feel of it.

Yup...I hate Kahlers too...
But.....if I was going fixed bridge with tuners....it would be this for sure.
I been using a Schaller Floyd the last few years with brass block and I wont trade it for nothing.

Well the Floyd is still not out since that is what I have on all but one of my guitars with tremelos, but it will be an original or the Schaller with a brass block.

 

[grooveHT]

From all accounts, this one is badass:

Hipshot Contour Trem
http://store.hipshotproducts.com/cart.p ... tail&p=181

I have one coming on a guitar at the end of this week, more to follow!

 

[metalmaniac93]

From all accounts, this one is badass:

Hipshot Contour Trem
http://store.hipshotproducts.com/cart.p ... tail&p=181

I have one coming on a guitar at the end of this week, more to follow!

Thanks, let me know how it is. I heard good thing about this.

 

[tom_h]

I really really dont want a PRS trem. They are pretty good though. How how is the Gotoh 510 series? Which one has more of a Floyd feel? I know Suhr uses them on their guitars and it appears that the 510TS-FE1 is the one that I see the most. What the differences between the different Gotoh 510s?

There is the regular 510 series and the EV510 series. The 510 series uses a Fender-style baseplate, and the EV510 has a similar look to the Hipshot and Mann trem units.

EV510:

The following options are available on the 510 and EV510 series:

Block option:
___T has the tapered "FST" block, which is generally believed to be zinc.
___TS is the beefier steel block option (this is the one John Suhr prefers using).

Saddle options:
-FE is modern style saddles
-SF has the stamped (vintage Fender style) steel saddles

Baseplate option (not including EV510 model
1 - is the 2-post baseplate
2 - is the 6-screw base plate

None of these really have the heavy feel of a Floyd Rose, but I would say that the 510TS-FE1 or EV510TS-FE would be the closest of the 510 series.

510-FE1:

510-SF1:

510-FE2:

510-SF2:

 

[glpg80]

From all accounts, this one is badass:

Hipshot Contour Trem
http://store.hipshotproducts.com/cart.p ... tail&p=181

I have one coming on a guitar at the end of this week, more to follow!

+1

Only one that comes to mind.

 

[metalmaniac93]

Thanks for the recommendations. It looks like I will check out the Gotoh 510TS-FE or the Hipshot, if I don't decide to go the way of the Floyd. I do have a Wilkinson on one of my guitars and I like the feel of it. So something along the lines of the Wilkinson that is better quality and stays in tune better.

 

[Dave L]

I don´t see it as much is I used to, but the proper Wilkinson VS100 is a nice unit as well. Sort of the original high-performance trem for folks that grew tired of Floyds.