Best/Reliable Non-Floyd Trem

  • Thread starter Thread starter metalmaniac93
  • Start date Start date
Im a fan of the PRS and Ernie Ball Music Man ones. Personally, I've never liked locking trem systems, if you can get a good one that stays in tunes, you dont need it (unless you do those slayer dive bombs all day)
 
The 510 really is excellent. It not only stays in tune really well but for me, it has the best "arm in the bridge plate" feel. No slop at all. Ever. So it's really accurate when you touch it.
 
Dave L":3coejljp said:
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.


Yes, I have one on one of my guitars. I heard that the Gotoh 510 series trems have a similar feel, but are much more stable and reliable.
 
If you are not wanting to get a Floyd because you don't want to deal with the locking nut, just get it and use locking tuners. You can do almost everything you can with the locking nut and it stays in tune perfect(once you get the strings stretched). I have been using that set up on one guitar for 15 plus years.
 
snowdog":35pyelw3 said:
If you are not wanting to get a Floyd because you don't want to deal with the locking nut, just get it and use locking tuners. You can do almost everything you can with the locking nut and it stays in tune perfect(once you get the strings stretched). I have been using that set up on one guitar for 15 plus years.


Yeah, I have that on my old foreign Kramers (replaced the neck with a Carvin neck) and I have the recessed Floyd blocked. it stays in tune perfectly. I tried the same approach with the Kramer Baretta II and it did not work so good.
 
metalmaniac93":v65gxcfh said:
snowdog":v65gxcfh said:
If you are not wanting to get a Floyd because you don't want to deal with the locking nut, just get it and use locking tuners. You can do almost everything you can with the locking nut and it stays in tune perfect(once you get the strings stretched). I have been using that set up on one guitar for 15 plus years.


Yeah, I have that on my old foreign Kramers (replaced the neck with a Carvin neck) and I have the recessed Floyd blocked. it stays in tune perfectly. I tried the same approach with the Kramer Baretta II and it did not work so good.

Mines of the full floating variety. Sounds like your nut was not cut properly, or it should have worked fine.
 
For tuning stability and good sound I would choose the Wilkinson VSV trem, it works quite perfect, it is well made, the sound is better than other trems and almost vintage like.
(Best ((vintage)) sound is the Callaham with Raw Vintage Saddles and Springs).

The VSV works like butter when you use it, the ball-ends are fixed very deeply into the trem block near the trem plate (difference Callaham)
Another cool side effect, the spacing is a little less wide than a vintage trem, i.e. both e strings are often placed better.

It is important to have a perfect nut/no altered non parallel string bending on the headstock with both units, otherwise it is a mess when you use the trem.

Kai
 
add:

Most people are not aware which is the main difference between a floyd and a vintage 6 screw vib/trem types with steel,

IMHO:
It is the Twang which is killed by using modern designs and wacky saddles, the more you use less gain and play in different picking positions with your right hand you will notice this, the above mentioned Callaham has the most depth and less sizzle.

Kai
 
grooveHT":37m6q585 said:
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!

I'm using the Hipshot Contour trem bridge on my USACG 'super strat' and it works wonderfully. I much prefer it to the trem bridge on my PRS guitars. It's as stable as a non-locking, floating trem is ever going to be (in my case anyway). I'm able to bend the trem sharp or flat (trem bar or bridge to the deck) and have it return all strings to correct pitch. As is the case with any trem bridge when the strings become too old and stretched/worn or when the springs begin to wear from use tuning stability begins to falter. Change of strings or springs (whichever is necessary) resolves any tuning stability issues. My guitar has Gotoh 18:1 locking tuners and a bone nut (I use a graphite powder lubricant to keep the strings moving smoothly in their slots).
 
metalmaniac93":2wvykg7f said:
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.
The best non-trem bridge I've ever played is the Callaham Vintage S Model Strat Bridge Assembly. I have it in my EVH Frankenstein replica and it really will not go out of tune. Sounds great, feels great - no complaints...

Steve
 
Well this thread is great and I thank everyone for the advice. I just found out that my only options for this build is a Floyd or a specially designed vintage 6-point trem. So now I have only two choices, which makes my life easier!! :lol: :LOL: :lol: :LOL: :lol: :LOL:
 
I LOVE the Super Vee Bladerunner. Drops right in a fender trem cavity with no modification needed or neccessary.
 
Gainzilla":34exuzyr said:
I LOVE the Super Vee Bladerunner. Drops right in a fender trem cavity with no modification needed or neccessary.

Kage, I was thinking of dropping one into my next USACG build. Tuning stability is pretty good then?
 
grooveHT":1zmjyzjt said:
Gainzilla":1zmjyzjt said:
I LOVE the Super Vee Bladerunner. Drops right in a fender trem cavity with no modification needed or neccessary.

Kage, I was thinking of dropping one into my next USACG build. Tuning stability is pretty good then?

Its awesome Jeff though I do use locking tuners with it. The guitar has become more resonant with better sustain and the feel is more floyd to me than trad Fender. Its like the best of both worlds IMHO...
 
Gainzilla":5bo4jspw said:
grooveHT":5bo4jspw said:
Gainzilla":5bo4jspw said:
I LOVE the Super Vee Bladerunner. Drops right in a fender trem cavity with no modification needed or neccessary.

Kage, I was thinking of dropping one into my next USACG build. Tuning stability is pretty good then?

Its awesome Jeff though I do use locking tuners with it. The guitar has become more resonant with better sustain and the feel is more floyd to me than trad Fender. Its like the best of both worlds IMHO...

That sounds right up my alley...dammit, you're costing me serious money! :D Actually got a USACG web special body at a steal and it was routed for 6-hole trem, so now I have something to do with it!
 
Back
Top