Did they change the FR1000s?

[jchrisf]

I received a couple of new guitars with the FR1000 trems this week and they both felt better than the ones on my other guitars. Did they change something? Where my hand rests feels different/better and it doesn't rattle when it is not tight. It also stays in position better without being really tight and doesn't have any play in it when using the trem. The tuning screws seem to move easier as well.

 

[Findthetone1]

I received a couple of new guitars with the FR1000 trems this week and they both felt better than the ones on my other guitars. Did they change something? Where my hand rests feels different/better and it doesn't rattle when it is not tight. It also stays in position better without being really tight and doesn't have any play in it when using the trem. The tuning screws seem to move easier as well.

That'd be good news if they did. Every 1000 I've had experience with had fine tuners that felt like shit.

 

[napalmdeath]

Every 1000 I've had experience with had fine tuners that felt like shit.

Ain't that the truth.

 

[SonVolt]

That'd be good news if they did. Every 1000 I've had experience with had fine tuners that felt like shit.

As in the screws don't thread smoothly?

 

[Findthetone1]

As in the screws don't thread smoothly?

Correct. For a while, I was going to suggest they send a complimentary pair of Vice-Grips with every tremolo. I only have 1 Floyd guitar at the moment and it's an OFR so it's been a while since I've played a 1000.

 

[napalmdeath]

As in the screws don't thread smoothly?

Not just that, they're always inconsistent in their travel/range, and some may be smooth, some a real pain in the ass on the same unit. You might have one that'll go 5-6 turns, another that'll lock up after 3, (in either direction). Never smooth. I happen to have one on my San Dimas that works well, but not perfect. Nowhere near a German, or a Gotoh 1996T, (which I think is the best of the bunch).

 

[Findthetone1]

Not just that, they're always inconsistent in their travel/range, and some may be smooth, some a real pain in the ass on the same unit. You might have one that'll go 5-6 turns, another that'll lock up after 3, (in either direction). Never smooth. I happen to have one on my San Dimas that works well, but not perfect. Nowhere near a German, or a Gotoh 1996T, (which I think is the best of the bunch).

Exactly my experience with them as well.

 

[Geo]

The fine tuner issue is easily solved with a tap and some lube.

Quite honestly though the GOTOH 1996T is way more precise and well made but has a 13.78" radius compared to the 12" on the Floyd.

So it depends on what you are going to put it on.

 

[Findthetone1]

The fine tuner issue is easily solved with a tap and some lube.

Are we still talking about tremolos here?

 

[napalmdeath]

The fine tuner issue is easily solved with a tap and some lube.

It's a chore to get the old ones out. I even have some SS fine tuners I could throw on mine, but I'm not messing with it.

 

[itsme]

First thing I do with FR1000’s is to back the fine tuners out all the way, put a drop of 3in1 oil on the threads, and screw them back down. They work just fine after that

 

[Chris O]

If I have fine tuners that turn hard/rough/sticky, I turn the fine tuners all the way in, and dab a little vaseline on the threads with a q-tip. Does the trick most of the time.

 

[reignman454]

That'd be good news if they did. Every 1000 I've had experience with had fine tuners that felt like shit.

Gotta be mindful that producing them in the numbers they do, there are several processes and hands. QC on those surely isn't as good as the Schaller Product. Odds are, they have less QC points or even zero with a "We will warranty it" mentality. From machining, plating, coating, assembly packaging good change somethings hanging out in those threads.

I've done a setup on a brand new 1000 that the owner couldn't figure why it would break strings... constantly, same string at the bridge.

After a few scratches, I noticed the block insert was literally twice as big as it should be and had no radius, more like a block with a razor on the end.

 

[BlueParfait]

I received a couple of new guitars with the FR1000 trems this week and they both felt better than the ones on my other guitars. Did they change something? Where my hand rests feels different/better and it doesn't rattle when it is not tight. It also stays in position better without being really tight and doesn't have any play in it when using the trem. The tuning screws seem to move easier as well.

That's nice. Would be cool if they did.

IME I've never had issues with the FRT1000 other than

1) The arm
2) The sharp spring plate that the saddles rest on

Cut my hand on that once.

 

[napalmdeath]

First thing I do with FR1000’s is to back the fine tuners out all the way, put a drop of 3in1 oil on the threads, and screw them back down. They work just fine after that

I do the same.