Floyd Rose Special ?

[threadkiller]

What's your take on the Floyd Rose Special. I was looking at a guitar and asked the seller and apparently the Floyd is a Floyd Rose Special, made in South Korea. Any good or is it garbage? Is it going to stay in tune and will the knife edge wear easily or saddles strip out with typical use. I know the knock off Ping chinese and other "licensed by" floyds are a little sketchy but didn't know about this one.

 

[NaturalBornBoy]

The Specials use zinc alloy instead of the hardened steel that the German ones use.

If you really like the guitar, I'd ditch the Special and just replace it with a German Original.

 

[threadkiller]

Apparently this is the Floyd installed on MIM fenders equipped with a Floyd

 

[MrDowntown]

IMHO, they are ok.
Not as heavy feeling, and the fine tuners don't feel as refined...i suppose there is a noticeable difference in the machining. The trem arm attachment mechanism is different as well.

That said, I've had no tuning, or holding tune, issues to speak of, nor have I had any parts fly oft....

I agree, I wouldn't let it stop me from getting a guitar I liked.

Disclaimer: I dont travel, or gig. I play a lot, but always in same room where temperature and humidity stay pretty constant.

 

[dwizted]

i cant stand mine. strings are always popping out. The screws keep stripping on me...

 

[threadkiller]

Well, hopefully I didn't make a mistake because I just bought it. I figure for the price I could always install a German floyd if I like the guitar otherwise. Here it is.

https://www.thegearpage.net/board/showth ... ?t=1466427

 

[sahlomonic]

The Specials use zinc alloy instead of the hardened steel that the German ones use.

If you really like the guitar, I'd ditch the Special and just replace it with a German Original.

Zinc alloy is only used on the saddles and sustain block. Base plate is hardened steel, but may not be exactly like the German made OFR. Either way it is a very good tremolo for the money. If you do heavy tremolo use, be sure to upgrade saddles quick. Never trust anything zinc alloy on your guitar. Strings tend to pop out more because zinc alloy is a relatively softer metal than steel, so it's easy to compress it and bug it up it you screw it tight enough. Just not worth the hassle to keep those saddles.

http://www.floydrose.com/catalog/tremol ... es/special

You can find used Floyd Rose Specials for dirt cheap on eBay, then just buy replacement steel saddles, then upgrade to a bigger brass block while you're at it, that is if you're really looking for a Floyd on a budget. Lot of guys will take them off their LTD right when they buy it and sell them for $20 or so (I bought 2 for that price within the last couple years).

 

[Valtyr]

My Shred LP Studio has one. No problems so far, but I don't use it heavily. If it ever causes and issue I'll upgrade it to German made Floyd.