Floyd Rose upgrade questions

[OldGtrGuy]

Just got a guitar with a 1000. Just have a few questions

* If I wanted to upgrade to an OFR is it going to be a drop in, perfect fit replacement.

* Are there any differences between today's OFR and the OFR of the past as far as quality?

If I do this upgrade I would want it to be the best possible version if there are any differences over the years.

 

[Geo]

Just got a guitar with a 1000. Just have a few questions

* If I wanted to upgrade to an OFR is it going to be a drop in, perfect fit replacement.

* Are there any differences between today's OFR and the OFR of the past as far as quality?

If I do this upgrade I would want it to be the best possible version if there are any differences over the years.

Yes, it will be a drop in replacement.

The only difference is where the Floyd was made. Same materials just made in a different country.

Is it worth it? It wouldn't be to me because I know there is really no difference.

 

[pipelineaudio]

Unless it’s an FRTS1000, in which case it would be a Special with zinc saddles.

 

[EGW-Eric]

I would also suggest that older MIG Floyds tend to have been the best quality in my experience.

 

[tpruitt]

No,no there all not the same.
I have a guitar with a Floyd special that sat flat against the body and when I switch it for a O.G. The O.G. Sat about a 1/4 inch above the body. So definitely different heights.
Just fyi

 

[OldGtrGuy]

No,no there all not the same.
I have a guitar with a Floyd special that sat flat against the body and when I switch it for a O.G. The O.G. Sat about a 1/4 inch above the body. So definitely different heights.
Just fyi

Good to know, ive still been debating this as im using this guitar much more and Im not loving the FR1000

Its been a while since I had an OFR, my other guitar is Gotoh.

But on the 1000, it's very nit picky of me but the fine tuners just suck. They feel weird, not very smooth to turn and also while its probably just my setup, the guitar goes out of tune a lot.

 

[EGW-Eric]

Good to know, ive still been debating this as im using this guitar much more and Im not loving the FR1000

Its been a while since I had an OFR, my other guitar is Gotoh.

But on the 1000, it's very nit picky of me but the fine tuners just suck. They feel weird, not very smooth to turn and also while its probably just my setup, the guitar goes out of tune a lot.

A little three-in-one oil sometimes helps those tuners feel a little better.

 

[napalmdeath]

They're a different radius as well. I believe a 1000 is 12" and an OFR is 10". But you can remove the shims, or, I believe the new USA production now offers radius options.

1000's are so hit/miss. For every good one, there's 10 that are garbage. The fine tuners nearly always suck. Tight, inconsistent travel, some are a bitch to turn, clicky, sloppy arms that come loose.

 

[Geo]

1000's are so hit/miss. For every good one, there's 10 that are garbage. The fine tuners nearly always suck. Tight, inconsistent travel, some are a bitch to turn, clicky, sloppy arms that come loose.

The 1000's I purchased directly form Floyd Rose seem fine.

 

[napalmdeath]

The 1000's I purchased directly form Floyd Rose seem fine.

Maybe they have quality control. Most mass produced brands using them probably get a grab bag of good/bad. Some are just plain awful. Some fine tuners lock up after 3 turns, some go 5 or 6, some even come all the way out. I returned a Charvel I bought new about 3 or so months ago because the Floyd was absolutely unusable. It was plagued with issues.

 

[reignman454]

Yes, it will be a drop in replacement.

The only difference is where the Floyd was made. Same materials just made in a different country.

Is it worth it? It wouldn't be to me because I know there is really no difference.

Negative good sir... Different metallurgy, different coatings, different standards. Similar? Sure... Only difference being COO is a streeeetch




The common issue with cheaper floyds is the fulcrum point where the bridge base meets the posts... the "Knife edges" if you will. Whether it's the heat treat/hardness, material, coating... it exists. I know guys (myself included) who would use "cheaper" parts that aren't as critical and be fine IE string block from a special, saddle from a 1000 with little to no issues however, same story if you get mileage on it, broken saddles over time due to material differences.

A legit German Floyd/schaller lockmeister is a legit upgrade however, if you're not going crazy putting 8 hours a day on it, might not need it.

 

[Geo]

Negative good sir... Different metallurgy, different coatings, different standards. Similar? Sure... Only difference being COO is a streeeetch




The common issue with cheaper floyds is the fulcrum point where the bridge base meets the posts... the "Knife edges" if you will. Whether it's the heat treat/hardness, material, coating... it exists. I know guys (myself included) who would use "cheaper" parts that aren't as critical and be fine IE string block from a special, saddle from a 1000 with little to no issues however, same story if you get mileage on it, broken saddles over time due to material differences.

A legit German Floyd/schaller lockmeister is a legit upgrade however, if you're not going crazy putting 8 hours a day on it, might not need it.

Splitting hairs, I would say. The 1000's are supposed to have the same metallurgy as the OFR just made in a different location.

Is that true? Ask a metallurgist, we will never know. Is there a difference in sound? Doubt it.

 

[reignman454]

Gotcha... same steel, probably the same... Seems legit.

I will agree sound difference is negligible until you factor in things like microphonics, electrical conductivity, coating thicknesses.... Long twisty rabbit hole my guy.

 

[Geo]

Gotcha... same steel, probably the same... Seems legit.

I will agree sound difference is negligible until you factor in things like microphonics, electrical conductivity, coating thicknesses.... Long twisty rabbit hole my guy.

Nothing wrong with splitting hairs if you like that sort of thing.

 

[JimmyGrim]

The OFR should be a pretty straightforward swap if the post spacing and routing match, but I’d still measure first. The 1000 series is good, but the OFR is generally considered a step up in materials and consistency. As for older vs newer OFRs, most players don’t notice a huge difference - a good current one is still excellent.