Gotoh 510 still going strong in 2026?

[raakaribul]

Thinking about switching from a floyd to a 510 because I'm not really using tremolo like a maniac anymore. Don't really care for all the extra hassle when changing strings with a floyd.

Has the quality stayed the same over the years or should I consider something else as a replacement?

 

[PapaGuac]

They are still great. Even the new Suhr bridges are based on them. James Tyler still uses the zinc block ones in their guitars and they are incredible instruments.

 

[raakaribul]

They are still great. Even the new Suhr bridges are based on them. James Tyler still uses the zinc block ones in their guitars and they are incredible instruments.

Glad to hear it. I guess it's a no brainer atp to go with the Gotoh when it comes to tremolos.

 

[scottosan]

You may want to check out the Wilkinson/Gotoh VSVG

 

[raakaribul]

You may want to check out the Wilkinson/Gotoh VSVG

Too bad you can't get a fu-tone brass block on that model

 

[cobrahead1030]

Both of my Suhrs have them, and they’re pretty great. I don’t use the trems an awful lot, but I keep both set up for floating with zero issues.

 

[Fusionbear]

I love both the 510 and Gotoh Floyd.

I also have the older Wilkinson on my 2007 Suhr Standard

 

[Deleted member 77333]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DMWP8MMM?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

I just installed this one on my Sterling LUKE. Major improvement.
The stock trem block was pot metal.

 

[raakaribul]

I love both the 510 and Gotoh Floyd.

I also have the older Wilkinson on my 2007 Suhr Standard

View attachment 452371

Cool collection of Suhrs. If Suhr likes the 510 it must be worth it in that case.

 

[BlueParfait]

I still prefer Floyds tbh

FWIW I think the 510 sounds better. Actually, no. I know so because I've had 510 guitars retrofitted to an FR for better tuning stability + string saving measures, and they all sound a bit worse for it.

 

[Akira]

The Gotoh 510 is great. I have them on two guitars: an Ibanez AZ Prestige and a Suhr Modern Satin. Both have the bridge floating and the tuning stability is overall quite solid. I wouldn't necessarily call this a critique, but it does feel a bit different than a floyd IMHO. To me it feels a bit more stiff and doesn't flutter as well. I recently tried a VegaTrem and I quite like how slinky it feels.

I've been very curious about the Gotoh 510fx, which appears to be their answer to the Hipshot Hardtail that's so popular. It's a bummer that you don't really see any guitars with them.

510fx

 

[raakaribul]

I still prefer Floyds tbh

FWIW I think the 510 sounds better. Actually, no. I know so because I've had 510 guitars retrofitted to an FR for better tuning stability + string saving measures, and they all sound a bit worse for it.

How much better is the tuning stability on FRs?

 

[BlueParfait]

How much better is the tuning stability on FRs?

With a normal trem, the strings can still get stuck on the nut, or you might go very slightly out of tune after a bend, or idk maybe there are changes in temperature and the tuning changes.

With a Floyd, I can just pick up a guitar I left around two weeks ago and go straight to recording lol

 

[raakaribul]

With a normal trem, the strings can still get stuck on the nut, or you might go very slightly out of tune after a bend, or idk maybe there are changes in temperature and the tuning changes.

With a Floyd, I can just pick up a guitar I left around two weeks ago and go straight to recording lol

Have you checked out the Unlock nut from Graphtech? I'm thinking about replacing the locking nut with one of those.

 

[BlueParfait]

Never have, sorry.

 

[Deleted member 77333]

Lube yer nuttz for best results -

 

[Classic]

The 510 is a fantastic unit.

 

[Fusionbear]

Cool collection of Suhrs. If Suhr likes the 510 it must be worth it in that case.

In my Classic, I have the new Suhr trem. Love it too. Gigged several times. Very stable and has the "right" resonance...

 

[BlueParfait]

FWIW, I think the new Suhr trem is better designed than the steel-block 510

Less sharp string angle