6 point tremolo with the most range?

[Chistopher]

So one of my synchronized tremolo units has started to develop rust in certain spots that are causing it to go out of tune. I was wondering if there are any companies that make a tremolo unit with a vintage aesthetic and 6 point mounting that also have more range than the unit I have on it now. A pop-in arm in would also be a plus. I was looking at the NFT Floyd Roses, but they require drilling new posts, which I don't want to do on this guitar.

 

[VinceT]

Re: 6 point tremolo with the most range?

Callaham?


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[Chistopher]

Re: 6 point tremolo with the most range?

Do you know the specific change in pitch you can get with those? I'm only interested in downward. My current trem can only get about a little more than a wholestep.

 

[VinceT]

Re: 6 point tremolo with the most range?

I'd have to check on my Strat - but I have it set floating, so the downward travel is less than if it were decked.


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[vinta9e]

Re: 6 point tremolo with the most range?

"Vintage" trems ain't made for divebombing, forget about it.

 

[daenius]

Re: 6 point tremolo with the most range?

Callaham would sadly NOT be an option here. They use a very large string block in the cavity, which REALLY limits your dive range because the block would hit the wood very soon.

Outside of the pivots on the screws, the block plays a large role in your dive range. I would suggest taking some measurements of your cavity and look into options like Gotoh or Hipshot for the pop-in arm

Gotoh: http://www.mojotone.com/guitar-part...F2-Series-Vintage-Style-Tremolo-Bridge-Chrome
Hipshot: https://store.hipshotproducts.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=344

 

[kramersteen]

Re: 6 point tremolo with the most range?

"Vintage" trems ain't made for divebombing, forget about it.

Mostly decorative. :doh:

 

[Mincer]

Re: 6 point tremolo with the most range?

I'd suggest the Bladerunner, but it is 4 point, and doesn't look exactly vintage. Works really well, though.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: 6 point tremolo with the most range?

I've been looking at a Gotoh 510T, but I don't know which pecific one. I'm mostly considering the vintage look and pop in tremolo at this point. What's the difference between a SF1 and FE2?

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: 6 point tremolo with the most range?

If the arm is bent upward, you get a little more range, but only until the block hits the body.

 

[The JEM Ghost]

Re: 6 point tremolo with the most range?

How about a Wilkinson Contemporary (if it has to be 6 point mounting) they come with a pop-in arm as you request and are decent tremelos, but I don't know if it will give you much more range than your old trem to be honest. Vintage style trems are not really made for extreme trem (ab)use.
http://www.wdmusic.com/wilkinson_contemporary_6_hole_tremolo_black.html

Wilkinson VS-100 is a real good bridge and can withstand some serious trem use, but those are not 6 point mounted.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: 6 point tremolo with the most range?

I'm looking at the Gotoh 510T FE2 which has 54mm E to e spacing and the standard MIM spacing is 52.5mm E to e. Will this present an issue with tuning or bending off of the neck? Or will it make little difference? I can change the nut width as I'm about to replace the nut anyway (my current one is cracked down the middle, it still works though).

 

[daenius]

Re: 6 point tremolo with the most range?

I'm looking at the Gotoh 510T FE2 which has 54mm E to e spacing and the standard MIM spacing is 52.5mm E to e. Will this present an issue with tuning or bending off of the neck? Or will it make little difference? I can change the nut width as I'm about to replace the nut anyway (my current one is cracked down the middle, it still works though).

Your problem with that is probably routing and fitting! Are the mounting holes still the same dimensions/location? You definitely want to make sure of that first.

Also about SF1 and FE2: SF1 is a TWO-POST bridge, FE2 is the 6-screw. I noticed that with these Gotoh 510 series, SF means bent steel saddle, FE means block saddle. 1 is the 2-post, 2 is the 6-screw.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: 6 point tremolo with the most range?

I was looking at the measurements and I think the mounting holes will be too close to drill without having to fill them in. I think I'll have to get a callaham. Anyone got experiences with those? How do those fancy "virtual pop-in" arms work? Does it work just like a normal pop-in?

 

[2ndhandband]

Re: 6 point tremolo with the most range?

I was looking at the measurements and I think the mounting holes will be too close to drill without having to fill them in. I think I'll have to get a callaham. Anyone got experiences with those? How do those fancy "virtual pop-in" arms work? Does it work just like a normal pop-in?

I have two guitars with the Callahams. They are arguably the best 6 post bridges on the planet but holy hell man they cost as much as a Floyd...

 

[Chistopher]

Re: 6 point tremolo with the most range?

I know, it's a darn shame. But that's probably what I'm going to have to do. Anything less than that is usually from inconsistent or consistently bad companies. Does the Callaham have issues with hitting the back of the route? Is the drop-in adjustable? I don't see any pictures with an adjuster.

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: 6 point tremolo with the most range?

I do not like 2 point Strat trems, although they are technically a much better design at returning to pitch from an engineering standpoint. You aren't going to get any more range from any 6 point trem except maybe the one Mincer said?

Anyway, the traditional designed 6 point trem in a flawed design form an engineering standpoint , and what you are looking for in a vintage modern engineered tremolo is the best return to pitch, I haven't seen anyone claiming more "range". The 'Callaham' is about the best, but even they say you cannot bend them ( down?) without tuning stability issues.

I have a couple of these "Wudtone" trems on my Strats ... pretty pricey units I ordered form Great Britian, and although it is an extremely well made unit, and although return to pitch is one of their main claims , I am skeptical that they are that much better if any better than the Callaham ( 'Killer Guitar Components" also makes an excellent unit) at return to pitch.

Learn to live with that if you dig Strats! ( BTW 'Wilkinsons' do have a narrower string spacing, but aside form that they appear to be solid units ( if you can stand that arm drop in design which I cannot);

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...7TbUjZ_aPTlUfDqug&sig2=oNVu5u992cKSGkvCr_RLjw

 

[Chistopher]

Re: 6 point tremolo with the most range?

The problem with synchronized tremolos is not necessarily a flawed design, it's that they are designed in a way requiring everything to be perfect. Bad nut, out of tune; bad saddles, out of tune; bad wrapping on the tuners, out of tune. Most of my Strat trems stay perfectly in tune with a decent set up. One actually stays in tune better than most of my Lesters.

 

[daenius]

Re: 6 point tremolo with the most range?

I was looking at the measurements and I think the mounting holes will be too close to drill without having to fill them in. I think I'll have to get a callaham. Anyone got experiences with those? How do those fancy "virtual pop-in" arms work? Does it work just like a normal pop-in?

Friend I jam with every week installed a Callaham on his, although it's the 2-post version. They use the same trem block and pop-in arm.

Pop-in arm is great, kind of similar to the Gotoh 510's arm but outside threaded instead of inside threaded. What you do is you pop in the arm, go pretty deep, and start turning it to adjust the tension/tightness. The beauty of it is that once you pop it in and start turning just one rotation, it's staying in there for good, and the feel is FAR better than the traditional screw-in arm.

Tone is fantastic with their saddles. Very high quality, very nicely polished, feels great to the hand, and very hi-fi tone.

Trem block is larger than a standard trem block. If your old trem block has one of those slanted cuts instead of just a giant retangle, you will definitely lose some dive range because it'll start either hitting the back plate or the wood. Basically you'd be trading some dive range for a superior feeling and sounding bridge.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: 6 point tremolo with the most range?

Thanks, is the tension adjustable? Also I have a GFS block I'm right now, which if I recall is the same size, so that shouldn't be an issue.