Do you like your 6-hole trems?

[Cron]

Hey, I'm building a custom guitar and already have a 6-hole trem.
(LR Baggs X-bridge)

I just wanted to know what you guys thought about the 6-hole trems.

Soundwise how would it compare to its 2 pin counterparts?

Do they give more tuning problems than normal 2-pin trems? i will be using locking tuners (either schaller or grover, suggestions?)

I can sell it and get a 2-pin trem but would rather keep it if it was decent sounding and didn't give tuning hassles.

So what do you think?

 

[jeremy]

Re: Do you like your 6-hole trems?

if its a good bridge, id use it. if not get a new one. i have a 6 pt trem on a strat that kinda sucks but im gonna replace it with a nice calaham 6 pt to give it a little more sustain

 

[\m/(00)\m/]

Re: Do you like your 6-hole trems?

i dont like 6 hole trems cause they're too stiff. and they seem to go out of tune easier as well

 

[aleclee]

Re: Do you like your 6-hole trems?

if its a good bridge, id use it. if not get a new one.

+1

IMO, a lot of the prejudice against six-hole trems is like bias against bolt-neck guitars. A lot of 'em are cheap but that doesn't mean they all are.

I have five guitars with six-hole trems. Four are PRS and one is a Driskill. I'm pretty happy with 'em. They can all handle just about anything short of slack-string dive bombs just fine.

Finally, keep in mind that trem tuning issues are often caused by the nut and tuners and not just the bridge.

 

[Alvin Lee Fan]

Re: Do you like your 6-hole trems?

The Strats I've owned have always had vintage trems, never played a two-point except for the Lite Ash Strat I tried recently. I've never had a problem with them sounding bad or staying in tune. Check out the Strat setup guide at www.mrgearhead.com for good info about how to setup a 6 hole trem. If it's got a cheap, small trem block, get a good steel one from Callaham or Allparts. Best thing you can do for a cheap trem.

 

[Farkus]

Re: Do you like your 6-hole trems?

Hmm...a six bolt trem? I like them a lot. I really prefer them over the 2 point trem because I think they sound 'thicker'. Not the Japanese ones or the Mexican ones, though, as they are NOT the same bridge that is on the USA Vintage series. I can really tell a difference. Now, I don't use the trem for vibrato, so I can't comment on the tuning differences. If you're using a guitar with locking tuners and a good nut (LSR, graphite) and is set up well, I can't imagine it being much worse that the 2 point trem in terms of tuning stability.

Farkus

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Do you like your 6-hole trems?

working on a strat right now...belive me when I say this...A 6 HOLE TREM SOUNDS BETTER THAT A 2 HOLE!!! With locking tuners and a good nut you will be in tune just fine!

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Do you like your 6-hole trems?

I've owned both, and prefer the 6 screw vintage trems. Get yourself a quality bridge, like a Callaham, and you will be set. More stable IMO than the 2 pt, and better tone.

 

[dani]

Re: Do you like your 6-hole trems?

i love my callaham bridge. imo, a 6-hole trem is vital for an authentic strat tone. i do not have any tuning problems with it since i don't use it like a floyd but more for a vibrato/tremolo effect. if set up properly (that includes your nut, string retainers and tuners), it can hold its tune with any 2-hole trem. lastly, get a steel block if yours is not. it makes a hell lot of difference.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Do you like your 6-hole trems?

I dive-bomb with my MIJ 62RI strat and it stays in tune just fine. I have Kluson style tuners and a bone nut as well. It's all about how you set it up.