Floyd Original vs floyd special?

Maidenheadsteve

Maidenheadsteve

New member
Re: Floyd Original vs floyd special?

I would get the German made. That was easy. I personally think gotoh make a better FR than even the original these days.
 
Re: Floyd Original vs floyd special?

UP THE IRONS!!!!!!!

Anyways lol, the Special is made in Korea and features zinc alloy parts instead of good ol' German steel. Over the years it might start to wear out faster, but other than that, it's basically the same thing. I've owned Korean guitars with those "licensed by Floyd rose" trems and they worked great.
 
Re: Floyd Original vs floyd special?

OFR. The all-steel construction is probably responsible for most of what I like about the sound of the OFR. Never mind that it's rock solid, it will last a really long time, and it stays in tune.
 
Re: Floyd Original vs floyd special?

I've never owned an original. But I do have a Special that's been in use about 7 months. I bought a brass block the same time I ordered the Floyd special. I have 3 complaints. 1- the chrome finish on the saddles started coming off the first time I set the intonation. 2- the springs resonate badly when I bend up from D flat but this is only in standard tune. 3- the arm is loose, I cut a sliver of cardboard the tighten it up.

Tone and sustain (with a large brass block) are great and it returns to pitch properly.
 
Re: Floyd Original vs floyd special?

I owned a Special. wouldn't hold tuning, regardless of how perfectly I set it up.

I've also seen (on one of my buddy's guitars which was equipped with a special) the result of having those soft zinc alloy saddles - massive grooves cut into the metal by thick gauge strings to the point where the strings COULD NOT be locked. Being that I couldn't fix the deep grooves, I told him to get a set of OFR steel saddles, which I then installed for him. Not a single problem since then.
I believe the Specials use a zinc alloy saddles and maybe the block as well, but I think the baseplate is steel.

Get an OFR/Schaller/Gotoh and be worry free.
 
Re: Floyd Original vs floyd special?

I'd recommend a Special over a cheap import Licensed, but that's about it.
 
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Re: Floyd Original vs floyd special?

I have a Floyd Rose Special equipped guitar that I've been using since I think 2009. Still holds tune very well. But I never used heavy gauge strings on that guitar.

The Schaller Licensed Floyd Rose is my favorite and I cannot recommend it enough.
 
Re: Floyd Original vs floyd special?

A Floyd Special has the same hardened steel baseplate as the Original Floyd. So there shouldn't be tuning stability issues.

The block on the special is cast, for about $30 you can get a brass block upgrade.

The saddles are cast on the Special, compared to steel on the Original. A set of original Floyd saddles costs about $80.

The price of an original floyd is about $180 for chrome. The price if a special is about $80. By the time you factor in replacing the saddles and Big Block, you're up to the price of an Original Floyd.

If you have a guitar that came with a Floyd special, you can upgrade the saddles and block as funds allow
 
Re: Floyd Original vs floyd special?

I always say we'll know the answer to which is better in 25 years. All my ancient Floyds are top notch and work fine. The special I have works fine now.
 
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