Gotoh Vintage Trem from Warmoth

adam.2043

New member
Does anyone have any experience with these? I did a quick google search and people generally seem to think they're pretty good, but I'd like some more reinforcement before I go ahead and buy it. The price is VERY good... almost too good, so that makes me a bit wary. However, its sold by Warmoth so its gotta be pretty good, right?
Here's a link: http://www.warmoth.com/-P590.aspx



FWIW, it will be replacing the "Wilkinson Vintage Tremolo" sold by Guitarftish. (http://www.guitarfetish.com/Wilkinson-Vintage-Tremolo-Pop-In-Arm-with-Block_p_897.html). I couldn't stand the pop-in arm feature (I like it to hang loose, which it won't do without falling out) , and the trem just felt cheap overall.

I want to make sure the Gotoh unit is better than the one its replacing....

Thanks, Adam
 
Re: Gotoh Vintage Trem from Warmoth

@ Metal Maniac -- That could be interesting... How does it differ from the one that Warmoth sells?

@ Stratman -- Thanks for the suggestion, but I think the Super Vee is a bit more than I'd be willing to spend on this particular guitar.
 
Re: Gotoh Vintage Trem from Warmoth

@ Metal Maniac -- That could be interesting... How does it differ from the one that Warmoth sells?

.

Well, for one, I did some looking around on reviews when I got mine, and it seems to be Gotohs vintage Trem that has the solid steel block and saddles.
The saddles themselves are sold online for about 30 dollars.
It is, from what I have been able to learn about it, a standard Fender style vintage tremolo that is Gotohs premium vintage style 2 and 3/16th's spacing unit. I got mine for 50 bucks used, and its a excellent tremolo, and I think you should write down the model number and do some googling, and I think you'll be impressed with the reviews as I was.
I would not go for the lower end unit that you are considering. I don't think it has the quality baseplate/saddles/block/trem arm. How could it?
 
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I've got a Gotoh like that one from Warmoth on my frankenstrat. It's been on it since I assembled the guitar in 1993. It might be the same one, not 100% sure. It was a long time ago. I do know I didn't pay a lot for it. No issues whatsoever with it at all. It's a good solid trem with a full size steel block. I say get the one from Warmoth.

I you plan on using the trem a lot, look at the SuperVee. I don't have experience with it but I like what I see from it and if I was a heavy trem user, that's what I'd get (other than a Floyd Rose).
 
Re: Gotoh Vintage Trem from Warmoth


I have the Gotoh one from Warmoth. Very solid trem, high quality, and Warmoth has the cheapest price on it anywhere, to my knowledge.

How is the one that you listed any different, except for being more expensive? Looks like the same exact specs-- vintage spacing, 6-hole, full size steel block.
 
Re: Gotoh Vintage Trem from Warmoth

Well, for one, I did some looking around on reviews when I got mine, and it seems to be Gotohs vintage Trem that has the solid steel block and saddles.
The saddles themselves are sold online for about 30 dollars.
It is, from what I have been able to learn about it, a standard Fender style vintage tremolo that is Gotohs premium vintage style 2 and 3/16th's spacing unit. I got mine for 50 bucks used, and its a excellent tremolo, and I think you should write down the model number and do some googling, and I think you'll be impressed with the reviews as I was.
I would not go for the lower end unit that you are considering. I don't think it has the quality baseplate/saddles/block/trem arm. How could it?

The "lower end" unit he's looking at from Warmoth is the same one you're recommending, just less expensive. I don't know how warmoth does it, but their trems and tuner prices are alot cheaper than you can find elsewhere for the same exact stuff. They prob buy them in bulk or something.
 
Re: Gotoh Vintage Trem from Warmoth

I've got a GE101TS - Its a great bridge.

The lower end unit could be good as well, I'd just make sure it has a cold rolled milled steel block - not sintered steel.
 
Re: Gotoh Vintage Trem from Warmoth

Ok so I did some research, and from what I can piece together, I think Warmoth does sell the GE101TS... On Gotoh's website they list two vintage trem models, the GE101TS and the GE101T. Both are listed as having steel saddles, but only the GE101TS is listed as having a steel block. However, I also emailed Warmoth on the issue, and they replied that they the trem that they sell has a steel block, which leads me to believe that they sell the GE101TS... I'm thinking I'll email Warmoth again and ask for the exact model number they sell (I probably should have asked them that in the first place lol :smack:)

Here's a link to Gotoh's website: http://www.g-gotoh.com/international/?btp_product_category=tremolo-lock-nuts

Seeing as I'm just a poor student, I think I'll save some money now and go with the Warmoth/StewMac version and upgrade the block/saddles at a later date if I find it necessary. Plus, I figure the difference between the two wouldn't be all that noticeable through the Roland MicroCube I'll be employing in my dorm over the next 9 months haha.

Thanks everyone for your responses!
 
Re: Gotoh Vintage Trem from Warmoth

I can't see as how the separate saddles for $30 are an upgrade, per se. It's usually more expensive to get parts for a trem than it is to get the whole trem.

The warmoth one definitely has a steel block. I stand by my opinion that the one Metal is recommending is the same one that warmoth sells. No sense in paying mo' money for the same thing!
 
Re: Gotoh Vintage Trem from Warmoth

The one on Warmoth seems like a good deal. I've never had a problem getting my purchases from them. They have decent gear at reasonable prices. I've been thinking of buying a new neck for a Strat recently. Solid maple neck and board. Jumbo frets. On a blue "reliced" Strat. Sexy.
 
Re: Gotoh Vintage Trem from Warmoth

. I stand by my opinion that the one Metal is recommending is the same one that warmoth sells. No sense in paying mo' money for the same thing!

It simply cannot be the same quality unit. There is 50 dollars price difference, and Warmoht aint giving it away.
 
Re: Gotoh Vintage Trem from Warmoth

MM is right - But the price given in the link seemed a bit high though.

There's a difference IMO between a "steel" block and a milled CRS steel block. Closest example I've done is a Vintage Wilkinson (Similar to the OP's) to a Gotoh 510 TS. Unplugged tone had a bit more "Punch" with the 510.
 
Re: Gotoh Vintage Trem from Warmoth

It simply cannot be the same quality unit. There is 50 dollars price difference, and Warmoht aint giving it away.

It totally can be the same quality unit. They sell some schaller locking tuners for way less than anywhere else too, but that doesn't mean they're not the same tuners. Gotoh doesn't make that many different vintage trems (i.e. 6-hole, stamped steel saddles, etc.).

I have the bridge from Warmoth, and have used inferior strat bridges (ones w full size blocks). There's nothing lacking at all in the gotoh bridge I got from Warmoth, so I stand behind the fact that it's the same one you're using, Metalmaniac. Can you shoot me a clear pic of the bottom of the block where the strings go in? I want to compare it to mine to see if there's a difference in the look of the block. The block on the one I have is friggin' heavy too. I was surprised at the heft when I got it.

Warmoth's charging $44 for the chrome one, Stew Mac's charging $64, if Warmoth bought a bunch of them, then I can see them charging less for it than other places. There are other items they're higher on, so overall it balances out.

Does anyone have a list of the different types of vintage trems from Gotoh so we can evern determine if they offer more than 1 vintage type? If one is "lesser" than the other, then it lends way more credibility to the fact that warmoth is selling the "lesser" one.

On the flip side, have you seen how pricey Warmoth is on their Duncan pickups? Alot more than other places.
 
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Re: Gotoh Vintage Trem from Warmoth

It totally can be the same quality unit. They sell some schaller locking tuners for way less than anywhere else too, but that doesn't mean they're not the same tuners. Gotoh doesn't make that many different vintage trems (i.e. 6-hole, stamped steel saddles, etc.).

I have the bridge from Warmoth, and have used inferior strat bridges (ones w full size blocks). There's nothing lacking at all in the gotoh bridge I got from Warmoth, so I stand behind the fact that it's the same one you're using, Metalmaniac. Can you shoot me a clear pic of the bottom of the block where the strings go in? I want to compare it to mine to see if there's a difference in the look of the block. The block on the one I have is friggin' heavy too. I was surprised at the heft when I got it.

Warmoth's charging $44 for the chrome one, Stew Mac's charging $64, if Warmoth bought a bunch of them, then I can see them charging less for it than other places. There are other items they're higher on, so overall it balances out.

Does anyone have a list of the different types of vintage trems from Gotoh so we can evern determine if they offer more than 1 vintage type? If one is "lesser" than the other, then it lends way more credibility to the fact that warmoth is selling the "lesser" one.

On the flip side, have you seen how pricey Warmoth is on their Duncan pickups? Alot more than other places.
There are two vintage trems that Gotoh makes. The GE101t and the GE101ts. It's not entirely clear what the differences between the two are... I emailed Warmoth asking which one they sell and they replied with the following: "We don’t have a part number as you describe. We purchase those bridges in bulk as OEM parts from Gotoh."

That could help explain how warmoth sells them so cheap...
 
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