Kahler vs Floyd
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One of Jerry's Kids
Re: Kahler vs Floyd
I am a big Kahler fan. I have a hybrid 7200 on my Iceman. The Kalher has a nice action very smooth. It is also a nice looking bridge. The big plus IMO is the Kahler doesn't need all the maintenance a Floyd does. It is more of a set it and forget it trem.
I am a big Kahler fan. I have a hybrid 7200 on my Iceman. The Kalher has a nice action very smooth. It is also a nice looking bridge. The big plus IMO is the Kahler doesn't need all the maintenance a Floyd does. It is more of a set it and forget it trem.
ItsaBass
New member
Re: Kahler vs Floyd
I like both. I have nothing that big against Floyds, but to me, the Kahler is superior in almost every respect. I never cared much about either for a long time. However, I got my first Kahlerized guitar some time last year, and since then, I've been hooked on them. They're everything I've always wanted in a vibrato. They look good. They perform great. They're easy to install. They're almost infinitely adjustable. They require routing, but to my mind, it's in a less offensive way than a Floyd.
The main functional difference is that the Floyd is basically a souped-up Strat vibrato: fulcrum style, through the body with body-mounted springs and claw – and it's double locking (saddle and nut). The Kahler is basically a souped-up cross between a Mustang and a Bigsby vibrato: cam style, and self contained (one unit that mounts on top, to which the springs are internally attached) – and it's single locking (nut only).
A Floyd is a bit harder to set up. You need shims in order to adjust the heights of individual strings. The Kahler saddles adjust pretty much like a Strat. String spacing is also highly adjustable on the Kahler.
It's also easier to restring a Kahler. No string cutting necessary...though bullet-end (Fender) strings work better than ball-end strings (same goes for a stock Fender vibrato, BTW).
The Floyd stays in tune a little better when doing super extreme vibrato "tricks." That's because it's double locking. It also feels more like a traditional Strat vibrato. The Kahler has a tighter and more controlled feel, and IMO is better for "traditional" vibrato use (but can also do its fair share of "tricks.") For what I play, the Floyd offers no advantages in these areas. I use my vibratos for actual vibrato (going slightly up and then back to pitch over and over), and as string benders (usually up a step, like a B bender). If I was a hot-dog showoff vibrato wanker monkey, I might find some advantages to the Floyd.
A bit of trivia is that the forward rim of the Kahlers are designed to fit perfectly into the vibrato cutout of a Stratocaster's pickguard. Also, about half of the required routing is already done on a Strat. So they are right at home on Strats.
Another point is that Kahlers should have routine maintenance performed on them. They should be cleaned and lightly oiled several times per year. (Its easy work, though.) Floyds, OTOH, being fulcrum-based vibratos, don't really need routine maintenance as much.
I like both. I have nothing that big against Floyds, but to me, the Kahler is superior in almost every respect. I never cared much about either for a long time. However, I got my first Kahlerized guitar some time last year, and since then, I've been hooked on them. They're everything I've always wanted in a vibrato. They look good. They perform great. They're easy to install. They're almost infinitely adjustable. They require routing, but to my mind, it's in a less offensive way than a Floyd.
The main functional difference is that the Floyd is basically a souped-up Strat vibrato: fulcrum style, through the body with body-mounted springs and claw – and it's double locking (saddle and nut). The Kahler is basically a souped-up cross between a Mustang and a Bigsby vibrato: cam style, and self contained (one unit that mounts on top, to which the springs are internally attached) – and it's single locking (nut only).
A Floyd is a bit harder to set up. You need shims in order to adjust the heights of individual strings. The Kahler saddles adjust pretty much like a Strat. String spacing is also highly adjustable on the Kahler.
It's also easier to restring a Kahler. No string cutting necessary...though bullet-end (Fender) strings work better than ball-end strings (same goes for a stock Fender vibrato, BTW).
The Floyd stays in tune a little better when doing super extreme vibrato "tricks." That's because it's double locking. It also feels more like a traditional Strat vibrato. The Kahler has a tighter and more controlled feel, and IMO is better for "traditional" vibrato use (but can also do its fair share of "tricks.") For what I play, the Floyd offers no advantages in these areas. I use my vibratos for actual vibrato (going slightly up and then back to pitch over and over), and as string benders (usually up a step, like a B bender). If I was a hot-dog showoff vibrato wanker monkey, I might find some advantages to the Floyd.
A bit of trivia is that the forward rim of the Kahlers are designed to fit perfectly into the vibrato cutout of a Stratocaster's pickguard. Also, about half of the required routing is already done on a Strat. So they are right at home on Strats.
Another point is that Kahlers should have routine maintenance performed on them. They should be cleaned and lightly oiled several times per year. (Its easy work, though.) Floyds, OTOH, being fulcrum-based vibratos, don't really need routine maintenance as much.
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F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Kahler vs Floyd
Something in the way they move.
Or, rather, in the way that most of the Kahler does not move, hence, keeping the string height over the pickups constant. This aspect is of importance to MIDI guitar players.
I am a relative latecomer to the FR double locking vibrato. I still prefer the Wilkinson VS-100, Kahler flatmount and Leo's six-point Stratocaster design.
Something in the way they move.
Or, rather, in the way that most of the Kahler does not move, hence, keeping the string height over the pickups constant. This aspect is of importance to MIDI guitar players.
I am a relative latecomer to the FR double locking vibrato. I still prefer the Wilkinson VS-100, Kahler flatmount and Leo's six-point Stratocaster design.
LReese
Sausage Gravy
Re: Kahler vs Floyd
The old skool Kahler had a string lock vs a locking nut. Nowdays I think they have a locking nut.
I feel its smoother than the Fender and Floyd. But that has to do with how its set up.
I also think its more of a pain to set up than a Fender. Setting intonation on a floyd without a tool is worse.
All in all I, I'd rather have one of the Fulcrum bridges. If the floyds I've got didn't seem (I perceive) to thin the sound, I'd go Floyd. There's security in having the strings locked down.
However my Kahlered Jackson is a very comfortable guitar to play.
The old skool Kahler had a string lock vs a locking nut. Nowdays I think they have a locking nut.
I feel its smoother than the Fender and Floyd. But that has to do with how its set up.
I also think its more of a pain to set up than a Fender. Setting intonation on a floyd without a tool is worse.
All in all I, I'd rather have one of the Fulcrum bridges. If the floyds I've got didn't seem (I perceive) to thin the sound, I'd go Floyd. There's security in having the strings locked down.
However my Kahlered Jackson is a very comfortable guitar to play.
Rand-O-Monium
New member
Re: Kahler vs Floyd
I'm personally a Floyd or Vint guy.
Kahlers always seemed kinda "mushy",for lack of a better term.Never cared for Bigbys either,tho.
I was looking pretty hard at one of their "hardtails" BITD,tho,dunno if they're still making those or not.
.02
I'm personally a Floyd or Vint guy.
Kahlers always seemed kinda "mushy",for lack of a better term.Never cared for Bigbys either,tho.
I was looking pretty hard at one of their "hardtails" BITD,tho,dunno if they're still making those or not.
.02
RoteGitarre
New member
Re: Kahler vs Floyd
The only Kahler's I've ever liked were the licensed FR copies that they made, and of those only the Steeler (because it's nearly identical to the FR) and the Killer, which I consider a superior design to the OFR. Too bad they quit making them, as I would love to build a guitar with a Killer installed. I'll just have to hang on to my Vandy.
The only Kahler's I've ever liked were the licensed FR copies that they made, and of those only the Steeler (because it's nearly identical to the FR) and the Killer, which I consider a superior design to the OFR. Too bad they quit making them, as I would love to build a guitar with a Killer installed. I'll just have to hang on to my Vandy.
Rand-O-Monium
New member
Re: Kahler vs Floyd
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
'Zat count?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
'Zat count?
DrNewcenstein
He Did the Monster Mash
Re: Kahler vs Floyd
Kahler never had a licensed version of the Floyd. The Steeler and Killer were a little too close to Floyd's design for comfort, so he sued and those units were barred. They copped his locking nut as well, and they had to switch to the behind-the-nut lock.
Well, that's a good thing, because AFAIK, nothing can replace the Edge trem except an Edge, and it has to be the same revision. It's designed a bit differently than a Floyd or Kahler.
The other main difference between the Floyd and Kahler (aside from the nut) is the tone. Kahlers tend to darken the overall tone due to the construction - lots of individual parts like rollers and ball cups and 2-piece saddles (clamp and body), and most of those are brass. On a Floyd, you've got a 2-section pivoting steel saddle that's bolted to the steel baseplate. Floyd does brighten the tone, but brass blocks are easier to find than steel Kahler parts.
I will say the Kahler I had (mounted on a Les Paul copy) years ago wasn't as "floppy" as a Floyd, and was so smooth and easy to control, I used it for slide work like Freebird and Zeppelin's version of You Shook Me.
Kahler never had a licensed version of the Floyd. The Steeler and Killer were a little too close to Floyd's design for comfort, so he sued and those units were barred. They copped his locking nut as well, and they had to switch to the behind-the-nut lock.
Well, that's a good thing, because AFAIK, nothing can replace the Edge trem except an Edge, and it has to be the same revision. It's designed a bit differently than a Floyd or Kahler.
The other main difference between the Floyd and Kahler (aside from the nut) is the tone. Kahlers tend to darken the overall tone due to the construction - lots of individual parts like rollers and ball cups and 2-piece saddles (clamp and body), and most of those are brass. On a Floyd, you've got a 2-section pivoting steel saddle that's bolted to the steel baseplate. Floyd does brighten the tone, but brass blocks are easier to find than steel Kahler parts.
I will say the Kahler I had (mounted on a Les Paul copy) years ago wasn't as "floppy" as a Floyd, and was so smooth and easy to control, I used it for slide work like Freebird and Zeppelin's version of You Shook Me.
RoteGitarre
New member
Re: Kahler vs Floyd
That makes more sense, especially considering that they were discontinued. I always figured that they were so similar that they had to be licensed, but apparently not.
Sent from my XT912 using Tapatalk
That makes more sense, especially considering that they were discontinued. I always figured that they were so similar that they had to be licensed, but apparently not.
Sent from my XT912 using Tapatalk
JeffB
Let it B
Re: Kahler vs Floyd
Bingo. I am not a trem guy these days but used to have a bunch of guitars with them in the 1980s and 1990s. Given a choice I will take a quality Kahler over a quality Floyd for these exact reasons, especially feel.
Bingo. I am not a trem guy these days but used to have a bunch of guitars with them in the 1980s and 1990s. Given a choice I will take a quality Kahler over a quality Floyd for these exact reasons, especially feel.
treyhaislip
Well-known member
Re: Kahler vs Floyd
I've used both and I feel like the Floyd Rose is better for dive bombing/harder tremolo work while the Kahler was smoother for more of a vibrato feel...just my personal perspective after using both.
I've used both and I feel like the Floyd Rose is better for dive bombing/harder tremolo work while the Kahler was smoother for more of a vibrato feel...just my personal perspective after using both.
