Main differences between 6 screw + two point trems?

nuntius

Boogeyman of Tone
I had a shot on a JJ electra (I think) yesterday... Singlecut trem type guitar, pretty nice, as well as two other double cuts.

The trem on them was a wilkinson one with six screws, and it was nice and smooth. Didn't have much more range than a regular strat trem but was great for what I like to do. Stayed in tune nicely with the locking tuners.

It's been ages since I tried the two post wilkinson so I can't honestly compare..

So what are the main differences between the two types? Pros and cons? I'm not looking for answers specifically on wilkinsons, just to do with 2 post/6 screw trems in general

Cheers.
 
Re: Main differences between 6 screw + two point trems?

The fender 2 point ones seem to be lighter and therefore the tone seems to be a bit weaker, but I don't know about wilkinson...
 
Re: Main differences between 6 screw + two point trems?

I own both the 2 point and 6 screw trems from Wilkinson. As you stated, both are very stable and very smooth working tremolos.

OK, as asked:

6 screw PROS
Smooth action
"Fenderesque" stamped saddle V-trem tone transfer
very stable for a vintage style trem
attractive design (IMO, of course)
direct replacement for most 6 screw v-trems

6 screw CONS
limited range (no deep dive bombs here)
smooth, but not as smooth as the 2 point
slightly larger than the 2 point

2 point PROS
great range for a non-locking model
smooth action
great tuning stability

2 point CONS
likely need a tremsetter if the trem is floating off the body a bit
not a direct replacement for most trem equipped guitars
while it is generally stable, dive bombs can throw it out if pitch a little bit, even with locking tuners


Right now, I tend to favor the 6 screw. Even mated with Schaller (non locking) tuners, the trem is very stable. The tone transfer is similar to that of a stamped saddle fender v-trem. The larger contact area it has with the body has to increase sustain. I can't directly compare teh two trems, since they are in different guitars of different woods and different pickups, but it does seem that the 6 screw has slightly better sustain with more of a vintage vibe. The 2 point is a great trem for trem happy players who, like me, have never warmed up to Floyds.
 
Re: Main differences between 6 screw + two point trems?

Cheers Mike

Yeah I did think the 6 screw wilks didn't have as much range on it, but it was still enough range for me.
 
Re: Main differences between 6 screw + two point trems?

Plus the 6 screws has something of an unbeatable sound, it has that nice warm thing and that lovely reverbish sound when you use it.
 
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