Questions about Gotoh Floyd bridges?

[J E C]

I have a few questions about these. I have been divided between one of these and an OFR. I finely got a look at one that was on a Music Man SM-Y2D the other day. Looked like a very nice unit. I like how the front edge is chamfered on the bottom, allowing it to be set closer to the body with out it hitting during use.
1) How dos the standard version differ from this Music Man version?
2) It looked like the arm tension adjuster was different than the standard version. How do you adjust the tension on the standard version?
3) Were is a good place to get one, that will allow me to choose the nut I want? (Width, string spacing, attachment method)
I order a variety of parts this week from Stew-Mac and LMI for the Koa build. Still need a bridge (hence the questions), and PUs.
Thanks guys

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Questions about Gotoh Floyd bridges?

Someone reviewed the Gotoh Floyds on the JCF a while back (www.jcfonline.com in the Tech Q&A section). He said they were quality units easily on par with the Schallers.

As for the MusicMan, only MM could answer that. Probably no difference at all.

For the tensioner, that may be the one difference between the two. Haven't seen either myself.

Couldn't tell you where the "best" place to get one is. I'm not sure if StewMac even gives you the option of spec'ing the nut for Schallers/OFRs. I never saw it when I ordered trems from them, and as a result have a tone of R2 nuts in a parts box. Maybe one day I'll have a guitar that those nuts will fit.

 

[XSSIVE]

Re: Questions about Gotoh Floyd bridges?

I like how the front edge is chamfered on the bottom, allowing it to be set closer to the body with out it hitting during use.
1) How dos the standard version differ from this Music Man version?
2) It looked like the arm tension adjuster was different than the standard version. How do you adjust the tension on the standard version?
3) Were is a good place to get one, that will allow me to choose the nut I want? (Width, string spacing, attachment method)

On an OFR the rectangle shape plate under the fine tuner adjustment spring (the silver thing with six "fingers" that pushes up on the screws of each saddle if you don't know what I mean) not only holds that spring in place but also acts as a shim to keep an OFR at the correct height when it's flat on the body of the guitar so that it can pivot and not dig into the body at the front. Just a random FYI.

1) Same thing, different engraving.
2) Arm tension on the Gotoh is adjusted by tightening an allen screw on the side of the arm mount which compresses a plastic collar around the bar adding or removing tension so you can fine tune how it spins or stays stiff. On an OFR the thumb wheel collar is tightened more or less to adjust tension.
3) There are no nut options on the Gotoh, at least not from any place I've ever seen. They all seem to come with an R2 1 5/8" nut. You'd have to buy an OFR nut to use with it if you want a wider nut width.

Also keep in mind the Gotoh uses threaded inserts in the body that are bigger than an OFR so a body drilled for OFR studs will not accept those inserts without drilling the holes larger. You can however use the Gotoh with OFR inserts and studs if you want.

 

[vinta9e]

Re: Questions about Gotoh Floyd bridges?

3) There are no nut options on the Gotoh, at least not from any place I've ever seen. They all seem to come with an R2 1 5/8" nut. You'd have to buy an OFR nut to use with it if you want a wider nut width.

You're wrong here, my friend. I don't blame you though, since finding Gotoh parts can indeed be a big hassle. Gotoh makes 4 variants of the right-handed locking nut: 2 widths (41 and 43 millimeters) times two mounting systems. They are either top mounted or through the neck, unlike Schaller nuts that each can be mounted both ways. Then, there are lefties.

 

[SFW]

Re: Questions about Gotoh Floyd bridges?

I vastly prefer the Gotoh unit over the OFR. IMHO it's a better quality trem.

 

[XSSIVE]

Re: Questions about Gotoh Floyd bridges?

You're wrong here, my friend. I don't blame you though, since finding Gotoh parts can indeed be a big hassle. Gotoh makes 4 variants of the right-handed locking nut: 2 widths (41 and 43 millimeters) times two mounting systems. They are either top mounted or through the neck, unlike Schaller nuts that each can be mounted both ways. Then, there are lefties.

Where in the USA can a Gotoh be ordered and the nut option chosen as can be done with an OFR? Not saying there isn't a place, just never came across one. Granted I haven't looked into this very much and when I did it was several years ago. I do know other sizes exist, I just never saw a place that offered the trem in the USA paired with anything other than the 1 5/8". Hence my "not from any place I've ever seen" comment meaning they exist but so do 4 leaf clovers, harder to find haha. Allparts which is the usual go to place for them sells them paired with the 1 5/8" nut as does guitar parts resource and there's no option listed on their sites for nut size choice. Guitar parts resource sells the nuts in all sizes but the trem only as a set with the 1 5/8". So if you do that then you have a trem and two nuts you just paid for. There must be a place but I haven't found it, do you know of any?

If I'm not mistaken (correct me if I'm wrong) gotoh only does a 1 11/16" R4 spec wider string spaced nut not the more commonly used R3 narrower string spacing. Or do they have an R3 version?

Also I think all gotoh nuts are the same height as the R2 OFR which is shorter than the R4 and R3.

Aren't they a flatter radius too? For some reason I think 15 but I could be wrong on that, could be 14.

 

[J E C]

Re: Questions about Gotoh Floyd bridges?

Thanks for the responses.

2) Arm tension on the Gotoh is adjusted by tightening an allen screw on the side of the arm mount which compresses a plastic collar around the bar

That's how the Music Man version is, and it is on the top side. In the pics I have looked at of the Gotoh I could not see that tensioner. I am very familiar with the OFR. I have had a gold one on a guitar since 83, and have installed several some years back when I did guitar building and repair.
vinta9e is correct. If you go to the Gotoh web site they list them. I also have an R2 laying around. Mite use it for spare part some day, been saying that for the 20+ years I've had it. I like the R4.
If I get a Floyd it would have to be the OFR, and the Gotoh that Stew-Mac sells is there Golden Age version which looks like it has the Floyd style arm mount that I don't care for..to sloppy. Although it comes with an R4 according to the catalog.
The insert size wont be a problem. I would be perfectly happy with the old wood screw style...Solid, and tight as a gnat's arss!
Any one else have any more info, ideas or thoughts?:scratchch

 

[vinta9e]

Re: Questions about Gotoh Floyd bridges?

Gotcha! Here's a very cool shop, I owe them my recommendation: http://www.philadelphialuthiertools.com/
They might not have all the variants at the moment but at least they do have some. Hopefully that'll change for better.

FGR is the narrow one, GHL the wide one, 1 is thru-mount, 2 is top mount. Notice the radii are different as well, that is 14.15" and 15.75", respectively. I remember having opted for the Gotoh FGR2 precisely for the reason that it has a flatter curve than the Schaller R2. I might as well post the blueprints here:

 

[XSSIVE]

Re: Questions about Gotoh Floyd bridges?

Cool, at least there's a USA source to get them without the 1 5/8" included nut so you can use one of the other Gotoh nuts or a regular Schaller made Floyd nut with it. That was the issue I had back when I looked into them, the US based places that sold them only sold them with the narrow nut as a set.

 

[Ascension]

Re: Questions about Gotoh Floyd bridges?

Cool, at least there's a USA source to get them without the 1 5/8" included nut so you can use one of the other Gotoh nuts or a regular Schaller made Floyd nut with it. That was the issue I had back when I looked into them, the US based places that sold them only sold them with the narrow nut as a set.

I just bought a chrome Gotoh Floyd from Mojotone for $135 without the lock nut.
i think they are vastly superior to any other Floyd now being produced in part because of the metals used and arm feel.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Questions about Gotoh Floyd bridges?

And as a little bit of useless trivia - the lefty version of Floyd nuts are L2, L3, and L4.

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: Questions about Gotoh Floyd bridges?

Yep, Mojotone, quite a bit cheaper than anywhere else I found too. I recently got a black one minus the lock nut, but I think they have all the versions.

I don't really see it as better than the 90's OFR I have, but I've seen where people have said FR quality has gone down in recent years, so there's that.

I don't have a Gotoh locknut, but I was told when the R3 was too tall for a Jackson that I needed a Gotoh nut. Apparently the Gotoh is shorter, like the BH43 Jackson part and Ibanez nuts (which are Gotoh also, I think). Probably why they sell them with shims.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Questions about Gotoh Floyd bridges?

I like them they are superb. I just wish gotoh would make the base plate a few mm less wide. Because i tried to fit a goldone to a carvin i have and it didn't fit the ofr route.

I have this gotoh its getting ready to take flight into its purpose built project.hopefully within the month i will get the rest of the parts.

 

[LonePhantom]

Re: Questions about Gotoh Floyd bridges?

Wow that's a wacky old model.

 

[XSSIVE]

Re: Questions about Gotoh Floyd bridges?

Yep, Mojotone, quite a bit cheaper than anywhere else I found too. I recently got a black one minus the lock nut, but I think they have all the versions.

I don't really see it as better than the 90's OFR I have, but I've seen where people have said FR quality has gone down in recent years, so there's that.

I don't have a Gotoh locknut, but I was told when the R3 was too tall for a Jackson that I needed a Gotoh nut. Apparently the Gotoh is shorter, like the BH43 Jackson part and Ibanez nuts (which are Gotoh also, I think). Probably why they sell them with shims.

I have some of the oddball German made original Floyd R4/2 nuts (yes R4/2 is actually written on the bottom) it's the width of a R4 but the short height of a R2. PM me if you need one.

 

[J E C]

Re: Questions about Gotoh Floyd bridges?

Kramersteen, it has been a LONG time since I've seen a pic of one of those.
Been doing some looking around. The price of a Gotoh Locking Bridge in Gold is....

Mojotone: $123.60 Bridge and hardware only. No nut.
Allparts: $240.00 Comes with a nut. Which width, and mounting?
Guitar Parts Resource: $259.99 Comes with a 1 5/8" nut. Which mounting?

You can get various different nuts in Gold from GPR for $49.99 You shouldn't have to by a different nut to get what you want/need.
Why, oh why, are there such different prices from these different places?
I'm pretty sure I'm going to use a Gotoh bridge, but I will need to use a Floyd nut to get a 10" radiused nut since the two options from Gotoh are a 15.748" and 14.173" radiused nuts.
I will look some more and let you all know what I find.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Questions about Gotoh Floyd bridges?

Kramersteen, it has been a LONG time since I've seen a pic of one of those.
Been doing some looking around. The price of a Gotoh Locking Bridge in Gold is....

Mojotone: $123.60 Bridge and hardware only. No nut.
Allparts: $240.00 Comes with a nut. Which width, and mounting?
Guitar Parts Resource: $259.99 Comes with a 1 5/8" nut. Which mounting?

You can get various different nuts in Gold from GPR for $49.99 You shouldn't have to by a different nut to get what you want/need.
Why, oh why, are there such different prices from these different places?
I'm pretty sure I'm going to use a Gotoh bridge, but I will need to use a Floyd nut to get a 10" radiused nut since the two options from Gotoh are a 15.748" and 14.173" radiused nuts.
I will look some more and let you all know what I find.

I scored a brand new gold gotoh fr last year for $50 au. It was a miracle that i won it for that price in an auction. I still have it waiting here in my parts box.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Questions about Gotoh Floyd bridges?

I scored a brand new gold gotoh fr last year for $50 au. It was a miracle that i won it for that price in an auction. I still have it waiting here in my parts box.

It was a shame that it didn't fit my carvin

 

[Ascension]

Re: Questions about Gotoh Floyd bridges?

I don't really see it as better than the 90's OFR I have, but I've seen where people have said FR quality has gone down in recent years, so there's that.

Build quality is about the same but the way the arm attaches is what sold me on the Gotoh. I ride the bar at times like Beck does and with the Floyd screw down nut it loosens when you swing the bar so I have to keep reaching down to tighten the nut that holds the bar as I play. That + the new Floyd designs make squeaking noises when swinging the arm where the Gotoh with the nylon bushing stays tight with the set screw that controls the feel + is dead quiet.

 

[Ascension]

Re: Questions about Gotoh Floyd bridges?

I like them they are superb. I just wish gotoh would make the base plate a few mm less wide. Because i tried to fit a goldone to a carvin i have and it didn't fit the ofr route.

I have this gotoh its getting ready to take flight into its purpose built project.hopefully within the month i will get the rest of the parts.

That's an 80's version and those are quite rare. I had a Black one of those on my old solid Black WRC Gibson.