Replacing a Wilkinson USA trem with another style???

ColeJustesen

ColeJustesen

New member
Hey all, I have recently snagged a Godin Artisan ST Signature that came stock with a Wilkinson USA tremolo on it. I am looking at what options are available to replace it, not because it doesn't work, but because I want to know what my options would be if I need to replace it.

If any of you have replaced this tremolo, what did you use in place of it? I have looked at the Gotoh EV510, Full Contact Hardware 2 point trem, Hiphsot US Contour, amongst others and really can't determine if any one of these are more of a direct replacement or not. This particular guitar has been routed for the tremolo base plate, but it isn't sitting in it... It resides above it. I also was considering just snagging a Wilkinson Gotoh, but honestly I prefer the intonation screws on the other bridges I mentioned more than what is on the Wilkinson.

If anyone could inform me of what they decided to do (if they replaced this trem on their guitar) I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!!!

image.jpg4_zpslvuxzh9o.jpg

image.jpg1_zpsxuvjw5lv.jpg


Cole
 
Re: Replacing a Wilkinson USA trem with another style???

If you're just wanting to deck it, I think the other Wilkinson trems are post-compatible, but I could be wrong.

If you want to do anything more drastic than that (such as alter the body), please, for the Love of All That is Holy, sell me (or some other deserving soul) that gorgeous instrument...
 
Re: Replacing a Wilkinson USA trem with another style???

Thanks for the information! I won't be altering the body in any fashion though. It is way too pretty to screw up!

Cole
 
Re: Replacing a Wilkinson USA trem with another style???

I don´t know a thing about Strat style trems, but I just need to say; that Godin is bloody gorgeous.
 
Re: Replacing a Wilkinson USA trem with another style???

Personally, that's always been one of my favorite trems - the last one I played felt very smooth. They are a pain to intonate, but after they're set... smooooooooooth.

BTW, if it's not blindingly obvious to you, the reason it's sitting above is that it's routed to be able to pull up as well as dive.
 
Last edited:
Re: Replacing a Wilkinson USA trem with another style???

BeatTheBastard said:
I don´t know a thing about Strat style trems, but I just need to say; that Godin is bloody gorgeous.
Click to expand...

Thanks, it really is a stunning guitar! The maple neck is a beautiful Birdseye maple too!

jtougas said:
Personally, that's always been one of my favorite trems - the last one I played felt very smooth. They are a pain to intonate, but after they're set... smooooooooooth.
Click to expand...

It really is a great trem, just like you said, smooth. I am just curious of what other options are available.

Thanks again!

Cole
 
Re: Replacing a Wilkinson USA trem with another style???

Not that they don't exist, but I've never noticed another guitar that's been routed to allow the tremolo to rest parallel to the body and still permit up bends. That is something I've considered doing but wondered if too much wood would have to be sacrificed to accomplish it.

I would replace a Wilkinson with a Wilkinson and be done with it ... unless you like dive bombs. In that case it's definitely not your best choice.
 
Re: Replacing a Wilkinson USA trem with another style???

Lazarus1140 said:
Not that they don't exist, but I've never noticed another guitar that's been routed to allow the tremolo to rest parallel to the body and still permit up bends. That is something I've considered doing but wondered if too much wood would have to be sacrificed to accomplish it.

I would replace a Wilkinson with a Wilkinson and be done with it ... unless you like dive bombs. In that case it's definitely not your best choice.
Click to expand...

I will probably end up having to just get the Gotoh Wilkinson trem as a replacement... I don't dive bomb, so that won't be any concern for me :wave: Thanks!!!

Cole
 
Re: Replacing a Wilkinson USA trem with another style???

Since you're curious about what options might be available to you ...

You probably only need three measurements:
E to E string spacing
Distance between the two posts center to center
and post insert diameter.

I don't recognize the posts on yours, but they might be Tone Pros. You'll find specifications here.


The specs for a Wilkison VS100N are here. You have to click on the small engineering drawing to enlarge it.

Gotoh 510
 
Re: Replacing a Wilkinson USA trem with another style???

Thanks Lazarus, I was scoping those diagrams out earlier. I don't currently have any calipers to measure various parts of my bridge to compare. What I really don't know is whether the Gotoh Wilkinson VS100N uses the same measurements as the USA made Wilkinson (which is what is on my guitar). I need to just buy a set of calipers, but it hasn't been on my mind when I am out shopping.

That Gotoh EV510TS seems like a trem that I would want to have, if it worked with my guitar's trem routing. Thanks again for the information! What I have been hoping/searching the internet for is someone who actually replaced the Wilkinson for another trem, whether it was successful or not.

Cole
 
Last edited:
Re: Replacing a Wilkinson USA trem with another style???

Grandturk said:
I'm missing why you don't want this trem?
Click to expand...

It has nothing to with me not wanting it, but being curious about what my available options are just in case I ever need to replace it. The only thing that I would really want to get in swapping trems is gaining the more common intonation setting screws. They are by far easier to set than the saddles on this Wilkinson trem

Cole
 
Re: Replacing a Wilkinson USA trem with another style???

Not sure if it's been mentioned yet but... Wilkinson has two lines, a budget oriented value line (Sung Il or Ping Works) made in Korea or China and a line made by Gotoh (Hosco) in Japan.

I'm not aware of a Wilkinson piece of hardware thats manufactured in the USA.
 
Re: Replacing a Wilkinson USA trem with another style???

zenmindbeginner said:
Not sure if it's been mentioned yet but... Wilkinson has two lines, a budget oriented value line (Sung Il or Ping Works) made in Korea or China and a line made by Gotoh (Hosco) in Japan.

I'm not aware of a Wilkinson piece of hardware thats manufactured in the USA.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't be interested in the Korean model, if I were to swap Wilkinson for Wilkinson it would be Gotoh Japan all the way! The USA made version is no longer made. This particular guitar is from the early 90s back when USA Wilkinson trems were in production.

Cole
 
Re: Replacing a Wilkinson USA trem with another style???

Lazarus1140 said:
Not that they don't exist, but I've never noticed another guitar that's been routed to allow the tremolo to rest parallel to the body and still permit up bends. That is something I've considered doing but wondered if too much wood would have to be sacrificed to accomplish it..
Click to expand...

Suhr comes to mind (:
 
Re: Replacing a Wilkinson USA trem with another style???

Lazarus1140 said:
Harbor Freight carries a line of imported, very inexpensive but accurate calipers, and coupons are readily available.
Click to expand...

I have a set of those at my primary residence (I am in a different city finishing up the last year of my doctorate degree). I plan on going there this weekend, so I might as well snag them then.

Thanks for the link!

Cole
 
Re: Replacing a Wilkinson USA trem with another style???

I need some, too. Somehow I managed to lose mine and I need them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top