Schaller bridges

[Inflames626]

Could someone please tell me the difference between these?

http://guitar-parts.biz/hp316928/Tremolo-LockMeister.htm?ITServ=CY7cb56db4X15324b9802dX36aa

http://guitar-parts.biz/hp135038/Schaller-Tremolo-right.htm?ITServ=CY7cb56db4X15324b9802dX36aa

Thanks.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Schaller bridges

look at the technical drawing of both.

 

[Inflames626]

Re: Schaller bridges

look at the technical drawing of both.

I'm not noticing much difference save a few tenths of a centimeter in some places. The differences appear to be mainly cosmetic.

My understanding is the Lockmeister's metal is supposed to be treated in some way to make it superior. That would explain the 30 Euro or so price difference and the ten gram weight difference.

I've heard that Floyd's OFR base plate is a different metal than the Schaller version. I wasn't sure.

There are so many small variations between all the different OFR bridges out there that I'm trying to find the best one. The best one, I assume, would be the heaviest, since there would be fewer cheap, lightweight zinc parts.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Schaller bridges

Get the Ibanez Original Edge. Smoother action, better tune.

I think schaller make the best guitar product in the world.

 

[jmh151]

Re: Schaller bridges

The Lockmeister has a solid hardened steel base, while the Schaller licensed has a cast base with hardened steel knife edge inserts.

I've looked at the technical specs too, the Schaller has the smaller footprint on the base, the tonemeister base has the same specs as an OFR

The Lockmeister is supposed to me made of higher quality steel than an OFR.

Problem with an Ibanez edge is its not a drop in replacement for Floyd routing

 

[Inflames626]

Re: Schaller bridges

I use mostly Jacksons. Older ones use OFRs with protruding tuners far out the back and a bigger route. Newer ones use FR Pros, with an R3 nut.

The ones direct from FR (now that they sell their own directly) are a bit pricey, with some nearing $300.

I was hoping to find an alternative.

The thing is it has to be good stuff so I get a good flutter and it stays in tune.

If I ever find a routed Iceman or Destroyer that I like, though, I will try an Edge.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Schaller bridges

The Schaller has a darker tone than the OFR in my experience, and I've got several of both in identical models. Of course this is notwisthstanding the inherent tonal differences of two slabs of wood cut from the same tree. However, replacing a Schaller with an OFR, I did notice an increase in brightness, but a slight loss of low-end.

Quality hardware is always worth the price, because you're not just paying for the logo and the kids' college education, but a reputation for quality and consistency that justifies the price. If Floyd is selling direct, that means he's getting the money, not some inept multi-corp with poor customer service.

 

[Inflames626]

Re: Schaller bridges

If Floyd is selling direct, that means he's getting the money, not some inept multi-corp with poor customer service.

This is a good point, although my concern is the bridges have crept up from $200 to $300 because Floyd's getting the money due to his name, not because the OFRs are better or licensed bridges are worse.

At any rate, I hate paying that much for them when so many things could be done to improve the design, such as having strings held in place by the string ball (which, along with the nut clamp, would make them truly double locking and remove the stress point at the saddle) and operating on a roller system like the Ibanez Edge ZR uses.

You have to wonder, too, how some of these companies like Gotoh and Schaller could make such a good bridge AND pay a licensing fee and still be a little cheaper than the real deal.

 

[Inflames626]

Re: Schaller bridges

And, I have about 20 guitars to outfit with these, so 300 a pop adds up.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Schaller bridges

You have to wonder, too, how some of these companies like Gotoh and Schaller could make such a good bridge AND pay a licensing fee and still be a little cheaper than the real deal.

Mass production. They're paying less than a dollar per individual unit in manufacturing costs (materials and labor), and the volume they deal in makes the retail/OEM price profitable.

As for the cost, the last time I bought a Schaller from StewMac (about 3+ years ago), it was over $250 ($280?) and the OFR was cheaper. However, because the guitar's recessed route wasn't long enough for an OFR, I had to get the Schaller.


Definitely getting an FRX studmounted trem, I just wish the matching nut was an actual replacement and not a behind-the-nut unit.


As for holding the strings by the balls, that's a bad idea in my experience. I've had many strings break in old Kahler ball-pocket bridges at the part that wraps around the ball, even on wound strings, because there's just the core wrapped around the ball.

 

[Inflames626]

Re: Schaller bridges

Right, except even the OFR bridges sold direct now are made by Schaller in Germany and in Korea for the 1000 models.

So it appears that a good $50 is being tacked on just for the FR name.

It must be weird for Schaller to make bridges for Floyd and then undercut him by making their own licensed version. Are they competing with themselves?

Then again this might have something to do with patents and licensing in various areas. I've noticing that it can be hard finding some Schaller stuff here in the States. A lot of their pickups and such aren't well known. Thus it might be cheaper to just make bridges under an agreement with FR, mainly due to saving marketing and distribution costs, than to directly try to sell Schaller bridges here (that is, Schaller bridges with the Schaller logo, not the FR one).

And yet, you would think guitar companies would seek out the OFRs to put on as OEMs, especially on non-American made top of the line mass produced models. Floyd probably doesn't have the production capacity to do that, and the guitar companies probably realize that, much like with the old Jackson Professional line, their mid level tier would start to cannibalize their top level stuff.

I'm sure the supply chain gets complicated. I just know that it seems like they keep production tight. Simply having a satin chrome FR Pro made (non standard) for me took a month or two. And yet OEM stuff is being thrown at guitar builders who make a slew of stuff that is overpriced and under sold at retail and then sold possibly below value on the used market. Such speculation and wastefulness by all involved.