Re: Trem guys: talk to me about floyds
The OFR does NOT have a zinc block. They have nickel plated brass blocks, and you can order the size you need (32/37/43). And they have reasonable sized post anchors and posts with fine threads to prevent wobbling. 12" radius.
Gotoh, do come with brass blocks and screws to lock the springs, but the block is 40 mm, which wont work in most recessed applications. Which means most likely you'll have to change the block right off the bat. They also come with locking posts, similar to what they make for Ibanez Edge trems, but the post anchors are 11 mm, and roughly 3.5 mm deeper than the OFR parts. Unuseable in MIJ Jacksons, and big enough that I'm sketchy about using them in most other stuff. This trem also has zinc saddles (albeit really high quality zinc) and the string lock bolts are longer than OFR parts (but are interchangeable). I do really like this trem and the push in arm, but really it's not the upgrade over a German made OFR that people say it is (because John Suhr said so). 17" radius, I think.
Original Edge and Lo Pro, high quality zinc baseplate and saddles, hardened steel knife edges, zinc block with spring locks (I like this style better than the gotoh). Same long string lock blocks and massive 11 mm post anchors as the gotoh, but slightly different locking posts. Push in arm. Awesome trems, different (lighter) feel and sound (warmer). The OG Edge is fairly low profile when compared to a OFR, the lo pro is like playing a strat hardtail, awesome. Also 17" radius (again, I think).
Floyd Rose Special, steel baseplate, hardened only at the pivots, zinc saddles, zinc block, all parts interchangeable with OFR. Replace the block and you've got a good trem.
1990 JT580LP Takeuchi, lo pro, steel baseplate (not sure if hardened or not, but I think it has to be). Mine had a Takeuchi stamped brass block, but I think newer ones have zinc blocks. Zinc saddles, OFR style collar arm. Mine is a solid unit, but you'll read all kinds of bad (and good) things. There has to be several versions of thing thing around from over the years, probably hit or miss depending on it's origin.
Schaller trems have zinc baseplates with hardened steel inserts (like the Edge), and most of the parts are not interchangeable with the OFR. The saddles are also in a slightly forward position in relation to the OFR apparently. It's been long enough since I messed with one that I can't comment on it's sound.
Never even touched a Floyd Rose Pro, but it's the lo pro version and is a completly different deal (all parts unique to it), supposed to be as good or better than the OFR though.
The Floyd Rose Original is still probably the best replacement if you need to make sure you get what you need without a bunch of planning or reworking. They fit in almost everything. You can get the block and the nut you need with it. Real hardened steel saddles. Fine thread posts are almost as good as the locking posts, but aren't ridiculous. And parts are easy to get.
Sure, it's more $$$, but you'll quickly blow through what you saved when you find out you have to replace the block, buy a nut and re-drill for the 11 mm posts or spring for some OFR posts instead. That said, the Gotoh would be an excellent trem for a new build.
