What are the differences between the Schaller, Gotoh and OFR Floyd Roses?

[KeeperOS]

Ok, I know that the OFR is actually manufactured by Scaller and I know that Gotoh manufactures Ibanez's Edge. I also know that the three are known to be of mostly equal quality. But what about their differences?

- Is there a difference in tone between today's OFR (I read they now have brass block instead of hardened steel), the Schaller and the Gotoh?
- Is there a difference in operation (one being smoother than another)?
- Is there a difference in the profile (one being lower profile that another)?

I am asking because I am thinking (in the long term) about a custom parts guitar and want to make a preliminary specs plan to see how much it'll cost (and from where I can save some money).

It'll probably have Alder body/Maple neck/Pau Ferro or Madagascar Rosewood fretboard so I want the bridge to best match those woods' character plus, I generally prefer the ones with the lower profile (doesn't get in the way of my playing).

Thanks!

 

[Ayrton]

Re: What are the differences between the Schaller, Gotoh and OFR Floyd Roses?

The only real difference is that the OFR is all hardened steel, and some claim it is a "brighter" sounding tremolo over the "warmer" sounding others.

YMMV

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: What are the differences between the Schaller, Gotoh and OFR Floyd Roses?

Ok, then let me put it this way:

If you could get any one of them which would you choose and why?
(and no, the guitar's routing isn't a reason, assume you can have whichever routing the bridge will need).

Thanks

 

[Ayrton]

Re: What are the differences between the Schaller, Gotoh and OFR Floyd Roses?

I have all Edge trems on my Ibanez of course, but if I was building from scratch, I go OFR. Easy to get, easy to repair, and built like a tank.

 

[jmh151]

Re: What are the differences between the Schaller, Gotoh and OFR Floyd Roses?

The Gotoh and Original Floyd are built identical- same quality. I know since I have both. The Gotoh tends to be about $30 cheaper, since it's made in Japan instead of Germany.

The Schaller Floyd Rose is slightly cheaper than the OFR- by about $10. It is built like the Edge, with a cast base and hardened steel inserts/edges. Some claim it is "warmer" sounding than the OFR, and prefer the tone. By the way, Schaller manufactures OFR, so the quality is the same.

The Ibanez Edge is the most expensive and hardest to get, but I prefer it the most. However, the best way to get one is to get an Ibanez guitar, since you need such a huge route for the recess.It's much larger in size than an OFR or Floyd Rose Pro

A Floyd Rose Pro is the same quality as OFR, but the fine tuners are swept back and lower profile than an OFR- basically a copy of the Ibanez Edge design. I have one, I don't think the low profile feature is worth the extra $30 over an OFR.

 

[pinto79]

Re: What are the differences between the Schaller, Gotoh and OFR Floyd Roses?

The Gotoh and Original Floyd are built identical- same quality. I know since I have both. The Gotoh tends to be about $30 cheaper, since it's made in Japan instead of Germany.

The Schaller Floyd Rose is slightly cheaper than the OFR- by about $10. It is built like the Edge, with a cast base and hardened steel inserts/edges. Some claim it is "warmer" sounding than the OFR, and prefer the tone. By the way, Schaller manufactures OFR, so the quality is the same.

The Ibanez Edge is the most expensive and hardest to get, but I prefer it the most. However, the best way to get one is to get an Ibanez guitar, since you need such a huge route for the recess.It's much larger in size than an OFR or Floyd Rose Pro

A Floyd Rose Pro is the same quality as OFR, but the fine tuners are swept back and lower profile than an OFR- basically a copy of the Ibanez Edge design. I have one, I don't think the low profile feature is worth the extra $30 over an OFR.

+1 to the above with a couple of add ons:

The Gotoh Floyd only has one curved knife edge like the Edge Trem so it is more self-centering than the OFR and it has a different arm attachment device.

My experience with the OFR Vs. Schaller is that the OFR is the smoother of the two. I've owned 4 Schaller (OK, one was a Floyd Rose II, but same difference) and 4 OFRs and the OFRs have performed better in all cases.

I will be putting a Gotoh on my Blazer for cost reasons, but my absolute favourite is the Edge.

 

[Ascension]

Re: What are the differences between the Schaller, Gotoh and OFR Floyd Roses?

I own or have owned most of the Floyd like trems.
The Shaller IMO is a little sloppy with just a little play in the insert between the base and the bar. I currently have two with that system and it drives me NUTS on both!! The best of the lot IMO was the Kahler Steeler!!
The OFR and Goto both are exelent as are the Ibanez edge. I personally like the screw down bar on the current OFR better than the pop in on the Ibanez.
My current favorite trem is the Wilkerson 100. With the right nut and locking tuners these stay in tune every bit as well as ANY Floyd and to me feel and sound better. The only down side is that blasted set screw that sets the bar tension works loose over time so I have to keep an allen wrench handy.

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: What are the differences between the Schaller, Gotoh and OFR Floyd Roses?

Got it!

Ok, when you say Edge you mean the original Edge found on the RG550 series or the Edge Pro (edge pro II and Edge III are lower quality so I'm guessing not).

Is it the one that you don't have to cut the ball end of the strings?

One last thing, if I were to go for the lower profile one which of all the floyds in existence (with reasonable availability) do you think is the best?

Thanks again!!!

 

[jmh151]

Re: What are the differences between the Schaller, Gotoh and OFR Floyd Roses?

Got it!

Ok, when you say Edge you mean the original Edge found on the RG550 series or the Edge Pro (edge pro II and Edge III are lower quality so I'm guessing not).

Is it the one that you don't have to cut the ball end of the strings?

One last thing, if I were to go for the lower profile one which of all the floyds in existence (with reasonable availability) do you think is the best?

Thanks again!!!

The best would be the Ibanez Lo Pro Edge. Problem again is the cost, and they will not fit in a recessed OFR route.

After that, the Floyd Rose Pro is the best

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: What are the differences between the Schaller, Gotoh and OFR Floyd Roses?

When the time comes I'll custom build the guitar, thus I'll ask for the correct route.

However, will it work in a recessed route designed for it (meaning, will it go back too like an OFR or only dive)

 

[pinto79]

Re: What are the differences between the Schaller, Gotoh and OFR Floyd Roses?

Got it!

Ok, when you say Edge you mean the original Edge found on the RG550 series or the Edge Pro (edge pro II and Edge III are lower quality so I'm guessing not).

Is it the one that you don't have to cut the ball end of the strings?

One last thing, if I were to go for the lower profile one which of all the floyds in existence (with reasonable availability) do you think is the best?

Thanks again!!!

I was refring to the Original Edge, not the Pro.

The Original Edge and the LoPro Edge are equal in quality and performance, they just feel a bit different due to the configuration. They are pricey tho.

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: What are the differences between the Schaller, Gotoh and OFR Floyd Roses?

Where are the LoPro used? I couldn't find an Ibanez that had them.
Are the Edge Pro and LoPro Edge (the newer ones) of lower quality or sth?

I think I'm gonna go the Gotoh route but still would like to know...

Thanks a lot guys!!!

 

[pinto79]

Re: What are the differences between the Schaller, Gotoh and OFR Floyd Roses?

The Lo Pro was used on most Japanese made and signature guitars from 1991-ish until 2002.

The Edge Pro is supposed to be the upgrade and they are good too, but they did away with locking posts which may or may not matter to the individual.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: What are the differences between the Schaller, Gotoh and OFR Floyd Roses?

from what ive been told, the only difference between the floyds is the price and materials.

edge trems are nice, by the way, i tried an edge 3, it wasnt THAT bad.

the guitar WAS set up though
not like at the store where its just hanging..

 

[sosomething]

Re: What are the differences between the Schaller, Gotoh and OFR Floyd Roses?

I prefer the OFR.

It's just what I've always used - I was told long ago that it was the best and have kind of stuck with that philosophy. They've always performed well for me - have resisted corrosion and wear, and I've never stripped one out, so if it ain't broke, basically......