Will it Fit: OFR/Gotoh Floyd on a decade-old Jackson DK2

[KeeperOS]

I need a new guitar like I need a hole in my wallet but d@mn, I've always wanted a Jackson in the Eerie Dess Swirl finish and there's this guy that is selling his decade-old DK2 for a price that could be right (390€ for pick-up but it has a chip on the lower bout, currently waiting on current photos to inspect the damage).

The following is a photo from where it was new and it looks like it has a Gotoh-styled Floyd and the unusual, for me, part is that it has SD singles and Duncan Designed bridge so my guess is it's a pre-2005 model (I think that's when they switched for Duncan-propers).

Now obviously if I get it I'm gonna test her first but if what I hear about how bad the Jackson Floyds are turns to be validated, I would like to know if I'd be able to upgrade to an OFR or, preferably, a Gotoh Floyd.

Here is the guitar in question (blurry old photograph, Jan 2010, click for a bigger res photo):


So, those more knowledgeable on all things Jackson and/or Floyd, what say you?
Will it fit?

 

[Ironikaika]

Re: Will it Fit: OFR/Gotoh Floyd on a decade-old Jackson DK2

Congrats, and yes an OFR will drop right in.

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: Will it Fit: OFR/Gotoh Floyd on a decade-old Jackson DK2

Thanks man, and that's a mighty fine pair you have there! Charvels or mutts?

The reason I'm asking is that I remember some discussion (here in fact) saying that there were three trems used in those Dinkys, the JT580, the JT580LP and the JT590, one of which fit perfectly, another fitted with some modification and a third did NOT accept an OFR because of different post placement (closer to the nut) and only accepted a Schaller Floyd instead.

Not very knowledgeable on Jacksons so I can't tell just from looking which of the three is the one in the photo. I DO think I see the left knife to be straight instead of a slot like it is on Gotohs. Maybe that makes it a JT580?

If you're sure then thanks!!!

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Will it Fit: OFR/Gotoh Floyd on a decade-old Jackson DK2

Looks like a JT580LP. Do the fine-tuners extend further back than the string lock screw heads? Is it like this?

View attachment 56239

In that case:

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?273346-Will-a-genuine-Floyd-Rose-brand-tremolo-in-a-Jackson-body&p=3606593&viewfull=1#post3606593

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: Will it Fit: OFR/Gotoh Floyd on a decade-old Jackson DK2

I haven't gotten it yet so I can't tell you for sure but if you click on the thumbnail you'll get a high-res (albeit blurry) photo but I think you're right, looks like the LP version.

If that's the one then I take it from the photos of your SL3 that it fits but the intonation is tight, right?

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Will it Fit: OFR/Gotoh Floyd on a decade-old Jackson DK2

I looked at the larger photo; it was still super blurry, and I wasn't 100% sure.

Yep, snuggy-wuggy on the intonation. It's where it should be, but if those two saddles had to go much further back, things might have gotten complicated.

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: Will it Fit: OFR/Gotoh Floyd on a decade-old Jackson DK2

I have a DK2 from the late 90s and I've been very satisfied with the trem. I think it is the JT580LP model. I thought about upgrading for a while but it keeps in tune so well I've never seen the reason to do it.

So try it out thoroughly with a good setup before you get a replacement.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Will it Fit: OFR/Gotoh Floyd on a decade-old Jackson DK2

It's not just the tuning. Tone is the other reason why I went to an OFR. It has a lot more bite and snap, compared to a JT580LP. Sometimes the softness of the Jackson trem is a nice thing, sonically, but it's not something I find myself missing often.

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: Will it Fit: OFR/Gotoh Floyd on a decade-old Jackson DK2

Sure, tone can be more pleasing with a different trem. I was just trying to say that if it stays in tune and sounds good as it is it may not be a good idea to swap the trem. Of course one can always buy different ones used and try out the differences without the cost of parts if they don't mind putting in the effort.

All in all, all the JT580LPs aren't inherently bad and in need of a replacement.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Will it Fit: OFR/Gotoh Floyd on a decade-old Jackson DK2

True. I still have the JT580LP on my DK2R. I used to have plans to replace it with an OFR, but I kind of settled in with it, and now I don't feel much of a desire to change it.

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: Will it Fit: OFR/Gotoh Floyd on a decade-old Jackson DK2

It *might rub on the arm side, so you might have to do some light sanding on that edge of the cavity. There's also a wider gap on the other side because the JT580LP is more symmetrical than an OFR or gotoh. You also *might have issues with the lock bolts being too long if you use a gotoh, but instead of routing you can use the shorter bolts from an OFR.

Overall though, the answer is yes, it will fit.

Is it worth it? Well, maybe. JT580 terms vary in quality. Some are really pretty decent.

I

 

[Ironikaika]

Re: Will it Fit: OFR/Gotoh Floyd on a decade-old Jackson DK2

Yes I was a bit too general. Thanks for the details guys.
KeeperOS, they're both Charvels. A 2005 reissue and the Green Franky is an '86 that I repainted a few years ago.

 

[SAVAGE DISTORTION]

Re: Will it Fit: OFR/Gotoh Floyd on a decade-old Jackson DK2

The jackson 580LP is a good trem but a real OFR or shaller is better
and if you want the best, i bought a GOTOH 1996T floyd from muttstomongrels and i am really impressed by how much better it is than the stock OFR on my jackson SL2H?
I mean i know the OFR is a amazing trem but the GOTOH is just smoother and has a has a pop in/out arm
plus the fine tuners are so smooth in the travel, all the OFR fine tuners are smooth too but not like velvet on the GOTOH and they are angled back so they dont get in the way of your picking hand

 

[darthphineas]

Re: Will it Fit: OFR/Gotoh Floyd on a decade-old Jackson DK2

Get some specs off the FR site and take a ruler and/or calipers with you when you go check it out.

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: Will it Fit: OFR/Gotoh Floyd on a decade-old Jackson DK2

Yeah, i know about Gotoh lock bolts being longer than OFR, actually that's what I did with my Swing EZ-10 when I swapped the pos Schaller-copy with a Gotoh unit, see the bolts here?

Now they all clear albeit pretty tightly...