Best Floyd Rose Model???

I like my Gotoh GE1996T

Suhr started using them due to QC issues with OFRs

You need to install the larger studs that come in the kit, otherwise they are a direct replacement. Everything is included. You just need to specify the correct block length. The blocks are a standard thickness brass block

These bridges are very ergonomic under the hand, flutter effortlessly, and stay in tune.

 
Also, in my experience you get best results on a Floyd Rose tremolo if you use a 9-46 string set or equivalent set with similar tension in a lower tuning, e.g., 11-56 in C Standard. The lighter high strings minimise the issue that people find with Floyds with string bends.

Really though I can't recommend the Gotoh highly enough, and it is reasonably priced. I bought mine from this guy, US$116.99 Cosmo Black with a 33mm block (same length as my original block; anything longer would have been hanging out the back). Gold is the same price; regular black and chrome are cheaper.


The nut is sold separately and depends on your application
 
Last edited:
Also, in my experience you get best results on a Floyd Rose tremolo if you use a 9-46 string set or equivalent set with similar tension in a lower tuning, e.g., 11-56 in C Standard. The lighter high strings minimise the issue that people find with Floyds with string bends.

Really though I can't recommend the Gotoh highly enough, and it is reasonably priced. I bought mine from this guy, US$116.99 Cosmo Black with a 33mm block (same length as my original block; anything longer would have been hanging out the back). Gold is the same price; regular black and chrome are cheaper.


The nut is sold separately and depends on your application

I got a Tone Vise Nut coming....
 
My guitar teacher replaced the licensed FR on his Jackson with a Gotoh back when he was still playing in Chalice, maybe 15 years ago, and it is still going strong. It has the 'under Floyd Rose patents' marking on it, they don't have that any more since the patent on FRs expired

Also check out this video:

 
Last edited:
through my research on possibly upgrading my Jackson licensed low profile floyd bridge I came up with, IMO, the 2 best solutions.
1. Original FR
2. Gotoh 1996, same as @Dave Sloven

The biggest difference between these and the other licensed products, including my Jackson, is the softer metal used; the knife edges and posts get damaged.

I decided to spend the funds on burritos and beer instead and live with it.

I was still having some trouble with mine going flat after string bends, I dont use the bar often, or aggressively when I do.
Since I have it set to dive only with a Trem-STop, I tightened the claw screws about 1 turn each tighter and now it really comes back in tune great. Just did this over the past weekend; will keep at it for longer term results.
 
Like I said above, my mate Justin changed the Jackson tremolo out for a Gotoh many years ago and has a lot of use out of it. Works exactly as it should and the knife edges and posts have been no problem at all. Oh and apparently he used that Jackson on this album (probably others too):


Just included that link because the album is so awesome ;)

The cheap Schecter licensed tremolo in my Stiletto 6-FR was such a horrible piece of kit. Every single bit of it besides the claw was ready for the rubbish bin, springs included. The knife edges were all munted from poor adjustment (and a kid playing it over and over with poor adjustment). The difference between that and the replacement was like night and day. And it came with a brass block!
 
Back in the 1980's I had a USA Jackson and a Kramer went on tour had to change strings every show
String breaking Floyd Rose garbage I went back to Pre Cbs Strats I could get a week out of a set of strings.
My Parker the trem system is a thousand times better than any Floyd Rose 13 years out of a set of strings no ware
 
My Jackson has a licensed floyd rose. you can get away with a lot with it, except for a full on, bar touching the body, dive bomb....that will 9 times out of 10 knock the dinky out of tune, but its still does what i need it to do. However, if I think i might do some crazy stuff with a whammy bar, i go to my richie faulkner V with the 1000 series floyd rose, I can NOT knock that thing out of tune. in a about 3 or 4 months, ive had to retune my jackson two or three times maybe, and have yet to have to do anything with my V. Either way, im lucky because the guitar tech that i go to deals in floyd rose and i can get whatever parts and have them work on it if i need to.
 
My Jackson has a licensed floyd rose. you can get away with a lot with it, except for a full on, bar touching the body, dive bomb....that will 9 times out of 10 knock the dinky out of tune, but its still does what i need it to do. However, if I think i might do some crazy stuff with a whammy bar, i go to my richie faulkner V with the 1000 series floyd rose, I can NOT knock that thing out of tune. in a about 3 or 4 months, ive had to retune my jackson two or three times maybe, and have yet to have to do anything with my V. Either way, im lucky because the guitar tech that i go to deals in floyd rose and i can get whatever parts and have them work on it if i need to.

This Jackson stays in tune no matter what I do to it, even crash dives that leave the strings rattling on the pickups...and it's just a special.

It's an easy upgrade to steel saddles...
 
Also, in my experience you get best results on a Floyd Rose tremolo if you use a 9-46 string set or equivalent set with similar tension in a lower tuning, e.g., 11-56 in C Standard. The lighter high strings minimise the issue that people find with Floyds with string bends.

Really though I can't recommend the Gotoh highly enough, and it is reasonably priced. I bought mine from this guy, US$116.99 Cosmo Black with a 33mm block (same length as my original block; anything longer would have been hanging out the back). Gold is the same price; regular black and chrome are cheaper.


The nut is sold separately and depends on your application

What springs are you running and, in what fashion are you installing them???
 
What springs are you running and, in what fashion are you installing them???

I just have the three springs that come in the Gotoh kit, attached to the block and claw in a conventional way, one either side and one in the middle. There is a fourth spring if needed but I didn't need it. I put pickup box foam inside the springs in case of any of that reverb noise you sometimes get from tremolo springs. I just cut a thin piece and tied a piece of cotton thread to one end, threaded the thread through the spring, pulled the foam in and then trimmed off the thread and the excess foam with scissors. The three screws on the block come in the Gotoh kit to prevent the springs accidentally being knocked out

ALL of the components in the tremolo assembly on my guitar came with it. You also get a set of hex keys

qVEf9XO.jpg


This is the other image that will probably interest you. The cavity on mine had to be enlarged in a couple of places to make it like an OFR cavity. Here you can see the larger Gotoh studs installed. Previously it had one of those bars connecting two inserts (hence the two empty screw holes) like in that video. That was removed and it was drilled for the larger Gotoh inserts, then these studs threaded in. The studs and inserts come in the kit.

Z2CWWzT.jpg
 
Last edited:
I just have the three springs that come in the Gotoh kit, attached to the block and claw in a conventional way, one either side and one in the middle. There is a fourth spring if needed but I didn't need it. I put pickup box foam inside the springs in case of any of that reverb noise you sometimes get from tremolo springs. I just cut a thin piece and tied a piece of cotton thread to one end, threaded the thread through the spring, pulled the foam in and then trimmed off the thread and the excess foam with scissors. The three screws on the block come in the Gotoh kit to prevent the springs accidentally being knocked out

ALL of the components in the tremolo assembly on my guitar came with it. You also get a set of hex keys

qVEf9XO.jpg


This is the other image that will probably interest you. The cavity on mine had to be enlarged in a couple of places to make it like an OFR cavity. Here you can see the larger Gotoh studs installed. Previously it had one of those bars connecting two inserts (hence the two empty screw holes) like in that video. That was removed and it was drilled for the larger Gotoh inserts, then these studs threaded in. The studs and inserts come in the kit.

Z2CWWzT.jpg


I've read of guys you putting the Gotoh and Scahller's right onto stock Floyd Rose studs. Why did you need to change yours???? I do understand the insert is bigger on the Gotoh.

One more question....what about the Gotoh in a top mount application without a route?????
 
I've read of guys you putting the Gotoh and Scahller's right onto stock Floyd Rose studs. Why did you need to change yours???? I do understand the insert is bigger on the Gotoh.

One more question....what about the Gotoh in a top mount application without a route?????

I read this too but I decided I would rather have the legit Gotoh studs to avoid any possible problems and to have the best possible performance. The stud is different shape etc

The Gotoh GE1996T will basically mount anywhere you can fit an OFR, so you could do it that way. Personally I would recess it, especially if the guitar has a relatively low neck angle.
 
Ok, so after sleeping as long as I could, I am wide awake and have lots of time to ponder things musical, in particular, Floyd Rose.

I have always avoided tremolo equipped guitars because I always had tuning issues with them, but this Jackson - with a Floyd Rose Special - stays in perfect tune no matter what I do with it, and its floating too.

Quite frankly, I was expecting to be disappointed by the Special and was instead impressed.

Now I am considering an eventual upgrade to a Gotoh, but there is no urgency...
 
I like Kahlers. My 1983 Ibanez Destroyer DT555 had a Kahler, but being dive only, they are not as expressive as a Floyd, IMHO.

Dive only?

Is that inherent in the design, or just how it was set up on your guitar?

I have a Kahler that I haven't installed on anything, yet. Now, I feel like I need to install it on something just to see what I can make it do.

Hmmm...my semi-hollow Washburn has a solid center block, and I have the stud-mount Kahler....

This is it:

1569498294696.png

"Here, Washy, Washy....

Daddy's got a present for you!

I promise you won't feel a thing...until you wake up!"
 
Back
Top