Hey guys,
Here's a brief intro to the world of locking tremolos, or floyd rose style tremolos.
DEFINATION
A locking trem refers to a tremolo system that yes, locks the strings at both sides (bridge and nut) of the guitar. (Note, some locking trems are not locked at the nut, these are referred to as single locking trems and are not as extreme or stable as the locking version)
Also, a locking trem is usually a floating trem system, as in the tremolo is held in position via a series of springs, counter weight by the strings, while pivoting on 2 steel poles (or whichever method, ball bearings, what not). Hence, its floating. This is also known as the floyd rose style tremolo, named after the inventor, Floyd Rose.
A FR styled trem can pull up (raise pitch) or dive (lower pitch) radically. We are talking about a couple of tones up (usually 3 full tones if trem is recessed) and diving till the strings groan, flopping around.
A locking trem will have to have quite a bit of routing done to accommondate it and even more routing to all it full range of movement. Some locking trem cavities are routed to allow for dive only (or pull up only) function, as in the case of the Peavy Wolfgang. In order to get maximum pull up range, a locking trem must be recessed into the guitar body. An obvious example would be the Ibanez JEM and the lion's claw recess.
FUNCTIONALITY
As stated above, a locking trem is an extreme version of a vintage (e.g. Fender style) tremolo. There are many many techniques associated with the locking trem and its known as whammy techniques. There is a thread abt whammy tricks under Guitar - How To.
STABILITY
The main thing we must be concerned with is, how stable is it. For those who have have never seen Steve Vai abuse it. Here is a video that demonstrates how much abuse a floating trem can take.
http://www.youtube.com/?v=odCUuYdDzNs
Its some jap guitarist doing a LOT of dive bombs with his guitar, which I think its a Fender Showmaster with an Original Floyd Rose.
Note that after so much wanking on the trem, he still plays in tune?
Thats is how stable the locking trem system is... IF
1) Its a good quality trem
2) Its setup properly
3) The strings are properly stretched
CHOOSING A GOOD LOCKING TREM
Well, what do you look out for when choosing a locking trem? Well, here is a list of things to consider.
1) QC
Look at the trem. For those who have been playing for some time, you know bad quality stuff by looking at it. A poorly made trem often has parts that don't fit together well, looks squashed and cramp and the finish is not well put on.
2) Materials used
This is a bit hard for initiates to figure out but bascially, cast steel and harden steel is what you want. If the metals used are soft, don't expect stability.
3) Feel
The trem should move smoothly. It should not feel jerky. Note that spring/string tension will increase the stiffness of a trem.
Here is a list of mainstream good quality locking trems, not in order of quality.
There are other locking trems available such as the Steinberger S trem, Vigier trems and so on, but the above trems are the more common ones and are readiliy available for purchase (except Ibanez trems, not that easy).
Also, note a particular Locking trem, the Kahler. This trem is used by Slayer's Kerry King and its not easily found otherwise. Recently, production of Kahlers have started again after being stopped for quite a while. I am not familiar with this trem other than what I read so I will not comment too much on it, other than its apparently very stable if well maintained and lubricated, its not quite as extreme as a Floyd Rose style trem but its able to do big dive bombs ala Kerry King.
And here's a list of bad trems.
Ibanez TRS (this is more of a matter of QC apparently, some are above average and some are crap)
Ibanez Lo TRS / Lo TRS II(every one of these trems are rubbish when compared to the Edge)
Any locking trem system that goes for $50 (Seriously, they exist in Singapore. The QC is so bad you have problems turning the fine tuners.)
WHY A LOCKING TREM?
Because you want to extend the plethora of tones/sounds of the guitar. A trem can do more than a fixed bridge. A locking trem can take what a normal trem does and more!
Hope this helps answer any queries you have on locking trems. I did this while at work so when I get home, I will refine it with pics and stuff.
Here's a brief intro to the world of locking tremolos, or floyd rose style tremolos.
DEFINATION
A locking trem refers to a tremolo system that yes, locks the strings at both sides (bridge and nut) of the guitar. (Note, some locking trems are not locked at the nut, these are referred to as single locking trems and are not as extreme or stable as the locking version)
Also, a locking trem is usually a floating trem system, as in the tremolo is held in position via a series of springs, counter weight by the strings, while pivoting on 2 steel poles (or whichever method, ball bearings, what not). Hence, its floating. This is also known as the floyd rose style tremolo, named after the inventor, Floyd Rose.
A FR styled trem can pull up (raise pitch) or dive (lower pitch) radically. We are talking about a couple of tones up (usually 3 full tones if trem is recessed) and diving till the strings groan, flopping around.
A locking trem will have to have quite a bit of routing done to accommondate it and even more routing to all it full range of movement. Some locking trem cavities are routed to allow for dive only (or pull up only) function, as in the case of the Peavy Wolfgang. In order to get maximum pull up range, a locking trem must be recessed into the guitar body. An obvious example would be the Ibanez JEM and the lion's claw recess.
FUNCTIONALITY
As stated above, a locking trem is an extreme version of a vintage (e.g. Fender style) tremolo. There are many many techniques associated with the locking trem and its known as whammy techniques. There is a thread abt whammy tricks under Guitar - How To.
STABILITY
The main thing we must be concerned with is, how stable is it. For those who have have never seen Steve Vai abuse it. Here is a video that demonstrates how much abuse a floating trem can take.
http://www.youtube.com/?v=odCUuYdDzNs
Its some jap guitarist doing a LOT of dive bombs with his guitar, which I think its a Fender Showmaster with an Original Floyd Rose.
Note that after so much wanking on the trem, he still plays in tune?
Thats is how stable the locking trem system is... IF
1) Its a good quality trem
2) Its setup properly
3) The strings are properly stretched
CHOOSING A GOOD LOCKING TREM
Well, what do you look out for when choosing a locking trem? Well, here is a list of things to consider.
1) QC
Look at the trem. For those who have been playing for some time, you know bad quality stuff by looking at it. A poorly made trem often has parts that don't fit together well, looks squashed and cramp and the finish is not well put on.
2) Materials used
This is a bit hard for initiates to figure out but bascially, cast steel and harden steel is what you want. If the metals used are soft, don't expect stability.
3) Feel
The trem should move smoothly. It should not feel jerky. Note that spring/string tension will increase the stiffness of a trem.
Here is a list of mainstream good quality locking trems, not in order of quality.
- Original Floyd Rose (QC seems to be getting poor though)
Floyd Rose II (similiar to Schaller FR)
Floyd Rose Pro
Floyd Rose Speedloader (nice idea, but getting the special speedloader strings will be a pain/costly)
Ibanez Edge Pro (Kind of fragile feeling to me, no locking posts)
Edge Pro II
Edge III (sucessor to the dread TRS line, much better)
Edge (The stuff of legends, superb trem, nice price of $350 brand new)
Lo Pro Edge (The stuff of legends, superb trem, nice price of $375 brand new)
Zero Resistance Tremolo (ball bearing pivot, integrated Tremsetter system)
Gotoh Licensed Floyd Rose (I'm using it, heavily recommended in terms of price (around 250SGD w/shipping) and QC)
Schaller Licensed Floyd Rose (expensive @ $375, has a lo pro version)
There are other locking trems available such as the Steinberger S trem, Vigier trems and so on, but the above trems are the more common ones and are readiliy available for purchase (except Ibanez trems, not that easy).
Also, note a particular Locking trem, the Kahler. This trem is used by Slayer's Kerry King and its not easily found otherwise. Recently, production of Kahlers have started again after being stopped for quite a while. I am not familiar with this trem other than what I read so I will not comment too much on it, other than its apparently very stable if well maintained and lubricated, its not quite as extreme as a Floyd Rose style trem but its able to do big dive bombs ala Kerry King.
And here's a list of bad trems.
Ibanez TRS (this is more of a matter of QC apparently, some are above average and some are crap)
Ibanez Lo TRS / Lo TRS II(every one of these trems are rubbish when compared to the Edge)
Any locking trem system that goes for $50 (Seriously, they exist in Singapore. The QC is so bad you have problems turning the fine tuners.)
WHY A LOCKING TREM?
Because you want to extend the plethora of tones/sounds of the guitar. A trem can do more than a fixed bridge. A locking trem can take what a normal trem does and more!
Hope this helps answer any queries you have on locking trems. I did this while at work so when I get home, I will refine it with pics and stuff.
