Looking to build a warmoth partscaster - what's the best tremolo?

[The_Lerxst]

I love strats but I've realized that there are just some things that I want that I can't get on a market strat for a price that I can afford.  One of my biggest questions is in regards to the tremolo - I love having it on a strat but out of all the strats I've played I've never played one that stays in tune even after light use of the tremolo.  So my question is - out of all the tremolos on the market today (aside from the floyd rose, I can't afford that), which one is the best overall?

 

[bagman67]

A good two-point Wilkinson or Fender-standard style tremolo set to float is your friend, especially when coupled with locking tuners and a well-cut nut (or an LSR nut,if you want to shell out the extra coin).  Generally the six-screw models have more points to get hung up on, and have more trouble returning to their original position.


This is assuming you don't need the divebombing capabilities of a Floyd.  If that's your bag, well, get a floyd and a locking nut.

 

[Cagey]

Absolutely right. Although, I don't think the Floyd has much sway over the Wilkinson as far as diving is concerned. The Floyd's main claim to fame is its ability to sharp to the sky. Either one of them will flat to the point where the strings are nearly hanging off the neck. Far beyond what the pickup(s) can sense, in any event. And really, if you wanted to, you could just route the body a bit more and get the same range out of the Wilkinson. They have the same pivot points. The sustain block running into the walls is it's limiting factor. I suspect the only reason the routing spec has never been changed is that it's pointless. If the pickup(s) can't hear what you're doing, why do it?

 

[Jumble Jumble]

but out of all the strats I've played I've never played one that stays in tune even after light use of the tremolo.

There's definitely something wrong there. A US Std Strat can quite easily be made to be very stable. Bit of Vaseline or graphite in the nut and you're sorted.

 

[Cagey]

Don't American Standards use the 2 point fulcrum trems, à la Wilkinson?

He's probably talking about those nightmarish 6-hole buggers. No amount of lube will make those things behave - it's a bad design right out of the box. Good ol' Leo had a brain fart that day, and somehow it got etched in stone so some people still think it's a Good Thing.

 

[bagman67]

Yep.  This is from Fender's own product page for the AmStd Strat.

 

[Cagey]

Yeah, I used to have to play one of those, only it was an even uglier shade of green, if you can imagine.

 

[mayfly]

I don't mind that green...

 

[Cagey]

I don't mind that green...

That's what I'm saying - it's not as bad as some of the gag reflex inducing shades of vomit Fender is known for.

 

[TBurst Std]

You can even setup a 6 point to work well for you. Constant dive bombs no, but good usage sure.
My 6 pointer stays in tune when ever I use it.
If any wants to know how, it is basically laid out in Dan E's book, but I would be glad to share,

 

[animal control]

I don't do huge dives but I have no tuning problems with Wilkinson trems. It was suggested by folks here that I use locking tuners and I think they are a big contribution to the stability. I have an AmStd 2 point strat that has always been fussy even with gentle trem use.

 

[Torment Leaves Scars]

SCHALLER Floyd Tremolo...all day, every day...

...and make sure you get the one made in Germany.  ccasion14:

 

[Jumble Jumble]

Actually one of my two AmStd trem was badly-behaved until I fitted locking tuners, had the nut looked at and most importantly found out about lubrication (hey, this was before the Internet). The other has always been fine, but it does also have locking tuners and obviously it's been lubricated from day 1.

One of them has a Callaham block; no difference in tuning stability there, just a better feel to moving it.

 

[JCizzle]

String-thru body hardtail.  :laughing7:

 

[keeper006]

I'd say the Wilkinson if you're just pushing down, but if you want to do the Vai "Crossroads" stunt pulling up, the original Floyd is the way to go.

 

[sduck]

Wilkinson with a graphtek nut. As good as it gets!

 

[leo12.]

here's a few more
https://super-vee.com/products.html
http://guitar-tremolo.com/hp135041/Tremolo-2000.htm
http://store.hipshotproducts.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=181
I have no experence with these in use.
I do Have a Hipshot contour its still in the box the plating is heavy in the saddle height screws (i have to find a tap to run through  the threads)
The super Vee looks interesting 1 or 2 members have it, Seems the easiest to fit.
The Schaller has roller saddles . A few members like Roller nuts weather having moving parts at both string break points is the way to go who knows.
I would think a well fit lube type nut & locking tuners is a must. Good Luck