(My) final choice: VS100 or Fender American std

[Bruno]

In your opinions,
what're pros and cons of these tremolos?

For me (but I never play a guitar with vs100, so these are *only impressions*)

* Wilkinson vs100:  
PROS: self-alignment (accurate pivoting and position), detachable arm with a nylon adjustment collar
CONS: horrible design, not steel block, adjustment saddles (not intuitive)

* Fender American Std (I have it):
PROS: saddle design, massive base, smooth with 010-046 and 3 stock springs, quick and easy setup
CONS: screwed arm, not steel block (less bright imho)

Even if my choice seems geared toward the Fender tremolo (but I repeat myself: I never play with a VS100), what do you think about these not-locking tremolos?

Thanks in advance

 

[Cagey]

They're both good bridges and very similar overall, but I prefer the VS100 because of the saddles. Once you have the intonation adjusted properly, you tighten down the set screws and they not only never move, they're held tighter to the base which might help slightly with sustain. Plus, I like the arm on the VS100 better. It's more solid and consistent.

 

[Kostas]

None of them, old designs and I never liked how the VS100 looks. Especially on strats with pickguards.
My first choice in a strat would be Gotoh:
http://ssl.bfit.jp/~jby/product_info.php?products_id=177{6}78{1}2{8}91
http://ssl.bfit.jp/~jby/product_info.php?cPath=27_22_49&products_id=178

 

[Bruno]

Ok ok,
I know gotoh 510, but... I can't throw money on shipping and tax costs (only warmoth, 90$ ups for Italy + plus import tax costs). Other hardware I will buy here and  gotoh 510 is not found easy...
I want a 2 point trem (for rear rout body), and I think that vs100 or amr std are a good choise

So... VS100 or Fender trem

 

[m4rk0]

I like the VS100.. I actually like the way it looks.
I cant say if it has any effect on the tone (as opposed to the American St) but it sure feels nicer.. nice smooth bending action (especially great with the recessed rout), and good for resting your palm/muting..

 

[Tipperman]

Like I always say... Callaham Vintage 6 Hole. Huge steel block, works fine for me (and I do a lot of whammy) and is a very nice piece of work.

 

[Cagey]

Like I always say... Callaham Vintage 6 Hole. Huge steel block, works fine for me (and I do a lot of whammy) and is a very nice piece of work.

He's doing a 2 hole mount, so obsolete designs need not apply. Besides, if one wanted to use a steel sustain block, the Wilkinson VS401 has that, along with locked stainless saddles. It's also a bit more rounded off, for those who don't like the feel of the Fender AmStd or VS100 designs.

But, he's already said he needs to buy it from Warmoth due to local supply issues, which is one of the reasons he's limited the choices to the two presented. Of the 4 guitars I have in the pipe at the moment, 3 of them are hardtails and the 4th already has a Floyd replacement from Schaller, so it'll be a while before I get to try one of these. Looking forward to it, though. Maybe I'll put one on one of the existing Strats, just to see if there's a difference in tone or sustain over the VS100.

 

[Steve_Karl]

The vs100 is great. I like the look and what Cagey said about the saddles ... I've never seen such precision on a tailpiece.
These saddles even surpass a few hard tail bridges I've seen.

I also had a huge brass block upgrade but put the stock block back on there a few weeks ago.
I like the sound of the stock block better. It's more open sounding and there's no sustain loss at all.

 

[animal control]

Another vote for the VS100. I have an 89 American Standard, and it's ok. My first Warmoth had a VS100, so did my next one, so did my next one. My vibrato is pretty subtle but I'm aware of every nuance, and the VS100 seems to deliver that.

 

[Bruno]

No match eh?
To me, there is only one last obstacle, purely aesthetic.
The advantages of VS100: alignment and saddles adjustment. Well, but in my opinion that half circle and those saddles are really unaesthetic.
A insormontable problem?
Absolutely not!!! :hello2:

 

[mataguri]

I used to have a VS100 on all my Strats, great feeling trem that stayed in tune really well. I eventually got rid of them because, aesthetically, I didnt like the satin finish on it. I still have the trems so if you want one I'd gladly send one to you for shipping costs as an apology for buying that tiger burst body before you 

 

[Bruno]

I joke! That body is amazing, enjoy it!

I've only an alternative to vs100 or Fender strat tremolo: a tremolo that Mr. Cagey knows well (schaller 3801).

This ttremolo tempts me so much. I find it aesthetically beautiful, with high quality materials (schaller... no discussion for) me.
I've asked Gregg if it's possibile to have floyd not recessed rout without angled pocket in showcase body.
He is answer me that it's not problem, but I must specified it in order note.

(NB: I must understand only a little economic particular: if i must or not pay +10$ that system add for not recessed floyd w/angled pocket - I think not -)

 

[Cagey]

Those Schallers are nice. My only caution would be that if you ever intend to sell that body, you'll probably need to include the bridge. They're not easy to get, and there are no alternatives other than Floyds, which are expensive as hell and few people want to install them as top-mounts. Kinda defeats the purpose of having one. But, if you intend to keep this guitar, the Schaller is a good choice.

 

[Bruno]

Those Schallers are nice. My only caution would be that if you ever intend to sell that body, you'll probably need to include the bridge. They're not easy to get, and there are no alternatives other than Floyds, which are expensive as hell and few people want to install them as top-mounts. Kinda defeats the purpose of having one. But, if you intend to keep this guitar, the Schaller is a good choice.

If it had a steel block (standard is zinc) would be my final choice.
(95€+20€  c.o.d. from Germany...)

Now, my favors for tVS100, even if it really really horrible  :laughing7:

 

[Cagey]

The VS100s aren't "horrible". They're very nice, too. I've used probably dozens of them over the years on my own builds, as well as those for others. If they're horrible, what does that make the Fender AmStd bridge? There isn't a great deal of difference between the two.

 

[Bruno]

Opinions, Cagey.
Only opinions.
When I speak, usualy I represent ONLY myself.
I don't pretend to have the absolute truth.
If I don't like something, you may repeat 100, 1000 times which is nice.
I continue to not like.
The bridge fender std is amazing when compared to the VS100 (aesthetics, I speak of aesthetic)
All this - but it is obvious !!!! - IMO