Locking trem guitars...Opinions!!!!!

[RockSuperstar]

Hey there folks!

I know plenty of u guys on this board are fans of guitars with locking trems, so I though I'd hit you for some advice.

I'm currently playing in a rock covers band and mostly use my Gibsons. However, some of the songs would benefit from having some whammy stuff going on i think. I've owned strats and the like in the past and so am pretty comfortable with a vibrato, although i'm gonna need a locking one for tuning stability.

I was looking at the ibanez RG570 which was right up my street, although i was less then a fan of how it looked. While I was in the store i flicked through a Fender catalogue,a and noticed that you can get a strat with a floyd rose. Being a Fender fan i droooled all over it, but has anyone tried these?

I suppose i really need advice on this area before i buy? What do you guys think are good guitars to start with? I dont need anything flashy (like a jem:p) but I need a good solid working guitar.

any opinons?

Thanks
Chris

[EricV]

Hi Chris,

first of all, I have tried a Fender Strat with a Floyd Rose-system. I once owned the Fender Richie Sambora Strat for a while.
It was a pretty good system, working fine. The system was non-floating, though, meaning that I couldn´t pull up on it.
This has the advantage that in case you break a string, the other strings don´t get out of tune very much.
But in case you want a real floating system which you can press down and pull up, you would have to pick a different guitar.

One disadvantage of double-locking systems is that you need quite some time and also a few extra-tools to change a string. So you will need a backup ( maybe you wanna just grab one of your non-trem-guitars once you break a string on the whammy bar-guitar ).

Here is my recommendation which might be perfect for you:
try to locate a Strat Plus, or a Strat Ultra, or a Jeff Beck Strat ( all those are made by Fender ).
These are good sounding guitars ( they have different combinations of Lace Sensor Pickups ), and they also have a Wilkinsom Tremolo plus a roller nut ( ball-bearing system ) and locking tuners.
This means that you lock the strings at the bridge, but not at the head of the guitar.
The locking tuners make it very easy and quick to change strings, and those three components ( locking tuner + roller nut + tremolo ) guarantee a surprising degree of tuning stability.
Seriously. I owned a Strat Plus once, and although you can´t press down as much ( I think it was down a perfect fifth or so ), the guitar stayed in tune perfectly even when I did extreme whammy bar-abusing.
So this might be an alternative... tuning stability with an easier-to-change-strings-system...

The Ibanez RGs are nice guitars, maybe you wanna get one of those and put in the pickups of your choice ( the stock ones are cool, but I used to put in my favorite pickups anyway ).
It also depends on what kind of sound you want. A floating trem definitely takes away from the bass-response and sustain, so if you still want a sound that is kinda like an SG, I would recommend something like a Peavey Wolfgang ( non-floating trem, but a D-Tuna included... great invention, especially in the days of nu-rock, where Dropped D tuning is almost a standard ).

Well, lotsa information here.
I recommend to check out one of the Strats I mentioned, cuz the single locking-system might be what you´re looking for, or maybe the aforementioned Sambora-Strat ( I hade the Mexico-version, which had a DiMarzio PAF Pro in the bridge-position ).
Other than that, I don´t see anything wrong with an RG, it´s a solid workhorse. But it´s up to you anyway
Warm regards
Eric

[RockSuperstar]

Wow!!

You're a mine of info Eric!!!

I tried the strat Plus, although I thought the pickups were a bit sterile. I didn't think of the Sambora Strat actually, that sounds more up my street. I like the idea of having a really meaty pickup at the bridge!!!!!! String breakages aren't really a prob, as I always have my SG within reach at gigs :D

Incidentally, when u mentioned the peavey Wolfgangs.......what model is best to go for? I have seen a few in shops over here, although they tend to be the cheaper versions.

The main reason behind me asking this question was that many people I talk to tnd to take the opinion that if a Fender guitar has a Floyd, then it has to be rotten.

Thanks very much for the advice, much apperciated.

I'm off to harrass my local music store............

[EricV]

Hi Chris

I tried the strat Plus, although I thought the pickups were a bit sterile.

My opinion always was "If the guitar basically is sounding and playing good, I can still change pickups".
I consider the Strat Plus and Ultra well-build guitars. The pickups suited the stuff I was using it for, but these days, I would have replaced them with DiMarzios too.
So would that be an option ?

I didn't think of the Sambora Strat actually, that sounds more up my street

I dunno whether they still build those. Last time I saw a Sambo-Strat, it had a vintage-style trem. But you sure can find a used one somewhere.
Very nice playing-guitar, and if the PAF Pro is not down your alley, you can still replace it with something else...

Incidentally, when u mentioned the peavey Wolfgangs.......what model is best to go for?

Back then, I played a Standard. ( There were ni imports back then, all of them were built in the US ).
I liked that one a lot. But I heard that many people prefer the Special, which AFAIK is a bit cheaper, and still sounds really good.

I havent tried the import ones yet, maybe someone else can comment on that ?!?

The main reason behind me asking this question was that many people I talk to tnd to take the opinion that if a Fender guitar has a Floyd, then it has to be rotten.

I would not generalize like that. I heard and played some really good ones with an Floyd on it, like the Sambo-Strat I mentioned.
But it´s still a very different guitar from the WOlfgang, so I would recommend to check out both and pick the one that suits you better. They sure sound and play way different.
Warm regards
Eric

[metaljustice83]

I have tried the import version of the wolfgang. I was very suprised. I own one of the big boy wolfgangs and love it. But the exp(import version) could put a good fight. Like eric was saying you might or might not want to change the pickups. (the american wolfgangs have very nice pickups imop) But the exp seem to be looseing a bit of the bite. I would probably buy one as a back up to my real wolfie. But it seems to be a very good option for you. Well what im really saying is .....its atleast trying it out. You may very well like it. i was impressed with the quality of the guitar for the amount of the price tag.


N.P ...And justice for all -metallica-!!!!

[RockSuperstar]

Hmmmm, just as a side point..............

A friend reccomended that I try out the Iron Maiden signature strat (3 seymours... oh yeah!).

Ok, its cheap and I hear nothing but praise about the thing.............whats the catch?

Does ownership of this axe require you to play Number of the beast till your fingers fall off? ;p

[EricV]

Hi there,

hey, I didn´t even think of that one. I saw it at a tradeshow last year, but I didn´t have the time to play it back then.
I liked the design ( Floyd Rose, cool pickups ).
Gotta get my hands on one of those one day.

BTW, here is a datasheet of the Sambora Strat: CLICK (http://www.fender.com/gear/gear.php?partno=1132700#) ( click on "View" )

And here are some user-reviews of the Iron Maiden Strat: CLICK (http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/Data4/Fender/Iron-Maiden-Signature-Stratocaster-01.html)
Sounds good...
Eric

[EricV]

One reason for the low prize: According to the reviews, it doesn´t come with a gigbag or case...
Other than that, the reviews are pretty good
Eric

[RockSuperstar]

Thats fine, hardcases aint exactly a big outlay!!

I think thats me narrowed down to two choices, so thanks for all the help on this one (i'll be shredding in no time :p)

I think it'll end up coming down to price, so off to the faithfull music store I go to haggle!!

Thanks a million Eric, yet again Ibreathe gets me out of a hole!!

[EricV]

Hi there,

you´re very welcome, glad I was able to help.
BTW, the datasheet says that the Sambora Strat is equipped with a DiMarzio PAF, not PAF Pro. I bought mine used, and the previous owner had put in a PAF Pro.
The PAF has a lower output and slightly fdifferent sound, compared to the PAF Pro.

I recommend to check the guitars based on their basic sound, playability and feel. As I said, I often buy instruments and later exchange pickups.
Let us know which one you picked !
Eric

[metallibeast]

hmm....
talk about getting a new guitar, me is thinking of getting one too.
Gonna sell my 7 string dun really like it. Why I dun like it? I dun know...something about it juz dun feel rite.

Thinking of getting a LTD M-252 but I'm not really a big fan of the Floyd Rose though.

Thinking of a Music Man Silhouette as well. But I think its a bit too expensive though, gotta check out the price first.

But if money wasn't a problem, without a doubt I would go for a Gibson ES-335.

Which one do you guys prefer?
Any recommendation? I prefer fix bridge guitars.

-beast

NP:-Joe Satriani Live in SF