Floyd Rose Replacement w/ Gotoh Tremolo & Brass Big Block Upgrade

[MontyWoo64]

can you use a D-tuna on this trem?

[CalTamaDrummer]

Was the old one an Original or a Schaller? i have a schaller that i like.

[aceeddieslash]

How is the bridge set. Is it on the body, completly flat? or is it somewhat raised? what tuning are you in? does it come back to tune as soon as you drop and raise the bar or do you have to pull back? nice tone btw

[99voltsdotcom]

@aceeddieslash Thanks. On body, flat. I think standard tuned but don't remember.

[dsargent724]

Warheads!!



[Flatted357]

99, thanks for the Vid Posting my video, here, showing the Gotoh I put on my Van=Hendrix one (and only) you were right on all points, and I like my Gotoh better than my guitar with an original.

[marshall123gera]

E9 <3

[Jaxx137]

99, what did you not like about the original floyd rose? I want to replace the bridge on my Ibanez RG5EX1 with something solid. I am contemplating a floyd, but if the Gotoh is as reliably stable as the floyd I may try the Gotoh.

[99voltsdotcom]

@Jaxx137 It's a feel thing. The OFR always feels cheap & rough to me. I've always preferred the feel of an Ibanez Edge type trem and the gotoh feels more like the IBZ to me. Great trem...very happy with it.

[wowaccpass]

how to make that screamy pitch noise? (sorry, i'm a bit new to guitars) has it to do with the strings, mics, or the tremolo? sorry i'm a beginner at guitars, all i can play is some 'Attack Attack" song an Tempting time intro by Animals as leaders, nothnig more. Thx for the reply!

[99voltsdotcom]

@wowaccpass it is a natural harminic with the trem depressed and then raised. look up natural harmonics on here to get the idea of how to do them. the technique to get the scream to sound is a little more advanced.

[wowaccpass]

@99voltsdotcom oh, okey, cuz i sound alike the harmonic pitch but still not, ty for the reply!

[wowaccpass]

@99voltsdotcom You mean like a Harmonic Pinch, it's not that difficult actually, but if you're a beginner it would be. just didn't remember the name of it.

[99voltsdotcom]

@wowaccpass No, it;s not the pinch type, it's a natural harmonic on an open string at the 2.5 fret.

[wowaccpass]

@wowaccpass well, i know that :P i learned how to do the Harmonic pitch you're doing, not the harmonic notes :P thx for replies anyways

[VanishaGlamChick6]

@99voltsdotcom Hey nice review !! I have a question ... i just bought a Kramer Pacer Classic and i wanted to change the floyd rose for a gotoh , it´s a non recessed floyd just like your guitar , do you think it´s going to fit in ?

Thanks a lot !!

[Skateoftheunion]

@wowaccpass It's just a natural harmonic. Touch your finger to the string over the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 12th, and sometimes 15th or 17th fret, but touch it really gently, and you'll get a harmonic.

[gunraykilla]

@wowaccpass get a new change in music...how about that.

[wowaccpass]

@gunraykilla and what the hell are you talking about then, strange... kid?

[Whyrendog]

That's insane, it's like you changed pickups. Thanks for sharing.

[MrGuitarrica]

Pink Floyd-Breathe...excellent ;)

[99voltsdotcom]

@MrGuitarrica Thanks...LOVE that tune. actually love the whole album.

[MrGuitarrica]

@99voltsdotcom I actually started playing the guitar because of that song. =)

I totally love the album too. Such a great work. I've played the guitar about 3 years now. If you're interested check out my videos. I would love to get an oppinion from a professional about my playing :)

[pepsicolaman1]

@FamousPanda45 well the problem i had with mine is that it was a very tight fit so i had to file down some of the sides or the route. and i also had to route out some of more wood to get the intonation screws to fit.

[pepsicolaman1]

@FamousPanda45 the gotoh is not going to fit that route unless you cut some wood out. and OFR will fit sometimes tho. i have both. a gotoh in my old ibanez S and a OFR on my Ibanez rg which had the shitty edge 3

[iRock5156]

Dude, that sounds HUGE! Great tone man, congrats.

[99voltsdotcom]

@iRock5156 Thanks. The axefx makes it easy to get huge recorded tones.

[pepsicolaman1]

Hey do you replace the nut in any of your guitars??

[99voltsdotcom]

@pepsicolaman1 Never replaced the nut. Never saw the need since the spacing and string height is already correct with the current nut.

[lute760]

The Brass gives it a slightly fatter and warmer sound.Not a huge difference,but definitely noticeable.

[Flatted357]

Hey 99, thanks for the video and comments- I put a GOTOH FLOYD on my new custom strat, and it really is better than an original FLOYD -- GREATER sustain, tuning stablity and range. I did not carve out back, but just put on body, and floated like you would a fender vintage, and it works great.--takes a little getting used to working the whammy, but so what. I also find it easier to adjust the springs when changing pitch, and I have even tuned to open E and used it for a SLIDE for a while --

[concussedcarneous]

so you replaced your floyd saddles with gotoh saddles? is that it?

[99voltsdotcom]

@concussedcarneous replaced bridge, springs and brass block with a heavier brass block.

[darthinfurnus]

What I'd like to know is why you prefer the Gotoh to the OFR?

From what I can see, they look pretty similar and are probably made similarly too.

[99voltsdotcom]

@darthinfurnus It's a personal preference thing. I never liked the feel of the ofr. The gotoh is more of an ibanez edge feel. Smoother.

[rpunk85]

he's a good player!

[evolutionmb]

Please share with us some information on your guitar.  Who made it for you, cost, and how it compares in your opinion to a real Axis! That sounds and looks killer!!

[drummerdudeperson]

alright, so i have a dean razorback with a floyd rose special. i am already thinking about putting in the big brass L block (44 mm). would using a gotoh trem instead make the guitar even better?

[Flatted357]

Sorry about all the questions, but the available info on actual installation, match ups, etc., is not very precise and very limited. Does the Gotoh fit exactly into the routing space of an original floyd rose, including the post spacing??

[99voltsdotcom]

@Flatted357 fit fine on mine. This trem is flush mounted to the body (not floating) so I can't say for sure on a recessed route floyd.

[Flatted357]

sorry, another question - would a screw on (standard type) arm trem work on the gotoh ?

[99voltsdotcom]

@Flatted357 no. the threading on the gotoh arm is on a cylinder inside the bar. I believe regular floyds thread on the outside of the bar.

[Flatted357]

Excellent demonstration and explanation. I was very surprised to pick up on the general opinion that the Go - toe (?) out-performed the original-- even Shur guitars agrees-- its just crazy. But I appreciate your unbiased opinion as you never know whos just selling, right? Thanks. Hey, how much difference did the big block make? Did you switch that out on the Ibanez as well?

[99voltsdotcom]

@Flatted357 thank you...I have no interest in any of the companies and base it purely on my experience and personal preference. The big block makes a noticeable difference...I did switch the ibanez as well.

[alejandronuevo08]

you have the alnico pro ll homebuckers ?

[panzarw]

please tell me a Gotoh limited edition is a good tremolo ?

and it has a screw in handle or snap-in one ?

explain please!

[99voltsdotcom]

@panzarw don't know about that gotoh.

[abelfierroIII]

oh...well, hell; ok thankx

[abelfierroIII]

How did you remove the pivot studs? How'd you tap the new ones in?

[99voltsdotcom]

@abelfierroIII i used the old floyd ones. they were almost exactly like the gotohs so I just kept them in.

[VeeValter]

@99voltsdotcom The Gotoh seems to give it a better tone too. Ive wanted to try out bridges like the VS100, but this bridge looks amazing. Ive never liked floyds.

[99voltsdotcom]

@abelfierroIII I didn't on this guitar but I did on my Ibanez which you can see here: check out the latest vid on replacing the posts here: watch?v=7JcyFEyQPtg

[GregHM81]

Where can I get that exact Gotoh tremolo??

[99voltsdotcom]

@GregHM81 try ebay auction 300463544096

[abelfierroIII]

Please tell me about your guitar; i'm looking to make a copy for myself but need to know where to get quality parts. I e3specially like how you stayed true to the original headstock shape.

[dickdog1]

fool, you cabnn't just drop in a Gotoh like this idiot did. The stud spacing is 1mm ( 1/2 MM each way) off and the studs themselves are way thicker and longer.

[99voltsdotcom]

@dickdog1 you absoultely can drop a gotoh in and it works great. you have no idea what you are talking about.

[metalterminator1]

is that a chord master thing planet waves makes i see? how is it? worth the money?

[99voltsdotcom]

@metalterminator1 yes. the chord part is very cool...the metronome is terrible.

[metalterminator1]

ther gotoh crunch is wayyyy better. harmonics are clearer, just a better sound, plus sustain is better. smart mod considering you could easily get $130 for a mint cond used floyd and use that money to buy a gotoh, not really spending money, but definatly upgrading your guitar. great playing too.

[99voltsdotcom]

@metalterminator1 thank you. yep...2nd floyd guitar i've done the mod on with the gotoh. GREAT unit.

[metalterminator1]

@99voltsdotcom hey the floyd rose (original) stud spacing is 73mm where the gotoh has 74mm stud spacing. does that afect anything if you put it on a 73mm spaced guitar?

[99voltsdotcom]

@metalterminator1 i have had no problems at all.

[metalterminator1]

@99voltsdotcom ok thanks

[metalterminator1]

@99voltsdotcom oh one last thing, could you tell me how long the gotoh is from the very front, to the back, where the string lock screws are?

[kirrie60]

what about getting the new tremolo to fit the anchor points of an original floyd will the spacing mean you wont get it to fit or is there another way.

[evolutionmb]

I can easily hear the difference in tone for some reason. Not sure why most can't though. The brass block makes a huge difference IMO. Nice playing!

[99voltsdotcom]

@evolutionmb thanks man! yep, i can totally hear it too...it's WAY more apparent in person. one of the cheapest and best upgrades you can do to your floyd equipped guitar.

[Fear3001]

whats the specific music man model

[99voltsdotcom]

@Fear3001 it a copy of the evh

[gerby90]

lol i hear absolutely zero difference in tone. going through all the effort and money to 'upgrade' a guitar like this is guitar tone purism IMO. unless ur like a joe satriani or steve vai, making solo albums where its all about the guitar.

your playing is very good though

[99voltsdotcom]

@gerby90 the audio difference will be slight on a recorded piece, especially through youtube...it is more apparent in person. the main difference is the feel of the guitar when playing, which makes a difference in how you perform while using the guitar.

thank you.

[zbaby82]

Did the big block reduce the volume at all? Because some people say the more the sustain the less the volume?

[99voltsdotcom]

@zbaby82 not at all...if anything, it would be louder I would think, although I did not notice an obvious difference either way. More resonant for sure.

[dracsspago]

My GOD what a sound!!! It's like having someone take the earplugs out of your own ears when you never even knew they were in there in the first place! I must ask...I do not have any guitars with a FR. I have a couple Ibanez with the Edge 3 and Strats with the standard trems...what are there for these guitars to upgrade like this?

[99voltsdotcom]

@dracsspago Respond to this video...looks like nothing for standard fender trems, but he does have stuff for IBZ trems. check out his floydupgrades page for info.

[MarvinMoshaka]

AMAZING Difference. I didn't think it'd be as noticeable as it is. It just comes ALIVE with the Gotoh. Would a replacement such as this play as big a role in sound when replacing an OFR or should I just upgrade the block? (not sure what block is on it right now)

Thanks in advance! Great video!

[99voltsdotcom]

@MarvinMoshaka If you're happy with the OFR just try the block...it really makes a huge difference. It's larger and usually a different metal (brass = more mass) than a stock one.

[MarvinMoshaka]

@99voltsdotcom I just opened my Blackjack up the other day to find a PUNY block on it and I'm DEFINITELY going for this upgrade when I order a brass trem stopper from FRupgrades to do the intonation. Thank you SO much and I'll let you know how the upgrade goes!

[jester001]

Thanks a lot for your videos! I just got a Gotoh for an EVH Franky replica I'm working on; and judging from your videos, I won't be dissapointed! I did a lot of homework and from what I've gathered, it seems the Gotoh's have taken the lead (I'm sorry for the OFR purists out there).

You also play a mean guitar! Kudos!

[99voltsdotcom]

@jester001 Thanks jester. I did them when I was undecided about which trem was the best to help others with the same decision. I've been SO impressed with the gotoh that i wanted to share my experience. These are way better than the ofr. the big block is a great upgrade too...and painless is you do it before it's already on the guitar. good luck. hope to see the franky vids on here.

[jester001]

@99voltsdotcom Thanks to you for those awesome demonstrations! I just got my Gotoh today and it's flawless! I also have a second hand Ibanez and the tremolo is awful. Looks very cheap and the knife edges are dull. I'll definitely be getting another Gotoh for that guitar, too

I'll definitely put up some videos! As a matter of fact, I did put up one starting building the process, but Youtube removed it because I used Van Halen music in it, and it got flagged due to "WB copyright infringements".

[99voltsdotcom]

@jester001 yeah...warner will get you with any of their bands. Search the net, sony/bmg and others won't remove you. you just get a copyright notice (nothing bad) and they put an ad for the song in your vid. OR if you have any live vh boots, just use that audio, as that is not in their scanning software.

[jester001]

@99voltsdotcom Thanks for the heads up! I have all the boots around. I think I'll do that! Thx! Today I left the guitar with the tech to have the Gotoh trem posts drilled. I wish I could've done that but sadly, I don't have access to a drill press. At least I can start the painting process on the body once the posts are set. Still need to get tuners, tho. Do you have any recommendation for pickups? Still deciding between SD Custom Custom, DiMarzio aniv PAF or EVH Frankenstein pup!

[99voltsdotcom]

@jester001 i think it really depends on how the guitar sounds originally. this one was REALLY bright and sounded terrible with a sd jb in it. the custom custom darkened it up just right. the custom custom is pretty low output though but that's how ed does it.

[charles1967]

It really does seem to give it more depth in the bass and more sustain. Thanks for posting.

[wwit63]

Great info. Ive been looking at one of those brass big blocks for a 1988 Charvel I have that is screaming for some much needed TLC and upgrades. The Gotoh/Block realy sound like they are giving far more note definition then the FR did.

[99voltsdotcom]

@wwit63 thanks. I think it would be a great upgrade for you. '88 Charvel...I'm jealous! If you like the floyd that's already on it the big block will definitely improve that too.