Wilkinson

[wbfree]

Hey All,
I am going to buy a Wilkinson blade tremolo and came across two different prices for them and two different measurements for the posts. The price difference is dramatic and I wanted to know if anyone has any experience with these two. I would buy the cheaper one unless there is a good reason for the price difference.
Thx
Burnie

Stew-Mac- Wilkinson/Gotoh VS-100N-108.74 for the gold
This tremolo fits American Standard Strat® and Strat® Plus guitars without modifications. See our tremolo routing template (http://www.stewmac.com/shopby/product/1110) (#1110 For Strat) for other installations. 2-1/8" (53.97mm) string spread, 2-3/16" (55.56mm) center-to-center stud spacing. Drill 3/8" (10mm) diameter holes for bushings.

WD Music-
Part #: VS-100G HC
Gotoh / Wilkinson Tremolo Chrome
(http://www.wdmusic.com/gotoh_wilkinson_tremolo_chrome_24797_prd0.htm)Pric e: $212.12
As most of you know, Wilkinson USA has suspended production for their fine products. Due to a license arrangement with Gotoh, the fine VS100 will continue to be available and is in stock at wd. Chrome important dimensions center to center mounting hole spacing - 56.8 mm. This bridge cannot be used to replace a conventional, 6 mounting screw Strat tremolo without modifications to the body

[Mike9]

Personally I think WD is over priced on pretty much all their merchandise. The VS-100 from StewMac is a good trem, but it has a cast block if that matters. I have a Wilkinson USA VS-100 w/steel block and it's a great trem.

That being said the Hipshot is a much better trem IMO - I own both and prefer the action of the Hipshot over the Wilky. You can get them with a steel block for $115 here:

http://guitarpartsresource.com/gbridge_hipshottremolo.htm

http://guitarpartsresource.com/images/large/42100C.jpg

[Structo]

The thing I noticed about Wilkinson items is that they are purely a licensed part.
In other words, Wilkinson doesn't make a thing, they just sell a license to do so.
When I was shopping for a strat two point trem I bought one that was advertised as having steel saddles.
When it arrived, nope, alloy saddles

So I bought a different one on Ebay which was advertised as having a steel base plate, steel block and stainless steel saddles.
Nope, alloy on all counts.

The design on these two point trems is very good.
It's just a matter of finding a company that makes a quality one......
I have seen probably four different versions of the same model in quality and materials.

Good luck.

[Structo]

You might want to check out the new TremKing.
Supposedly a superior trem by all counts.
But if you are after a six screw vintage style trem, I don't think the one from Callaham can be topped.

[wbfree]

Personally I think WD is over priced on pretty much all their merchandise. The VS-100 from StewMac is a good trem, but it has a cast block if that matters. I have a Wilkinson USA VS-100 w/steel block and it's a great trem.

That being said the Hipshot is a much better trem IMO - I own both and prefer the action of the Hipshot over the Wilky. You can get them with a steel block for $115 here:

http://guitarpartsresource.com/gbridge_hipshottremolo.htm

http://guitarpartsresource.com/images/large/42100C.jpg
I have a steel block on a six screw fender trem, I wonder if it will screw to the plate of a Wilkinson. It is an after market milled steel block.

[Mike9]

Can't do it - the Wilkinson plate and block are stagger drilled - one of the things that makes them work well IMO. When the time comes to get another two point trem I'll get another Hipshot hands down.

[wbfree]

Can't do it - the Wilkinson plate and block are stagger drilled - one of the things that makes them work well IMO. When the time comes to get another two point trem I'll get another Hipshot hands down.

Thx Mike9-I like hipshot products I am just really partial to the Wilkinson, I have one of the originals and was able to set it just right and am reluctant to try another.
Burnie

[testing1two]

I think the Gotoh two point trems with steel blocks are definitely worth considering. They're good enough for John Suhr. =)

http://suhrguitars.com/bridges.aspx

[Mike9]

I have a Gotoh 1099 with a Callaham block and it's a killer trem.

[Eagle1]

The Best Wilkinson is the VS 400 series (steel block) made by Gotoh .
This is one of the best strat trems around.
Someone mentioned the Hipshot BUT this bridge is machined out of brass and subsequently too soft for knife edges so their solution is an easy to make round bar insert with a large friction surface NOT GOOD .
The Wilkinson VS400 and the Gotoh 510TS FE1 are the best two point trems out there at the moment.

[KLB]

Where do you get the Gotoh 510TS FE1?

[Eagle1]

Allparts but you have to ask them for it as it's not in the catalog.

[Mike9]

Eagle1 - Someone mentioned the Hipshot BUT this bridge is machined out of brass and subsequently too soft for knife edges so their solution is an easy to make round bar insert with a large friction surface NOT GOOD .


Eagle1 - the Hipshot while machined from brass - the contact points are hardened steel points and bar. No brass touches the steel pivot posts. And that's why it's one of the best trems out there - hardened bearing surfaces as opposed to a knife edge.

[Mike9]

No - I'm using Wilkinson 6-screw trems wit steel blocks and I've figured out a way to notch the mounting screws like the Mann trems on the PRS's. Now that's a stable trem ;)

[Eagle1]

Eagle1 - the Hipshot while machined from brass - the contact points are hardened steel points and bar. No brass touches the steel pivot posts. And that's why it's one of the best trems out there - hardened bearing surfaces as opposed to a knife edge.
It is a rocker the steel bar rubs against a curved corresponding shaped stud and the point of contact moves " FRICTION " this design is poor at best and purely used because of manufacturing limitations at Hipshot ,granted the quality of the construction is excellent but this dose not make up for this compromised solution .The Gotoh 510TS FE1 is better .
http://www.hosco.co.jp/HOSCO_ENGLISH/Pages/gotoh_catalog2007/gg2007_24.html
James Tyler likes the Hipshot saddles because they are milled from solid not powder die cast , but because of the above fits the Hipshot saddles to a Gotoh510TS bridge getting the milled steel construction or both the saddles AND the baseplate ,try this.

[harritone]

Hey folks, have 97 TAnderson HDT. Has the old gotoh 1055. want to get the 510ts-fe1, but dont know about the post size, if they will retro fit, or will it need to be drilled, which I do NOT want to do. I know the posts on the newer gotoh are large. The screws in the TA are the black standard heads. Dont know if they go straight into the wood or if it has a counter-sunk. Anyone had any experience with this? thanks -

[testing1two]

The 510TS-FE1 does use oversized posts so you would need to remove the existing threaded inserts, enlarge the holes, and install the new threaded inserts...if it sounds like a PITA, it is. The 510TS-SF1 is similar, but has bent steel saddles instead of solid cast block saddles, and uses the traditional post size.

The real question is: what's wrong with the 1055?

[Eagle1]

The 510TS-FE1 does use oversized posts so you would need to remove the existing threaded inserts, enlarge the holes, and install the new threaded inserts...if it sounds like a PITA, it is. The 510TS-SF1 is similar, but has bent steel saddles instead of solid cast block saddles, and uses the traditional post size.

The real question is: what's wrong with the 1055?
The old size posts are not used on any of the 510 trems . The problem with the 1055 is the posts can leen forwads over time.

[harritone]

The posts on the old 1055 go directly into the wood. they are a little less than 6mm. Here's my question : Instead of drilling larger holes, will the 510 posts, WITHOUT THE ANCHOR, retro-fit directly into the wood? They are both metric thread. They appear to have close to the same size actual posts. Why do I want to switch to the 510? I want steel saddles, I like the blockstyle saddles, not the 'S's on this, and I want the improved steel block. Plus, I like buying stuff!!

[harritone]

Actually the old posts are closer to 5mm. Heres the little spec sheet :

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b272/zamminc/New%20Gotoh%20pics/510T-FE1TechDrawing.jpg

[Eagle1]

The posts on the old 1055 go directly into the wood. they are a little less than 6mm. Here's my question : Instead of drilling larger holes, will the 510 posts, WITHOUT THE ANCHOR, retro-fit directly into the wood? They are both metric thread. They appear to have close to the same size actual posts. Why do I want to switch to the 510? I want steel saddles, I like the blockstyle saddles, not the 'S's on this, and I want the improved steel block. Plus, I like buying stuff!!

"No they don't" there is still a small metal insert the hole is 6mm, the new hole needs to be 10mm . Also Suhr glues them in .
Don't think about not using the inserts as this would probably result is post lean over time .

[harritone]

"No they don't" there is still a small metal insert the hole is 6mm, the new hole needs to be 10mm . Also Suhr glues them in .
Don't think about not using the inserts as this would probably result is post lean over time .Thanks man!, I actual was thinking about it... ouch..whats your name BTW my friend? I am only concerned about drilling the holes and screwing up the finish, it is a drop top quilted with a thick glossy finish...

[Eagle1]

Thanks man!, I actual was thinking about it... ouch..whats your name BTW my friend? I am only concerned about drilling the holes and screwing up the finish, it is a drop top quilted with a thick glossy finish...
If you could send it back to Tom I'm sure he would do it for you , It should be done with a jig .
Regards
Andy Eagle