Stratocaster Tremolo choices

[P-funk]

Hello everybody,

New on board because a friend recommended this forum for my question:
I’m currently in the process of letting a Stratocaster build by a luthier.
All good but I have a very hard time choosing the tremolo. Apparently most manufactures don’t supply much information and objective reviews are hard to find. I’m a real whammy nOOb so please help me out.

I was very interested by the G&L Dual Fulcrum vibrato because you’re able to push and pull the tremolo:
http://www.glguitars.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=172

Unfortunately the G&L tremolo demands a G&L pickguard and the word is that they’re kinda picky in selling their parts.
So I’m the lookout for something similar. I found other “Fulcrum” tremolos like the Hipshot (Not on their website anymore):
http://www.allparts.com/Hipshot-Fulcrum-Tremolo-Chrome-p/sb-5376-010.htm

Or the Trem King:
http://www.tremking.com/prod2.html

But I have no idea if that’s the same as a ‘Dual’ Fulcrum.

Also, perhaps it’s just an idea of mine that I need tremolo that can go both ways...

So please, if you have any advice for a good stable Stratocaster style tremolo for me, let me know.
Cheers
Jack

 

[candid_x]

Jack, huge subject, lots of opinions on this one. I'll just mention that they all can be set of to float, but some are designed to float only. Not that they too can't be blocked, but trems such as G&L are designed to always float. If you like using double stop bend chords and licks, you may find it annoying that your bends cause the other strings to go flat. The Strats, either type of bridge give you the set up option to float them or "deck" them like a hardtail. Or, you can set them flush, but also can trem down flat. Pretty versatile.

Modern theory has it that the dual point pivot makes for a smoother and more stable tuning trem, but some traditionalists disagree. I personally think most of that depends on how well its put together and set up.

 

[P-funk]

Thx for your answer candid, it helped a lot. I do realize this could be an endless discussion and at the end it's just a matter of personal taste. Just like pickups... Don't get me started.
I didn't know you can set all trems to float. I will order a more 'traditional' trem in that case and experiment. Looking forward to it.

Thx again
Cheers
Jack

 

[Giraffecaster]

are there any guitar shops around where you could try out the 2 pt to see if it's what you like?

 

[P-funk]

Well, that's exactly what I'm going to do this week. I just have to keep my fingers crossed they have some decent Strats in the house.

 

[daddyo]

Hello everybody,

New on board because a friend recommended this forum for my question:
I’m currently in the process of letting a Stratocaster build by a luthier.
All good but I have a very hard time choosing the tremolo. Apparently most manufactures don’t supply much information and objective reviews are hard to find. I’m a real whammy nOOb so please help me out.

I was very interested by the G&L Dual Fulcrum vibrato because you’re able to push and pull the tremolo:
http://www.glguitars.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=172

Unfortunately the G&L tremolo demands a G&L pickguard and the word is that they’re kinda picky in selling their parts.
So I’m the lookout for something similar. I found other “Fulcrum” tremolos like the Hipshot (Not on their website anymore):
http://www.allparts.com/Hipshot-Fulcrum-Tremolo-Chrome-p/sb-5376-010.htm

Or the Trem King:
http://www.tremking.com/prod2.html

But I have no idea if that’s the same as a ‘Dual’ Fulcrum.

Also, perhaps it’s just an idea of mine that I need tremolo that can go both ways...

So please, if you have any advice for a good stable Stratocaster style tremolo for me, let me know.
Cheers
Jack

All trems designed to fit a strat style guitar are "fulcrum" style (no examples of yo yos sticking bigsbies on strats, please), ie: the trem is a lever with the trem springs applying force to one side of the lever and the guitar strings applying force to the other side of the lever. The two forces balance to hold the trem in a fixed position. The fulcrum point is the studs that stop the trem from shooting into the head of the guitar (6 screws for vintage strat or 2 posts for more modern strats, Ibanez, Floyd Rose, etc). The trem arm is used to move the trem out of balance to change the pitch of a chord or note. You can set any fulcrum style trem to bend either up or down (push or pull?) or you can set it so it only bends down.

I have a Hipshot Contour set for floating on my strat (2 stud style) and recommend it. It fits modern strats and is compatible with strat pickguards. The only neg which is a neg for most floating trems is that oblique bends makes one of the strings go flat.
http://store.hipshotproducts.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=181

 

[P-funk]

Thanks, I'll have a look at it.