Should You Buy a Floyd Rose Special? | Upgrading My Charvel Model III
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- Опубликовано: 24 июн 2019
- Everyone likes to hate on the affordable Floyd Rose Special. I however, have never owned one. In this video I show the installation process of one, and do some dive bomb craziness to see if it can hold a tune. I also upgrade the pickup in my trusty Charvel Model III to the original Jackson J90C pickup. Thanks a ton to my subscriber Robert for sending me the pickup! You Rock!
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Jacob Tanis
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Man props to the guy who donated the pickup , I had a blindingly orange neon charvette.
I can't thank the guy enough. It was a very kind gesture!
The Jackson J90C (Ceramic magnet) is their version of a Duncan Distortion. They're ok to use in a pinch, but they're really sub-par pickups, much like the "Duncan Designed" mud muffins that are found on most of the budget guitars on the market. Your pickups are the heart and soul of the sound of your guitar, and just like you wouldn't want to date a fat ugly chick in the long run... replace your pickups with the genuine article if you want to be happy.
I have been using a Flyod Rose Special since 2015 absolutely no problems with it
my brother-in-law installed his used what are special and one of my guitars I don't have issues with it neither I use it 4 drop C and no issues
It originally had a Edge 3 but it would not stay in tune so I switched it and I'm having a much better time with the special
Same here I feel like people are just saying they’re bad because they’re cheaper than the original
I'm glad to hear. Mine has some issues unfortunately, so I think I will be swapping it with a Schaller Lockmeister.
Schaller Lockmeister is a brilliant choice and easy drop in swap. Highly recommended. 👌
Great video! I like the FR Special. I have several guitars equipped with FR Specials and I have no issues. Like you said, it's mostly about set up.
I have the Flyod Rose Special on a few of my guitars no issues at all with them
They aren't bad at all man. I have 5 guitars with specials on them and the only thing that ever went wrong on one of mine was one of the saddles stripped out where the string block screw threads in. Bought a new set of saddles and no more issues. I normally upgrade to the brass block & titanium string blocks on mine and it is a vast improvement. I read that the only difference between the special & 1000 series is the 1000 has steel bridge saddles & a brass block stock where as the special's saddles & block are zinc. I was impressed to find out they both use the same hardened steel base plate which is the most important thing in regards to the bridge staying in tune.
Wow! your Charvel sounds awesome, great video! I am thinking of upgrading my tremolo on my Ibanez RG450. I was hesitating after seeing it gets a lot of hate but i like what i saw in your video. You were really abusing it and it sounded great, stayed in perfect tune. My Ibanez stock tremolo is not all that bad but i could use an upgrade, when used you can hear all the springs and parts screeching, sounds pretty cheap for a nice guitar. Your video was very helpful, thanx.
NEVER raise or lower the bridge with strings at full tension on any Floyd. It scores the posts and wears the knife edges. Both phenomena are detrimental to returning to pitch. Just detune 3 or 4 revolutions (4 is probably better) on each tuner, raise or lower the bridge studs, tune back up the same number of revolutions, you'll be pretty much in-tune. It's quick and easy this way.
I used to just swell the springs on my guitar with Floyd Rose and take out the whole bridge then adjust the height and put the bridge back.
what do you mean full tension? like fully in tune? sorry i’m confused on what you’re talking about I am still learning
@@_r3verie yes, in tune=full tension
I loosen the strings and the springs enough that I can actually pull the bridge back off of the posts just a little. I don't want any friction on the knife edge when turning the posts.
I push the bar down all the way so the strings are slack, you can feel how much easier it is to turn the posts. No detuning necessary and is the fastest way to make adjustments.
Bought my first Floyd Rose guitar (Floyd Rose Special) this week, just restringed it tonight, was a bit of a pain compared to my other guitars but I love it! Bought a Jackson SDXM Adrian smith signature 🥰🤟🏼
I have 3 guitars with the FR Special and I've never had an issue with either one of them.
Here en Mexico it's a bit hard to find the original one, too expensive. Would you recommend me to buy the special serie?
David Castellanos don’t get one, they’re trash and don’t last
@@davidcastellanos881 the fr special is fine. If you know what you are doing and have a basic knowledge of engineering, youl be fine. Problem with them is people dunno how to use em. Simple. Goodluck.
I hated FR orig, FR special & FR licensed copy. I used wilkinson and Edge Pro, ZR, ZPs.
The floy special uses the same base plate at the Original. The only difference are the saddle. Special using Zinc alloy and original does not.
Have both systems the Special and original no problems with either both are fantastic systems
Great Video. I like how it goes fast and to the point. Cool.
Thanks!
For anyone wondering, The noisy tremolo springs can be fixed by just using the trem. My strat had that problem so I just reamed on it and sure enough, the springs don’t make noise anymore
I've had cheap floyds in my guitars for years and they still work great.
Thanks for making this. Being an owner of a blonde 1987 JC Model 3 since '88, when I bought it from a kinda dodgy connection, I've wanted to know more about it's internals (which are 100% stock and still in great shape.) Interestingly, one of my biggest influences in the late 80's and early 90's was a band called Caterwaul--now relegated to the minutia of rock--whose guitarist also tuned down a half step.
Flyod Rose Special is not licensed it's a Flyod Rose
Yes, but its Chinese
@@c.f.pedraza4057 no the Flyod Rose Special is made in South Korea
@@jayrichardson5811 either way, I've had one, and they're subpar. Nothing like a real one, but definitely not the worst out there.
@@c.f.pedraza4057 the Flyod Rose Special is a real Flyod Rose....
@@jayrichardson5811 yeah bro, i get it. But its like a Korean Dean vs. an American Dean. Or a Charvel Jackson US vs. Korean Jackson. It says the name, but sometimes, what you get also says, "you get what you paid for."
Good video and man lovin your style, yep bit of a fan of via and cc deville
Jake, a long time ago, I had a Charvel Model 4. At least that's what I think it was; it was a lot like yours, but it had an active preamp. Your video took me BACK! Thank you!
Also, I bought a second Charvel years later. This one was a Predator. Reason I'm even mentioning it is because it had a nut arrangement like your Model 3, with a locking nut AND a regular string nut! I always thought that was really stupid, because the locking nut wouldn't do ANYTHING to increase your tuning stability that way! If your tuning was stable, you didn't need the locking nut!
Anyhow, thanks again for the nostalgia.😎❤️️🎸‼️
Thanks for watching Edwin! Glad I could bring back some good memories! Was your Model 4 a neck through or bolt on?
@@jaketanis3069 It was a bolt-on. I never had a set neck until I was in my fifties. Still got 'em both.
I wish I still had that Model 4. Unfortunately, it was stolen, along with a very similar Peavey Tracer. Got able replacements, though.😎❤️️🎸‼️
I just bought a Jackson SLX....I ordered OFR steel bridge saddles, and a "Push In" style tremolo arm. Guitar is being delivered tomorrow...its the Satin Red Pearl color, friggin gorgeous! \m/
Very cool!
Been thinking about taking my Floyd rose special off and replacing it with an original Floyd rose. Just better hardware from what I understand. Glad it worked out for ya.
I had exactly this Charvel Model brand new, many many years ago when it just came out. Same colour and everything. The metal of the trem was so soft, you could spread it on bread and have it for lunch. The rest of the guitar was fabulous.
Dude, that guitar is sick!!!
Indeed!
Still have my 86 Model 4. Had the original Kahler removed and a real Floyd put on. Still a sweet guitar years later!
AWESOME!
I used Floyd Rose specials on both of my frankenstrat build's and love how they work I took a spring off both for easier bending so no problem with them for me so far.
How are they holding up now? I want to put one on my Kramer 5150 project but don’t know if I should just go for an original Floyd instead to avoid problems
Schaller and Ghoto makes some of the best licensed floyd rose style locking trem systems.
I've never seen a Special with a brass block.. also, I would have added the locking nut. I had a USA Jackson dinky from 87 with that trem and behind the nut lock, hated that compared to my Kramers at the time. Gratz on the pickup though, great work and those model 4s made in JP are fantastic, very nice find!
i got a schecter with a hotrod special with the push in and its been good stays in tune with all the abuse ive put it through i have no clue why people hate on them
My 2010 peavey Predator had a floyd rose designed trem that have "peavey" on it. It wasn't bad but as it got older, it was hard to keep it true and in tune. I now have a 2020 Schecter Synyster Gates Custom S with the newer floyd rose Custom that uses a set screw and bushing to tighten the trem bar, instead of the "nut on the bar" style. It's so much nicer and holds tune so much better. So now I'm putting that same one on my peavey since I'm rebuilding it with new pickups and a wrap on the body. Btw, if you don't have one or ha no played one, I highly recommend getting a Sustainiac 3 way pickup from Sustainiac themselves or getting a guitar that has one built in already. It's so much fun to play with and it opens up new possibilities (yes, I know they have been around for a while, so they technically aren't new).
I’ve abused my 87 model 4 and the jt-6 still stays in tune perfect. It is one of the better copies.
The arm holder is the same as the Ibanez edge.
I added the hardened real Floyd steel saddles and an FU brass block to my Jackson WRXMG and it made all the difference. I addressed the two soft spots and it is like my originals in performance now. Also, Specials come with brass blocks? I got the FU because the one in my Jackson was the el cheapo zinc one.
Love the demos. I have a 87 Charvel model 3 which I am restoring. I've stumbled upon a P90C which has factory engraving saying Charvel. Looking to place in the bridge where a DiMarzio DP 102 was. First, the Charvel pup reads 17.8kohms, so it should be hot, but is it better than the old DiMarzio ? I've never had this guitar all assembled. Thanks !
I just bought a Jackson JS32 Rhoads as a project guitar...I got the Ivory colored one. I'm buying some Seymour Duncan pickups, and Floyd Rose Special for it....I'm wondering if the studs for the Floyd Rose Special, will just screw into the Jackson licensed tremolo stud holes? I've seen pictures of the threads on the Jackson stud posts...the Floyd Special studs look identical? Hmm?
I just bought a dean from hell with the Floyd special, and it came set up perfectly. I had to tune it, as it had new strings on it, but I haven't had any issues other than having to get used to a Floyd. Lol I usually play hardtails, or string through guitars. I do plan on upgrading a few of the parts on it though. Like noiseless springs, stone block, saddles and claw. I'm going to buy them over time so it's not so costly all at once. The specials are the same dimensions as the Floyd original, so that's a plus too. Nice video man.
I have a Dean ML [KOREAN] and the floyd is really cheap looking and am considering changing it for a GOTOH licensed floyd, it even comes with a brass block...made in Germany also.
@@centaurus5676 nice. The Korean deans are awesome. I've got 4 of them. Lol if I'm not mistaken, the Korean deans come with the Floyd 1000. Better quality than the special, but different dimensions than the Floyd original (German).
I own 2 Jackson x series soloist with both Floyd rose specials and I’ve never had issues with that and smother stay in tune well! Heck, even my fender hm strat reissue comes with one and it’s just the same lol
Can I put super slinky’s (9s) on a Floyd rose special tremolo? I got told from one person that the trem is designed for 10s but the other said 9s can be put on it fine - both people work at the same guitar store
The Floyd Rose Special is a real Floyd Rose, it’s just made w/cheaper zinc alloy from Korea instead of steel
@CG 04 no those base plates are not exactly the same the Korean ones are spot Harden big difference.
doesn't JT6 use narrow string spacing (i.e., Gibson) and Floyd Rose wider spacing (i.e., Fender)? did you notice the e strings get closer to the edge of the fingerboard after the bridge swap?
I guess it's worth saying that these guitars had the neck tilting back at an angle to allow you to pull sharp on the trem. These days the neck is parallel to the body, so a little body routing under the tail of the trem is needed to give you room to pull sharp
How exactly would you fix the spring noise with felt?
I've had a couple Floyd Rose specials and when they get some age on them they start to fail in the tuning dept. I'd have spent a little more and got a Gotoh instead. The Gotoh I installed stays in tune better then my German Floyds and flutters a whole lot better.
I have had a Floyd Rose Special on my Schecter since I bought it 3 years ago. the plastic saddle blocks are shit and let the strings pop out constantly. slots where the trem meets the mounting studs has been completely worn out, so one side pulls foreward more and sits higher. I strongly urge anyone considering getting a Floyd Rose Special to just save your money and get the original, it'll be way better in the long run
I like the J - 90 C pickups on those old charvels/ jacksons. They were really going for the metal sound.
Its a very cool pickup. I've grown to appreciate it more over time. Basically a little rawer sounding JB.
It's the sound of the 80s
Did you leave the old pivot bolts in place!? Why?
I have a special in a jackson guitar. Never had a problem with it.
I think for moderate dive bombing, the FR special works fine. I had the unfortunate experience of the saddle on my low E becoming completely stripped where the Allen screw gets screwed in. So I’ve got some Floyd Rose 1000 saddles on the way.
Same. I think the saddles are made of some type of putty.
Problem is you have to change so much on these to make them usable/durable!
The saddles are made of zinc which is a massive no, no!! They might be fine to start with, but once you've changed strings a couple of times or more there will be grooves on the saddles, and the risk of them actually splitting. I was surprised to see there was brass block on this one, so they've changed that, because that was always made of zinc in the past.
Seems like to get this up to spec foe use for any length of time, you would have to change the saddles, all the screws, and the arm (because it's shit, and won't tighten properly). The steel saddles are pretty expensive, so by the time you've done all this, you could have bought a better trem like the Schaller Lockmeister or the the Gotoh GE1996T!! It's just not worth it in my opinion.
Especially for young players who are just starting there are too many variables, and it's not a good unit if you hit the strings hard or go mad on the bar, and let's face it, most people do!!!!
beautiful charvel
Wicked! Love the guitar and this doesn't seem like a half bad Idea if I snag one of these. Throw those springs out though! I've never heard such cheap sounding junk. Anyway I have a Chavel Fusion but it has the recessed "modern" style Schaller Floyd stock. Much better.
i have had and still have almost all the different floyds, never a special though. i dont really use the tremolo a lot though, but even without actually using the arm, the bridge is always moving on the knife edges. My favorite is the Jackson/Tekeuchi JT580LP, I have had almost zero issues with them.
Hi Jake, Great review!! The noise you were talking about, is that the springs? Could that squeaky thing be fixed with some noiseless springs? Or could you explain how you could be fixing it with felt you talked about. Thanks again, you've definitely earned another subscriber. Happy shredding my man!!
James Avenell , I lubed mine up with mucoff ceramic lube and haven’t had a problem since
You can buy sets of three noiseless springs from Stewmac, they will completely eliminate that spring-noise, I've got a set of three installed in my Jackson JS32M guitar and they are practically silent.
is there a fret on the nut position ? (zero fret ?)
What are u doing with the other pickup?
so does the trem bar simply thread on to the bridge itself? My bridge on my Jackson is the same as your old one and frankly they're shit lol.. A way to fix the creaky speangs is to fit better springs or put some foam under the existing springs to dampen them. I'm gonna swap out the Jackson pickups for Dimarzio Tone Zone (bridge), Air Norton (neck). to stop the springs squeaking, put some foam under the springs.. then no more squeaks.
I have an Fr special, and that sucks. Planning to replace it with a Schaller lockmeister now
I have two guitars that have Floyd Rose specials, I've had no problems with them so far, they work like they are supposed to. I know a lot of people don't like them, but I' find them to be okay.
I've had my Dean from hell for about a year now, and I still haven't had any issues with the Floyd special. Feels good, and stays in perfect tune. I do want to replace the trem arm though. I get tired of retightening the screw on arm after using it a lot. Only complaint.
@@randymiles904
Can’t say the same for my dean 79
The special can barely hold a tuning, same goes for my jackson with the special
My dean with a floyd 1000 is by far superior in anyway possible
@@eeyorebenji2836 I suppose everyone has different experiences. I've been building guitars with Floyd's now that Im more familiar with them, and the Floyd special is my go to as well. I've done 10 or 11 guitars, and I've yet to have an issue or complaint. I have read about people having all kinds of issues online. I just haven't seen it myself, it heard anything bad from anyone I actually know.
@@randymiles904 I have one as well and I abuse it. The nut is a little odd and I press the g string down into at an angle that’s straight before I tighten but mine never goes out and I just keep the bar twisted to the back super tight and that seems to help keep it still
@@eeyorebenji2836 Check your saddles, may be hairline cracked. That's the Achille's heel of the FR specials : Pot metal saddles, not steel.
I have 2 guitars with Floyd. First one is an 1989 LTD, which is a cheap guitar and it is still with the original Floyd Rose, it has some wear on it but works just fine.
The other one is an Ibanez Jem with edge zero II. I'd say the machining on the edge zero II is far superior and easier to set up. But if you know what your doing and set up the guitar fine there has to be some really crazy stuff going on for it not to work properly
The knife edge on the trem will wear out quickly if you use it has your main guitar, even quicker if you get crazy with that bar. Moderate use and not your main guitar it will do just fine.
You got a brass block with your floyd rose special?
In addition to the problems I mentioned already you aren't going to have the "space" you should since there's no routing... You'll run out of room either on your dives or climbs (probably a combination of both).....
Apparently the only diffdrence is materials. The floyd original features hardened steel plate ,saddles, and inserts, with a brass block, while the specials have zinc alloy saddles and block. Ot would be interesting to do a comparison for sustain, and any discernable difference in tone.
I am under the impression that most major brands come with Floyd Rose Specials (Taiwan made) on them... is that right or wrong?
What kind of amp are you running threw
The pickup he sent you is worth its weight in gold. You better reciprocate something nice!
If you do a little research you'll find that zinc and stainless steel aren't that different however zinc can be more corrosion resistant. The choice between the two is really a matter of cost and fabrication needs.
Stainless is used where less material is needed and appearance matters due to the increased cost of chromium, zinc is more for large production application.
Also note that the box said authentic, the reason for that is that the Floyd Rose Special is the GENUINE VERSION of their licensed models.
The ONLY difference between an OFR and a Special is the use of Zinc Alloy for the saddles.
I wonder how many people criticizing the use of zinc have ever actually worked with metal...
If HE did a little research he would know that a Floyd needs routing.....
If YOU did a little research you would know what a Top Mount Floyd Rose was.
@@benjaminaristotleboes3157 Rouiting...would you use RIPv2 or OSPF?
Honestly, we were talking about metals. His FR didn't appear to need any routing,
Thanks. This was pretty illuminating
BENJAMIN ARISTOTLE BOES - - - Duh Charvel is well known for its use of top loading Floyd Rose since the days of the strat headstock
Just curious why did you not change the post? that is such a crucial part of the Floyd Rose system. Very typical of a rookie move there.
only real issue with the Floyd Rose Special is it uses Zinc and not steel. The Zinc eventually wear our or threads strip if you are not extremely careful. I just had to replace the inserts because they stripped on my Jackson Licensed Floyd. It uses the same zinc as the special.
I have one on my import Jackson Soloist. Mine doesn't have a Brass Block though.😡
:((( I miss my model 3 so much, I can’t believe I sold that guitar. Best playing guitar I’ve ever owned.
I had the one with the Khaler though, and the treble boost. ‘86 maybe?
zinc alloy is what the saddles on the Floyd Rose Special are made of. Be careful. They can be stripped more easily than a regular Floyd Rose made of steel.
Agreed!
Are the knifes edges in base plate also made of zinc alloy in FR special?
@@MusicTutorJay no, the base plate is steel and the knife points are hardened steel...
You, Sir, Are very much right indeed 😊👍
Where did you get a FR Special with a brass block? I've had to buy a separate replacement block since the factory one is zinc, normally.
@@juanguillermo661, why didn't you get a 32mm brass? Was your bridge used?
@@juanguillermo661, OK, the reason for my question was that normally Floyd Rose Specials come with a 34mm zinc block, but the one in the video came with a brass block. I've never seen that for sale anywhere. You're saying you got yours on eBay. I wonder if yours was used. What makes you say the saddles are crap? I know that they're zinc and not steel like on the 1000 and Original, but I've got three of them installed and haven't had any actual problems with them compared to the Originals I have on other guitars.
Wow, this is like watching someone work on my guitar...
Nice video. But if you are going to the trouble of replacing the tired old bridge, then do yourself the favor of taking another minute to install the new studs. Nothing is worth doing if not done right.
it might be ok for a couple years then it will need to be replaced , cause either the studs or the knives will be worn out. due to soft metal or the R2 nuts . i had terrible experience with cheap FR bridges and ibanez edge II and edge III the past 20 years i doubt anything will last more than 4-5 years without worn out. even if you dont be very excessive on the bridge
Why did you use the old pivot posts? They're more than likely work out as well
Because most videos on youtube where people say they are 'upgrading' only change the trem, and leave the old posts. And I guess now millions of people have seen those videos and think that is a good idea, which it is not. Change the anchors and the posts people.
That’s up for debate on some guitars. Sometimes a bridge just goes bad but if the posts are still good, and made out of good sourced steel then the posts are still fine for years of use. I upgraded my Washburn N4’s Washburn branded trem, the thing was made in ‘92 and it finally got to the point of disrepair, lasted about 30 years though and the posts were still immaculate. Threw a gotoh in there as the post on the gotoh are a bit bigger than the washburns and would require redrilling so I left the old ones in and it works like brand new!
@@gameroftheyear1000 Absolutely. The problem I see on youtube however, is people upgrade cheap trems (zinc-alloy) with better bridges (steel base plates), but leave the old zinc-alloy posts for fear of drilling new holes. That new steel base plate will wear down those zinc-alloy posts fast, so they have not really upgraded at all. But if you have good quality steel posts, you are fine :) And congrats on owning a N4 !
@@jrg770 oh yeah I get what you’re saying! Haha usually with Floyd specials I buy original mounts and anchors from Floyd roses website for usually $20 and after buying the Floyd special I’m only $100 and it makes a world of difference. For example on my Ibanez RG350DX, the only other thing that could drop in other than another edge III( was not impressed from that trem) and an edge pro which are hard to find were the Floyd original/special. I wanted a gotoh 1996t in there but it would require modification to the route and re drill the studs. So I bought a special and original mounts and anchors and they slapped right in. Granted I also upgraded the saddles about 2 years in after my luthier stripped the high E saddle and offer to put towards the saddle as compensation so my Floyd special does have a few upgrades but they were spaced out enough that I feel I’m still getting my money’s worth on it even now! But before I got off on this tangent, the big thing I can recommend to anyone is buy German made Floyd original posts. They’re inexpensive of an upgrade and definitely help in making the trem last and stay in tune better.
One tip, you will need to change the saddles that are zinc made.
Why are u using the old crappy pivots?? those Charvel F Rose were so cheap and crappy, change the pivots!
Because most videos on youtube where people say they are 'upgrading' only change the trem, and leave the old posts. And I guess now millions of people have seen those videos and think that is a good idea, which it is not. Change the anchors and the posts people.
I've got a FR Special on my LTD MH350FR. Bought it from some guy. Problem is that the strings after changing them often pop out of the bridge in the first 1 or 2 weeks. It's really a pain. I don't really use thick strings (10-52 for Drop C#), so high tension shouldn't be a problem. I dunno, these metal blocks really don't do a good job keeping the strings in. This really isn't about me making some mistake while setting the guitar up. At least I can't think of any. Has anyone found a working solution to that problem other then to replace the whole tremolo?
The only logical reason that they would pop out ONLY in the first 1-2 weeks of a restring is that there is some kind of coating on the new strings you use that initially makes them slippier than normal, under the correct tension and seating. Outside of that, it has to be down to amount of tension applied and/or correct (optimal) seating of the string ends against the blocks. You could try changing the blocks or even upgrading them (titanium blocks seem to be all the rage these days, with most people swearing that, not only do these never break but they also increase sustain. Not convinced yet, myself).
@@stuartmiller7419 Found the reason afterwards: the blocks were actually damaged. Seems like the ones that came with the FR Special weren't very robust. The strings cut into them, so they couldn't hold them reliably in anymore. Changed them for some cheap but new ones (about 15€ for 6 pieces) but those were to cheap and also not reliable. Thought it was worth a try. Seems like I just have to get some quality blocks now. Should be about 60 or 70€ for all strings. I'll probably get some sturdier ones from Schaller or original FR. Thanks for your input!
The Flyod Rose Special are on $1000 + guitars they are very much real Flyods and are very good Trems I have two of them no problems I liked them
I do concur that the stock Jackson pickup in these models is a fantastic pickup, but the Special... not so much. The JT6 is a far superior bridge if properly cared for, which most sadly are not. Never had issues with my bushed bars coming loose. Actually prefer them to the more common threaded ones... always fiddling with the tension on those; too tight, too loose, prone to being noisy.
You can buy a set of noiseless springs for around $16...I think Stew Mac has them.
Specails use cheap parts which wear out rather quickly.
Apart from that tuning stability is quite good
Yes indeed the Flyod Rose Special is a real Flyod Rose you'll find them on guitars also that cost more than $1000 it's a good system
You are wrong, Floyd Rose Special is not licenced by FR., it’s part of the same brand
Indeed it is
I believe it is the same version that is licensed out to other brands. If you have, for example, a FR that is branded EVH on your Wolfgang, it's the equivalent of a Special? Or at least a similar level of quality? Either way, it's the cheapest version available direct from Floyd Rose.
@@kitoyobeni1 i think the evh equates more to the 1000 series, cant imagine he wanted a special in there
@@maxmustardman298 I'm sure he wanted an original, but Fender had to get that cost down.
@@maxmustardman298 I just bought a used Wolfgang and it has a Special in it. I'm already looking at upgrades, lol. They did put the 1000's in the early ones.
I have a black Floyd Rose Special....Had problems with strings slipping and popping out of the blocks and sliding and slipping at the nut......Then I saw in a very old guitar maintenance video, (Troubleshooting----Ande Flavelle Sound Connection)......In it he mentioned that the problem with painted or coated trem's is that they are too slippery and if you sand off the coating until you get it off it will improve your tuning stability....REALLY???.....I had bought the guitar used and figured "why not give it a try." Worst comes to worst I will splurge and get a "REAL FLOYD".....SO, I sanded the nut and locking pads. I folded a sheet of sandpaper and did the same to the bridge saddles. (ALWAYS do this far away from your pickups, take the trem off the guitar!!!!)....Put it back together, lubed the knife edges, put painter's tape around the whammy bar threads.......Guess what???.....100% improvement!.....Seriously!.....Everything that had pissed me off about that trem was now fixed.....I even have a new "road worn distressed look" to my Floyd Rose.....hahaha.....(you actually have to pay extra for that feature when ordering one...haha).....If you have given up on your Floyd Special and are ready to throw it in the garbage....and it came coated with paint or chrome/nickel.....give it a try.........All it costs you is some sandpaper......The lube and painters tape tricks are free bonuses. Good luck. It worked for my Floyd Rose Special. Maybe it will do the same for yours.
It sounds to me that the block on the tremolo is too short and it's binding on the back of the spring route. Take the plate off and check, you'll likely see that the springs are contacting the body. Added, have had a few Specials and really, they are not great. They have reduced in quality over the last few years IMO.
Both FRS ive had, are gone now.
Tremolo arm is a (plastic) joke and saddles wear off quickly.
In my first FRS guitar, saddles went after 3rd string change. I bought Schaller which felt and weigh much more and was stable.
You need to understand how these tin/jelly bridges work.. 🙂
FRS is slightly above Jackson Licenced Bridge, but just slightly.
There’s a solid reason for 80$ price tag.
Some wont have problems with these, but also many have probs they shouldn't have with their brand new 1k guitar.
Pro-Standard guitarists won't really touch em, believe me.
There are so many small factors with these bridges, i can't even start stating all of em.
Just go with the Gotoh, Schaller or OFR including Korean FRT1000/2000.
Latter mentioned are Ok despite some people downballing them.
(Korea is today's Japan).
The best you can get is FRT500,
FR-1984, FRT100 & FRT200.
Lower models are 100 series & higher ones are the 500.
Differences in quality are anyhow small in the bridges mentioned above.
But again, as said, some won't have any problems with the Licensed tremolos or FRS. (JT580LP Licensed is actually pretty decent).
My opinion is that Floyd Rose as a company is anyhow making a mistake with these brigdes, degrading their brand.
It's like Gucci starting to make low quality purses and name it Gucci essential 😅😅
Can you put Floyd Rose Original saddles on a Special?
Yes they'll fit
I have original Floyd's Ibanez edge and floyd specials I dont think one works any better than the other. I think if it's set up properly it will work flawlessly for a lot of years.
Edge Zero?
From Floyd Rose's Website: "The Floyd Rose Special maintains the design and features of an Original Floyd Rose, while utilizing zinc alloy saddles in place of steel and a zinc alloy sustain block in place of brass." I noticed your trem has a brass block on it when you pulled it out of the box, so was it used? Also you referred to it as a "Licensed Floyd Rose Tremolo", that's an actual Floyd Rose Tremolo just cheaper made (Floyd Rose Special). Nowadays a steel saddle set is $63 and a brass block is $32 on Floyd's website. So if you buy a Floyd Rose Special ($92) + steel saddle set ($63)+ brass sustain block ($32)= $187 which is essentially an Original Floyd Rose ($232) just a whole lot cheaper.
Can you swap the floyd rose out of a dean ml guitar?
I have been asking this question and never got an answer...ever!
In my personal opinion buying an aftermarket Floyd special is like setting money on fire. The bridges work fine in terms of tuning stability but the saddles are soft and the strings cut a groove in them very easily. Also they are not seemless to use and I always feel like I’m putting in too much effort just to use the whammy bar.
Jake:
"So there it is guys, the Floyd Rose Special! I really don't think it's half bad..."
Also Jake:
5:32
Not even finishing the video, I can tell you from experience... the floyd special is good out of the box. The difference in quality is the durability of the materials. Cheaper metals and lower quality finish makes them not as durable. But for the average player, they wouldn't notice a difference. Funny enough, the most common problem people have with them is the guitar body itself. Floyd specials come on cheap guitars made of softer woods. The stress of the 2 point trem makes the trem posts lean over time as they elongate the post holes. Not a problem of the trem, but it seem like it's the trem when it won't stay in tune.
I build guitars and I Love floyd rose tremolo's ! A super easy and cheap fix for installs on "soft" wood guitars is to saturate the wood around the post with super glue ! It hardens the wood extremely well ! I've never had any problems or tuning stability issues when doing this ! If you have an old guitar that has this problem you may have to take off a little finish to get the super glue to absorb into the wood but usually you can do this from the back of the guitar by removing the spring plate and take out the tremolo !
The R2 nut is 1 5/8. Charvel's are
1 11/16 width. The R3 nut is 1 11/16 "for binding" the R4 is 1 11/16 standard. The R3 "for binding" is actually 1 5/8 width.
The more you know.
could you not just have bought certain replacement parts from FU-TONE?
I thought the fr special was different from the fr licensed
It is.. the special is an actual floyd rose product made overseas. Most of the " licensed by floyd rose" knockoffs are total crap.
So you hated the Dimebag pickup, and you searched everywhere just to find a stock pickup to replace it with?
Not baad on the new specials. The old ones had zinc sustain block. With these new ones one o ly needs to replace the zinc saddles to scahller. Cost like 70.
Nice guitar 🎸
Thank you!
Man I have a special that came stock on one of my axes....it works but id never buy one as an "upgrade". Honestly it just isnt very responsive or smooth and quite stiff. For less than 150 get a japanese Gotoh 1996t. They are actually better made than the OFRs these days. Not surprising they also make the edge trems for ibanez. For best results use the gotoh studs.This will however require drilling for new inserts. If you are not comfortable doing that or there isnt enough material to do so it will work with floyd studs as well.
This is exactly what i have just been looking at, they look well made and include a brass block, amazing price. Will these just be a straight swap over, i have a Dean ML and the floyd is like pot metal.
@@centaurus5676 idk. I know they will fit Ibanez routes. The gotoh studs are larger so unless you dowel and redrill for new inserts you have to use factory posts which does work. Only thing you can do try...they are high quality trems so it's totally worth it.
@@justincase9173 Thank you so much for the reply. I can tackle those modifications, great stuff...thanks again.
Make sure to measure the size of the route on your guitar beforehand tho, gotohs won't fit on all guitars with floyd rose specials
The JT6 trem has a wedge shaped profile where the metal meets the trem studs and sits into a v-groove. The OFR is rounded. Unless you change the trem studs you will eventually run into some, lets call them “issues”. The OFR is rounded I believe. Now, when you do try and change the studs they have a different thread and are thinner, giving half a mm difference in width. More issues. Bushes need to come out too and be replaced. Then it will work perfectly. It is NOT a drop in replacement. Many a Charvel has been ruined by this modification. Its ok to begin with but down the line they develop real problems. If only they had made the JT6 from decent steel and brass eh? 😂 Peace.