I’m so stoked brah! This vid did more justice than I had any expectation for! Didn’t even think that you could pull up on it (hit the top of the body), but hell... if this was an infomercial, I’d have bought several already! Lol
I just added one to my MIM with some active EMGs and made it a fun shreddy machine. Really cool upgrade if you want to pimp your ride. Just know that it is not the most “vintage/classic” strat looking trem. It’s so small you can (sometimes?) see through it. Cool demo man! Rocking!!
Man I gotta check into this trem more, im in the middle of a build (strat w/ 3 humbuckers and coil splits and a pre amp, rosewood fb etc in the end). And I have yet to get to the trem yet and this thing is very intriguing.
I totally agree with you Chris!Best tremolo system ever.I just installed mine and I’m totally amazed.So smooth and it sounds great too.The tremarm is at the perfect height for me.Absolutely perfect trem system .
Sold. Been looking for something like this for my #1 strat and thought I was out of luck. My repair guy posted about one the other day and I needed to see it in action before I drop the dough
Have you ever tried a Super Vee Bladerunner? Drop in replacement for Strat bridge, no routing. Instead of a knife edge fulcrum at the screws, it is a piece of metal in between screws/plate and bridge that will bend (and not wear out). The block appears larger on a Bladerunner also. That block looks tiny! But hey...it sounds great. So it would be cool to see a demo "shootout" between those 2 trems. I'm really looking to get into non-locking trem vs Floyd. And what about the Gotoh 510 on the new Charvels? I'm seriously looking at the new DK22.
Seems pretty worthy of investment. But do the different tension springs come provided or are they purchased seperately? And what string gauge did you use here?
There's nothing better. Seriously. The only thing I recommend is buying shorter screws for the saddle height adjustments. Amazon has them for under $10. Makes it way more comfortable. I have these in 5 other guitars. The best!
String gauge and scale length is what will dictate string bending ease. As far as the weight, this is a very light weight tremolo. Lighter than any standard bridge, for sure.
Do you think these work with a Drop D lever (or just tuning to Drop D? I have one on my E string tuning head but I worry it would throw the intonation off since the bridge floats.
Yes. This has locking tuners. A roller nut is fantastic with a trem! Far less friction for the strings. That always equates to better tuning stability.
No. It's a floating tremolo. So, dropping the low E to a D, will cause the other strings to raise up in pitch, to compensate for the loss of tension on the low E string.
Of course! Any floating tremolo will go out of tune when a string breaks, unless it has some kind of system in place to counter the tension difference. Or, if its set to dive only. (blocked)
No. It is a fully floating trem. So, when you bend on one string, the tension will change on the others. I've personally never had any issue with palm muting. I'm not very heavy handed, despite my natural "girth". ;)
No. This Trem is made extremely solid and it makes far more contact with the body, than most other trem's. This makes the sustain and tone really amazing!
If it's left in Drop D all the time. No problem. But, you cannot quickly go between standard and drop D. The tension change will sharpen the pitch of the other 5 strings.
@@ChrisTompkins-Music-And-Gear Nope...will stay in Drop D...I have my G&L Jerry Cantrell Rampage (best guitar ever) for the Eb standard stuff! Thanks for the information!
Great demo, my concern has always been if this trem, having less mas, affects somehow the tone?, I know its a very outdated comment but, what can you say about that?, thanks!
I really think the way that the trem attaches to the body, makes up for the smaller block size. It has a much wider contact area then the pin points of contact that a standard trem has. I've put this on 5 guitars and they all sound huge and have excellent sustain.
As always great review!!! I have a question, what it's the block size of this trem? I can't find any information of the specs, but I really need to know that measure cuz I'm thinking to upgrade my first guitar... Thanks!!!
its tough to measure while its in the guitar, but it looks like it right around 43mm from the base plate to the end of the block. But around 2.5mm is above the guitar surface. So, your body would need to be roughly 40mm thick.
If it were the best trem system, then the screws for the height adjustment would not protrude out the top, they could have also packed 3 different lengths of screws!
Fair point. I do personally replace those screws on my Vega-trems. It's not enough for my opinion to change though... I believe they are indeed the best "Non Locking" trem's out there. :)
Best looking strat bridge ever, i wish it had the sustain of the rail tail from FR. I would be sold. I prefer dive only for note/intonation stability with bending notes., everything is a trade off i guess.
@@ChrisTompkins-Music-And-Gear I wouldn't think it would have a sustain issue at all. Just that I haven't hear anything sustain as well as the FR rail tail trem, and I was wanting to get the vega trem so bad, but I have to go with my ears and not my eyes LOL.
I mean its cool aesthetically, but what benefit does it have over me just floating the bridge without a recess and setting it up for 2 steps? Serious question, not bashing, I have a bladerunner now and wonder if this offers anything better
I debated trying the blade runner, but honestly I haven't. So, take my input about it, with a grain of salt. Here are the things that I see as benefits over that and almost all other tremolo's out there. The vega trem, has saddles that lock in place, the springs lock into the block and the block itself, is shaped so that you get a greater range of motion. Also the bar attachment is extremely easy to adjust tension, with the thumb bolt on the bar at the top and at no point in that adjustment, does the bar "wiggle". The trem moves when the bar moves. There's zero play. You can adjust it on the fly. It has an amazing return to zero. Just incredibly well built and solid, with no loose parts to move or make extra noise. I love it alot!
Hey man I plan buying an american ultra lefty strat when it comes out and I'd like get some upgrades on it, could you work on it for me? Is there an email I can reach you @?
Yes. It's a fully floating trem. The tuning is very stable after bas usage, but the other strings will detune when you bend a string. The trem will dive slightly with bends.
Isn't there a law against wearing a Les Paul shirt whilst playing a Strat? Well, there should be!!! 😜😂🤣 I'm sure having locking tuners would also help immensely. Just so it has one less thing to potentially move whilst using the bar, plus making string changes a breeze!
I've played a few Wilkinsons. None of which come anywhere near this level of good. (IMO) Do they have a new model or something? Cause, I will check that out. Any links?
No comparison at all. I have a Wilkinson and it is nice but cannot pull up from flat, you have to float it forward and it will deck before you can go very high and limits the downtravel as well. For a more traditional trem it is great but if you want a more floydy version without the locking nut the Vegatrem cannot be beat.
WHY WERE YOU BEING SO DELICATE KICK THE CRAP OUT OF IT WILL IT STAY IN TUNE? The only problem with THE VEGA TREM just like when they try to use the two screws to pivot to reduce friction is you lose sustain versus the six screw system. The less Mass you have in the less transfer of string to the body the less sustain and tonality.. the Vega looks like it has a small block and it's a small tremolo not a lot of places for string transfer not a lot of mass.. In other words it's only transferring the sound only through the pivot points.. EDDIE VAN HALEN UNDERSTOOD THIS!! THIS IS WHY IN THE STUDIO IT EVEN HELEN USED A VINTAGE STRATOCASTER TREMOLO BECAUSE HE SAID IT SOUNDED A LOT BETTER THAN THE FLOYD ROSE!! HE SAID THE FLOYD ROSE MADE THE GUITAR SOUND THIN AND TINNY.. On the road he used the Floyd Rose. There is another company that has solved this problem and gives you great tonality and sustain but you don't get that pullback like you do with a Floyd Rose or this system. BLADERUNNER Kit Six-Screw Mount FROM SUPERVEE The mass of the system and it uses a stainless steel pivoting to connect the two pieces which gives you a lot more sustained, string transfer and tonality. But you won't get that Floyd Rose forward and backward effect as much obviously. I guess to each his own..
Buy one and try it. I’ve owned floyd rose originals and 6 screw vintage trems. I don’t know why but the tone and sustain is better than any guitar I’ve played. It’s stainless steel, the sound isn’t going to get absorbed like a softer piece of metal.
The Vega Trem pivot is exactly like the Bladerunner, a solid point of contact across the width of the bridge. What makes it different is the size of the bridge plate allows it to pull up without being stopped by the top of the body.
Somehow no one noticed?? How you gonna change string or strings after you put back cover plate???? You've too remove back cover plate every time you change string or strings. How come videos creator NEVER mentioned that?? That's only Vegas trem disadvantage.😲😜🤪😖
That little Reb Beach trick with the bar is sick
I’m so stoked brah!
This vid did more justice than I had any expectation for! Didn’t even think that you could pull up on it (hit the top of the body), but hell... if this was an infomercial, I’d have bought several already! Lol
That's an absolutely sick trem Chris. Thank you the cool demo and great playing.
Amazing! Thanks for the demo
I just added one to my MIM with some active EMGs and made it a fun shreddy machine. Really cool upgrade if you want to pimp your ride. Just know that it is not the most “vintage/classic” strat looking trem. It’s so small you can (sometimes?) see through it. Cool demo man! Rocking!!
I have a vega trem on my prs . It's fantastic and a superb improvement. I will be replacing all my strats with them
Very tempted to buy one of these
Man I gotta check into this trem more, im in the middle of a build (strat w/ 3 humbuckers and coil splits and a pre amp, rosewood fb etc in the end). And I have yet to get to the trem yet and this thing is very intriguing.
IMO you can't get a better trem for a strat, than the Vega trem.
Wow nice demo and whammy use I'm sold
Had one of these in chrome, but sold it due to getting gold hardware for my black strat. Now that they make it in gold, im totally getting it again
OMG🔥 this is the kind of video I was looking for, and it turned out to be even more💯 great playing man, thank you💯
Your playing style is so like Leslie West it’s uncanny!
I'm getting one for sure
Subbed. Really good demonstration
I totally agree with you Chris!Best tremolo system ever.I just installed mine and I’m totally amazed.So smooth and it sounds great too.The tremarm is at the perfect height for me.Absolutely perfect trem system .
How's the sustain with the small block???
Sold. Been looking for something like this for my #1 strat and thought I was out of luck. My repair guy posted about one the other day and I needed to see it in action before I drop the dough
Can’t wait to experiment with the sustainer & tx special/ SD mini JB humbucker pups
Just ordered one for my fender eob strat can’t wait
major 3rd up and down into flubber land........there's really no reason NOT to switch to these if you can't be bothered with a Floyd. Very cool.
Have you ever tried a Super Vee Bladerunner? Drop in replacement for Strat bridge, no routing. Instead of a knife edge fulcrum at the screws, it is a piece of metal in between screws/plate and bridge that will bend (and not wear out). The block appears larger on a Bladerunner also. That block looks tiny! But hey...it sounds great. So it would be cool to see a demo "shootout" between those 2 trems. I'm really looking to get into non-locking trem vs Floyd. And what about the Gotoh 510 on the new Charvels? I'm seriously looking at the new DK22.
I've not tried a super Vee yet. I've had my eye on them for a while, just haven't pulled the trigger on one yet.
I noticed a big jump in tone and clarity with the Vegatrem changing from. Wilkinson bigger block trem. It's really impressive!
Did you upgrade the tuners too? I impulsively ordered this trem and i have stock tuners.
Seems pretty worthy of investment. But do the different tension springs come provided or are they purchased seperately? And what string gauge did you use here?
yes, 4 different spring sets come with the trem. This, I believe used 10's.
Awesome video! Thanks for the demo… 👍👍👍
Holy crap...that sounds like a steve via song!!!!!....but seriously, that vega trem is badass!!!!
What about whwen you rest your palm on the bridge, does it go out of tune from that easily? I hate that part of floating trems.
Nice video, i've been thinking of getting one of these. how's it holding up?
There's nothing better. Seriously. The only thing I recommend is buying shorter screws for the saddle height adjustments. Amazon has them for under $10. Makes it way more comfortable. I have these in 5 other guitars. The best!
Are they listed on amazon as made for the Vega or do generic saddle screws work?@@ChrisTompkins-Music-And-Gear
what are those pups?
How’s string bending with this bridge. Easier than vintage? Weight difference between this bridge and a vintage?
String gauge and scale length is what will dictate string bending ease. As far as the weight, this is a very light weight tremolo. Lighter than any standard bridge, for sure.
How do people keep there guitar that clean how
Do you think these work with a Drop D lever (or just tuning to Drop D? I have one on my E string tuning head but I worry it would throw the intonation off since the bridge floats.
Unfortunately, that's one trade off for using a floating tremolo. changing from standard to drop, will detune the entire guitar.
What is the difference between the Vega VT1 Ultra Trem Standard and the Vega VT1 Ultra Trem 2 Point other than the two extra screw holes?
Yes, one replaces a two point trem with studs the other replaces a wood mounted 6 screw bridge
How does it compare to a wilkinson vs100n? And will the knife become blunt with time?
Hey Chris, thanks for that Demo, what about the sustain? did you noticed a difference?
How far is whammy bar from body is it like normal trem? I had trem king trem and that was so awkward.
do you have locking tuners? and if i was to buy this trem, would it be even better if i bought a roller nut and locking tuners?
Yes. This has locking tuners. A roller nut is fantastic with a trem! Far less friction for the strings. That always equates to better tuning stability.
holy shit you got a guitar neck going into your neck! And the trem is pretty kool too!
Hahaha
can you drop tune on the vega and go back to standard at will?
No. It's a floating tremolo. So, dropping the low E to a D, will cause the other strings to raise up in pitch, to compensate for the loss of tension on the low E string.
Which screws did you replace for the saddles? So they dont stick out so far.
Thanks
These ones:
www.amazon.com/dp/B07BK7LR83?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1
@ChrisTompkins-Music-And-Gear Great thank you. Awesome playing and advice 😀
Are they easy to set up I'm thinking of buying one of these.
Hey Chris, question: when you break a string does the tunning goes out the window like with the Floyd? Thanks for the demo.
Of course! Any floating tremolo will go out of tune when a string breaks, unless it has some kind of system in place to counter the tension difference. Or, if its set to dive only. (blocked)
Would this bridge be compatible with fender locking tuners? Or would the strings snap when trying to go up in tone?
Totally fine to use locking tuners with this. I have locking tuners on all of my vega trem equipped guitars.
@@ChrisTompkins-Music-And-Gear sweet! Thanks a lot Chris! 👍
How about double stop bends and palm muting? Does it stay in tune kinda like a hardtail?
No. It is a fully floating trem. So, when you bend on one string, the tension will change on the others. I've personally never had any issue with palm muting. I'm not very heavy handed, despite my natural "girth". ;)
The block on that term is really thin. Do you think it has less sustain than say a Floyd with a big brass block?
No. This Trem is made extremely solid and it makes far more contact with the body, than most other trem's. This makes the sustain and tone really amazing!
It has way more sustain and it’s a brighter tone than a floyd. It’s one piece of stainless steel.
Tough to listen without riding the volume control. Your guitar sound is WAY louder than your voice, maybe a lapel mic would help?
Just to clarify...I'm looking into the Vega Trem for a Drop D guitar. Did you run into issues setting it up for floating tuned to Drop D?
If it's left in Drop D all the time. No problem. But, you cannot quickly go between standard and drop D. The tension change will sharpen the pitch of the other 5 strings.
@@ChrisTompkins-Music-And-Gear Nope...will stay in Drop D...I have my G&L Jerry Cantrell Rampage (best guitar ever) for the Eb standard stuff! Thanks for the information!
Great demo, my concern has always been if this trem, having less mas, affects somehow the tone?, I know its a very outdated comment but, what can you say about that?, thanks!
I really think the way that the trem attaches to the body, makes up for the smaller block size. It has a much wider contact area then the pin points of contact that a standard trem has.
I've put this on 5 guitars and they all sound huge and have excellent sustain.
@@ChrisTompkins-Music-And-Gear really helpful mate! Thanks!
As always great review!!! I have a question, what it's the block size of this trem? I can't find any information of the specs, but I really need to know that measure cuz I'm thinking to upgrade my first guitar... Thanks!!!
its tough to measure while its in the guitar, but it looks like it right around 43mm from the base plate to the end of the block. But around 2.5mm is above the guitar surface. So, your body would need to be roughly 40mm thick.
does it flutter?
Indeed it does. :)
If it were the best trem system, then the screws for the height adjustment would not protrude out the top, they could have also packed 3 different lengths of screws!
Fair point. I do personally replace those screws on my Vega-trems. It's not enough for my opinion to change though... I believe they are indeed the best "Non Locking" trem's out there.
:)
@@ChrisTompkins-Music-And-Gear 👍🖤🤍❤👍
Which screws did you replace them with ?? Thanks@@ChrisTompkins-Music-And-Gear
so what about the sustain??
Best looking strat bridge ever, i wish it had the sustain of the rail tail from FR. I would be sold. I prefer dive only for note/intonation stability with bending notes., everything is a trade off i guess.
I have never had any kind of sustain issues with my vega-trems.
@@ChrisTompkins-Music-And-Gear I wouldn't think it would have a sustain issue at all. Just that I haven't hear anything sustain as well as the FR rail tail trem, and I was wanting to get the vega trem so bad, but I have to go with my ears and not my eyes LOL.
I mean its cool aesthetically, but what benefit does it have over me just floating the bridge without a recess and setting it up for 2 steps? Serious question, not bashing, I have a bladerunner now and wonder if this offers anything better
I debated trying the blade runner, but honestly I haven't. So, take my input about it, with a grain of salt. Here are the things that I see as benefits over that and almost all other tremolo's out there.
The vega trem, has saddles that lock in place, the springs lock into the block and the block itself, is shaped so that you get a greater range of motion. Also the bar attachment is extremely easy to adjust tension, with the thumb bolt on the bar at the top and at no point in that adjustment, does the bar "wiggle". The trem moves when the bar moves. There's zero play. You can adjust it on the fly. It has an amazing return to zero. Just incredibly well built and solid, with no loose parts to move or make extra noise. I love it alot!
@@ChrisTompkins-Music-And-Gear hmmm ok I appreciate your input. Might pick one up
Hey man I plan buying an american ultra lefty strat when it comes out and I'd like get some upgrades on it, could you work on it for me? Is there an email I can reach you @?
can this dive up and down?
Yes.
Chris, how is the sustain with the Vega Trem?
It's great! Tons of sustain.
What gauge strings are using on there?
I think this one was 10's.
What string gauge you are using. I used gauge 9 but I broke two string in 5 days :(
This one has 10-50 on it.
How's the sustain with that small block?
It's got amazing sustain, because there is far more contact with the body. It's not just resting against a sliver of a post.
How does it stay in tune while bending.Do some the other strings lose or gain pitch while you're bending??
Yes. It's a fully floating trem. The tuning is very stable after bas usage, but the other strings will detune when you bend a string. The trem will dive slightly with bends.
Thanks alot for the info.I really appreciate it.
Can you go back and forth from drop d on the e string without retuning the other strings??
Does it feel like a khaler
No. The Kahler, IMO, is too loose feeling. This, has an amazing resistance that just feels very fluid and consistent from top to bottom.
@@ChrisTompkins-Music-And-Gear oh ok good
What gauge strings?
10 - 52
Awsome...but expensive😳
This is like if Jeff Beck had designed his own tremolo. That's what it makes me think of. Combined with your sweet playing skills. Rock on brother!
The block is so tiny
I'd use locking 🥜
hi . what is the pickup? thanks
He says it at the start of the vid, Lace Sensor Gold.
Isn't there a law against wearing a Les Paul shirt whilst playing a Strat? Well, there should be!!! 😜😂🤣
I'm sure having locking tuners would also help immensely. Just so it has one less thing to potentially move whilst using the bar, plus making string changes a breeze!
please do this again with a tuner. it is out
Its cool but too expensive
Of course I can't hear it my bro..there is ZERO sound what is there to hear :D
Try the Wilkinson equivalent!
I've played a few Wilkinsons. None of which come anywhere near this level of good. (IMO) Do they have a new model or something? Cause, I will check that out. Any links?
ruclips.net/video/ulbjXgDMdIM/видео.html
Wilkinson VS-100
No comparison at all. I have a Wilkinson and it is nice but cannot pull up from flat, you have to float it forward and it will deck before you can go very high and limits the downtravel as well. For a more traditional trem it is great but if you want a more floydy version without the locking nut the Vegatrem cannot be beat.
@@jerbear1601 You are looking at the wrong model!
No dude i cant hear 0 sound 😂
WHY WERE YOU BEING SO DELICATE KICK THE CRAP OUT OF IT WILL IT STAY IN TUNE?
The only problem with THE VEGA TREM just like when they try to use the two screws to pivot to reduce friction is you lose sustain versus the six screw system.
The less Mass you have in the less transfer of string to the body the less sustain and tonality.. the Vega looks like it has a small block and it's a small tremolo not a lot of places for string transfer not a lot of mass..
In other words it's only transferring the sound only through the pivot points..
EDDIE VAN HALEN UNDERSTOOD THIS!!
THIS IS WHY IN THE STUDIO IT EVEN HELEN USED A VINTAGE STRATOCASTER TREMOLO BECAUSE HE SAID IT SOUNDED A LOT BETTER THAN THE FLOYD ROSE!! HE SAID THE FLOYD ROSE MADE THE GUITAR SOUND THIN AND TINNY..
On the road he used the Floyd Rose.
There is another company that has solved this problem and gives you great tonality and sustain but you don't get that pullback like you do with a Floyd Rose or this system.
BLADERUNNER Kit Six-Screw Mount FROM SUPERVEE
The mass of the system and it uses a stainless steel pivoting to connect the two pieces which gives you a lot more sustained, string transfer and tonality.
But you won't get that Floyd Rose forward and backward effect as much obviously.
I guess to each his own..
Buy one and try it. I’ve owned floyd rose originals and 6 screw vintage trems. I don’t know why but the tone and sustain is better than any guitar I’ve played. It’s stainless steel, the sound isn’t going to get absorbed like a softer piece of metal.
The Vega Trem pivot is exactly like the Bladerunner, a solid point of contact across the width of the bridge. What makes it different is the size of the bridge plate allows it to pull up without being stopped by the top of the body.
Somehow no one noticed?? How you gonna change string or strings after you put back cover plate???? You've too remove back cover plate every time you change string or strings. How come videos creator NEVER mentioned that?? That's only Vegas trem disadvantage.😲😜🤪😖
Lol! The strings go into the back, just like the Fender bridge that was in there! It's the same method.😅