Floyd Rose "SpeedLoader" bridge/strings

[magentaplacenta]

http://www.floydrose.com/demo.htm
Pretty cool!

 

[Jimi D]

I don't get it... I mean, imho, Steinberger did it better, firster (the TransTrem is probably the best, most stable and most musical vibrato bridge ever designed), and they never got huge market acceptance for it - what makes ol' Floyd think the double ball ends are gonna take off for his trem? The quick restringing argument is - to me - moot, since you would have to retune regardless, which means tuning and tuning and retuning until it's right if you have a floating bridge, and anyway, who doesn't have a backup when playing a floyd-equipped guitar live? (of course, I change my strings frequently and haven't actually broken one in about five years, but I digress)... The strings are pricey and hard to find and the new system doesn't bring anything really NEW to the table (like I said, Steinberger); I think it's a bomb in the making...

... but, of course, I could be wrong

 

[magentaplacenta]

From what I read, the deal with the speedloader is you literally just pop new strings in and out (you can't use regular strings) and only have to use the fine tuners to get them back into tune (because you're not dealing with tuning pegs/changing lengths/tension of replacement strings.)

Plus side - fast replacement/tunings.
Minus side - have to buy custom strings and not sure if you could retrofit a guitar for the speedloader system. Eliminates the need for a full headstock, too.

I think it's a cool concept and I'd love to actually see it in action first-hand, too.

 

[Jimi D]

I think it's a cool concept and I'd love to actually see it in action first-hand, too.

Basically, play any Steinberger, and you have