Freelok?

[jeffrey]

Anyone see this?

Looks like a simpler version of the TremelNo thing.

I don't really have a use for either, but thought the fact that this one didn't use a replacement claw was interesting.

Might actually add some tone or punch being attached directly to the body under the pickups? Who knows.

Just posting this because there seemed to be a lot of interest for this sort of thing recently.

 

[OrangeChannel]

Or hating. But that's besides the point. Crappy engineering on the freelok side, as well as permanent mods (drilling and such)? I think so, no I know so. . Have you used the T-No? It's awesome simply put...hell I have a spamcount on it on MULTIPLE forums before I even used it, it's so intuitive. Kev's a top notch dude to boot so you can't go wrong there...plus he's HIGHLY available for support.

 

[jeffrey]

Yes I have used a TremelNo.

If you have a use for that sort of thing I'm sure it's great, I just don't.

 

[Kevan]

The Freel*k won't work with EB/MM trems.
...or Wilkie.
...or Gotoh.
...or Str*t-style/vintage.


P.S.- Jeff: it's TremOl-No.

 

[brsmith21]

I don't want to argue either way, but I just thought it was interesting that both companies are in Ohio. That's either one heck of a coincidence or one of those "don't even ask!" kind of things.

On a serious note directed to Kevan, I noticed that the Freelok says 6 to 8 weeks for delivery. Is the TremOl-No shipping from Allparts when you order it, or is there still a backlog? Their website didn't mention a delay.

Bryan

 

[jeffrey]

Interesting. Why won' t it work with those trems? Seems like it would work fine?

Eh.

Irrelevant to me either way. I just thought it was interesting.

 

[Kevan]

On a serious note directed to Kevan, I noticed that the Freelok says 6 to 8 weeks for delivery. Is the TremOl-No shipping from Allparts when you order it, or is there still a backlog? Their website didn't mention a delay.

Bryan

When you order from AllParts, you get an email that says your unit(s) will ship out at the end of April. We're only a few weeks out right now. The factory is almost finished, then AllParts needs a couple of days to package them up and send 'em out.

Interesting. Why won' t it work with those trems? Seems like it would work fine?

The Freel*k isn't able to attach properly to the block of EB/MM trems.
Same goes for Wilkie, Gotoh, Str*t-style....and anything with a wider trem block than a Floyd.

(And you wondered about Kev tech....)

 

[jeffrey]

Weird, the trem blocks don't look to have that huge a difference in size really. *shrug*

 

[OrangeChannel]

Your eyes must be able to measure said blocks with vast precision then...weird mine don't work that way...a pinch here, a smidgen there...woooooo boy.

 

[Kevan]

EB/MM blocks: 1/2"
Floyd blocks: 1/4"
In my world, that's about 237 miles.

For someone who "has no use for this type of device", you sure are into them.

 

[jeffrey]

1/4" difference I could visually see pretty easily.

But I haven't actually owned a Floyd in about uh.. well, I not since I had an American Kramer Pacer. However long ago that was.

Don't get your panties in a knot Kev, I know it's easy for you.

Now if you came up with something that allowed a trem to full-float and would keep it in tune when breaking a string, then I'd be interested.

The lockout/double-stop thing just doesn't seem that useful to me. Not saying it isn't for everyone else (notice I only ever referred to myself).

Figure out the free-floating thing and I bet you'd sell a lot more of those.

 

[freelok freek]

Hi, Bill Burton here, designer of the FREELOK(R) U.S.patent # 6919501 device(S). Please allow me to clarify the truth.

The FREELOKwas designed for FLOYD ROSE(R) and FLOYD ROSE licensed trem bridges. Due to demand , I now offer a sustain block clamp (known as the "hourglass" clamp, due to it's shape). This clamp allows the FREELOK to be installed on sustain blocks that are .450" to .600" in thickness. This clamp also allows clearance to change your strings on "string through" models with out needing to remove the clamp. In other words , yes, it will fit EB guitars, as well as any STRAT, Wilkinson, Wilkinson/Gotoh, PRS, ect. . . .



Yes, the whole Ohio thing is freaky isn't it? I was working out of a shop in Sunbury, Ohio and in the field in the surrounding area(New Albany, Gahanna ect..) when my patent application was submitted.I now understand that K. Geier was living in that area at the time.I have not claimed that he ripped me off, but I have been acused of taking his design. I do not have a crystal ball to see into the future. My patent was applied for on Oct,28, 2002. I understand Kevan's was applied for aprox. 8 months later. I have spent over 5 years on various designs (over 30), I patented 3 of them. All of them work on the same principle, locking a sliding rod within a cyclinder by tightening a screw at a right angle to arrest the movement of the rod. The rod is attached to the sustain block at one end. (sound familiar?)
My customers say it takes about 10 minutes to install. If for some reason you ever take it out, some ONE TIME or FAST AND FINAL will fill the holes. Then touch up paint. Keep in mind, it is hidden in the spring cavity. As far as I'm aware, nobody has removed their FREELOK after installing it.

I am simply responding to points made earlier in the thread. Yes, they do fit EB guitars. No it never takes 6-8 weeks for delivery(web site will no longer say this) and , yes it is wierd we are both from Ohio. I am only commenting on points that have been brought up on this thread. Kev' got his pitch in on shipping and this thread started as "has anyone seen this thing" ie; FREELOK

I have edited this down so as to not , in anyway, be a sales pitch (thanks beej).That was not my intention to begin with, but to clarify the validity of previous comments,as much of it was not true. A forum of this type is intended to inform it's members of what is available to them, From all points of view. I am not an administrator, or a moderator on any chat room. I have not manipulated or deleted post on any other site. I do have a product that is of interest to some of your members. None of my freinds, customers, or I have ever posted any biased opinions against the competition, however, my customers have felt insulted by the refusal of other chat rooms to allow positive posts regarding the FREELOK to be displayed. They are simply deleted without any due cause. This is not a sales pitch. This is merely the truth. As they say, there are two sides to every story, isn't about time they hear my side of it?

 

[beej]

Hi Bill- welcome to the forum.

Sorry, but that does indeed read like spam- you're cutting and pasting your generic pitch into the forum and recalling some incidents that have nothing do to with this forum.

You'd be better served by hanging around here and participating in discussion.

 

[Kevan]

Don't get your panties in a knot Kev, I know it's easy for you.

You're the one holding the grudge; not me.
Damn....more than 5 years now.
Let it go. I did.

Now if you came up with something that allowed a trem to full-float and would keep it in tune when breaking a string, then I'd be interested.

Figure out the free-floating thing and I bet you'd sell a lot more of those.

Sorry, but that's where you start messing with the laws of physics.
I'm good, but I'm not THAT good.

 

[beej]

Wow- Jeff/Kev- I guess there's a good story here somewhere ... ?

On the Freelok- I just happened to notice an ad for it in this month's Guitar Player. Cool! I'd never been aware of either device, and now there are two in the market.

 

[jeffrey]

No story, Beej. At least nothing worth typing about.

 

[jeffrey]

Thanks for the info, Bill.

I looked for similar/relevant information on your site but couldn't find any. Good to know.

I do like the idea of not relying on a trem claw and having the lockout "rod" (or whatever it's called) being shorter (shorter is stiffer; not using the claw probably means less "slop"? Just guessing).

What I need is something to keep the guitar in tune with a floating trem, unlocked, when I break a string. Think that one up and you'll have a sale!

 

[brsmith21]

I, too, welcome Bill's input to the forum. Looks like a personal preference to me (as to which one you prefer, should you be in the market for one ) and I believe there's room for both makers to answer questions and respond to misconceptions, as neither one is affiliated with EB, etc...

Bryan

 

[OrangeChannel]

Thanks for the info, Bill.

I looked for similar/relevant information on your site but couldn't find any. Good to know.

I do like the idea of not relying on a trem claw and having the lockout "rod" (or whatever it's called) being shorter (shorter is stiffer; not using the claw probably means less "slop"? Just guessing).

What I need is something to keep the guitar in tune with a floating trem, unlocked, when I break a string. Think that one up and you'll have a sale!

Not to shmack on Bill. Hi Bill...again not to shmack on you, but where have you had posts deleted in reference to your product...? If it's Jemsite I think anyone pimping a product except for LGM and EKG have stuff deleted there....funny how double standards work. Anyhow....good luck with your product, competition is a good thing...

Now to Jeffrey...I tend to like the idea of ZERO invasive modification (drilling and such) when it comes to the guitar. For instance...the claw is the only thing you're replacing. So Jeff you used the T-No? Then you'd be aware that there is ZERO slop as you call it due to the SET SCREWS that are contained to LOCKOUT the claw so that there's no lateral movement when the bridge is dropped. I have more than conclusive evidence in beta testing for Kev amongst several of me guitars....I also talked to Kev at peak hours on the phone for SEVERAL hours just to BS about the design and what I was seeing feedback wise. Back to the claw...the set screws on the claw notwithstanding the shaft and reciever and clamp, actually IMPROVE the tone of the guitar because vibration is being transferred more efficiently throughout (Infact I've raved about this design feature to the point of telling Kev to get this out by itself). I also like the option of having full float w/ no feel change, fixed, and drop only modes at my finger tips. I mean lets face it retrofit means NO INVASIVE modification ie. damage from drilling (borderline false advertisement to the vintage and boutique lovers out there...I wouldn't care much about say an OLP)....there's no touch up paint (especially whence attempting to remain all original) that'll erase those "hidden" pock marks for a '56 Strat or for 20 Anniversary Silo or a PRS and with the T-No you won't need any. I'll stake my posting career on it...

Later on gents...

J.

 

[jeffrey]

I hear ya about the drilling thing. That's really personal preference, but the holes are so small if I were that worried about a lockout device it would be irrelevant to me really (it's not nearly as invasive as a Trem Setter which does the same thing as both devices but retains float the entire time; even when doing double-stops or drop tuning).

I've installed Trem Setters on guitars way more expensive than any mentioned in this thread (a pre-CBS Strat among them, granted it was in 1990, well before they were worth what they are now, but the owner wouldn't have cared.

I think anyone that's really concerned about a lockout device will only care about one thing: which one works the best. At least that's all I'd care about.

Stake your posting career on what...? You act like that has some real-world worth, lol.