Sonic differences between bridges

[mrpingua]

Hi guys,

I am very much in the market for a EB Axis and I am looking at the differences between the Floyd and vintage trem (on super sport, the one with the bar not the hard tail). On another post on these forums someone mentioned that there a sonic difference between the super sport and the Floyd version. Is this true?

I would appreciate your input on this matter.

Thanks.

- Mario

 

[Antoine]

It seems to me the Floyd adds more lows to the overall tone of the guitar, at least that's what i've noticed between my Axis (sold now) and my Super Sport.

 

[puppyonacid]

From what I remember, I'm sure it was Jon or may have been BP that said a Floyd Rose doesn't really help your guitar much. Because of the size of the trem you do sacrifice some tone and sustain. The vintage trem doesn't need as much of the body taken out because it's not as big a piece of hardware. On a practical level, vintage trems are much easier to live with.

Actually, I was only thinking about this the other day. What exactley does a floyd rose offer that a vintage trem doesn't? I have a floyd rose on my N4 and of course my JP has the custom trem unit. But a Floyd Rose seems to me to only offer the pull up thing you can do to sharpen notes and chords. I never do that. And that flutter thing you can do. Again, something which I rarley do and can live without. So why else would a Floyd Rose be considered a better option than a vintage trem? I know some people swear by them. I jsut wonder if they may be becoming a little dated, particularly in regards to design, funtion, and practicallity. But, I could be missing the point.

 

[Antoine]

I like better the Vintage Music Man Trem (with the Solid Steel Saddles) than the Floyd Rose, you can change strings in a few minutes, plus the comfort for the picking hand is far away better than with the Floyd, however, i still thinking the Vintage Trem sounds thin comparred to the Floyd,( i have the Music Man Vintage Trem on both of my guitars with the old steel block, now, i don't know about the new MM trems with the Brass block) but you can easily correct this with the amp settings.

 

[Ali]

The Axis is flat mounted as standard and doesn't pull up at all, which may explain the tone diffrence. It has more contact point to the body than the poles of the Wilkinson. It depends on what sound you prefer. The difference is marginal but does exist. Most people wouldn't notice it unless playing them back to back though.

 

[Big Poppa]

ali we dont use a wilkenson anything

The bridge is on eof the most important "tone shaper" almost as important as wood

WIth Floyd's there are many different liscensed ones so each one uses a different plate, block, caddles etc. The solid plate one is the only one to use there isw come "powdered metal ones that really suck. ZThen the block below the trem is really critical. I think that the "vintage" for lack of better terms is more transparent and letes the rest of the guitar do its work. It is funny that we call it the vintage in that it looks vintage but actually through Dudley's advanced geometry it really is a modern trem as it does the job better with out locking nuts and all of the other mass you are adding to uyour guitar. FLoyd's were created because the old school trems wouldnt return to pitch when wailed on. JP and LUke use the tremand wouldnt consider going back to the floyd. Steve MOrse who doesnt use the trem much prefers the floyd.....

 

[germangallardo]

To be quite honest the trem on my JP is the best one I've ever tried. I had other guitars with different trems and the vintage musicman trem is the one for me absolutely. It returns to its pitch flawlessly. I know its a floating trem but Id be damned if its not the best option out there (for me)

Changing strings and adjusting the guitar is easier than with a floyd (IMO of course)

 

[robelinda2]

the EBMM vintage trems on my balls are the BEST trems ive ever used, always stay in tune.

 

[glockaxis]

I've tired of the Floyd on my Axis to the point that I hardly ever use it. The Luke's trem on the other hand is purely awesome. Like everyone is saying, it stays in tune, is floating and I use it all the time.

 

[Sweat]

I have a luke and 20th with mm trems and they are perfect, there is no need to mess with a floyd, as I have said before the only floyd I want is Pink Floyd

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

When I play the Stoners Floyd equipped Axis guitars, they always sound much brighter than my hardtails.