Tremolo-No? Anyone?

[ruger9]

Anyone ever install a Tremol-No on their EBMM (specifically, Luke)? I want to, because there are a couple songs the band plays that require drop D. But the way the springs are arranged (in a "V"), I think I'd have to move one to install the Tremol-No, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the feel and responsiveness of this trem, and don't want to change it

Just wondering if anyone has "successfully" put an Tremol-No on one?

 

[Rbg]

I tried it with other floating trems. It changes the feel and stability when not used, but try if you have to.

 

[ruger9]

I tried it with other floating trems. It changes the feel and stability when not used, but try if you have to.

I have one on my PRS DGT, it doesn't change the feel at all... if it's installed correctly. I also added a drop of Tri-Flow for lubrication. Works flawlessly.

But the DGT had 5 springs. I removed one to install the Tremol-No. The Luke trem is much lighter and more responsive than the DGTs ever was (by design in both cases).

 

[V_S]

I had it installed in my JP, that I unfortunatly sold… it worked well.

 

[Mixolydian82]

I had it installed in my JP, that I unfortunatly sold… it worked well.

It required you to remove your backplate didn't it?

 

[beej]

I had one in my Luke for a while. Didn't love it.

For home use it works as advertised, once you set it up. But I found some practical issues when gigging with it- you have to take the back plate off (unless you get a new one made up to expose the set screws), and then the screws slightly protrude from the cavity, potentially catching on your clothes. The bigger issue for that when you loosen the screws (to allow the device to move when you float the bridge), they're easily lost. Try finding one on a dark stage in the middle of a set

I just ended up decking my trems. You lose the float but it makes it easier to go to drop D quickly.

 

[ruger9]

I had one in my Luke for a while. Didn't love it.

For home use it works as advertised, once you set it up. But I found some practical issues when gigging with it- you have to take the back plate off (unless you get a new one made up to expose the set screws), and then the screws slightly protrude from the cavity, potentially catching on your clothes. The bigger issue for that when you loosen the screws (to allow the device to move when you float the bridge), they're easily lost. Try finding one on a dark stage in the middle of a set

I just ended up decking my trems. You lose the float but it makes it easier to go to drop D quickly.

Ah... this is what I'm looking for!

Very interesting, because the screws also protrude from my Strat's rear cavity... not a huge deal, except those little screws, when loose, turn quite easily and I have lost them while rehearsing. PITA. On my DGT, the screws do NOT protrude from the rear cavity, so it's not an issue.

But if they protrude on the Luke III, that'll likely be a deal-breaker for me, unfortunately. And I don't want to deck the Luke- especially the Luke. It's great, responsive trem is one of the reasons I bought it! I won't give that up. I'll just have to bring 2 guitars and switch for the tunes that require drop D.

 

[jlf599]

Seems like a good excuse to buy an Axis and put a D-Tuna on it.

 

[Epiplatys]

I have one on my Charvel GG strat, and not loving it. It almost works, but not all that great. In my case it does change the feel, to something unnatural actually, makes the bridge feel heavier, less refined. Tigthtening it up to lock reliably is an effort, and is hit and miss. I don’t think I’d consider putting it in into any guitar, personally. I’m not sure how GG makes it work for him.

 

[ruger9]

I don't think you guys are installing these things optimally...there is a YouTube video by the manufacture explaining and showing install. They can be touchy to get them installed perfectly... the 1st time I installed mine in my DGT it wasn't perfect. I could "feel" it moving when I used the bar. When I locked it, it didn't just lock the bridge but also went a little sharp. But then I re-installed installed it, and also put a drop of Tri-Flow on the "piston", and it's been perfect. I can't hear it, I can't feel it, and it locks flawlessly.

I still think they came up short on the design of the screws, because if they are not locked down, they can come out (and be lost) easily. ESPECIALLY if they stick out beyond the body cavity, like they do on my strat (they don't on my PRS). I'll have to see if I can determine if they will stick out beyond the cavity BEFORE I decide to install on my LukeIII.

 

[ruger9]

So, I finally got around to installing the Tremol-No in my Luke III...

1) works flawlessly. I don't think it's a perfect design, but it's the best anyone has come up with. When you need to lock a bridge down to tune to Drop D, it's either that or a block of wood LOL.

2) The locking thumbscrews do sit a TAD outside of the cavity, but I did a 2-hour rehearsal last night and they didn't fall out (which can easily happen with these units if the screws aren't completely inside the cavity). On my PRS DGT they are inside, on my Fender Strat they are far enough outside to be a bother (my Luke III is replacing my Strat, BTW)

3) THE BAD NEWS: well ok, the kind of bad news: when you install these things, the piston arm is permanently positioned: you can't decide where you want it. And on this guitar, where the clamp clamps the block, in order for everything to be lined up right and function smoothly, the clamp partially obscures one of the string holes. There's no changing strings (or single string) while the clamp is on the block. I don't break strings often, and I never change a string at a gig, so it's not a huge deal. But it does mean an extra step every time I change strings unfortunately. A minor PITA.

All-in-all, a success. If it wasn't for this guitar being one of my 2 cover band guitars, I'd rather not have the Tremol-No in there at all. But you gotta' do what you gotta' do... when it stops being a cover band guitar, I will remove the device. I prefer having the back plate on my guitars.

 

[beej]

Nice- glad that works for you.

I ran it for a while, then took it out and decked the trem so it's down-only. I miss the floating a bit, but any of these approaches are a compromise in one way or another.

 

[ruger9]

Nice- glad that works for you.

I ran it for a while, then took it out and decked the trem so it's down-only. I miss the floating a bit, but any of these approaches are a compromise in one way or another.

Yeah... one of the reasons I bought THIS guitar was for the super smooth floating trem. I used to be a Floyd Rose user in my hair metal days, and I have parts of my style that requires a floating bar... I'm no Jeff Beck, but I'd like to explore that more, so floating is required. My Strat is also floating (it has a Bladerunner trem), but I just never married to it. The Luke simply feels better to me, more responsive.