Question Vintage Tremolo set-up

[andynpeters]

Does the vintage tremolo on a SS or an ASS come from the factory set up for upward and downward movement.....or just downward?

 

[Astrofreq]

Just downward. It isn't meant to be floating.

 

[Sweat]

The only vintage trem set to float from the factory is the Luke.

 

[andynpeters]

Ok thanks....but why?? Surely it negates using it for vibrato?

 

[candid_x]

Doesn't negate it, only limits it. Most strats and such I've played had the bridge flush to the body, allowing for down only. Of course any of them can be set up to float too. One thing I never liked about G&L trems is that they always float, unless blocked from inside the trem cavity with a piece of wood or something, which I always did. I greatly prefer the vintage trem set flush to the body.

 

[andynpeters]

OK so they can be set to float. Always thought that the whole point of the thing was to move the pitch up and down, otherwise why not have a hardtail, but I guess other people have different preferences.
Thanks for the information.....I guess I could ask CS for the full story

Would be interested to hear opinions from anyone who's got theirs set for upward movement too.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Hi Andy

Both my AL's were new and both had the trem set flush with the body.

When playing other guitars such as Strats, invariably they have also been set up the same - flush.

I have set up my LEAL to float and it does take a while to get it spot on.

Set the springs/trem claw to get it to bend upwards - usually a tone/step.

Then re - set the height of the strings.

Then set the intonation.

The result is pleasing enough and gives the trem more capability and makes you realise how Mr Beck achieves a lot of his trills/warbles.

The problem I have found with a floating Trem is that some double stop bends sound "off" - where you bend one string a tone/Step and the other string a semi tone/half step. It's great to watch the trem arm (springs) trying to "compensate" as you do so.

But there again I have the other AL to to that type of double stop bend.

I'm a big fan of the trem on the EBMM guitars - I never had one on my Tele or Les Paul - but I'm glad that I have them now.

I use them quite infrequently - but the effect is great when, for example, you play a blues run and flatten the last note of the run for a split second (very Jeff Beckish !!)

So there you have the humble opinions of the "Splott Boy who made good"!

 

[andynpeters]

Hi Andy

Both my AL's were new and both had the trem set flush with the body.

When playing other guitars such as Strats, invariably they have also been set up the same - flush.

I have set up my LEAL to float and it does take a while to get it spot on.

Set the springs/trem claw to get it to bend upwards - usually a tone/step.

Then re - set the height of the strings.

Then set the intonation.

The result is pleasing enough and gives the trem more capability and makes you realise how Mr Beck achieves a lot of his trills/warbles.

The problem I have found with a floating Trem is that some double stop bends sound "off" - where you bend one string a tone/Step and the other string a semi tone/half step. It's great to watch the trem arm (springs) trying to "compensate" as you do so.

But there again I have the other AL to to that type of double stop bend.

I'm a big fan of the trem on the EBMM guitars - I never had one on my Tele or Les Paul - but I'm glad that I have them now.

I use them quite infrequently - but the effect is great when, for example, you play a blues run and flatten the last note of the run for a split second (very Jeff Beckish !!)

So there you have the humble opinions of the "Splott Boy who made good"!

Thanks for the advice Spud...in my case probably better "get a proper man to do it for you"!! My Strat came with a floating trem & have never really understood the flush idea. But then there's a lot in the world I don't understand.

 

[Astrofreq]

OK so they can be set to float. Always thought that the whole point of the thing was to move the pitch up and down, otherwise why not have a hardtail, but I guess other people have different preferences. Would be interested to hear opinions from anyone who's got theirs set for upward movement too.

Andy, I think the story here (and I'm speculating) is that since the original EVH design wasn't floating, that wasn't an aspect that was ever added to the Axis line.

The point of a tremolo in my mind is to go up and down, but I guess I'm wrong. This is why I've sold all four of my EB guitars with trems and have only hardtails now, not because I don't love having a tremolo, but because they aren't designed to do what I like it to do. Some people like it flush to the body, so I guess it comes down to preference and we get the short end of the stick on this one.

I did have it set up for upward movement, but it wasn't the same as having it routed out. There just wasn't enough room to get wide motion out of it.

my 2cents.

 

[andynpeters]

Andy, I think the story here (and I'm speculating) is that since the original EVH design wasn't floating, that wasn't an aspect that was ever added to the Axis line.

The point of a tremolo in my mind is to go up and down, but I guess I'm wrong. This is why I've sold all four of my EB guitars with trems and have only hardtails now, not because I don't love having a tremolo, but because they aren't designed to do what I like it to do. Some people like it flush to the body, so I guess it comes down to preference and we get the short end of the stick on this one.

I did have it set up for upward movement, but it wasn't the same as having it routed out. There just wasn't enough room to get wide motion out of it.

my 2cents.

I think you're talking about the Floyd on the Axiswhich has to be set flush....the vintage trem, as on the ASS and the SS CAN be set to float , my question was just whether it came that way from the factory.
I'll ask CS

 

[Astrofreq]

I was talking about the vintage trem. It can be set to float, but it isn't designed to be, at least that is what CS informed me.

 

[beej]

It's the same vintage trem on the Axis SSPT and Luke; the Luke's is just set up to float. Easily set up on the Axis SSPT if you like (it is set up flush to the body from the factory), I had mine like that for a while.

 

[azazael]

Ok thanks....but why?? Surely it negates using it for vibrato?

It doesn't do tremolo either

 

[Volt]

Both my Balls came set up from the factory "floating", with two springs installed. Both have the vintage "trem" (vibrato). The Floyd does not float...........as I understand it.

 

[58super]

Albert Lee has said he sets his trem to float now.
The intructions how to do it are in the FAQ under the Luke set up.

 

[Dario Coronese]

Tremolo on Luke II

Just downward. It isn't meant to be floating.

hi to all,
a question, can I set the tremolo on luke II to go up and down?
Many thanks
Dario

 

[Tollywood]

hi to all,
a question, can I set the tremolo on luke II to go up and down?
Many thanks
Dario

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Yes, you can. Just back out the two spring claw screws about one-half a turn each and see how that is for you...

 

[sixstrings]

To me vintage trem on ebmm guitars is the easiest to setup and use as floating one I've ever tried.
Unlike some trems in strats and even worse - those on PRS, which never stayed in tune and overall handling was nowhere close to musicman.

 

[Dario Coronese]

Hi Tollie, many thanks ... There are no contraindications? the tuning holds up well anyway?
Thank you
Dario

 

[Craiguitar]

Interested in this, I checked the setup on my Luke II. The 'factory' setting is 1.5 steps upward on the G string. I have mine set to that, plus a little bit more according to my korg tuner. probably another +5 cents or so. I've mentioned this before, but mine came new with the bridge flat to the body, no upward movement. Wrong for a Luke II. First thing I had to do with the instrument was do a setup. Fortunately it didn't take too long. Then all I had to do was source some smaller grub screws for the saddles.