Trems

[t_hamill]

Hi Guys

I know Jason had mentioned some trem-type research being undertaken over the past few months. Out of curiosity, how's it going? Is there going to be a schroeder 'standard' trem or do you think it will be on a guitar by guitar basis?

All the best

[Schroeder]

No such luck yet, Turlough. I am realizing that a lot of manufacturers are very reluctant to work with the little guys. I have resigned myself that I will have to work with a local machinist on my own design. Stoptails have been a fruitless effort too. The first question a manufacturer usually asks is "How many will you need per year?" When I say 40-50 I usually get the brush off. And I can't blame them. If they can't make money on them, why produce them? I have not given up by any means. So for now, it is whatever is available on the market.
Jason

[DrPCR]

thats the same problem Joe Driskill has too, thats why he ended up making it himself and that really slows him down. At least he has a Haas CNC

[tequilaboy85]

I don't think that every small builder needs his own bridge.
I mean out there are great bridges like TonePros,MannMade,Wilkinson.
I don't think that making your own bridges will make a great difference.
Take Joe Driskill: ask to his customers if they have bought his guitars for his trems or for the woods,desing and sound.
The only small builder that makes is own trems and doesn't waist to much time is Ron Thorn,but Ron is an engineer and has a CNC(or maybe more,I can't remember).Remember that Ron only does the trems,for the wraparound he uses the TonePros
Nik Huber has is bridges made from someone else(I think MannMade the trems and TonePros the wraparound) and he produces around 120guitars per year.Maybe the productors don't take orders that are lower than 80/100bridges per year.
But Nik's bridges are just a little different than the stock ones,so I don't think that his guitars would be worst with a regular TonePros or MannMade,and I can't see how my Schroeder could be better with a different bridge than the TonePros.
I think that you should search someone to make the bridges only if you need very specific things,that the stock bridges don't have.

[t_hamill]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I was thinking more if Jason was going to select 'standard' bridges more so than a custom made design eg tonepros fixed Mannmade trem etc.

Anyone have any opinions on their preferred bridges eg wilkinson/Mannmade etc.

[tequilaboy85]

For trems I really like the MannMade.I like both the PRS trem and the McInturff bridge.
I have one similar on my Huber and it's a great trem.
The Wilkinson are very good too:I have a VS50V bridge on my Tyler and it's a great trem.The Wilkinson are also cheaper than the MannMade.
Also the Gotoh/Wilkinson is always updating their products,and every couple of years they introduce something new.I've heard great things about their newer ones.

Talk to Jason,I'm sure he will help you a lot!