Kahler International, Inc. has been bringing you the best guitar and bass tremolos on the planet for over 40 years. Our high-end, precision-engineered, Made in America guitar parts are designed to help you stay in tune.
Back in the day, all my friends thought I was crazy or ignorant for buying a B.C. Rich Warlock with a Kahler bridge on it, I love that thing! I busted out my Warlock and it showed me it's time to change strings by my high E snapping as I fine tuned it! I replaced my Super Distortion with an X2N
I have 3 kahlers i have the pro on my carvin v220t I have a flyer series on my hondo special and a regular kahler on my strat copy underrated trem system the only thing I don't like is the locking nut strings go through the nut so when you need to do a truss rod adjustment or a cleaning you can't lift the strings out of the way
GLENN!!!!!! I had the Hybrid khaler on my Valley arts tele. I routed around the set screw area and placed a thumb wheel in that route and the set screw could be activated/deactivated instantly with a quick roll with my thumb. Loved it.🎸
As Luthier of over 40 years, I am all in to Kahler bridges! Expensive?🤔 Yes , but because of all that goes into making them in the first place, which is less casting alloys that can vary by batch in strength and other properties, and more machining better more stable metals and alloys, add the meticulous engineering, and it's worth every penny and then some.🤓 And yes, I have installed a Floyd rose on a 60's Les Paul, Spring routs and all, and only because the customer was a FR guy and wouldn't go for the Kahler because of all the biased rumors and herd mentality. Cutting up a 60's Les Paul wasn't my worry, and I would do it to a 50's one too, since after all it's a factory made instrument and I am an artisan and master craftsman which I hope to count for a bit more, him choosing the FR over the Kahler was an issue to me, knowing it could have been even better instrument for it, and easier on me, and his wallet as far as my bill with much less routing... The very first guitar I ever made from scratch I equipped with a very early Kahler (Carbon fiber neck reinforcements, heelless neck to body transition, SS frets, exotic woods... so anti guitar snob stuff) since I was in on that whole 70's/80's guitar tech improvement movement and already well familiar with it and the early Floyd roses (Without fine tuners having been an engineering geek (Still am), and also know Grover Jackson and many others who were part of the innovation, used the first batch of SS frets, helped develop some tech myself... Kahler was one I could call, ask to speak to Gary because I had an idea, request... and without trying to get rid of you, they would ask him first, and unless off to a meeting or something he was eager to hear it, because he was into any and all improvements no matter who from, and spread that atmosphere of caring, open communications, and being all about the product ahead of just raking in profit, and throughout the company, so I bet even the receptionist at the front desk of the company knows something about the product and can answer questions.😉
Look up Tone Talk Grover Jackson, Jackson and Dave Friedman kinda talk bad about Kahler….. Dave said the Kahler “ruined a lot of guitars”, he probably had more experiences with the counterfeit ones or improperly setup ones
Who do you think first discovered the Kahler pro with the Floyd nut combo? I noticed Judas Priest and Slayer always did that after a while…… is that a more truly solid setup than the behind the nut clamps??? I’ve had mixed luck with the behind the nut clamp….. but I think it was based on how good my repair person was each time/how the nut was cut Glad Gary explained the string director part of the locking nut!
My old aria pro 2 has stripped out block from the trem arm can i get a replacement part for the stripped part on the trem ?its a kahler flyer trem btw !
I gotta correct you on the new HM strats. They come with Floyd Rose special bridges. Which, on a $1200 guitar is a horrible Idea. I bought mine used and the bushing assembly for the bar has already failed. I swapped the whole bridge for a Hotrod special from a schecter guitar. That will work until I can afford a really good bridge. I'm leaning Gotoh 1996t, but I'll give y'all a chance to prove it's worth it to spend $600 on a Kahler spider for it instead.
@@jasonalmgren3050 hold off on replacing that special for a while longer, but probably not why you think! (The moment I saw 1000 I realized it was a special, crap… you got me!) I actually love the gotoh 1996T. I actually just bought one to do what you might want to do to your strat reissue. I will also be doing it in a Floyd Rose equipped fender showmaster that is very similar to the Strat. This is super exciting because you might be the first to try this new thing we’re developing. Definitely keep your eye out for it. Sorry to be so vague, still doing legal stuff. Keep watching.
@@KahlerUSATrems I appreciate the response. Legal stuff is a pain in the ass. I get it. I'm not rushing it. The Floyd Rose special hot rod is holding up fine for now. Surprising, given the way I abuse the whammy. 😂 I'm actually not that heavy handed with it. I just like to use it often. I put 1996ts on a couple of my standard series I anez guitars because the OEM bridges were cheap crap. The Gotoh on those is a major upgrade. Part of the reason I haven't put one on my HM strat is because the original ones came with Kahler Spiders. I do think it would be cool to have one on mine. I live in a fixed income currently due to having some pretty scary health stuff happen the last few years. So I'm trying to get myself in a better position with all that stuff and get back to working again. Then I could afford to get a black Kahler spider with the auto latch on it.
@@jasonalmgren3050 I get it, I’ve had such issues to overcome myself. I did it and I’m sure you will too. One of my favorite philosophers C.J. Ortiz says it best, “you are bigger than your circumstances”. Or if Vanilla Ice is more your speed, “if there’s a problem, ‘yo I’ll solve it. Check out the hook while my DJ revolves it!” Either way you’re covered!(more motivational quotes) Remember two things. 1. Don’t stop 2. Keep going -FZ
Tell Glenn try the different saddles and cam metals too! I actually like the ones they have like graphite, they call them “Teflon glass”, and I really like the aircraft aluminum cam. It’s nice if you are not crazy about what it sounds like, you can change things out easily
@@matthew80127 we told him all about it but glad you enjoy the different options! Teflon glass and aluminum… you must have a bridge that’s extra zingy!
@@KahlerUSATrems I like the harmonics! Lol I listened again and heard, it was worth a second watch/listen. You guys picked the right guy to have on! I like the Teflon glass a lot. Depends on the guitar though too: once I used all steel on a guitar with a lot of maple, too shrill…… had to change back to brass. Always worth a try
I traded off my 1985 USA BC Rich Warlock with a Kahler tremolo, I changed the rollers, the springs, oiled the cam, adjusted the cam and could never keep the Kahler trem in tune. I spent a lot of time and money and never once got the tremolo playing right. I love my floyd rose tremolo equipped guitars, they are easier to deal with. Also, I have a 1992 Robin Machete with a Kahler Steeler tremolo that tremolo rocks, except I bought the guitar without the bar for it. I bought a new bar upon the suggestion from Kahler USA and that Bar is horrible it does not fit the tremolo well as the original bar, when the bar threads in it does not fully seat and it looks terrible on the guitar. I emailed Kahler and never got a reply on why the recommended bar does not fit the Kahler Steeler tremolo well. I am definitely not a fan of Kahler.
@@FineArtbyAldo email me at eddie@kahlerusa.com about your steeler arm, if you have before my apologies. The thing is we recommend you use our bar so if the problem is a bar you bought from us we’ll make it right. If it isn’t we can sell you the right one.
Must not have been setup right: Slayer Judas Priest and Robert Fripp somehow got theirs to work….. Adrian Belew for a long time as well. I’ve had guitars with Kahlers and Floyds. I prefer Kahler, but there are so many variables for good tone……
Let's not forget Also Dave Mustaine's and Marty Friedman's classic Jacksons had Kahlers on it! I'm a fixed bridge guy, but at one time I needed a whammy bar. Played with a borrowed jackson with original floyd rose and I HATED IT. Everything that Glenn said is true! 😮 After that experience I bought a 2300 with all brass and the original locking nut for my Gibson Flying V. It's the only guitar that I have with a wammy bar and I love it! No need to say I'm a big KK Downing fan! 😂😂 Also, thank you very much Mr. Gary Kahler for sending me a personal handwritten letter!! Cheers from Brazil!
@@Scott__C unfortunately I can’t reveal anything until some paperwork is filed by the correct people. Should be done by the time the Las Vegas trade show is happening.
@@Boogiethrash I’ve been getting reacquainted with that bass. It’s head heavy but the big chunk of brass that is the 7string Kahler bass trem might just balance it out. It has USA Bartolini pickups in it and sounds great but I might just see about enhancing the electronics as they are not Bartolini. Sounds great though so I may not. I’m playing a standard 4 string bass with the new 2024 bass trem and it is a delight!
I purchased a Kahler in the 80's because I thought it was more refined, modern, and the body blank came routed for it. I used a FR type locking nut. Now I see why FR is so popular, drop in, licensing, cost, artists. I love my Kahler.
I had the acutune 2 that came on a 3 pickup les paul copy. It was basically a Sears rip off guitar. The guitar was pretty decent and sounded great, but that trem ruined it. Always out of tune. If it had a TOM bridge id probably still have it.
Hi Glenn buddy! I had many a long conversation with Gary Kahler back in the late 70's/80's, when all of the "Superstrat" stuff was going down, which BTW is a trope, as it was more about improving guitars all around and through the board so acoustics and all with better ergonomics, stability, ease of maintenance... and what not. Gary's the kind of guy who I could talk tech with for hours, and did a few times. I called him once because I made a 7 string (long before they were commercialized) with a Kahler but since it was for an extra low tuning and much heavier gauge strings (7 larger ones of an 8 string set), The fine tune lever on the low string was to narrow to hold the string to begin with, so I had to file it out, and then it failed anyhow where the rail it pivots on and snapped for being too week. I machined (More hand filing than machining) all new ones, and slightly changed the design to have more beef in a critical area out of stainless steel (Much tougher than whatever cast the were from, and told him about the improvement, and asked if he's had any problems: He was honest, that it has become an issue with the heavier strings, and already fixed it, and explained how in great detail. After that the bass bridges became more feasible, the ten string monstrosities and all that too, and were already in development. He's on the ball with musicians needs, and keeping it the best bridge you can get in every possible way, and willing to listen to anyone who has something to contribute. Hes from the "Money isn't everything" and " A good product is key", and "Don't cut corners" schools of thought, and we need way more like him through the board in all industries.
Such a great American…I’ve only had one Kahler Flyer on a Charvel that was stolen. I loved it and I wish they were on more models today. ✌🏻Great interview, you just got a new subscriber.
This whole interview underlines precisely how spurious some of the business practices have been both in contemporary musician's gear, and the scene for years!As I have said before, all due respect to Gary for sticking with his product, and retaining his integrity for decades. I wish more people had the sheer balls to tell people to "fuck right off" :) One day, I will acquire one - and NOT a fake. It's much to my chagrin that I have to admit the only Kahler I have played was on a Washburn, from the 80s which I have only just found out was a Takeuchi. In my defence, they are rare in the UK, and always have been.
I can't believe nothing can be done to protect is property, he's the American dream, made a great product and should be reaping the rewards and should be living on retirement from royalties. I'm in Canada and nothing but absolute respect for an incredibly hard working individual. I use to work for a man very similar to Gary and I would work for him if I could, these guys are the best to work with.
Great project guys. As a young creature in the 80's, my introduction to metal was Maiden and Priest (growing up in Switzerland I confess I learned a lot of English early on from Maiden's lyrics), and it is a testament to the quality of those bands, that they are still relevant 40 years later. And as far as the podcast, as you know I've been a fan from day 1. You really have something nice going, a good format, with an identifiable framework with still enough wiggle room so you're not stuck in a rigid formula, and above all, it's just heartwarming and refreshing (hot and cool, eh?) to listen to the stories, and the very human and down-to-earth approach, which is in sharp contrast with so many other podcasts out there that feel like infomercials. Take that from a guy who has worked in advertising film production for 35 years :D
Love him and KK’s custom Hamer guitars, Kahler Pro’s with Floyd nuts…… the kahler floyd style nut doesn’t get enough love in my opinion, it’s made better!!!!
It's a fantastic opportunity to not only celebrate one of metal's great guitarists, but to combat a disease that affects millions worldwide. Bless you all.
My impression was always that people didn’t like the feel of the cam mechanism because it didn’t feel like a fender strat vibrato, and they didn’t trust the top mount springs because they associate that with bigbsy tuning problems.
