Thanks for your comments and all who have corrected me on the frankenstrat… which was in fact based on a strat body but may at one time have worn a kramer neck. So let’s say my claim that it was a pacer is just me pushing the boundaries of artistic licence?… 😆🤷♂️
When you've got the guitar to pitch, BEFORE you lock the nut, you have to stretch the strings then tune it again. BEFORE you lock the nut set the micro tuners a tiny bit more than half way in. Make sure your in tune, then lock the nut. Once you retune with the micro tuners it should be extremely tuning stable. Once you've done it a few times you'll develop some of your own tricks.
You'll have to learn "The Gates of Babylon" (both versions if you like, but Rainbow's for sure) for the next "not really feelin bluesy" guitar you want to noodle on; it's straightforward, proto-metal, and you can reuse a lot of blues minor modality stuff on it. Once you do that a few times, it will be fun to see you explore the new-ish path while ripping on classic, yet arguably much more rock/metal, riffage.
The reason why they glue the maple fretboard onto the maple neck is twofold: 1. they rout the channel for the truss rod into the neck from the top, hence no skunk stripe, and then cover it with the bord. 2. this construction makes the neck stronger and less likely to twist.
@@guymansfield-smith1135 Yeah, I have a Fullerton G&L too and it's made this way. Fender USA necks were made like this for a while too, but it wasn't oldfashioned enough for their traditionalist customer base I guess.
Thank you for you honest review and deep dive into all of the guitars. Also it is a joy knowing you reply to the comments unlike most youtubers. You channel is like a visit to a mom and pop music store.
I have the same one in blue, I made quite a few modifications like rounding the edge of the frets, polishing the frets and leveling a few frets. I glued the locking nut, replaced 1 volume knob with a 500k master volume, disconnected the tone, replaced the mini switch with a large toggle switch, put in good quality and isolated vibrato springs. The guitar sounds a little more precise, the humbuckers are good for the price but I think they are ceramic contrary to what Kramer says? The Floyd rose special is not great in "floating" use, the steel is too "soft" but I block it with a tremstopper and it's not too bad in terms of tuning performance.
The floyd rose is it's own animal and has a steep learning curve. But if you can get it to work, it's worth it. A few tips: stretching your strings before tuning is a must, always tune up (never down), and be patient as you cycle through each string. As you do this, adjust spring tension to keep the bridge level with the body as you set everything up the first time. Once it's tuned, lock it down nice and tight (so the strings don't slip) and make the final micro adjustments with the bridge tuners. It's worth noting that tuning stability is much better on the higher end floyds (1000s, 1500s and up), and this would include ibanez's Edge Tremolo as well. On a new guitar, it might take a few days or weeks for the guitar to "settle in" and become completely stable, but once it does, it should be rock solid. My Ibanez RG570 seems to be the most stable guitar I own, and basically never goes out of tune once it's properly setup/tuned up.
Agreed about high end floyds. Although I hate all floyd rose bridge, the cheap one are simply horrible. The metal is so soft on those they easily strip out even the first time the strings are changed.
its easier to fully crank the springs and lock the trem with cards/cloth/whatever to the position you want. tune the guitar up, then release the trem from the blockage and retune it using the screws that way the trem will be where you had it when you are in tune. makes a basic string change a thing of less than 10 minutes. only thing thats crap on floyds is doing the intonation, so better not change stringgauge to often ;P also the "settling in"... stretch the strings as much as you can. once you did this it will be stable. if its off "alot" cause temperature, use the backscrews to tune. else you should be fine with tiny amounts on the fine tuners
I had my first Floyd Rose trem on 1973 Strat, they came out in 1976 I think that Floyd Rose trem is still on the guitar nearly 50 years after great never goes out of tune , But I have had one's from 2000s not the same quality not as good. ps putting the Floyd Rose on the strat effected price of guitar .
I’ve been playing Floyd Rose guitars for over 30 years, they’re not as difficult as they appear in the video.. keeping in mind it’s a cheap guitar with a very cheap and nasty version of a locking trem.
Thanks for confirming what I already suspected. I'll never buy one of these. But, as always, seeing your deep dive on something new gives me tremendous joy. Have a great weekend!
ROHS is a regulatory compliance sticker. "Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), also known as Directive 2002/95/EC, is a product-level compliance regulation that restricts the use of specific hazardous materials found in electrical and electronic products (EEE) and originated in the European Union."
Great review Colin, from a massive EVH fan. The closest Kramer model to Ed's is the '84, a single humbucker at the bridge with a floyd rose and banana headstock. Retails around £700
It is absolutely a pfaff dealing with floyds. I've hated string changes on them since day one. I guess that explains why I have six guitars fitted with them......😅
Great review, Col, as always. I've often eyed Kramers up out of pure curiosity, but I think the 'faff factor' has convinced me to keep it at just that. (No beverage or nibbles this week, as i watched it while making dinner) 😊
I have three guitars with Floyd Rose locking system installed. One is an original 1983 Kramer Striker. Back then they didn’t have the locking nut and fine tuners. Had to install that on my own. The other two are a Gibson LP Custom and a Tele parts caster I built a few years ago. I had no idea you channeled EVH. lol…
With the current state of music today, is a tremolo even relevant?…there’s probably more guitars with trems than without…I find myself very rarely needing a tremolo…I’ve always said if Fender would make hardtail strats, they would sell like hotcakes
Great review. I'm not much of a wah wah player, and had no interest in Floyd Rose tremolos, but this video confirmed for me that despite whatever alleged benefits they claim to confer, they aren't worth the extra hassle. For one thing the whole concept of locking the tuning in is suspect since relatively minor changes in temperature or humidity will affect the tuning anyway, and then you have to faff around again for too long a time. Thanks for the video.
I have quality (original floyd rose and gotoh) floyds on many of my guitars and I'm a big believer in them. Although I don't use them to any extreme extent I love the tuning stability they provide as well as the tone. To me, they're well worth the extra time and trouble needed. Locking the strings at both ends locks the string length and makes it impossible to go out of tune. Yes weather and temperature changes will affect the tuning slightly over a few days. They have fine tuners so you can fix that occasionally without unlocking the nut. Many of my guitars will hold perfect tune for a week or two. They do take longer to restring but once you learn how it's pretty easy.
@@ericandrews1661How stable the tuning is depends a lot on temperature stability no matter which system you are using. I have a small house that can vary a fairly significant amount (about 4 degrees F) in temperature over a short time, especially in the winter. As a result I have to tune my guitars almost every time I pick one up. Also, with new strings a locking nut won't prevent going out of tune until the strings are fully stretched and broken in. All things combined, I prefer to be able to tune my guitar in a minute without excess fiddling. That's my preference for myself, but of course if others think the Floyd Roses are worthwhile, more power to them.
When I used a Floyd I left the ball end on and used it on tuner pegs end. One day at a show I got a bit aggressive and pulled the bridge out of guitar. Went back to vintage strat bridge for awhile. I use a JB strat now. I prefer the roller nut locking keys over locking nut and fine tuners. But the Floyd can be pretty fun.
The secret to re-stringing a FR guitar - stretch the strings until you feel like you’ve stretched them too much and then stretch them a few more times. Lock down nut.
newbies to floyd tend to cut all the strings off, and the springs will pull the floyd hardware into the body of the guitar and actually dent your finish, that is just one more flaw of the design. I used to change one string at a time, rather than cut all the strings off.
I don’t come here expecting EVH - great stuff ! What is so nice about this channel is you really enjoy it and play very well. I particularly admire your improv skills which I don’t have, but not to the extent of some RU-vid channels where the playing is so good I leave depressed
Life's too short for all that faffing around when you can string and tune and play a Telecaster in 10 minutes. I've never seen the point. My Stratocaster never goes out of tune. Good for you for branching out.
Definitely a fun guitar for shure and I agree I like how a guitar can push you to learn new things! Great episode as always and fun times.Thanks mate!😊
For 199 pounds....great deal !! Was that " fall-of-a-truck" special Christmas price 😅 Seriously ....sounds great, looks great....and make people happy. God enough...😊
It’s a mark of how awesome this channel is that I have absolutely no interest in Kramer or Floyd Roses but will happily still watch from start to finish.
Another good vid Colin. The rose t system is intimidating for sure. That's exactly how it was when I first got my Ibanez RG470DX. Tuning was (and is) a pain in the proverbial ass. Sounds great when it's on, but it goes out quicker than my hardtails and Fender trems. That t system is slightly different, but same level of initial frustration. Great to learn new things though right? Cheers!
Love your channel Colin!!! You are the reason I purchased (2) Epiphone 1959 Les Pauls and (1) Epiphone 1961 SG. Your Epiphone Firebird video has now made me want to purchase that model too. U ROCK!!!!🤘😁
Nice guitar in nice red color. The quality for the mentioned and excellent price is, in my personal opinion, fully acceptable. The adjustments are not essential, many other brands also need them. I like it. Greetings Pavel CZ.👍👍👍🎸
Good to see you going outside of your comfort zone. Great review. When are you going to get one of the $1700 Epi firebirds or that $1300 DG335? I just picture the pain in your face throughout when you keep coming back to the fact similar guitars from them used to be $600 or so. Even more exaggerated version of the Bonamassa SG review.
Just string it up backwards leave the balls on. That's what I used to do with my fender strat HSS, black headstock just says- Strat. I loved that guitar! Wish I never would have sold it.
RoHS... Reduction of Hazardous Substances ... Or... Lead free solder and reduced zinc and mercury content. It's not a brand, it's a requirement to meet European Standards.
Great videos Colin, keep it up. By the way for the pickups you don't even have to take the strings out of the trem. Just pull the springs off from the back and take the whole trem off the posts.
WWhat a fantastic video have a wonderful day also a fantastic weekend Colin also we set our clocks back in daylight saving time in Canada ❤❤❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
What a nice Kramer! Edward Van Halen's 5150 Kramer was said to be a Kramer Pacer Special. Paul Unkert said that at least. I have a Kramer 84, I tightened the claw which decked the the Floyd bridge. I raised the action a bit at the posts. Put EVH .9 gauge strings on it and an EVH DTuna. Decking that bridge down onto the body was the best move that I ever made. Tons more sustain, and resonance. It added 100% tuning stability as well. The Floyd 1,000 bridge isn't perfectly horizontal with the body now but works amazingly. Thanks for the video. 👍🏻
I had a used white Kramer Baretta Special 4-5 years ago. They're only $190 GBP new in Canada right now so it was a lot less than that. Kramer "Traditional" tremolo, volume knob. hockey stick. I didn't much care for it so I traded it off. Eventually I ended up with another single pickup and volume knob Squier Bullet (pawn shop, 51 GBP.) It's a hard tail. Stays in tune better, lol. I kept it because I put one of my P-90s in it and added a tone knob. My wiggle stick guitars are a Squier VM Jazzmaster that has much better tuning stability, and an LP Tribute with minis and a Duesenberg Les Trem II. Floyd? Ain't no body got time for that haha I try not to speak ill of Epiphones (it isn't easy...) but there's a member on Mylespaul/forums who really gets steamed whenever someone disses his beloved Epis. He immediately bitches about it. At least he isn't a PRS fan...
Wonderful to see you try out a Floyd Rose guitar. They're a labour of love, that's for sure. Cheaper Floyd Rose systems aren't usually worth the hassle but a full fat or decent 3rd party system like a Gotoh 1996t are solid and reliable. If I have to change strings on a Floyd I tend to leave the nut unlocked so I can tune a bit more like normal until everything really settles down. I'll give 2 tips to every budding Floyd Rose enthusiast (and also to other systems like Ibanez) tune your guitar in your normal playing position if possible. The difference in position from flat to hanging round your neck alters the tuning ever so slightly. Secondly, tune your strings in symmetrical pairs (E's, B and A, G and D) I find this gives me *less* faffing around before I lock the nut again. A full fat Floyd Rose costs 1.5 times the guitar so well done for giving it a go. I'd love to see you tackle something like an Ibanez RG-370AHM with the Ibanez Zero Edge 2 system to see how it compares. Apparently the Floyd Rose Special/1000 are meant to be better. Cracking episode once again. Suffering a cheap Floyd Rose for your viewers is dedication to your craft :P
Well worth the wait! Some proper laugh out loud moments. Terrific. Loved my 80’s metal and thrash and my guitar choices getting back into playing reflected this. You channel and playing has inspired me to try “other” stuff. Cheers fella.
Awsome guitar love the matching headstock paint. I would upgrade that 1000 series bridge to an 1984 Floyd rose reissue or a gotoh and it would be bulletproof.
My first "real" guitar was a Kramer Striker 300ST, either from 1986 or 1987. Bought it brand new, had the bridge pickup replaced with some Seymour Duncan, though I can't remember what model. I think I still have the original pickup in the plastic Seymour Duncan case around here somewhere. Wish I still had that guitar for nostalgia reason. It was probably in the $300-400 range because I couldn't afford a Pacer or Baretta or Stagemaster, which were the higher end models back in the day. I had some of my High School senior pictures taken with it so I get to see it when I go visit Mom for the holidays.
Brave stuff! I’d never go anywhere near a guitar with a Floyd Rose having set up a couple for other people. The Pacer was ridiculously inexpensive but it’s definitely Marmite.
Pulling out the VH! Awesome! I love it. When I was a youngster in the 80's, all I wanted to be was Eddie with a killer Super Strat and a Floyd Rose. I even had a Kramer Baretta at one point. Not anymore. I now love a fixed bridge that gives me NO tuning issues...maybe I've lost my patience as I get older, lol.
I don't see it in the comments. RoHS is, "Restriction of Hazardous Substances" and refers to EU laws. It's just a declaration that the pickup doesn't contain anything deemed to be harmful.
There you go, that´s how we love Col !!! I realized Colin that on the last Num, Epiphone only released artist signature models, and the cheapest was this Wax Nighthawk for 790€ . It´s a shame !
Yes, with the Floyd rose, it will Never go outta tune & you can drop those strings to the f-ckin ground, or pull them up & it will come back true everytime! Got my 1st Floyd on an Ibanez when I was 15 yrs old & learned how to make that thing cry, talk, Hindenburg dive mob,just abused the hell out of it & it works great to this day! Forget All of the Floyd-licsense bridges!! They are All crap! Might as well have a regular Strat if ya have one of them Col! Anywho, love the channel, your playin, your humor, great stuff man. Keep it up, Peace!!
I'd definitely recommend an EVH branded guitar. For your next foire into Floyd Roses. Stay with the top mounted ones, they're easier to setup and the tuning stability is much improved. I'm fortunate enough to own an old American made Peavey Wolfgang, which is in essence the same design before Eddie tweaked it. They're really comfortable to play.
I had a 1980 something kramer. (cant remember which year exactly) The deal with one humbucker. Anyway it was gorgeous and sounded great but I just couldn't get on with all the floyd rose nonsence. Still kind of regret selling it though.
You were playing good stuff Colin! = be a Dr. First and then get a Floyd Rose or have a tech living next door! Also, if i may suggest a potential double hum/trem try out guitar for you...i know the prs dgt didn't work for you. It wouldn't be for me either. May I suggest the prs se santana. Basically a double cut LP in body shape, pots out of the way, great trem (can also do a mini mod to make down action only), all mahogany, maple cap, pretty veneer, rosewood board and the finish is more caramel than bright yellow on the top now. Natural wood mahogany finish on the back and neck. I think you may really enjoy this guitar and you can then say....there is 1 prs that I like! I just got one 2 months ago. I think you might really like one. Maybe? Like a double junior on steroids. 🍻
Floyds are certainly a steep learning curve. I've got a couple now but remember my first thinking how the hell can I get this set up, but with a bit of patience and working out what is required you'll get there in the end. I'm now a whizz at getting mine set up. just a fine balance of spring and string, make sure fine tuners are wound down half way to give adjustment both ways, bridge must be flat to the body to get a decent action. Just for info I have couple of highly modded Kramer baretta Specials which are absolutely superb (not Floyd Rose), theres a massive following for them. My foray into Floyd Rose was a Kramer Pacer Vintage Tiger (Sachel from Steel Panther signature guitar at the time before he went to Charvel). I didn't realise how good it was at the time as a newish player and sold it, seller remorse big style! Chuck a set of Seymour Duncan's JB & Jazz in that guitar and you'll have a great guitar. Great content as always Colin, cheers.
Great film as always. Guitar looks like a pos to me. I wouldn't touch that thing with a 10 foot pole. Stay away from Floyd Rose Specials. They are crap. Having said that, I still enjoyed this :) I think you did quite well restringing your first Floyd Rose. I do it a bit differently, but your way works too. Once you get the hang of it, it's not hard at all. Just a bit more time consuming than restringing a fixed bridge. But only a bit. And yes, those string lock blocks do fall out. They also have to be orientated correctly. They have a dimple in them for the bolt. That dimple is also off center, so you have to pay attention to that too.
Eddie had a Kramer Barreta . I bought one USA version back in 84 it was good at first play but after a while was absolute crap. Wish I never bought it ! Great vid by the way.
6 месяцев назад
Setting up a Floyd Rose really isn't a lot different from setting up a Strat trem to float. It's the same process, except for the locking screws and bolts. When properly set up, I doubt there would be many stability issues. I've set up Squiers (and cheaper) with Floyds, and they will work, provided the parts are not worn or have failed.
Hi Everybody ¡ ✌ in 1985 i bought a New Kamer Striker i think with an original Floyd without tuning and lockin nut you know so for that time i payed 350 bucks for a plywood body 2 humbucker very bad playing guitar and ive recently tried one of these New And its insane what a very nice guitar indeed.
That was one of my favorite of all your episodes. And I watch the majority of them. Well done, good sir! Totally enjoyed that start to finish. Love to see you compare a EVH Wolfgang Special to this or another similar entry level floating bridge style. Cheers!
I have an Ibanez rg. Block under the trem to keep it level when taking the strings off, ball ends in the tuners and trim at the bridge. Stretch the string until staying in tune, lock but down and fine tune. Works for me. Believe Eddie’s Kramer was the 5150
Definitely not my cup of tea. I’m a bit too old school (and probably narrow minded) for shredder guitars. I’ll stick to more traditional models. I’m sure there will be many viewers that will really appreciate this video, however.
I love the look of the banana and pointy Kramer headstocks especially the Japanese necks made by ESP, but as far as functional and straight string pull the beak headstock is where it’s at.
Sir, I don't like the regular Floyd Rose arm fastening scheme, precisely because those plastic bushing will inevitably wear out, break, or get lost. I recently replaced all three of my Floyd arms with units that have a set screw that puts pressure onto the arm through a metal-saving plastic or rubber sleeve. These are a little pricey at about $22 a pop, but I won't be fretting about my Floyd arms for a while ... 😎
Mate, the Floyd needs to be more level and your tuning stability would be way better. From your shots, even though it's close, it's angled up from the body too much. They are very finicky, but if they are exactly level, they are rock solid...even those licensed ones. As always love the vids, and funny to see you rockin that Floyd!
Like dating a Beauty Queen, expect nothing but trouble and the cost of high maintenance. I can only imagine how this will go, as parts wear and get futzed up from repeated use. I wonder what the salary of a guitar tech is these day`s. Simple is best, for reliability. Cheers Colin, you are a brave man.
Today we've got a chopped off knob, we've cut the balls off, and learned if you've got a wobbly bar, you can stiffen it up by accessing it from the back 😂 what an episode!
It has that unnerving ability to turn into the guitarists version of Lew Dawson playing the piano...you did have a proper go though! Thin you'd be more at home on a Brian May replica though...
Good vid! Shame to see they are made in China now. The older models were made in Indonesia and Korea, and were actually pretty good. Here's the thing with the Floyd though - most people experience what you did and say they are awful and they get rid as soon as possible. Too much hassle etc etc... But there are a few, like me, that stick with it and learn all the little tricks and traits of the Floyd and now refuse to use anything else. Once it is tuned and stable, it will rarely need tuning, and once you've mastered string changing, it is nearly as quick as a non-locking trem guitar. Don't forget, if the strings stretch, you can take up the slack by using the trem claw screws to pull them tight again. That's why Floyd players never have the spring cover plate fitted. It's a fully floating trem so you have to think in 3 dimensions 😉
There is a lot of pressure on you here. I'm also a Gibson guy, who has never owned a Floyd Rose. Every now and then I see a used Jackson or some other pointy guitar and am tempted to buy it, but I don't know if the Floyd is too much work, just to do a couple dive bombs here and there. Here we go. I'm hitting play.
I never got into Eddie much, but nailing Bark at the moon was a big thing for me 😁 Though I got decent at Hot for teacher.. It sounds like the pickups needs waxpotting.
i use the ballends of strings on the pegheads, makes em effectively locking. once you know how to setup a floyd its easier and more straight forward than a"vintage"/fenderstyle trem imo (if you setup your trem floating)
For the record, I detest floyds. However, I did come across a restring trick. Put the ball end at the tuners, then cut to length at bridge. That way they will not slip
