What's The BEST Trem For Your Stratocaster? - Comparing 5 Aftermarket Trems! 

After I posting my individual demos, I constantly get asked to compare these trems! I hope you guys find this comparison helpful :)

I worked with the guy who invented the Super V when he was designing it. Got to play the very first prototype in the shop. Super nice guy and a superb luthier. Taught me a lot.

I like your style Darrell. Your arguments are clear, well presented, systematic and you stick your neck out and give your opinion. Good job on your comparison and review videos !

I’m glad I ran across this I have a strat project I’ve been working on for a long time.

I'm not in the market for a replacement trem, but this is good information, nonetheless, Darrell. Thorough, as usual.

Thank you for the dedicated hard work, Darrell. It is very much appreciated!

I bought a Vega Trem thanks to your videos on it. I appreciate you putting in the time.

Clear and exhaustive explanation! IMO the most important feature of a trem is its tuning stability.

Thanks so much for this video, and the devoted one to the Vegatrem! Looking for an upgrade to my six-point strat, and I'm all about expressive trems, so the VegaTrem is a no-brainer. Who knows if I would've ever figured that out without your videos? Well done!

Great video! I’ve been looking for an aftermarket strat bridge and your video helped me to decide. Watched the individual model video which was also helpful. Thanks.

This is a ambitious project evaluating all these tremolo systems. Kudos

Great video Darrell. Really well explained. I'll need to think some more about which trem to put in my 1990 Fenix Strat.

Man I'm really glad you made this, cuz I'm actually in the market for a trem unit. I have a strat that I'm upgrading everything on, mainly to learn everything I can about a guitar from wiring, replacing, properly setting up and fine tuning specific things like frets and intonating. Basically what I've learned from this is each option is great, they all just have a flaw or two

Sustain/Tone: Floyd Rose Rail Tail (1st), SuperVee Bladerunner (2nd) Tuning stability [systemic]: VegaTrem (1st), Sophia 2-22 w/ Dual Stabilizer (2nd) and Hipshot Contour (2nd) Smoothness/Feel: VegaTrem (1st), SuperVee Bladerunner (2nd), Sophia 2-22 w/ Dual Stabilizer (3rd) Arm attachment: Any (collar or set screw), but SuperVee Bladerunner has loose screw-on attachment like Fender guitars Travel: VegaTrem (1st), Floyd Rose Rail Tail dive-only (2nd), Sophia 2-22 w/ Dual Stabilizer (3rd) and SuperVee Bladerunner (3rd) and Hipshot Contour (3rd)

THANK YOU for doing this Darrell. The info was great. I was wrestling with which system I would go with. The Floyd Rose Rail Tail sounds like what I am looking for. Thanks again.

I got a Blade Runner about 4 years ago, love it. Great video.🤘👍

Great info Darrell! am currently using two Strat guitars, one equipped with a Wilkinson with Schaller locking tuners. The second has a rebuilt Floyd Rose vintage with a large brass inertia block installed and Sperzel locking tuners. But its great to see that there are other options out there. 👍👍

Planning on upgrading the trem on my old guitar soon, so this video is quite helpful. It's still going to be hard to decide though since all 5 are great options.

ahh i knew darrell would have a solid break down on this, was just thinking about upgrading my kit strat... big fan here!

I bought a Floyd Rose Rail Tail because of this channel. It's a great trem...

Thank you so much! Until I watched this I was going to get the vegatrem, now I'm getting the bladerunner because I don't need the crazy amount of movement, rather just better tone and feel over the stock fender 6 hole trem. Thanks!!

I've put a number of Stetsbar tremolos on guitars -- first for my son's strat, then several people who tried it had me install them, a tele, a Les Paul, and a couple more strats. I can't speak for some you've shown, but the Stetsbar has incredible range, are easy for me to install, and very stable, the strings stay in tune. It is not the cheapest option, but worth a review! ( the trem travels on the same plane as the strings, something no other tremolo I've ever installed does)

I just put a Vegatrem in my American Strat and I love it! The tuning is much more stable and the way it's able to raise lower and flutter is amazing.

Great video. You come up with interesting topics consistently.

I put a Floyd Rose Rail Tail on my PRS CE 24 and I love it.

Love the channel Darrell, thanks for all the insights. Just wanted to come back on this one ... I just put a GOTOH 510 bridge into a Partscaster and it's amazing. Looks good, feels really stable, tight, responsive and silky smooth, right up there as one of the best trems I've ever used. Have set it up for up a minor third and down to slack, used it with a Fender LSR roller nut and Schaller locking tuners, no string trees - absolutely bombproof, I can't put it out of tune no matter what I do. One third the price of an OFR here in the UK (UK£80 versus UK£240). Much as I've loved my Floyds and various Ibanez Edge models over the past 30 years, I'll now never again consider double-locking trems where this GOTOH bridge is an option to retrofit. For the price, it's amazing - I knew there must be a reason Guthrie Govan used to have them on his signature Suhrs.

Very helpful video. I am still thinking about locking the pull function on my trem. I like to dive but I rarely use the pull of it. I will most likely give it up for some more tuning stabilty.

Seriously, thank you so much for making this video!!!

I´ve had the Bladerunner on my Strat for about a year and it is superb !

Great, well done, comprehensive video! I wish all youtube creators were this clear and informative.

Very helpful video. I definitely need a trem system upgrade and I'll probably try the Hipshot bridge. It seems simple, good and affordable. Thanks!

Thank you, we need more videos like this one

Got myself a vega trem, I love it. Working great on my stratocaster.

Ohhh so cool! I was just rewatching some of these old alternative strat trem videos last night. Your floyd rail tail video was the first video of yours I ever saw - last Christmas. Yeah, no s#$+!, I was just watching them again last night : the floyd and the vegatrem. I just love the look of the floyd, looks like top quality. Onya Darrell, Rock on from Down Under😎👍

Hey Darrell after watching this video I purchased a Hipshot Contour bridge for my MIM Strat. It completely transformed my guitar, way better sustain and a trem that is so smooth and easy to use, better than my Bigsby, similar to a good Jazzmaster trem but maybe even better.

Great comparison! also great topic to discuss, a lot of people tend to look for replacement trems because of the poor performance of a traditional 6 screw tremolo. In my personal opinion every two-point trem is king, they keep in tune and don't require a lot of time to setup like a floyd rose. Usually the brand doesn't matter that much as long as it has one but I'd recommend Hipshot, Wilkinson and Gotoh. Also If you have a two-point trem that doesn't keep in tune I'd take a look at the nut instead of new whole trem.

Darrel.. I love your video comparrison.. Watched some of these bridge trems as you did them.. I have yet to see you review a Babicz system. My compound radius LP Standard needed individual string height adjustment to benefit Gibsons compound radius. It was so nice I bought just the saddles for my Elite Strat "18" and LOVE them. Full contact to base plate, the saddles are not just sitting in 2 set screw pins therefore allowing a far superior passing of resonance to the body. Please do a review on this very unique and high quality cam lock system for both the LP and Strat.. They have been out for years and little has been said about them. My Gibson SG HPII also has a Babicz bridge, it allows the bridge to sit flush on the body for transfer of tone to the body more efficiently. Yes..its pricey.. Yes, its very high quality and it is VERY innovative. My only issue is "BABICZ" being stamped or laser etched so large on his product which is why I bought the saddles and not the complete trem system for the strat.. His base plate compresses and locks the saddles in position once set. I went with saddles alone ($100!) that sit on base plate free floating as the traditional saddles. Please give people a complete run down on this product. Thanks Darrell!!

The BladeRunner definetly caught my eye in terms of the look and how it holds sustain. One of the first mods i plan to do with my Player series Stratocaster would be to either 1. Upgrade the pickups or 2. Replace the Tremolo System preferbly a 2 point system like the stock one in my Strat just to be on the safe side. Good video Darrell! You definetly gave me some good ideas!

About to build a partscaster from MJT so this is a super valuable video. Thanks man!

Really enjoyed this. Im in the process of of s couple builds. I chose the Super V. Hope I’m happy.

I just purchased a 2014 Suhr - with a Gotoh 510 and its Phenomenal. Really keeps in tune with Flutters and mild-Dive-bombs. Best I have ever used. Darrell you are Covering the Most Important Topics, that matter-most to me. Really Love your channel. oNe LovE from NYC

Great vid as usual, will check the vegatrem and the blade runner out. I have a Wudtone hi mass pivot trem on my main guitar but wouldn't mind something else on my current project

Very helpful as always thanks Darrel

That's a good one D! Thanks for sharing brother! Be Well!

I bought my first Strat the other day, and someone had used a whammy with more girth than intended, so the trem is messed up. This video is a great aid, thanks!

Good video man. It just popped up in my feed 2 years later 😆

Wilkinson VSVG user here, no complaints, it's on my Strat for the last 7-8 years

I'm partial to the Wilkinson - I bought the same one Paul Gilbert uses - found it at a Guitar Maker supply store, only place that carried this model. When I want a more precise tone - I block it off, Trem block to body with Computer Gap Pad - perfect machined even cushioning - Try it, you'll like it☺

8:39 really love that guitar, would be amazing for the chugging

Gotoh 510 with both modern 2 post + block saddles and the 6 screw + bent saddles are both incredible trems. There's a reason Suhr and Tom Anderson use flavors of those. ;)

I like how Wilkinson offsets the high 'E' and 'G' holes in their trem block......seems to hold tune better for my Strat.

Thanks for doing this video. Great comparison

Thanks, it's great to have an honest opinion what some of these higher-end vibrato tailpieces are like.

Hey Darrel, great video, we need more videos like this ;) maybe hardtail or Floyd Rose style

Great video. I would recommend an Ibanez with a locking nut if you're simply after a great tremolo system with rock solid tuning stability. The ball bearing one on my 2010 S5470 Red Viking is amazing. ✌

I have one strat with no modifications, and then a strat with a floyd rose, a locking nut, dimarzio hss pickups for the bridge and neck and a evolution (vai) for the middle, custom finish, and 24 frets, a guita that I build with a local luthier for years !

Excellent information. Thank you so much

My personal favorite is the Wilkinson 2-point trem as used in my Reverend and Danelectro. 2nd place for me is the very solid stock trem on my PRS S2. I'll never use a Floyd and see no reason for one (overkill unless you're an EVH type).

I went for the hipshot contour bridge after watching this video (and many others, arguably ALL of the videos 😂). My lord, it’s a dream, silky smooth and very precise. Highly recommend!

Thanks for the info, good comparison.

Very Interesting Darrell ! Can U also do some more trem systems like Schaller or Trevor Wilkerson, etc THANK YOU for the knowledge.

I would like to see Darrell review the Wudtone, Babicz, Kahler, Floyd Rose FRX, Super-Vee Maverick & Super-Vee Locking Kit ... Top video, keep up the good work

always useful. darrell braun = subjectively objective + objectively subjective = universally informative + informatively universal = darrell braun. works around the world.

i bought the supervee. It saved one of my guitars from bad friction damage. It works great . after 4 years with it . i havent needed to take it off or anything i can push it as far as i want without damaging the guitar body . Its frictonless which perfect.

Just installed the Vegatrem. I really like it but I'm thinking I might have to use the heavy springs with 10 to 46 strings as the mediums seem too wimpy. What did you use Darrel?

Nice review Darrell. Please make a review video on schecter guitars with sustainiac system.

Thanks for this. How easy/hard was the Bladerunner to install? I would have found an on screen table useful for an easy to compare 'snapshot' of all the criteria you talked about.

Hey Darrel Braun, great video but I was wondering what your thoughts on the Babicz full contact hardware trem for the strat might be.

You always do the best videos!

I’m so glad you mentioned PRS for Trem, I put a PRS Trem in my Mexican Strat and it’s perfect! But all really good options for sure! I just wish Fender’s stock trems were a bit better all around 🤷🏻‍♂️

A look at other systems like Bigsby, Stetsbar, Duesenberg Les Trem, etc would be cool too

Hey Darrell, you should check out the Duesenberg Tremolo for guitars with Tune-o-matic bridges. I think it's a very interesting tremolo due to the fact that you don't have to modify your guitar and its design is so sutil that it doesn't look horrible in a Les Paul or an SG. Oh, and it's very affordable too!

Would love to see a video where you upgrade the term on a super squier and see how you solve the slimmer body width solution.

FR railtail! I still have mine in my strat! Love it!

The fine tuning screw fell out from my factory installed tremolo bridge on my 1986 Fender Strat, and it won't screw back in because the threads are worn out on the bridge. Now I can't fine tune one of my strings. How do I fix that?

I bought a Hipshot Traditional for my Mex Strat when I did a bunch of upgrades to it a few years back. I cannot complain, it has great sustain and more than enough movement range and consistency for my style of vibrato. Definitely worth the money.

Get the Hipshot Contour,on top of beeing a great all-around trem it has another big advantage that no other system has. The Hipshot doesn´t have knife edges but uses a ball bearing system,which means there´s no wear like on a vintage or OFR tremolo. Theoretically,this thing can last forever,if you take care of it of course. There´s a reason why Mayones is using the Hipshot Contour as the standard trem system on their guitars.

wilkinson works great always comes back in tune.

This is all very interesting. I just drop a Fender spring into the Fender Tremolo bridge.

Floyd rail tail hands down! Great video Darryl.

Damn haven't even seen the vid but I know it's gonna put a smile on my face

Thanks for the intonation!

All my guitars either have a Strat deluxe trem with the pop in arm or an original Floyd Rose locking trem. You can find a deluxe Srat trem on eBay or reverb for around $60 add locking tuners and you'll have a tired and true great trem..works for me.

I’m using Wilkinson and I think it’s perfect matched to me.

After watching your video and doing some further research, I bought and installed the Super Vee Blade Runner on my 1985 MIJ Fender. Loving it! Installation was easy, and it’s pretty good (but not 100% perfect) at staying in tune. So I’m a happy camper.

The was SOOOO helpful, thanks!

Another great video, your initial video on the Floyd Rose got me to buy one and I am very happy with it. Your descriptions on it are bang on. I would really like to have the same kind of video for a Telecaster, I am thinking about upgrading the bridge on my 72 reissue thinline you input would be greatly appreciated . Thanks for the channel.

Love your vids man 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼

Hi Darrel, are you going to test the FGN Guitar or Ibanez AZ, Both are awesome and both made in the Fujigen Factory in Japan. great Channel. Cheers Rob from Australia

I wish there were a few more on the list, but, this is the kind of do we need, there aren't any out there, and no where to try em out, so this is great? Super stoked the SuperV is here though, very impressive 6screw replacement for your strat

Great Comparison! The only disagreement I have is on the sustain with the SuperVee, which I found to be terrible with the stock, aluminum block (they call it Sustainium). You have to pay an extra $80 for the steel block... also, the stock arm tensioner doesn’t work well, so you have to pay $20 to upgrade to their redesign. So, it’s really a $280 comparable tremolo to the others

Thanks, enjoy your channel, Any idea if these would fit on a 80s Charvel with a 6 screw vintage trem?

HI DARREL! I hope you're having an Amazing day too!!!

I had several problems with the Blade Runner. The saddle height grub screw threads were stripped on two of the saddles on mine (yes it was a brand new bridge in a factory sealed package). The distributors sent me replacements. The Blade runner does not have the same feel as a traditional Fender bridge. The spring steel blade itself provides some resistance to bending, so I fitted two springs. I bought the version with their special alloy sustain / inertia block and I found that with two springs it sounded awful. I swapped it out for another more conventional bridge which solved the sound and feel problem on that guitar. Later I fitted the Blade Runner to another guitar where the 6 bridge screw holes had been poorly spaced, so it just wouldn't stay in tune with a conventional bridge. On this guitar I fitted the Blade Runner with three springs and although it is a little stiffer than I would like, it works just fine and sounds good. The arm tensioning design is not great. It provides loading to the bottom of the arm with a nylon screw. So it really sets a stop point where the arm wont rotate any further, rather than increasing rotational friction. What I didn't understand right away is that there is also a hard to see hollow metal hex collar or screw that locks the nylon screw in place once set. If you try to move the nylon screw without unlocking the hex collar you will probably damage the slot in the nylon screw. The Vega trem is beautifully machined from surgical grade stainless steel and it does work very well. The tricky thing I found was that there is nothing other than string and spring tension holding the very sharp knife edges against the bearing slots in the completely separate pivot bar. It is a bit of a juggling act to get the bridge up to tension with the knife edges safely located on the pivot grooves without damaging them.

Hi Darrell, Haven't watched all the individual videos you did for each of these trems but one issue I didn't notice you cover was whether any of them keep the other strings in tune whilst you do a double or triple fret bend - particularly where you play another note on the guitar besides the string you're bending (double stop bends, tandem bends etc) as this can be an issue you then have to compensate for; I used to have an amazing Floyd Rose locking trem system on an Ibanez years ago but you had to learn to also slightly bend the second note to bring it up to pitch as a result of the drop in tension caused by the first string bend (if that makes sense?). These days I have a 1990's Strat Plus with the HipShot Tremsetter which automatically compensates well for this but, as many people find, it really spoils the feel of the trem action. I see that even the HipShot Contour trem doesn't include any mechanism like on their Tremsetter to make sure it comes back to exact pitch. The only one you mentioned with a comparable mechanism was the Sophia. So can you tell me if any of them keep all the other strings in tune whilst you bend one string, or does it mean going back to having to compensate as you're playing? Hope this question makes sense (kinda hard to explain). Thanks, Steve

Have a Wilkinson with a bone nut and roller tees and matching Wilkinson lock tuners. I works beautifully.

I have watched this comparison a few times since you released it. I am building a strat and trying to decide on a trem/bridge for the build... I am leaning towards Babicz full contact system, Its not in your options here, l just watched again because l couldn't remember all 5 you reviewed here. Very VERY well done video (no surprise here) ..have you used Babicz bridges or saddles on anything? I currently have Babicz tune-o-matics on my 17 LP Standard and my 18 SG HPII.. l am VERY happy having "individual" adjustable string height on both these guitars being compound radius. Just curious on your thoughts on his product..

I'm looking to replace the stock tremlo bridge on my Indio Guitar that I just bought. This guitar ROCKS!!!! But I've replaced the tuning machines and 2 of the pickups, now I'm ready to replace the bridge tremlo. I really like the look and design of the Babicz Full Contact Strat Tremolo. Any knowledge on this piece hardware??? I saw your video on Ultimate Trem Comparison and wanted to know your thoughts on this product.

Tremolo Bars are definitely something I, and every guitarist who doesn't have one, needs to look into. They are really fun to mess around with once you get the hang of them, especially when you start using Ibanez or Charvels for the tricks haha! Strat Trems are indeed amazing!

I love your channel. Can you do a video on how to upgrade from Ibanez trem into the original edge tremolo system? also by Ibanez.