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Conference napalm::guitar

Title:GUITARnotes - Where Every Note has Emotion
Notice:Discussion of the finer stringed instruments
Moderator:KDX200::COOPER
Created:Thu Aug 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3280
Total number of notes:61432

1200.0. "lefty trems" by CGOFS::EDMENG () Mon Mar 13 1989 19:15

    
    	  I am a left handed guitar player and have several left handed
    guitars. My gibsons all have fine-tuning bridges installed on them,
    and I find this feature difficult to live without.
    
    	  My problem is that my main axe is a Fender Strat (what else)
    and it does not have a whammy bar installed. I miss the fine-tuners
    very much, and would like to get in on the whammy-bar band wagon.
    Since I have only one left-handed Strat, it is not exactly easy for me
    to buy an equipped guitar, and I don't especially want to route
    it out.
    
    	  Does anyone know if the surface mount trem units (ie. Washburn)
    will work on a lefty guitar? I'm particularly concerned with the
    trem bar placement, and string slots on the lock-nut. Are there
    any other surface mount units, other than Washburn, available now?
    Is a standard Strat bridge with fine-tuners (& no trem) available?
    
    	  Also, I noticed a guy playing a Strat in a bar one night,
    and the locking nut on his trem unit did not utilize the allen screws.
    Instead the locking nut used a kind of lever actuated string clamp.
    Anyone know who makes these?
    
    thanx in advance for the info
    -bs
    
      	   
    
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1200.1Wanna sell me one guitar?SALEM::DACUNHATue Mar 14 1989 11:0734
    
    
                Most "right handed" tremelo units can be converted very
         easily.  I think the kahler pro tremelo set up should fit
         without any routing or modifications.  As far as the nut is
         concerned, the only one requiring those big holes through
         the neck is the floyd.  I believe the lever type are referred
         to as just that or "cam lock" etc. and can be had from several
         manufacturers.
    
                Some pros and cons:
    
                The FR has the smoothest action but when you bend strings
                the others go out of tune.  Jackson has supposedly done
                some modifications to rememdy this.  Also, you have
                to be careful where you lay your left hand as the whole
                set up is VERY touchy.  One more......This tremelo unit
                is probably the worst for initial tuning ie. after you
                change your strings.  What a pain in the neck!
    
                The wonderbar is the most expensive but has all of the
                features of the floyd without going out of tune on bends.
                And some of the pains!!
    
                The kahler is the least expensive (depending on the
                model) and is the easiest to install.  It doesn't "float"
                like the other two so you can beat on it a little more.
                AND it won't go out of tune on bends.  I have friends
                that have all kinds and each endorses whichever he has.
                                                   ( it figures huh?)
    
                Is it the fine tuners or the wang-bar you want?            
    
               
1200.2ASAHI::COOPERComputers...All they ever think of is hex...Tue Mar 14 1989 12:4110
    I think the WonderBar (tm) has holes for the bar on both sides.
    
    Also, the Kahler is available in lefty/righty models.
    
    I wouldn't know which way to steer ya though, I have one floyd,
    one Kahler, and one Jackson.  I like them all !  My Jackson the
    best, cuz of the guit it's on.  If you don't wanna cut (rout) 
    your guitar, go for the Kahler type.
    
    jc
1200.3IbanezMARKER::BUCKLEYI wish it was summertime all year!Tue Mar 14 1989 13:284
    
    Ibanez produces a left handed version of their Edge tremolo, which is
    similar too a floyd rose (quite a few people say its laid out a little
    better). 
1200.4ASAHI::COOPERComputers...All they ever think of is hex...Tue Mar 14 1989 13:468
    More on what Buck sez:
    
    The Jackson trem is similar to floyds unit, but the fine-tuners
    are tucked out of the way of your hand, and push/pull as opposed
    to up/down on the saddles.  This is handy because your hand doesn't
    foul the tuners...
    
    jc
1200.5thanks for the infoCGOFS::EDMENGWed Mar 15 1989 20:4118
    
    	Thanks for all the info! If I wasn't clear, I'm looking strictly
    for a surface mount unit.
    
    	What I,ve gathered from your replies is:
    	  1) the Washburn Wonderbar and the Kahler are both surface
             mount units. Anyone else make surface mounts?  
    	  2) the Wonderbar has holes on both sides so it can be put
             on either a lefty or a righty guitar,
    	  3) the Kahler is available in a left-handed model
    
    	BTW, does anyone know if any company makes a strat bridge with
    fine tuners only (no trem)?
    	Also, who makes the lever, or "cam lock" nut?
    
    thanks again
    -bs
              
1200.6or = for ...pah, you knew that anyway!CHEFS::DALLISONa slip of the tongueThu Mar 16 1989 06:125
    
    How much would one expect to pay or a Kahler over in the states
    ??
    
    -Tony
1200.7Non-Trem KahlerAQUA::ROSTDWI,favorite pastime of the average guyThu Mar 16 1989 10:0610
    
    Re: .5
    
    Kahler has advertised a non-trem bridge but I have never seen one in a
    store.  Have your local Kahler dealer check a price list. 
    
    I think the Wonderbar may be discontinued so if you want one, you
    should go look for one quick.
    
    
1200.8DNEAST::BOTTOM_DAVIDDeeper in DebtThu Mar 16 1989 11:3511
    An number of manufacturers make the no-allen wrench nuts, Kahler
    is one, shaller is another and numerous others clones. They can
    be expensive; I've seen as high as $60 for the nuts and as low as
    $30.
    
    Kahler is a pseudo-surface mount, you've got to rout a pretty good
    sized hole for it to sit in, you just don't have to go all the way
    through the guitar like you do with a Floyd rose. The Wonderbar,
    on the other hand, requires no routing.
    
    dbii
1200.9ASAHI::COOPERComputers...All they ever think of is hex...Thu Mar 16 1989 16:374
    Kahlers retail for about $120... A little more if ya want black
    chrome or some funky finish...
    
    jc
1200.10Wonderbar questionsDEMING::CLARKEverybody wants all of my timeThu Mar 16 1989 17:445
    Which music stores in this (central MA) area carry the Wonderbar?
    How much is one? Do they come in black? Chrome? Paisley?
    
    -Thanks - Dave
   
1200.11from over the pond?CGOFS::EDMENGThu Mar 16 1989 20:316
    
    
    Re .10
    
    	Gee, did you happen to be the leader of a hot five piece band
    back in the '60's ? ^8)
1200.12DEMING::CLARKEverybody wants all of my timeFri Mar 17 1989 12:336
    re .-1
    
    Actually, people have been asking me that since about 1964
    (when I was 7). Nope, different guy.
    
    -Dave
1200.13ASAHI::COOPERComputers...All they ever think of is hex...Fri Mar 17 1989 13:149
    Paisley trem unit !
    
    Agagagagagagagagagaaaa...  That would be *different*  Maybe paisley
    chrome ?   ;^)
    
    I thought I heard someone say that the Wonderbar is no longer in
    production.  But (and I'm in SC) I'd try McDuffs, Daddy's and
    Wurlies.
    jc