[noodles]

I still don't understand why Floyd will not switch to a universal base plate design. Then, the difference between a lefty and righty would simply be a matter of which side to put the bar on. I understand that a lot of people have their CNC machines set for that route, but in the seven string world, only two manufacturers offer them standard: Caparison and Schecter. More would if they'd make more, but I digress.

[heffergm]

Does Floyd Rose even do any real design work anymore? I get the impression that they've just kind of melted into the background getting fat off licensing their patents. Which is all well and good.... until the patents expire.

[ibznorange]

Originally Posted by noodles

I still don't understand why Floyd will not switch to a universal base plate design. Then, the difference between a lefty and righty would simply be a matter of which side to put the bar on. I understand that a lot of people have their CNC machines set for that route, but in the seven string world, only two manufacturers offer them standard: Caparison and Schecter. More would if they'd make more, but I digress.

Dave... want... change... floyd?

[Drew]

I can live with that.

[noodles]

Originally Posted by heffergm

Does Floyd Rose even do any real design work anymore? I get the impression that they've just kind of melted into the background getting fat off licensing their patents. Which is all well and good.... until the patents expire.

The biggest design change they had made was the Speedloader. Still, they have very much taken a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach. There is nothing out there that out performs the OFR, so why change?

Patents run out after 20 years, which is why you no longer see the "licensed under" bit on Ibanez trems. The price of the OFR bridges actually dropped significantly about five years back, since Floyd knew the patents were running out. That bridge also has about ten patents, and he never licensed more than about four of them to any manufacturer, ensuring that no one would ever produce a bridge that could stand up to the real thing. Now, over twenty years later, the manufacturers are so tied to their current designs that it makes no financial sense for them to change. Plus, building the real thing is expensive.

[Stitch]

Originally Posted by ibznorange

Dave... want... change... floyd?

He'll be playing basswood Ibanez's in no time.

[Drew]

Originally Posted by noodles

The biggest design change they had made was the Speedloader. Still, they have very much taken a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach. There is nothing out there that out performs the OFR, so why change?

Patents run out after 20 years, which is why you no longer see the "licensed under" bit on Ibanez trems. The price of the OFR bridges actually dropped significantly about five years back, since Floyd knew the patents were running out. That bridge also has about ten patents, and he never licensed more than about four of them to any manufacturer, ensuring that no one would ever produce a bridge that could stand up to the real thing. Now, over twenty years later, the manufacturers are so tied to their current designs that it makes no financial sense for them to change. Plus, building the real thing is expensive.

Erm, funny you mentioned that. I could be wrong (I'll need to researtch at Jemsite), but I think part of the reason we saw the new Edge Pro was that the dies were running out, but also that the patent was up and Ibanez wanted to introduce a new trem to try to get around some of the patents. Floyd sued, and won, which is why there are liscensed stickers on the edge pro now.

This could be way off base, but it was one of the rumours I heard going around.

[noodles]

Originally Posted by Drew

Erm, funny you mentioned that. I could be wrong (I'll need to research at Jemsite), but I think part of the reason we saw the new Edge Pro was that the dies were running out, but also that the patent was up and Ibanez wanted to introduce a new trem to try to get around some of the patents. Floyd sued, and won, which is why there are licensed stickers on the edge pro now.

This could be way off base, but it was one of the rumors I heard going around.

Odd. I'm not sure where you go to research a patent, but I do know that they have a life of twenty years. Considering the first Floyds started popping up on Kramers back in the very early eighties, then the patents--there are roughly ten--should be all run out by now.

Either way, you noted a significant difference between Floyd Roses and Edges Pros. Dies are used to cast the Edge Pros, while Floyd Roses are machined out of billet steel.

[noodles]

Originally Posted by Stitch

He'll be playing basswood Ibanez's in no time.

I'm going to also sell my Mesa for a PODxt, and start dumbing down my playing.

[eaeolian]

Originally Posted by noodles

Odd. I'm not sure where you go to research a patent, but I do know that they have a life of twenty years. Considering the first Floyds started popping up on Kramers back in the very early eighties, then the patents--there are roughly ten--should be all run out by now.

Either way, you noted a significant difference between Floyd Roses and Edges Pros. Dies are used to cast the Edge Pros, while Floyd Roses are machined out of billet steel.

The LoPro patents weren't done until 1988 or so, IIRC.