Wilkinson trems - Original vs. Gotoh

Drew · 09-13-2007, 02:45 PM

Ok, I've meant to throw one of these on my strat, like, forever. The current trem pretty much blows, and I'm not really digging the graphite saddles that much.

So, has anyone had any experiece with either of these?

Original Wilkinson - from Carvin.
No word on what it's made out of, but it IS entirely heat treated. Steel of some sort. An attractive matte chrome.

Gotoh Wilkinson - from Warmoth
The studs, saddles, and trem arm are stainless. No word on the base plate/knife edges. Ibanez Edge-style locking studs, which are cool, but would also necessitate swapping out the trem stud screw in part, whereas with the Original there's at least an outside chance it'll be a drop-in fit with the supplied studs simply screwing in where the Fenders had been.

Cosmetically, I slightly prefer the original, but I'm more concerned with 1.) how easy it'll be to install, 2.) how well the knife edges will hold up, and 3.) the tonal differences between stainless saddles and heat-treated saddles. Anyone had experience with either?

EDIT - this came up on Jemsite a while ago, and over there someone was recommending the Gotoh as the best version available. Thoughts either way?

F1Filter · 09-14-2007, 07:36 AM

My Fernandes came equipped with one. I finally had to replace it after about 5 years of HEAVY whammy abuse. But it never gave me any problems. I think the original was a Gotoh? It came with locking studs. The replacement is also a Gotoh, and it's been just fine so far (2 months in).

If I had a complaint about the design. It would be that you need 2 different sized allen wrenches to adjust the saddles. One to make the height/intonation adjustments, and another size to "lock" the saddle into it's position. But other than that, it's pretty much a solid design. Works great with locking tuners.

Drew · 09-14-2007, 04:19 PM

That's par for the course for an Edge too though, so I'm used to it.

How'd you finally wear it out?

NDG · 09-14-2007, 09:37 PM

Not sure if this would be a welcome suggestion, but maybe it'd be an easy fit.

Hipshot Tremolo at Stewart-MacDonald

I can't say I've had a lot of experience with any of these products, but I've heard good things about all of them.

dpm · 09-14-2007, 09:58 PM

IMO the Gotoh is superior. As well as the benefits already mentioned it has the each saddle's height screws running in grooves to prevent lateral movement - something the original didn't have.

You can probably reuse your Am Std. studs/screws if you don't mind losing the locking feature.

msherman · 09-16-2007, 10:02 PM

I have an original Wilkinson trem that is brand new, but it`s missing the posts, and arm. I figured I`d throw that out there if someone needs it? I have no use for it.

Drew · 09-17-2007, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpm

IMO the Gotoh is superior. As well as the benefits already mentioned it has the each saddle's height screws running in grooves to prevent lateral movement - something the original didn't have.

You can probably reuse your Am Std. studs/screws if you don't mind losing the locking feature.

Hmm, that actually is an awesome upgrade.

I probably won't make this swap until after I get back from India, but looks like the Gotoh it is...

Drew · 11-27-2007, 05:08 PM

Just ordered a Gotoh Wilkinson. I've been curious to try one of these basically forever, and for $90 it's worth taking a chance on. Thoughts to come after it shows up and I install it.

mrp5150 · 11-27-2007, 05:13 PM

I have a Wilkinson on my Carvin Bolt and it's pretty sweet. Nice balance between a Floyd and the crappy stock Strat style bridges that I personally don't like at all.

Vegetta · 11-28-2007, 09:04 AM

if you can find one

ESP flicker 2 (or 3)

Awesome whammy - built like a tank Brass - stainless coated

ESP | Parts | Custom Lab | FLICKER-III

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09-13-2007, 02:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
Drew Fear the Polo! • Super Moderator • Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Somerville, MA Posts: 29,955 Real Name: Call me Ahab... Main Seven: 1991 Ibanez UV7PWH Main ERG: Sherman 5-string bass Rig: Mesa Recto-verb 50 Thanked: 154	Wilkinson trems - Original vs. Gotoh Ok, I've meant to throw one of these on my strat, like, forever. The current trem pretty much blows, and I'm not really digging the graphite saddles that much. So, has anyone had any experiece with either of these? Original Wilkinson - from Carvin. No word on what it's made out of, but it IS entirely heat treated. Steel of some sort. An attractive matte chrome. Gotoh Wilkinson - from Warmoth The studs, saddles, and trem arm are stainless. No word on the base plate/knife edges. Ibanez Edge-style locking studs, which are cool, but would also necessitate swapping out the trem stud screw in part, whereas with the Original there's at least an outside chance it'll be a drop-in fit with the supplied studs simply screwing in where the Fenders had been. Cosmetically, I slightly prefer the original, but I'm more concerned with 1.) how easy it'll be to install, 2.) how well the knife edges will hold up, and 3.) the tonal differences between stainless saddles and heat-treated saddles. Anyone had experience with either? EDIT - this came up on Jemsite a while ago, and over there someone was recommending the Gotoh as the best version available. Thoughts either way? "...and everything under the sun is in tune, but the sun is eclipsed by the moon."

09-14-2007, 07:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
F1Filter Noise Generator Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA & Queens, NY Posts: 460 Main Seven: Jackson CS Soloist 7 Rig: Bunch of VST plugins Thanked: 21 $F1Filter is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $F1Filter is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $F1Filter is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $F1Filter is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $F1Filter is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $F1Filter is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $F1Filter is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$	My Fernandes came equipped with one. I finally had to replace it after about 5 years of HEAVY whammy abuse. But it never gave me any problems. I think the original was a Gotoh? It came with locking studs. The replacement is also a Gotoh, and it's been just fine so far (2 months in). If I had a complaint about the design. It would be that you need 2 different sized allen wrenches to adjust the saddles. One to make the height/intonation adjustments, and another size to "lock" the saddle into it's position. But other than that, it's pretty much a solid design. Works great with locking tuners. "We are not going to do a free-form jazz exploration in front of a festival crowd!"

11-28-2007, 09:04 AM	#10 (permalink)
Vegetta ss.org Regular Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Near Morgantown WV Posts: 2,261 Real Name: Rick Main Seven: cb rg1527 Rig: ADA mp1/ SpiderII Thanked: 15	if you can find one ESP flicker 2 (or 3) Awesome whammy - built like a tank Brass - stainless coated ESP \| Parts \| Custom Lab \| FLICKER-III this space for rent

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09-14-2007, 04:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
Drew Fear the Polo! • Super Moderator • Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Somerville, MA Posts: 29,955 Real Name: Call me Ahab... Main Seven: 1991 Ibanez UV7PWH Main ERG: Sherman 5-string bass Rig: Mesa Recto-verb 50 Thanked: 154	That's par for the course for an Edge too though, so I'm used to it. How'd you finally wear it out?

09-14-2007, 09:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
NDG Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 539 Main Seven: Schecter C7 Blackjack Thanked: 15 / 1	Not sure if this would be a welcome suggestion, but maybe it'd be an easy fit. Hipshot Tremolo at Stewart-MacDonald I can't say I've had a lot of experience with any of these products, but I've heard good things about all of them.

09-14-2007, 09:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
dpm RnB causes cancer Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Posts: 2,786 Real Name: Dan Main Seven: Old UV Main ERG: Oni 8 string Rig: modded Laney VC50 Thanked: 18	IMO the Gotoh is superior. As well as the benefits already mentioned it has the each saddle's height screws running in grooves to prevent lateral movement - something the original didn't have. You can probably reuse your Am Std. studs/screws if you don't mind losing the locking feature.

09-16-2007, 10:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
msherman Sherman Guitars Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Connecticut Posts: 962 Real Name: Mike Thanked: 33	I have an original Wilkinson trem that is brand new, but it`s missing the posts, and arm. I figured I`d throw that out there if someone needs it? I have no use for it.

11-27-2007, 05:08 PM	#8 (permalink)
Drew Fear the Polo! • Super Moderator • Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Somerville, MA Posts: 29,955 Real Name: Call me Ahab... Main Seven: 1991 Ibanez UV7PWH Main ERG: Sherman 5-string bass Rig: Mesa Recto-verb 50 Thanked: 154	Just ordered a Gotoh Wilkinson. I've been curious to try one of these basically forever, and for $90 it's worth taking a chance on. Thoughts to come after it shows up and I install it.

11-27-2007, 05:13 PM	#9 (permalink)
mrp5150 Chaosweaver Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Greensburg, PA Posts: 803 Real Name: Mark Rig: Gibson V - DSL 401 Thanked: 25	I have a Wilkinson on my Carvin Bolt and it's pretty sweet. Nice balance between a Floyd and the crappy stock Strat style bridges that I personally don't like at all.


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Wilkinson trems - Original vs. Gotoh