2-point trems are in and double locking trems are... less in than before. Why?

[Hollowway]

That seems right to me. But that doesn't necessarily mean that there are less FR guitars. It's perfectly possible that there are just as many FR-equipped guitars nowadays as there were ten years ago. It could just be the case that guitar makers are also putting out more guitars with two-point trems.

I think you’re arguing both sides of the issue. If they are making the same number of guitars with Floyds, but are also putting out more guitars with two point trems, then they are either moving away from Floyds or from hard tail bridges. If a brand used to make 10 guitars, 3 with Floyds, and are now making 20 guitars, but only 3 have Floyds, and now another 3 have two point trems, then that matches the OPs argument.

That said, there’s no way to know where the overall market is moving without knowing the percentage of Floyd’s on guitars now vs 10 years ago. But, as a Floyd user, I definitely see less guitars with them, and more with the two point trems. Maybe I’m imagining it, but that’s what it feels like.

 

[KnightBrolaire]

I bought a DC727FR with plans to learn whammy tricks. I did not learn whammy tricks.

 

[CTID]

i have 0 tuning stability issues on my 2-point trem and don't have to unlock the nut to switch from B standard to drop A

to each their own

 

[budda]

@KnightBrolaire I had bought "riders of the plague" by The Absence and desperately wanted to play those lead lines. I can't sweep nor dive nor flutter before or after that decision .

 

[Estilo]

If you live where I live where good luthiers are scarce, and the better ones inconsistent, a Floyd has its place in that if you tune down, you don't have to worry about filing the nut. The bridge can be blocked if you can't be arsed about locking the nut, and I'd wager most here don't use the trem bar.

That said, have we consensus on how to best block Floyd type bridges? I know the idea is to wedge it on both up and down pitch sides but I haven't figured out how to keep the wedges there non-moving.

 

[Alsvartr]

Give me lopro edge or give me death

 

[jaxadam]

wtf is a 2 pt trm kthxbai

 

[jephjacques]

to answer the OP: polyphia, and guitar dads on youtube/instagram, is why everyone is into 2-point trems nowadays.

to answer the derail: my JP15's 2-point trem is 99.5% as good at holding tune as my floyd'd guitars, even if I spend an hour doing stupid trem gymnastics. I think that guitar just has a really well-done nut. But I still prefer Floyds because I'm used to working with them and I've had plenty of (very fancy) guitars with 2-point trems that did not compare nearly as well.

Currently trying to fight off the urge to get an Aristides with a Floyd. I do not need another guitar. I do not need another guitar. I do not need another etc etc

 

[tedtan]

wtf is a 2 pt trm kthxbai

A Floyd Rose.

 

[jaxadam]

A Floyd Rose.

I saw someone do about a 9 point turn in the middle of the street last night!

 

[BenjaminW]

A claw design with just a single adjustment (like Schaller Sure Claw) would help even more, as you won't get tiny discrepancies due to not being able to turn the two claw screws perfectly in sync. Single adjustment claw + built-in pull-up block = foolproof trem. At least imo.

How does a Sure Claw hold up compared to a Tremol-No? I'm definitely interested in a Sure Claw now after learning about what this is.

 

[nickgray]

How does a Sure Claw hold up compared to a Tremol-No?

I don't own either and they're also completely different things. Sure Claw is just a claw, Tremol No is a block (although you should only block it under string tension).

 

[xzacx]

i have 0 tuning stability issues on my 2-point trem and don't have to unlock the nut to switch from B standard to drop A

to each their own

Like you said, to each their own, but you most definitely can drop a step without having to unlock the nut via fine tuner.

 

[Emperoff]

i have 0 tuning stability issues on my 2-point trem and don't have to unlock the nut to switch from B standard to drop A

to each their own

You sure don't mind about the intonation of your dropped low A being completely off, either

 

[Crash Dandicoot]

I think the biggest issue with fully floating trems by far is that they don't come with a built-in block that blocks the pull-up motion. That's where all the issues come from with regards to putting them in a different tuning and all the maintenance related problems. I really think they'd be more popular and we'd see way less random people hating on FRs because they don't know how to deal with them (yep, it's as simple as blocking it). A claw design with just a single adjustment (like Schaller Sure Claw) would help even more, as you won't get tiny discrepancies due to not being able to turn the two claw screws perfectly in sync. Single adjustment claw + built-in pull-up block = foolproof trem. At least imo.

The Sophia 2:92 is what you're describing, but be prepared to sacrifice your wallet. I installed one in an ESP Horizon (paired with a Sure-Claw) and it's the bomb, but yeah - you could buy an entire used Prestige for the price.

How does a Sure Claw hold up compared to a Tremol-No? I'm definitely interested in a Sure Claw now after learning about what this is.

As mentioned, they're different things. The Sure-Claw is a really convenient, logical improvement over the traditional spring claw design and I personally recommend them 100% of the time, every time.

The Tremol-No is a neat idea and I've ran a few before in a couple guitars but the functional gain didn't seem overly worth it over a Sure-Claw - I've never removed a Sure-Claw after install, I've sold every Tremol-No I've had.

 

[nickgray]

The Sophia 2:92 is what you're describing

I will forever associate this trem with DirtyPuma

 

[jaxadam]

I will forever associate this trem with DirtyPuma

🤜 🤛

 

[Robslalaina]

You sure don't mind about the intonation of your dropped low A being completely off, either

Plus I don't get it: unless your 2 point trem is decked/dive-only, not having pads that take 10 secs to unlock doesn't change the fact that going drop A will make every other string go out of tune and mess up your trem angle... Or perhaps CTID's trem is indeed decked or dive-only, which you cannot fairly compare to a floating Floyd.

 

[Kyle Jordan]

Currently trying to fight off the urge to get an Aristides with a Floyd. I do not need another guitar. I do not need another guitar. I do not need another etc etc

Yeah. You absolutely do not need anything like this:

This:

Or This:

 

[Grindspine]

double locking or death* at least when it comes to trems


I found single point trems to be a bigger pain in the ass than any floyd to maintain, especially if I was using the bar relatively frequently. Less of a problem with locking tuners and a decent nut, but I just prefer the feel of a floyd if I'm going to use a trem loaded guitar. I had a guitar with one of the hipshot roller trems that felt really smooth and fluttered well, but it just couldn't hold tuning as well as a good setup floyd can tbh.

Kahlers are acceptable but not my favorite. The kahler loaded guitar I have currently sucks at staying in tune, but I love how low profile it is, and how much adjustment range it has on the fine tuners.

Kahlers are definitely less popular than they were in the eighties. They were actually competition for Floyd back then.

I really want to see a single point trem. That would be a pretty fine balancing act!

i have 0 tuning stability issues on my 2-point trem and don't have to unlock the nut to switch from B standard to drop A

to each their own

Like you said, to each their own, but you most definitely can drop a step without having to unlock the nut via fine tuner.

Yeah, if set up with room on the fine tuners, tuning can be changed on a floating bridge. However, if someone is changing tuning a lot, then yeah, a fixed bridge with a non-locking nut is more ideal. With any trem, if you are changing tuning, you'll have to rebalance the bridge unless you have it blocked anyway.

I like Floyds, Edges, Gotohs, PRS trems, and Hipshot style; they all have their place.

I honestly still kinda hate Fender tremolos and Gibson TOM bridges though. The modern choices are just superior ergonomically and stability-wise. That also has a lot to do with the headstock, tuner, and nut design and finish though. A well-made nut with correct break angles and quality tuners (locking or non-locking) makes a world of difference.