I'm looking at a few different Strats and they have different tremolo systems. Wondering what you think is the best system for a Strat? Pro's and cons, all opinions appreciated.

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Scott

I have always prefered the original tried and true system of 6 hold-down screws on the bridge plate.A lot of people prefer the newer 2 main screw systems but where I had been using the old system for years before the new ones came along,I had grown used to that and found adjustments on it less complicated than any other system.I find that the old system can be fine-tuned better than the newer one too,but then again that may have something to do with my being so used to it.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

What style of music will you use the guitar for?

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"The individual is handicapped by coming face to face with a Conspiracy so monstrous he cannot believe it exists. The American mind simply has not come to a realization of the evil which has been introduced into our midst." J. Edgar Hoover

Two point float, 6 point don't. Well, kinda. They made the 2 point system to float more. If I had my choice of any system I would replace a 6 point with a Super-Vee (Bladerunner). Those look too cool to me. And also a LSR nut with classic locking height adjusted tuners, so I could remove the string tree. This is actually what I am considering doing to a strat build I have laying here unfinished.

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My ability to spell is in direct proportion to the amount of coffee I've had.

First off, the LSR nut is the roller one? I have heard a lot of people say that this is a 'tone soak'. Better option for my money would be a Graphtek self lubricating nut.
Vibratos... THE best one I've used, as long as you don't play Shadows style music, is the Falcon unit on the Levinson Blade R4 - 100% tuning stability, you can rest your hand on it, doesn't go out of tune if you snap strings and all steel, so great tone. Sadly, you can't buy the unit separately, but the whole guitar is exceptionally great. After that, for more subtle use, the two point systems for me. Haven't tried Fender's, I use ESPs variation on the theme, but there's no reason to believe the Fender one is any less capable. The old 6 pointer? Sorry Fender, I'd fit Callahan's version. It's better made, better materials, much better tone AND they put the rocking point in the right place. It's about £140 over here, not sure what that is in Mickey Mouse money (chill - ALL currency is Mickey Mouse money these days) - it's a US company, so I would expect a bit less than over here, google them for a web link.

Tuners - Sperzel staggered locking, no string trees.

In summary, as an aftermarket unit, I'd go with the Callahan all day long - it's the best vintage style one available that doesn't come with a guitar attached.

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"As long as I stay Between The Sun And My Shadow, I guess I'm doing well."

RCB-CA-USA, mostly blues based rock, so relatively light use not real aggressive. Thanks everyone for the responses so far.

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Scott

A vintage trem will be fine for light use. Make sure *all* string contact points and movable parts are cleaned and lubricated frequently. The big issue with the vintage trem is; the setup needs to be in specs and perfect, plus the strings need to be fully stretched or it will go out of tune. The only bridge that'll go beyond that is a good Callaham, Floyd Rose, or Khaler bridge, plus the ones mentioned above, but the Floyd Rose and Floyd Rose types are the most stable.

A Strat with a Floyd Rose is on my wishlist now!

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"The individual is handicapped by coming face to face with a Conspiracy so monstrous he cannot believe it exists. The American mind simply has not come to a realization of the evil which has been introduced into our midst." J. Edgar Hoover

I have a MIM Strat with the 6 point MEH nothing special.
I have an American Deluxe Strat with a 2 point trem and LSR roller nut- much better
I just installed a Super Vee Bladerunner in a MIM Strat same year as my 6 point- WOW what a difference, those things really do what they say they can!

The best trem is whichever works for you - get out there and try a few guitars with varying systems fitted! Everyone has their favourites, and some systems just suit some people a lot more than others.

For me, it's either a decent vintage style 6-screw system or a two post Wilkinson. Never really got on with other types, as much as I have tried.

I usually set any trem of mine up to be incredibly firm with the tiniest amount of upwards float - I can't stand wibbly wobbly trems which vary pitch if you breathe on them.

I put the Wilkinson/Gotoh VSVG Vintage Tremolo in my Strat as part of rebuilding a used guitar. I could never get the factory tremolo to stay in tune but the Wilkinson/Gotoh VSVG Vintage Tremolo stays tuned forever, or at least the last few months that it has been installed.
I have a review of the Wilkinson/Gotoh VSVG Vintage Tremolo at the link below if more info on it would help.

http://www.geezerguitar.com/wilktremrvu.html

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Tom Hintz, owner
Geezerguitar.com
NewWoodworker.com
NewMetalworker.com

FWIW...Since your not going to be divebombing with it, go with the 6 point vintage style, BUT make sure the block underneath the tremolo is a good quality steel one. This is MUCH more important than most folks think. The MIM 60s Classic Series Strats offer quality equal to almost all MIA strats with one exception and that is the tremolo block. The MIM uses a cast zinc block and it's mass is not up to US standards. I replaced the block on my MIM 60s Classic Series with a Fender Steel unit and the guitar sounded great before, but now it sings and the sustain is greatly increased.

T2

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What time is it? It's Fender Time.

After being a stubborn "traditionalist" for decades, I've finally come to the conclusion that the two point system properly setup (of course) is a bit superior. I don't however, go for the LSR, Wilkinson, etc. nuts.

As always, this is merely IMO where YMMV.

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You dig?

There has been some debate on here and also on other forums about the LSR nut. Some people really like it and some totally hate it but there is one thing that I do not believe can be said with any accuracy at all and that is that it sucks tone. If anything the LSR nuts allow the full tone to shine through. The nut is made of steel and therefore is far better at vibrational transmissions between string and neck than any other common nut material could ever be. It's a simple matter of the laws of physics.

There is still plenty of room to dislike the tone of the LSR nut but not because it sucks tone. The real reason some prefer the tone of other materials is probably because those other materials do suck small measures of tone to varying degrees and those people have become accustomed to it and therefore have that preference. It's fairly common knowledge that Fender guitars do not exhibit a flat frequency response and that aspect is part of their charm.

The Wilkinson over-under roller nut is another story as it has generated a number of complaints of rattling. I don't think anyone has pinned down the exact source of the rattles to the satisfaction of all concerned as debates still continue on the subject from time to time but the reports of rattling do persist regardless of the reason why.

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Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.

I have used a LSR in the past and while there might be a slightly different ring on open strings, it would be hard to tell.

I have always wanted brass nuts. (don't tell anyone)

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My ability to spell is in direct proportion to the amount of coffee I've had.

I've always wanted crystal balls so I could tell the future.

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Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.