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Post subject: Re: Super Vee Blade Runner
Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2011 8:23 am
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ny_byooboy wrote:
kingofesquire wrote:
That thing is UGLYYYYYYYY!

Have you seen either of them, up close, in person, on a guitar, and tried them. Just wondering... :wink:



Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. While I'm sure that the Super Vee is a great product in terms of function, I'm not a fan of its looks either. It kind of reminds me of the Elite vibrato or one of these locking trems that Fender used on their MIJ Contemporary Series Strats. Being that I'm not a heavy whammy bar user, I'd probably consider the Blade Runner instead.


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Post subject: Re: Super Vee Blade Runner
Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2011 8:59 am
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93greenstrat wrote:
ny_byooboy wrote:
kingofesquire wrote:
That thing is UGLYYYYYYYY!

Have you seen either of them, up close, in person, on a guitar, and tried them. Just wondering... :wink:



Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. While I'm sure that the Super Vee is a great product in terms of function, I'm not a fan of its looks either. It kind of reminds me of the Elite vibrato or one of these locking trems that Fender used on their MIJ Contemporary Series Strats. Being that I'm not a heavy whammy bar user, I'd probably consider the Blade Runner instead.

I dig wha'cha saying.

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Post subject: Re: Super Vee Blade Runner
Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2011 9:05 am
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southflsteve wrote:
That's not the Blade Runner. I guess what you have they simply call the Super-Vee. Same company, I'm sure it's good but the OP was asking about the Blade Runner.


Good point. Just showing some Luv. The company (IMO) delivers two, solidly crafted tremelo systems. And I'm not saying this because I get anything from these guys.

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Post subject: Re: Super Vee Blade Runner
Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2011 4:20 pm
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No i havent and thats my question will the blade runner compete with fenders deluxe locking tremolo?

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Post subject: Re: Super Vee Blade Runner
Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2011 5:01 pm
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djwhitjr wrote:
Correct I was wondering about the Blade Runner. Specifically if it works as advertised or if it was a gimmick / waste of money. Although I do appreciate NY's response.

No problem Bro, I dig it too... 8)

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Post subject: Re: Super Vee Blade Runner
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 6:09 am
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I just got a brand new one for this strat. The one on it was a little worn, not to bad. I kept the older one for parts.
My concern is for the future since they make no more parts for it and fender does not stock parts for it. I found this out after fender sent me on about a month long wild goose chase.
So i am concerned as to what kind of tremolo my next deluxe will have. Many places list them still on the web but have no stock.
One fender dealer said a generic one is coming out but I have yet to see it.

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Post subject: Re: Super Vee Blade Runner
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 6:11 am
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donnycraven wrote:
No I haven't, and that's my question, will the blade runner be able to compete with fenders deluxe locking tremolo?


Awe Bro, "Don't damn the soup until it taste like hell." :wink:

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Post subject: Re: Super Vee Blade Runner
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 9:09 am
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I went to that link they are sold out too.

Im certainly not condeming the blade runner or the super vee. I am interested in both. I was going to try a blade runner but then a new deluxe locking trem came on ebay so i grabbed it instead going with my oem fender part.

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Post subject: Re: Super Vee Blade Runner
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 4:54 pm
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I like the trem on my PRS. Something else to think about now.


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Post subject: Re: Super Vee Blade Runner
Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 4:55 am
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Hi there,

I fitted a Bladerunner to a 1993 Strat Plus about 6 months ago. Reason being that the 2 bridge inserts had gradually 'bent' over in the body, as if string tension had dragged the trem unit towards the neck because the body wood isn't hard enough. Obviously intonation was shot. As I use 9's tuned to E flat that's a little disappointing. I'd already drilled/glued/wood-filled/re-drilled the holes, achieving success but still a bit worried about it happening again.

I then spotted the Bladerunner (expensive in the UK!) and bought the version which attaches with 4 screws, using 4 of the 6 screws as per Strat vintage trem. I wood-filled the 2 original holes again, drilled the 4 new holes and screwed it on. Complete cure! Will now give pro's and con's...

Pro's...

1. Normally very easy to fit. Even as I did it - on what was basically a virgin body - it wasn't difficult. Fit a scratchplate, line the Bladerunner up against a 1/32" spacer between it and the scratchplate, mark and drill the holes. Normally it'd be a 5-minute job while you've got the strings off.

2. Despite reservations about the fulcrum being a piece of spring steel - which you'd think MUST break after a few years, it doesn't actually bend very much at all, so doesn't look to be a problem. Because the 'baseplate' is screwed directly to the body and not floating above it, less movement is needed at the saddles to achieve the same bend. Difficult to explain, but ultimately less arm movement is needed. Which is just as well because the trem block isn't relieved (as per Fender block) and fouls the trem cavity sooner than you'd like. Take it from me this isn't a problem, though. It's not a Floyd, after all, and not meant to be.

3. Even at a reasonably close inspection, it looks like a vintage Strat trem with 2 screws missing. Certainly won't annoy you every time you look at it!

4. Subject to comments in cons below, it works VERY well. You can really 'feel' the notes resonating through the arm, sustain is great and trem action is very nice and smooth. Considering I bought this more as a repair than a mod, I'm VERY pleased with it! The Strat Plus has locking tuners and roller nut, so stability is perfect.

Con's...

1. No mounting screws are supplied. A minor point but VERY annoying as you can't fit the thing to a virgin body if you don't happen to have suitable screws. Normally you'd use the screws from the vintage Strat trem, or buy the SV kit for the 2-post fitment. But 4 screws would be nice - and cheap!

2. The nylon screw that fits into the back of the trem block, allowing adjustment of arm tension, sounds good in theory but I found that it unscrews by itself when moving the arm. SV suggested distorting (ie: damaging) the screw threads to tighten it up, also oiling the screw end. I did the latter but not the former. But I soon just screwed the nylon screw up tight. Now it doesn't move and the arm tension is right for me, although it will wear to become too loose over the years, I expect. I suggested to SV that they should merely use a smartened-up version of the Strat system of a blind hole and spring, which I think works well enough. Cheaper to make as well.

3. Trem action is quite stiff, even when using the minimum 2 springs. This is of course down to personal taste, and I've got used to it, but the option of a very 'light touch' isn't there if you do happen to want that.

So to conclude, it's nicely made, looks good and works fine. I'd just ditch the nylon screw idea if I was making it - I expect to have to mod this eventually! I have an engineering background so it won't be hard, but the average person would be stuck with a swinging arm...

Cheers - Peter.


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Post subject: Re: Super Vee Blade Runner
Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 5:49 pm
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Great review Peter and much appreciated. Merry Christmas and happy holidays to everyone.


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Post subject: Re: Super Vee Blade Runner
Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 9:22 am
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Yes fantastic review, answers alot of my questions. Thank you! :)

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Post subject: Re: Super Vee Blade Runner
Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2012 4:24 am
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Hi there. Here's an update to my review of the SuperVee Bladerunner.

Since my review, after a fair bit of use the trem arm has developed the play I thought it might. There seemed to be various ways to deal with this, but I decided the introduction of the small spring under Fender trem arms was favourite. They cost very little so any mod wasn't going to add much to the overall cost of the system.

After removing the arm, the easiest way I found was to (1) unscrew the nylon 'locking screw' from the back of the SV block, (2) drill out the existing hole (in the screw) slightly so that the Fender spring fits nicely, then drop the spring in, lightly greased, (3) cut about 1/8" off the 'extension' on SV trem arm (less is more here - you can always cut a bit more off if necessary), (4) screw the nylon screw back fully into the block (now with Fender spring fitted), and wind the arm back in to taste - now against the spring as per Am Std.

This can be done without even removing the strings and takes 15 minutes! You may have to trim a little more from the SV arm extension/prong, and if you cut too much off it's not terminal (just pack the Fender spring out a bit, within the nylon screw) but I found 1/8" was about right.

I also removed a trem spring so am now down to one spring of the strongest variety I could find. Have screwed the claw up to allow for this. Looks a bit odd and even now the arm's not what you'd call soft, but it's better for me than 2 springs. I don't think you could do this with, say, 10-46's in standard pitch - you wouldn't be able to screw the claw up far enough - but because I use 9-42's tuned down a step, it's fine.

I have to say the SV is nicely made, easy to install and works well. If you prefer a stiff-ish arm action you'll like it with 2 or 3 springs. I think the inbuilt resistance of the spring-steel pivot means that you'll never get a soft action, but this is of course down to taste.

The downside for me is the nylon screw arrangement, intended to allow for arm tension adjustments. As per my original review, I believe this is unnecessary and over-engineered. The Am Std system (tapped hole with spring) is just as good and cheaper to make.

Yes, the Am Std's develop play as well, but I feel the small spring lessens the effect of that play. We'll see how my 'repair' works out, but I'd say it's now just as good as the Am Std. Probably no better, as although the diameter of the SV trem arm/screw thread is bigger and therefore tougher than the Fender, the arm needs a harder waggle so will wear the mating parts quicker.

If you refer back to my original review, you'll see my fitment was more by way of a repair than modification. I'm not sure now that I wouldn't have preferred to fit a Fender vintage type trem instead. The 6 pivot screws would no doubt cure the 'pulling' stud/insert problem I had with the 2 post trem. I could still do this, but am I right in believing that the vintage trem might not suit/fit a Strat Plus? Because of string spacing or something?

Anyway, for now I want to get a bit more out of the SV. It sounds good and cost too much to dump so quickly!

Cheers - Peter.


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Post subject: Re: Super Vee Blade Runner
Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 2:45 pm
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This is how the Super Vee Bladerunner looks like. Not ugly at all if you ask me?


[url]Image[/url]


I do not agree with your review; to me its a much better unit and it has non of the problems the Fender American standard tremolo has - least of all their tremolo arm from hell that wobbles like a cradle - even if you do drop their "spring" in the threaded arm receiving hole (I say "spring" because it is nothing more then thick black wire that does NOT act like a spring at all - once you turn your trem arm a little to far down into the arm receiving hole it gets compressed by the arm..result? Your trem arm rocks like before and or the damn thing gets stuck in the block never to come out again. Or you turn the trem arm out and the little sucker drops out of the trem arm hole without you noticing it and you have to insert a new one once you do notice...which is what Fender likes as they sell these in package of 5 or 6! And some here say the Bladerunner is ugly...really? It looks perfect to me. Almost vintage correct. YMMV.


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Post subject: Re: Super Vee Blade Runner
Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 11:35 pm
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ny_byooboy wrote:
I just couldn't understand how Jimi, and Stevie Ray where able to do what they did and stay in tune (But then again, another fact which sets them apart from most good players)I left it alone.



"Only cowboys stay in tune" - Hendrix at Woodstock. He was apologizing for having to tune his guitar so much between songs. And if you watch many of his other concerts and/or bootlegs, you'll hear it wasn't that uncommon for his guitar to be noticeably out of tune. It was especially glaring on tunes such as Little Wing in various concerts.

SRV on the other hand was almost always in tune, but he also had a super guitar tech with him who had a few tricks up his sleeves.

I'm not even a 1/3rd of the guitar player that SRV or Jimi were, but I can say that I've never had a problem with my stock strats going out of tune when going to town on the tremolo bar. I think a big part of it is having it set up a particular way. Using 5 springs with the bridge flush(but not too hard) against the body helps in a big way. One thing I hate about a floating bridge is when a string breaks or you are bending a string while the top strings are resonating, they all tend to detune. Doesn't happen with 5 springs and a bridge that's flush against the body.

Just food for thought from my limited experience.


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