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Post subject: Wilkinson/Gotoh VSVG Vintage Tremolo
Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2012 3:20 am
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I am thinking about swapping out my synchronized tremolo on my MIM Strat for the Wilkinson/Gotoh VSVG Vintage Tremolo and was wondering if anyone has experience with that piece on thier Strat.

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Post subject: Re: Wilkinson/Gotoh VSVG Vintage Tremolo
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2012 10:21 am
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Hi tomhintz: I've always liked Wilkinson's top end bridges, ever since the VS50 and VS100. Currently the two-point VS401 is my favourite vibrato bridge on the market; I think the VS401V is the same model but with "vintage" styled saddles, which are also very cool and twangy. And if I'm understanding the numbering system right (it does get a bit confusing!) I believe the VSV400 is essentially the same model but with vintage saddles and the six-screw pivot system.

The VSVG is a little more traditional looking but has most of the features of the ones I've mentioned and I'm sure is every bit as good. The only thing I don't know about the VSVG is whether it has the little screw that allows you to adjust the looseness of the trem arm: I like that detail a lot as I think it's nice to be able to choose whether the arm falls away when you let go of it, or stays put, or just stays put but swings out the way at the flick of a pinky, which is the way I like mine. That screw adjuster is obviously not vital but it's nice to have, and I would check that the VSVG has it before buying. Otherwise I'd buy the VS401V or VSV400.

But before you do a much more important thing you must check is the spacing of the six screws on your existing bridge. The Wilkinson is built for the screws to be 56 mm from centre to centre of the two outer screws - like this:

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That is the placement of the screws on US spec Strats. That measurement used to be different on older MIM Strats, though I think it might have changed in recent years - but I don't know for sure. So you MUST measure your guitar yourself to avoid disappointment.

The VSVG will not fit a different screw spacing, so if yours is not 56 mm don't bother: you'll just be disappointed.

By the way, you may read that the elongated middle four screw holes on some of those Wilkinson bridges is so that they can accommodated different screw spacings. Be advised: it isn't. I know because Trev Wilkinson told me. The screw holes are like that to prevent the slight binding issue that sometimes can happen on traditional Fender style trem plates. It works well for that - but you must have the correct screw spacing to begin with!

Any more questions, gissa shout.

Good luck - C

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Post subject: Re: Wilkinson/Gotoh VSVG Vintage Tremolo
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2012 10:28 am
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Very cool! I will check the screw spacing when I go up to the office to make some noise.
Thanks for the info!

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Post subject: Re: Wilkinson/Gotoh VSVG Vintage Tremolo
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 9:19 am
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OK, so I got the Wilkinson/Gotoh tremolo but no setup instructions. am I to assume that the spring tension and block movement are the same as per the Fender spec for their stock tremolo? Gotoh makes nice stuff but is totally useless when you need info like instructions or setup stuff from them.
Any ideas?

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Post subject: Re: Wilkinson/Gotoh VSVG Vintage Tremolo
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 9:31 am
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Hi Tom: yes, when it comes to instructions with their bridge sets Gotoh are a little on the sparse side. But don't worry, as far as spring tension and so forth are concerned set up is exactly the same as Fender bridges. Provided your six-screw spacing is the same then it is designed to be a drop-in replacement.

If you have further problems just let us know and I can pull out one of the appropriate bridges from my parts hoard and take some illustrative photos, if that would help. For instance, do you see how the saddles adjust and lock? That's pretty neat...

Cheers - C

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Post subject: Re: Wilkinson/Gotoh VSVG Vintage Tremolo
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 9:39 am
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Thanks!
The screw spacing was just off but I was able toelongatee the already elongated screw slots and it drops in with no bind.
I do see the saddle setup and it does look very cool. I'll go stick it in and lay with the setup a bit and see how it goes.
Thanks again!

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Post subject: Re: Wilkinson/Gotoh VSVG Vintage Tremolo
Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2012 6:05 am
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I have the tremolo installed and tuned up. so far all seems well. I will play it for a few days to make sure the new strings are stretched out and then see how it reacts to dive bombing a little!

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Post subject: Re: Wilkinson/Gotoh VSVG Vintage Tremolo
Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2012 12:13 pm
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Great job. Keep us posted - and enjoy!

Cheers - C

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Post subject: Re: Wilkinson/Gotoh VSVG Vintage Tremolo
Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2012 8:30 am
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I have the Wilkinson tremolo installed and have been pretty much beating up the whammy bar for three days now and it keeps returning to tune! I really doubted that installing this piece would make that much difference but it did. I have more sustain also and intonation is as perfect as I can hear or see on the electronic tuner. See the link below for the full review and test video.

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

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Post subject: Re: Wilkinson/Gotoh VSVG Vintage Tremolo
Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2012 8:48 am
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Hi Tom: well that's great news!

Personally, I only use a trem for light shimmer so I have seldom subjected my bridges to the kind of road test you've put yours through. Nice to hear it stands up!

Cool bridges. And a good job by you too. Enjoy! 8)

Cheers - C

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Post subject: Re: Wilkinson/Gotoh VSVG Vintage Tremolo
Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2012 8:55 am
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I don't use the tremolo much either but I knew people would be asking how it holds up so thought I'd beat it up some to find out!

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Post subject: Re: Wilkinson/Gotoh VSVG Vintage Tremolo
Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2015 8:28 am
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I'm about to embark on this same "blackout Strat" project with a 2014 Fender FSR Strat from MF. I believe it's the same body as the Standard model (MIM). Do you think the VSVG will work with this guitar? I'm REALLY nervous about messing something up. So far I am going to change out the nut, tuners, neck plate, bridge and output jack with all black hardware. The body and pickguard are also black and it has a maple fretboard.


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Post subject: Re: Wilkinson/Gotoh VSVG Vintage Tremolo
Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2015 8:36 am
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I have the Wilkinson VS401 on my Partscaster and love it!

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