The G&L Discussion Page

I am interested to learn about your experience with the new DFS Vibrato System.

From G&L's website I understand that the DFS Vibrato is using different materials for the Bridge Block and Bridge Saddles.

Are there any other differences? Is the form factor the same?

Many thanks in advance

-- Martin

Martin S wrote:I am interested to learn about your experience with the new DFS Vibrato System.

From G&L's website I understand that the DFS Vibrato is using different materials for the Bridge Block and Bridge Saddles.

Are there any other differences? Is the form factor the same?

Many thanks in advance

-- Martin

No other differences and the form factor is the same.

Hope this helps.

Many thanks, Craig.

Can anyone comment on the sound difference? Is it worth the upgrade?

Will there be a kit available to retrofit your existing DF trem????

I only know that it is available as an option for new guitars. See G&L USA Guitar Options under "Bridge Options".

Martin S wrote:I only know that it is available as an option for new guitars. See G&L USA Guitar Options under "Bridge Options".

It's actually not. I ordered a new guitar in Dec when that page was up, but G&L told the dealer that they are only for the 30th anniversary models now, and will be available for new guitars later this year.

scolfax wrote:

Martin S wrote:I only know that it is available as an option for new guitars. See G&L USA Guitar Options under "Bridge Options".

It's actually not. I ordered a new guitar in Dec when that page was up, but G&L told the dealer that they are only for the 30th anniversary models now, and will be available for new guitars later this year.

This is strange. I want to know if this is true.

scolfax wrote:

Martin S wrote:I only know that it is available as an option for new guitars. See G&L USA Guitar Options under "Bridge Options".

It's actually not. I ordered a new guitar in Dec when that page was up, but G&L told the dealer that they are only for the 30th anniversary models now, and will be available for new guitars later this year.

I got really sketchy info when I ordered my Legacy last Nov. I asked the dealer about it (he's a pretty small dealer who only stocks the Tributes, doesn't stock any USA models) and he asked his G&L rep, who replied to him that there was only one trem offered and it was the same design it had been for years. I thought that really odd, so I pointed out the website to the dealer. He said he'd check into it further, but I never heard one way or the other. To me, it doesn't really matter that much, I'm pretty happy with the one on my '98, so I'll be fine with whatever comes on the new one. But it didn't instill a lot of confidence in this particular rep!!

Maybe it was not available as an upgrade last November or December, but it is available now. The rep was correct that the design is still the same. The materials for the Bridge Block and Bridge Saddles are different though.

Martin S wrote:Maybe it was not available as an upgrade last November or December, but it is available now. The rep was correct that the design is still the same. The materials for the Bridge Block and Bridge Saddles are different though.

This is correct, the DFS was first introduced with the 30th Anniversary Legacy, F-100 and S-500. G&L took orders for the 30th
Anniversary models until 12/31/2010. Once they had enough DFS trems to fill those orders, they were ready to offer the DFS as
a standard option. Dave updated the Guitar Options page around January 28th which included the new DFS bridge option for trem style models.

Hope this helps.

Ok, I've seen this.. http://www.glguitars.com/features/DF-vibrato.asp


They are saying I can upgrade the parts. So, I don't see them on the g&l parts site. Am I missing something?

I'd like to upgrade these parts or possibly buy a whole new bridge system..

californiakev wrote:Ok, I've seen this.. http://www.glguitars.com/features/DF-vibrato.asp


They are saying I can upgrade the parts. So, I don't see them on the g&l parts site. Am I missing something?

I'd like to upgrade these parts or possibly buy a whole new bridge system..

The DFS bridge system is available as an option when ordering a new guitar.

The DFS Vibrato System made its debut on the 30th Anniversary F-100 and Legacy models and is optional on other USA G&L guitars.

You might check with a G&L dealer to see if they can order it separately for you.

Hope this helps.

Visually, how can one tell the difference?

Is there a stamp? Shade? Feel? Taste?

meowmix wrote:Visually, how can one tell the difference?

Is there a stamp? Shade? Feel? Taste?

The saddles on the DF Vibrato bridge are chrome-plated.


They are not on the DFS bridge.


DFS Legacy bridge:


DFS saddle (side-view)


DFV saddle (side-view)


Hope this helps.

Thanks Craig.

I am sure this question will come up again.

Sorry to update an older thread, but is there a set date for when DFS Vibratos are available to be ordered online or by a dealer?
I'd love to upgrade my Legacy's bridge.

agbasp wrote:Sorry to update an older thread, but is there a set date for when DFS Vibratos are available to be ordered online or by a dealer?
I'd love to upgrade my Legacy's bridge.

Nope, I have not heard any update yet. As far as I know, you can only order them as an option on a new order.
You might check with your favorite dealer and ask them if they can get a conversion kit.

Let us know if you are able to get a kit.

They are now available from the G&L Online Store, see: Re: G&L will be offering the saddles and block from the DFS

Anyone have a comment on the sound difference from actual experience using both?

Ray Barbee Music wrote:Anyone have a comment on the sound difference from actual experience using both?

Definitely more sustain with the DFS. Well worth the option, IMO.

Back in the "old days' of the GBL boards, a bunch of us got together and talked Callaham into making us a run of cold rolled steel blocks for DFs at a 'special price', which iirc wasn't that special. In fact, all my G&Ls have them. I'm glad to see G&L is offering this as a factory option now, and for a lot less than Callaham was charging.

My experience with the Callaham blocks was they added some sustain, but also some brightness and note separation/clarity. Depending on the guitar that could be a great thing or a not so good thing, as an already bright guitar could end up sounding, as one person put it, "pingy".

Back then stock blocks were zinc. I'm also very curious about the tone of a brass block as well. I use them on Floyds and similar trems and they are a massive improvement. I'd expect them to sound better on a G&L than zinc, with more warmth than the steel.

Ray Barbee Music wrote:Back in the "old days' of the GBL boards, a bunch of us got together and talked Callaham into making us a run of cold rolled steel blocks for DFs at a 'special price', which iirc wasn't that special. In fact, all my G&Ls have them. I'm glad to see G&L is offering this as a factory option now, and for a lot less than Callaham was charging.

My experience with the Callaham blocks was they added some sustain, but also some brightness and note separation/clarity. Depending on the guitar that could be a great thing or a not so good thing, as an already bright guitar could end up sounding, as one person put it, "pingy".

Back then stock blocks were zinc. I'm also very curious about the tone of a brass block as well. I use them on Floyds and similar trems and they are a massive improvement. I'd expect them to sound better on a G&L than zinc, with more warmth than the steel.

The DFS bridge option is both the 1018 cold-rolled steel trem block AND stainless steel saddles. The current DF bridge has chrome plated brass saddles and chrome plated
brass trem block.

Craig wrote: The current DF bridge has chrome plated brass saddles and chrome plated
brass trem block.

I was wondering what was under the chrome, so these are the brass ones?


Another question ; Does the 41.5 mean 41.5 oz (that would be about 2.6 lbs )?

There is an audible difference from the older zinc versions,more presence and body(mids) with the sustain/decay ,and more bite to the attack.
...hmmm I might be swapping some blocks or assemblies tonight.

elwood

elwood, i'd wager the 41.4 is the thickness of the body in mm. meaning it refers to the depth of the trem block.

Ray Barbee Music wrote:
Anyone have a comment on the sound difference from actual experience using both?


Definitely more sustain with the DFS. Well worth the option, IMO.

What about tonally? I'd expect the DFS to be significantly brighter than Brass. Is that the case?

So, what does a sustain block weigh? Any weight difference between the two?

So was this upgrade ever available? If so, has anyone installed it?

Does anyone know if G&L has any plans to offer it in the future?

cbm wrote:So was this upgrade ever available? If so, has anyone installed it?

Does anyone know if G&L has any plans to offer it in the future?

Yes, they were available in the G&L On-Line Store from 9/2013 until 12/2015, see: http://web.archive.org/web/201511070937 ... components.

I have not heard any plans to bring back the DFS upgrade or the DFS bridge.

Now curious; I seem to be reading some DFVs had zinc blocks. What era did they have zinc, and when did they switch to brass? What would it be on my 1987 SC3 ? It appears to be a (thick) dull gray, does that mean zinc or was something else used back then? Same material for the saddles?

I admit zinc blocks don't seem very classy but I do have several guitars with them that sound quite nice...

Danley wrote:Now curious; I seem to be reading some DFVs had zinc blocks. What era did they have zinc, and when did they switch to brass? What would it be on my 1987 SC3 ? It appears to be a (thick) dull gray, does that mean zinc or was something else used back then? Same material for the saddles?

I admit zinc blocks don't seem very classy but I do have several guitars with them that sound quite nice...

See: Re: New DF trem block design.

Your 1987 SC-3 block would likely be made of Zinc alloy.

Hope this helps.