Trem questions from a 1st time G&L owner

[phil likesheet]

I just recently got a Tribute Legacy, my first ever strat type guitar. Its an awesome guitar and I'm very happy with it. My only issue is with the string sagging on unison and oblique bends, which I do quite often. I've only owned one guitar with a trem in my life which I got rid of because I never used the bar and didn't really like the neck. It was a floyd and I had the same problem, but I never did anything about it since I didn't really like the guitar anyway. After doing some research I've come up with two ideas. Hoping you guys can offer some advice or maybe even have some other alternatives to share.

One option would be to block the trem since I probably won't use it much anyway. If G&L offered a hardtail Tribute Legacy, I would've gotten it. But I don't want to do anything permanent since I may feel the need for the bar at some point. It would be nice to have something I could just take out anytime I might feel the need. Is this possible? How would blocking the trem affect the tone?

The other option is to get a trem stabilizer of some kind. I haven't heard great things about the Hipshot or WD but the Goeldo Backbox has some good reviews. Anyone have experience with any of these devices? Also concerned with how these affect tone.

Any thoughts?

[Craig]

Checkout the G&L Knowledgebase, especially the G&L Tech Tips sub-forum.

[phil likesheet]

Thanks Craig. I will. Should I have posted this thread over there?

[Craig]

Thanks Craig. I will. Should I have posted this thread over there?

No, that's not necessary. I was just pointing you to where we have information which could be of help.

[Boogie Bill]

You could block it in a way that is temporary, without damaging the value of the guitar. Some players like more springs and/or heavier strings helpful.

Having played some form of vibrato-equipped guitar virtually all of my career, I don't "hear" that sagging anymore. It is simply part of the sound and charm of these instruments, whether they have Floyds, Kahlers, Bigsbys, Wilkinsons, or Fender, et. al. designed vibratos. They ALL do it to one degree or another. And pretty much...most hardtail guitars will have the other strings go out of tune when you bend a note...it's a matter of degree. Neck flex. Ever play a vintage Gibson SG? I used to have a Gibson hollowbody with a slim mahogany neck and it would go crazy out of tune when bending. I can only think of a handful of guitars that don't do this...and they all have aluminum necks...Kramers, Ovation Celebritys, Velenos and Travis Beans, etc., and I wouldn't list any of those on my list of favorite guitars.

Block your vibrato if you must, just know that even hardtails will detune to some degree.

Bill

[phil likesheet]

You could block it in a way that is temporary, without damaging the value of the guitar. Some players like more springs and/or heavier strings helpful.

Having played some form of vibrato-equipped guitar virtually all of my career, I don't "hear" that sagging anymore. It is simply part of the sound and charm of these instruments, whether they have Floyds, Kahlers, Bigsbys, Wilkinsons, or Fender, et. al. designed vibratos. They ALL do it to one degree or another. And pretty much...most hardtail guitars will have the other strings go out of tune when you bend a note...it's a matter of degree. Neck flex. Ever play a vintage Gibson SG? I used to have a Gibson hollowbody with a slim mahogany neck and it would go crazy out of tune when bending. I can only think of a handful of guitars that don't do this...and they all have aluminum necks...Kramers, Ovation Celebritys, Velenos and Travis Beans, etc., and I wouldn't list any of those on my list of favorite guitars.

Block your vibrato if you must, just know that even hardtails will detune to some degree.

Bill

I must admit I never thought about that before but it makes sense. I checked it on my Les Paul and you're right. But you say it's a matter of degree and that's the key. I never even noticed that dip on a LP, Tele or any other fixed bridge guitar in 23 years until you pointed it out. And I thought my ears were really sensitive to intonation issues. But come on...when I bend my G a whole step on the Legacy, the B drops almost a 1/2 step. That's just not passable for me. I know some guys lean on the bridge or even bend the other string a little bit to compensate, but I'm not gonna change the way I play depending on which guitar I'm using. There has to be a better way.

I normally play on .11s but I put .10s on the Legacy since that's what it was originally setup for and I haven't had time to do my own setup yet. Will the .11's make much of a difference with the string sag?

I thought about more springs but I would have to find a claw with 5 hooks. Mine only has 3. Is this a typical G&L thing? Anyone know where I can find a 5 spring claw without having to get a Fender one and drill new holes?

[louis cyfer]

You could block it in a way that is temporary, without damaging the value of the guitar. Some players like more springs and/or heavier strings helpful.

Having played some form of vibrato-equipped guitar virtually all of my career, I don't "hear" that sagging anymore. It is simply part of the sound and charm of these instruments, whether they have Floyds, Kahlers, Bigsbys, Wilkinsons, or Fender, et. al. designed vibratos. They ALL do it to one degree or another. And pretty much...most hardtail guitars will have the other strings go out of tune when you bend a note...it's a matter of degree. Neck flex. Ever play a vintage Gibson SG? I used to have a Gibson hollowbody with a slim mahogany neck and it would go crazy out of tune when bending. I can only think of a handful of guitars that don't do this...and they all have aluminum necks...Kramers, Ovation Celebritys, Velenos and Travis Beans, etc., and I wouldn't list any of those on my list of favorite guitars.

Block your vibrato if you must, just know that even hardtails will detune to some degree.

Bill

I must admit I never thought about that before but it makes sense. I checked it on my Les Paul and you're right. But you say it's a matter of degree and that's the key. I never even noticed that dip on a LP, Tele or any other fixed bridge guitar in 23 years until you pointed it out. And I thought my ears were really sensitive to intonation issues. But come on...when I bend my G a whole step on the Legacy, the B drops almost a 1/2 step. That's just not passable for me. I know some guys lean on the bridge or even bend the other string a little bit to compensate, but I'm not gonna change the way I play depending on which guitar I'm using. There has to be a better way.

I normally play on .11s but I put .10s on the Legacy since that's what it was originally setup for and I haven't had time to do my own setup yet. Will the .11's make much of a difference with the string sag?

I thought about more springs but I would have to find a claw with 5 hooks. Mine only has 3. Is this a typical G&L thing? Anyone know where I can find a 5 spring claw without having to get a Fender one and drill new holes?

tremol-no

[phil likesheet]

tremol-no

I have heard of the tremol-no Louis. Could you tell me more about it? Effectiveness? Ease of installation/operation?

[Craig]

tremol-no

I have heard of the tremol-no Louis. Could you tell me more about it? Effectiveness? Ease of installation/operation?

This post might be of interest (tremol-no content): Replace Dual Fulcrum with Saddle Lock Bridge?.

[louis cyfer]

tremol-no

I have heard of the tremol-no Louis. Could you tell me more about it? Effectiveness? Ease of installation/operation?

very effective. you can switch between hardtail, floating or dive only. gives you room for 4 springs as well. easy to install, just replace the claw. no modification to the guitar.

[phil likesheet]

tremol-no

I have heard of the tremol-no Louis. Could you tell me more about it? Effectiveness? Ease of installation/operation?

very effective. you can switch between hardtail, floating or dive only. gives you room for 4 springs as well. easy to install, just replace the claw. no modification to the guitar.

Thanks man I will definitely check that out. So theres nothing you have to screw into the wood or anything? That's a big plus since I don't want to drill into the guitar. Thats why I'm hesitant to use a 5 spring claw. The fender screw holes don't match up. At least thats what iI hear. Is that true? Any clue if I can get a G&L claw for 5 springs? I've searched the web but anything I find seems to be for a fender or floyd type trem. Also, are alternate tunings with a Tremol-no as easy as a hardtail?

[Craig]

tremol-no

I have heard of the tremol-no Louis. Could you tell me more about it? Effectiveness? Ease of installation/operation?

very effective. you can switch between hardtail, floating or dive only. gives you room for 4 springs as well. easy to install, just replace the claw. no modification to the guitar.

Thanks man I will definitely check that out. So theres nothing you have to screw into the wood or anything? That's a big plus since I don't want to drill into the guitar. Thats why I'm hesitant to use a 5 spring claw. The fender screw holes don't match up. At least thats what iI hear. Is that true? Any clue if I can get a G&L claw for 5 springs? I've searched the web but anything I find seems to be for a fender or floyd type trem. Also, are alternate tunings with a Tremol-no as easy as a hardtail?

You do replace the stock claw, which will also require you to unsolder the ground wire and relocate it.
Here's the link to their website which tells you which version to get and do note that it requires new claw screw holes.
However, I would not be concerned about that. It's the screws in the trem cavity. Here's what the stock claw looks like in my Legacy:


Hope this helps.

[phil likesheet]

[quote]You do replace the stock claw, which will also require you to unsolder the ground wire and relocate it.
Here's the link to their website which tells you which version to get and do note that it requires new claw screw holes.
However, I would not be concerned about that. It's the screws in the trem cavity. Here's what the stock claw looks like in my Legacy:/quote]

I'm realizing that any type of trem stabilizer is going to require me to drill, and as irrational as it may be, I hate the idea of drilling into my guitar. Since I've had the Legacy for over a week now, and I've used the bar exactly once in that time, I'm thinking of something like this:

That way its essentially a hardtail, but I can always go back. Does that look right?

[Craig]

You do replace the stock claw, which will also require you to unsolder the ground wire and relocate it.
Here's the link to their website which tells you which version to get and do note that it requires new claw screw holes.
However, I would not be concerned about that. It's the screws in the trem cavity. Here's what the stock claw looks like in my Legacy:/quote]

I'm realizing that any type of trem stabilizer is going to require me to drill, and as irrational as it may be, I hate the idea of drilling into my guitar. Since I've had the Legacy for over a week now, and I've used the bar exactly once in that time, I'm thinking of something like this:

That way its essentially a hardtail, but I can always go back. Does that look right?

Yes, it looks very similar to what is described in this post in our Knowledgebase, G&L Tech Tips sub-forum: How do I block the tremelo on my guitar?.

BTW, when you get a chance, please add your Tribute Legacy to our G&L Registry.
We'd also love to see a photo or two of your guitar, too.

[phil likesheet]

You do replace the stock claw, which will also require you to unsolder the ground wire and relocate it.
Here's the link to their website which tells you which version to get and do note that it requires new claw screw holes.
However, I would not be concerned about that. It's the screws in the trem cavity. Here's what the stock claw looks like in my Legacy:/quote]

I'm realizing that any type of trem stabilizer is going to require me to drill, and as irrational as it may be, I hate the idea of drilling into my guitar. Since I've had the Legacy for over a week now, and I've used the bar exactly once in that time, I'm thinking of something like this:

That way its essentially a hardtail, but I can always go back. Does that look right?

Yes, it looks very similar to what is described in this post in our Knowledgebase, G&L Tech Tips sub-forum: How do I block the tremelo on my guitar?.

BTW, when you get a chance, please add your Tribute Legacy to our G&L Registry.
We'd also love to see a photo or two of your guitar, too.

Thanks for all the help. I tried registering but when I enter my info, It says my email is not registered with the site. Can you help me out?

[Fumble fingers]

the registry is a different web site than here so you have to sign up there separetly , it messed me up trying to register my first time

[phil likesheet]

the registry is a different web site than here so you have to sign up there separetly , it messed me up trying to register my first time

Thanks, I didn't realize

[Craig]

the registry is a different web site than here so you have to sign up there separetly , it messed me up trying to register my first time

Thanks, I didn't realize

This is not true. The G&L Registry and the G&L Forum (aka G&LDP) are sections of the guitarsbyleo.com website.
See Welcome! Read This First.

Hope this helps.