Replacing Floyd Rose Special Tremolo with Gotoh GE1996T-40-C FR-Style

Replacing a Tremolo System: My First Attempt!

For the first time ever, I’m about to attempt replacing the tremolo on my guitar. The stakes feel high because, well, this is a big project, and I’m not sure if I got everything right. But I’m diving in anyway!

Why Am I Replacing the Tremolo?
A little background: I’ve never been happy with the tremolo on my EVH Wolfgang Standard guitar. The trem was a Floyd Rose Special, and over time, it just became a huge hassle. Every time I’d change strings, it would give me issues, and one day, I even ended up breaking a screw. I was fed up and decided it was time for a change. I’ve done a lot of research, and I’m hoping this new tremolo system will not only work better but also enhance the tone of my guitar.

Choosing the Right Tremolo System
The big question I had going into this was whether I had ordered the right tremolo, especially when it came to the sustain block. I wanted one that was bigger than the original, as I’ve read that a larger sustain block can provide a richer tone. I ended up choosing one that was a little bit bigger than the stock part, but now I’m questioning my measurements.

Opening the box was the moment of truth. To my relief, everything was neatly packed with a helpful instruction sheet. The new tremolo system looks gorgeous, and I can already tell the surface feels much smoother compared to the old one. This is a good sign!

Comparing the Old and New Systems
Now, it’s time to compare the new tremolo to the old one. The sustain block of the new system is made of brass, which some players claim can give a different tone. The new block is indeed bigger—though only slightly—and this should affect the sound.

What really caught my attention was the design of the knife edges on the tremolo. The new one only has the knife on one side, which is unusual, and it made me wonder if this is how it’s supposed to be. I’m still not entirely sure, but I’m hoping I won’t run into any issues when it comes to fitting the system into the guitar.

Fitting the Tremolo
As I carefully placed the tremolo into the cavity of the guitar, I was pleased to see that there was plenty of space to install it without having to alter the wood. The new tremolo system seems to fit well, and I won’t need to do any extra sanding or cutting. I did, however, notice a warning on the back of the product saying that some alterations might be necessary during installation. Thankfully, it looks like I won’t have to do anything drastic.

The Nerve-Wracking Moment
At this point, I’m still incredibly nervous about the installation process, especially the potential risks involved with the knife edges. I’ve never done something like this before, so I’m taking extra care to make sure everything is secure and properly aligned. I might even double-check some of the product photos just to make sure everything looks correct.

But overall, I’m excited! I believe this new tremolo system will provide better stability, smoother action, and a more vibrant tone. I’ll update you all once I’ve finished installing it and hopefully, everything will turn out great.

Thanks for joining me on this nerve-wracking yet exciting adventure. I’ll see you in the next video!

Cheers,
Kris

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