Kahler trem sytems

[jacksmar]

Just played a killer Kahler trem system. This system really holds tune after some serious Vai like yanks. ( ala Stand Up) Why aren't more of these standard OEM?

This was a 2200 and very smooth. It could do the Reb Beach pulls too.

Very impressed.

[jhale667]

Never was a fan of Kahlers. Don't like the feel or tone of them, and they don't stay in tune any better than a properly set up Floyd. To each his own, though.

[jacksmar]

I found there's a difference in the feel. This is a new system and is about 450.00 US

What are using for a tone reference? Highs? Lows?

[jhale667]

I found there's a difference in the feel. This is a new system and is about 450.00 US

What are using for a tone reference? Highs? Lows?

They've always sounded thin to me, even more so than a non-upgraded Floyd. The Kahler sits on a shallow mortise on the face of the guitar rather than mounting via a claw and springs in the back (or anchored to a stop tailpiece like a Gibson) ... they can't possibly resonate as well on their own, and it's not like you can throw an FU Copper or Ti block on it to improve the tone.

[jhale667]

Funny, MSRP on the 2200 is $369 Jerky...is some retailer trying to rip you off?



It's still a destructive modification on a LP or something, it specifies you may need to re-locate the studs...ouch.

But y'know, if you like it, go for it, just don't overpay for it...

[Diamondjimi]

Not a huge Kahler guy either. I do find them to be a comfortable bridge to play ( palm contact). They remind me of a Bigsby on steroids..

Floyd Rose all the way for me...

[ELVIS]

I like Kahlers...

I have a drawer full of original Kahlers and various parts I bought off ebay when they were dirt cheap...

[jhale667]

Do you have a router template for the mortise on the body face?

[Seshmeister]

You may be on to something with the tone thing but they are definitely quicker and easier to string...

[Matt White]

Had a friend Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in the day who had a "super-Start" that had a Kahler....scaloped neck too.....

I remember it being very smooth....almost too much so.....

always been a "Floyd dude"..............

[jhale667]

You may be on to something with the tone thing but they are definitely quicker and easier to string...

Maybe so, but I've never been into the lock-behind-the nut thing either. Why leave the thing the lock is supposed to eliminate the binding of in place, thus still allowing for it?

Always been a Floyd dude myself as well... and would agree with the "too smooth" sentiment on the Kahler's action...

[Hardrock69]

I have 3 Kahler Pros.

Got into them by accident.

At least to mod a guitar to put one on, you don't have to cut entirely through the body.

True it sucks because you can't mod them with titanium, aluminum or other blocks, AND...I also don't like the fact that you have the clamps in addition to the nut.

Back in the early 90s, I had a graphite nut put on my 1985 JB Player neck-thru strat. The original shit plastic nut was causing my strings to bind a bit.....the graphite nut solved it.

Have never had a single problem since. Stays perfectly in tune everywhere, even after beating the shit out of it with divebomb hits.

I had consoidered just having a Floyd nut installed, but I don't want to carve out any more of the guitar than it already is.

I have told all my Kahler stories elsewhere here. I like them just fine. And part of that is yes, I rest my palm on my bridge and it is more comfy (to me) than a Floyd.

They do what I want them to, and that is all I ask.

[ashstralia]

Yeah, I've never been a fan. They brought out the 'spyder' early nineties maybe?

Their version of a Floyd. Abominable thing.

My only current trem guitar has an ibanez edge original. Everything else is chocked and blocked, or a telecaster.

[jhale667]

Yeah, I remember people touting how the Kahler Floyd was going to be "superior"... Not so much.

[ELVIS]

Dude, a lot of the Kahlers really are nice and you can use a Floyd type locking nut if you like...

Like softcock, I don't use a locking nut at all...

I sort of polish the slots of the nut with a piece of string and use dura-lube™ on the nut like I've said before and it WILL stay in tune...

Locking nuts are a pain in the ass, but I will use one on my Agile Floyd project because it's already made for it...

[jhale667]

Locking nuts are a pain in the ass.

Not if you know how to set-up and use them, much like a Floyd. And I didn't say Kahlers weren't "nice", just not my thing. That, and I dislike their tone.

But all the extra crap you do to stay in tune without a locking nut, how is THAT not considered "a pain in the ass", pray tell?

[Hardrock69]

I do use locking nuts. As my guitars were made with them already installed. Except for the Fender Lead I I have....and the locking nut was installed with the trem. It was my best friend's guitar in 1980, and I discovered it in 1997 or so in a pawnshop and bought it for $185. Problem is, the idiot who called himself a "luthier", routed the body a bit off-center, so I had to scoot the bridge saddles all the way towards the low E string to keep the high E from slipping off the side of the neck. It is on my "to-do" list to send it to a friend of mine in Tacoma and have him fix that problem.

[ELVIS]

But all the extra crap you do to stay in tune without a locking nut, how is THAT not considered "a pain in the ass", pray tell?

Because you do it once and add some lube whenever you change strings and its a done deal...

[Diamondjimi]

Because you do it once and add some lube whenever you change strings and its a done deal...

Not worth the hassle. If Christ himself played electric guitar, I'd guarantee it would be fitted with a Floyd Rose (German made, of course...)

[PETE'S BROTHER]

Not worth the hassle. If Christ himself played electric guitar, I'd guarantee it would be fitted with a Floyd Rose (German made, of course...)

i donno...? think he would preforgive germany? sorry....carry on here, i'll just show myself to the dump.

[jhale667]

Not worth the hassle. If Christ himself played electric guitar, I'd guarantee it would be fitted with a Floyd Rose (German made, of course...)

MIG or be DAMNED!

(And he'd have a FU Titanium Big Block on it!)

[ELVIS]

How 'bout this odd looking thing ??

[jhale667]

Nice that it's a non-destructive modification, but boy is it ugly...

[ELVIS]

I was trying to like it but I can't...

[Diamondjimi]

Ugly indeed. You'd have to be a bit desperate if you absolutely had to have a bar on a LP .

Probably has a Kahler/Bigsby feel to it...

[jhale667]

If you HAVE TO have a bar on a Les Paul...accept no substitutes.

[Diamondjimi]

Absolutely. The Neal Schon sig & the Alex Lifeson sig are both on my wish list...

[jhale667]

Absolutely. The Neal Schon sig & the Alex Lifeson sig are both on my wish list...

Adam fitted Alex's and Slash's LPs w/ 60mm FU Brass Big-Blocks!!

[Diamondjimi]

Adam fitted Alex's and Slash's LPs w/ 60mm FU Brass Big-Blocks!!

Sweet. They make a world of difference.