FLOYD ROSE


Floyd Rose - an original chrome with d-tuna


UPDATE: June 2023
I have purchased way too many new/newer German Floyd Rose tremolos lately and I have formed an opinion on the new Floyd Rose CNC saddles that came out in 2021 (CNC = Computer Numerical Control). Not a huge fan.

There are a couple of downsides to this new saddle and believe me, I don't mind having to buy special beveled block inserts. So the "CNC" part is not my problem. First, as every Floyd player knows, there are two parts to these saddles - the Mounting part and the Insert part, connected by a steel hinge pin. Take a new CNC saddle, hold a magnet to the back end that holds the block insert and you can tell it is steel. Not the same for the front part that holds the intonation screw for the base plate. It's zinc. And that's also where the plating gets easily marred - you even get indentations. Both parts used to be steel pre-2021. I really don't want zinc parts on my German Floyd Rose Original...

Second, the May 2021 Floyd Rose product release statement for the CNC saddles stated that the advantages were "more consistent production tolerances" and "precise functionality" and even went so far as to claim the press-in brass floors on the 1983-2020 models were "unnecessary for operation." Isn't that bottom trap door the way we Floyd aficionados sometimes remove stuck/expanded block inserts? And then after forcing the block out (sometimes in pieces), we just press the brass floor back in? I know I do. I don't mind the brass floors, and I certainly don't consider them a flaw. Hate to say it, but the only reason I think Floyd Rose made this change was to save $$.

UPDATE: April 2023
It's been an interesting time collecting and restoring Floyd Rose tremolos over the past three years. In 2020, we had the pandemic and EVH passing away, which led to higher prices/inflation and every player/builder out there putting together a Van Halen tribute guitar with a Floyd (including me). Floyds from the 1980s that used to sell in the $150 range soon reached the $200-$250 mark. All of this has led me to be more selective on the old Floyds I purchase on eBay and Reverb, as well as biting the bullet and going with new base plates and saddles from Floyd Rose/AP Global. In the three years since 2020, I've put together over 10 Floyd Rose trems with new plates and saddles; nothing wrong with that, but I've always preferred the old ones from the 1980s.

One of those recent modern Floyd builds was to mark a major milestone - my 100th German Floyd Rose. Floyd #100 features a satin chrome plate, gold saddles, brass fine tuners, and red titanium screws.

Other recent Floyd Rose projects:
--1982 Restoration Prototype
--1985 Black Box New Old Stock
--Titanium Project
--"Whale Tail" Project

Lastly, I have picked up more than a few of the overseas Kaish stainless steel ($50) and Tesi titanium ($75) saddle sets in the past couple of years. The sets come with height-correct Floyd saddles as well as string lock, intonation, and fine-tuner screws - all in stainless steel or titanium. I use the stainless steel saddles on my 1000 and Special assemblies, and I've gone with the Ti saddle option on a few German base plates.


I'm Locked on Floyd Rose

If Edward Van Halen was the number one reason behind Kramer Guitars' phenomenal success in the 1980s, then coming in at runner up would be the Floyd Rose tremolo.

I first got locked on Floyd Rose back in the early 1980s when I got into playing guitar. Edward Van Halen began using the Floyd Rose fairly regularly in 1979 and he assisted Mr. Rose with the fine tuner design over the next few years. In 1983, I bought my first guitar. In June 1984, I bought my first Floyd Rose that I put on my second guitar - my Red Devil II. I paid $159 that summer at the Guitar Center in San Diego for a chrome model (and over $100 more to have it installed). What a beautiful piece of German-made machinery!

My second guitar with a Floyd Rose was my third guitar, a 1985 Kramer Focus 1000 which has sinced morphed into my Kramer Baretta. I bought a couple of more guitars with Floyds in the 1980s and I thought it was a big deal to have four guitars with a Floyd Rose! I even had a license plate frame that read I'm locked on Floyd Rose. When I worked for the Guitar Center in San Diego from 1986-88, everyone called me Floyd, since there was another David working there and I was so into Floyds. I had the privilege to meet Mr. Floyd Rose at the NAMM convention in Anaheim in 1987 and he signed my business card. I even have a Kramer Floyd Rose signature model neck on my Kramer EVH Frankenstein II guitar.

For me, there's the original German-made Floyd Rose and then there's everything else.

Finish Color Schemes and the 1980s

Listed below are two tables listing all of my guitars that have Floyd Rose trems (mostly German and some licensed). I am very particular about a few things. First, I prefer chrome over black and gold. And if the bridge is black or gold, I always make sure to get a chrome trem arm (old school collar/bushing). I actually have more than a few black Floyds, but just one gold Floyd Rose - on my EVH Jackson-Kramer Bumblebee. Second, I prefer the Floyds to be from the 1980s, although I purchased two of the new Floyd Rose Originals in October 2005 from Ed Roman Guitars for a pair of Van Halen Charvels I put together. Chrome Floyd Roses from the 1980s, taken off of old Kramer Focus series guitars, are the best value. And lastly, all my Floyds are set up "decked" so they only go down - no floating on any of mine. Setting up a floating Floyd and keeping it that way is painful!

Another fun thing to do to a Floyd Rose tremolo is removing the chrome plating off the Floyd base plate to make an unplated Floyd Rose. Why do this? I've tracked down quite a few old Floyd with pitting and rust, and this is a good way to get rid of all that and give it a nice brushed steel finish. Check out the Removing the Floyd Rose Plating link for more info.

I love taking old Floyds apart and cleaning them (check out the Resurrecting a Floyd Rose link). I take very good care of them and take pride in their appearance. I am the original owner (bought many second hand) of four chrome Floyds from the 1980s (Red Devil II, Kramer Baretta, Kramer Pacer, EVH 80 Star) and they all are in like-new condition.

Quarters and other Coins

The great Edward Van Halen also inspired me to only use the Floyd Rose tremolo to take the strings down - not to pull up. He used a quarter - an actual 1971 25-cent piece - to keep the Floyd base plate on his famous Frankenstein guitar from pulling up and to give it a solid "zero" point when it returns after action. I do the same thing with all of my Floyds, although I typically use 1976 bicentennial quarters and flip them around so the back with the drummer is always showing - I have no idea why I'm so particular about this, but it's what I do. I guess the 1976 quarter with the Revolutionary War drummer is musical, or something. I did, however, use relic '71 quarters on my Charvel EVH Frankenstein and Fender EVH Frankenstein Baritone guitars, an old '54 quarter on my Fender '54 Pine Super Strat, and a 2001 New York quarter on my D4 project. And then I went global and used a 2005 Isle of Man Christmas 50-pence coin, featuring a partridge in a pear tree from the 12 days of Christmas tradition, on my Kramer EVH 1225 Christmas guitar. And then I virtually traveled to Monaco and France to get a 2007 Monaco 2 Euro Grace Kelly coin for my Jackson Monaco Strat, and a 1985 quarter and 1875 French Angel 20 Franc Lucky Rooster coin (copy) inside the cavities of my Charvel DeMartini Snakeskin.

The Floyd Rose Non Fine Tuner (NFT)

I have two guitars - my Smithtone Flintstones and my Kramer Kaoss - that feature chrome NFT (Non-Fine Tuner) Floyds from the early 1980s. Note that the Striker model for the first several years came stock with the NFT Floyd Rose, before being fitted with the Floyd Rose II in late 1985. Even the higher-quality Focus series had the NFT Floyd on the 1983-84 models before Floyd Rose/Schaller stopped making them (mid-1980s). In 2015, Floyd Rose began manufacturing the NFT Floyds again based on the original design (made in Korea - comparable to the 1000 with steel saddles) and offered them in several finishes. Note that the chrome-only 1980s NFTs have a "Made in Germany" stamp on the bottom of the baseplate unlike the 21st century models.

For my collection of German NFTs, I replace the arms with retro Period Correct steel trem bars and I also add stainless steel nuts to the string lock screws to lock in the intonation and so it resembles the old FRT-1. I typically go with stainless steel block inserts and I end up replacing the black intonation and string lock screws.

The Floyd Rose Special and the 1000

In 2008, Floyd Rose began putting out Korean-made Floyd Rose Special tremolos, which are available from several online vendors for around $80 (chrome). Although not technically a "licensed" Floyd, the Special is now stock equipment on certain overseas-made guitars, including certain ESP LTD and Jackson model guitars, as well as the EVH Wolfgang Standard. The steel base plate is embossed with the Floyd Rose Special stamp.

The main difference between the Special and the real-deal, German-made Floyd (besides the Special being made in Korea) is that the saddles and sustain block on the Special are made of zinc, instead of steel and brass. Since the Special's introduction, I've picked up a few and used them on my Jackson EVH Super Strat, Jackson JTX, Jackson Monaco Strat, Kramer EVH 1225, and Fender '54 Pine Super Strat guitars. On the Specials, however, I replace some of the parts with Original, 1000, and aftermarket Floyd replacement parts. I switch the sustain blocks with at least the Floyd Rose Original (made in Germany) nickel-plated brass blocks, and the arms with the German Modern arm with the “barrel” bushing/collar. And most importantly, I replace the zinc saddles with steel ones (Floyd Rose 1000 or Kaish stainless steel). Lastly, I swap out the stock Special locking nut and use the real Floyd locking nut, as it is heavier and of a higher quality. After these modifications, the Special is comparable in quality to the Schaller, Ping, or Gotoh trems (see Licensed Floyds below).

The Floyd Rose 1000 looks the same (embossed with the Original-like Floyd Rose only) and has the same specs as the German-made Floyd - steel saddles, etc., but it's made in Korea like the Special. Even the base plate has the same quality hardened steel as the German-made Floyd plate - just made in Asia. And unlike the Special, the 1000 is not sold separately and is only available as OEM on guitar brands including Fender, Charvel, Jackson, and EVH (I have one on my Charvel DeMartini Snakeskin). The EVH-branded Floyd that comes on the Wolfgang Special and Striped Series models is a 1000, and I have an upgraded one on my EVH Wolfgang Stealth Special MIM.

The Floyd Rose II, the "Pro", the "Original", and the Speedloader

The German-made Floyd Rose II came stock on the Kramer Striker series guitars toward the end of 1985. Besides the cheaper quality metal (the plate and "string-through saddles" are zinc/pot metal), the biggest difference was that the strings do not lock on the bridge end, but instead pass through what seems like the string lock screw, which is part of the saddle. I found a deal on an old black II model around 2010, but it's been junked and parted out. In 2023, I picked up an ‘86 chrome unit in mint condition and it's just going to sit in a box. The biggest weakness of the Floyd II was the saddle intonation lock screws stripping the pot metal base plate.

The Floyd Rose "Pro" debuted in 1989 and was Floyd's even-lower profile locking tremolo. Manufacturing in Germany was discontinued in 2020, but there is still a "1000" Korean version available. Never owned one. The Floyd Rose "Original" also was released in the late 1980s to distinguish the "original" fine-tuner design from the then-new "Pro" model and was discontinued in the mid-1990s. It was identical in every way to the Floyd Rose we all know and love, except for the original stamp on the base plate. Never owned one.

The Floyd Rose Speedloader came out around 2004 and it required proprietary special-length guitar strings with "bullets" on each end - one end fastened on the bridge unit and the other on the special nut that negated any tuning machines. The selling point was to be fast and easy re-stringing with no string cutting. It was made overseas, although there may have been some manufacturing in Germany. The design never caught on, the strings became difficult to find and expensive, and the model was scrapped around 2014. I purchased one in 2008 and used it as a single-locking Floyd with Fender Bullet strings, but sold it a few years later.

Licensed Floyds

What's with all of the licensed Floyds? Most of the licensed Floyds, in my opinion, are no where as close to perfection as the real Floyds. I do, however, have a few guitars with licensed Floyds - a Gotoh Music Man on my Ernie Ball Music Man EVH, the Gotoh 1996 model on a handful of Ernie Ball Music Man projects, and the stock Peavey Floyd (Gotoh copy made by Ping) on my Peavey EVH Wolfgang, and Peavey EVH Wolfgang Striped Special guitars. I also heard a lot of really good things about the quality of the Ping Floyd Rose (stock on Fenders) so I tracked down one of those and put in on my Fender EVH Frankenstein Baritone guitar. And in addition to making THE Floyd Rose, Schaller makes its own version and I have one on my D4 guitar.

Big Blocks and EVH D-tunas

In 2007, I finally discovered the 1/2"-thick, brass Big Block from FU-Tone (formerly FloydUpgrades.com). Wow! What a difference over the stock thinner German-made, nickel-plated brass blocks and I've purchased and installed these big sustain blocks on just about all my Floyds. The first guitars I tried them on were my EVH 80 Star, EVH 82 Rasta, Fender EVH Frankenstein Baritone, and Charvel DeMartini Snakeskin. Most of my big blocks are made of brass, but I've also splurged on copper, bronze, steel, stainless steel, tungsten steel, cold rolled steel, aluminum, and titanium.

Of course, quite a few of my axes feature the EVH D-tuna, which allows players to instantly go from E to D. They are super-easy to install and work flawlessly - Unchained forever! Most of the ones I've purchased are chrome, but I have all the colors: CHROME, BLACK, GOLD, RED, BLUE, and PURPLE. I even ordered a little bag of 50 of the replacement set screws to keep handy after I lost one. Man, are those things tiny!


Resurrecting a Floyd Rose

Removing the Floyd Rose Plating

Floyd Rose Hex Screws

For more information on Floyd Rose, check out the following sites:

Floyd Rose
Wikipedia
Vintage Floyd Rose
Vintage Kramer
FU-Tone


Floyd Rose tremolos

GUITAR
MODEL
FLOYD CIRCA
FINISH
(plate/saddles)
LOCKING NUT
SUSTAIN BLOCK
NOTE
MADE IN GERMANY - Original
1982 Restoration
Prototype
FLOYD ROSE non fine tuner (plate)
1983 (plate)
chrome/
stainless steel
TBD
FR Original nickel/brass "Made in W. Germany" decal (42)
NOTE: restored with Cara Hot Rod Guitars V1 custom CNC prototype Gillis NFT stainless steel saddles; Period Correct Guitar Parts T-block inserts; Divebomb steel retro arm; stainless steel string lock nuts
1985 Black Box
New Old Stock
FLOYD ROSE
1985
NOS
black
FR R2 1 5/8" black nut
FR brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black); chrome arm
NOTE: includes original "bag" with R2 nut, string retainer bar & screws, claw & screws, springs, pivot wood screws, wrenches; have original black arm and sustain block
Titanium Project
FLOYD ROSE (plate)
2022
satin chrome/titanium
FR R2 1 5/8" satin chrome nut w/ titanium clamps & screws
Tone 5 titanium BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome) w/ FU-Tone titanium screw; Tesi titanium CNC saddles, fine tuners, screws & block inserts; Guyker Modern titanium arm
"Whale Tail" Project
FLOYD ROSE (plate)
2022
chrome
TBD
Period Correct Guitar Parts steel BIG block (42)
Period Correct Guitar Parts FRT-5 "Whale Tail" saddles, T-block inserts, steel retro arm
Charvel EVH 1980 Natural Strat
FLOYD ROSE
1980s
unplated (gold) AGED
R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (gold); raw brass fine tuners; chrome arm
Charvel EVH Custom
FLOYD ROSE
1980s
chrome
R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (40)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); THIN plate
Charvel EVH Frankenstein
FLOYD ROSE
1980s
chrome AGED
R3 1 11/16" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black)
Charvel EVH FrankWolf Prototype
FLOYD ROSE
2015
chrome
R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (through neck)
brass SUPER-WIDE block (37)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black); Modern chrome arm
Charvel EVH Megazone
FLOYD ROSE
2022
satin chrome/chrome
R3 1 11/16" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black); chrome CNC saddles
Charvel EVH Star Shark
FLOYD ROSE
1980s
chrome
R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (through neck)
copper BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (gold)
Charvel VH II
FLOYD ROSE
2005
chrome
R3 1 11/16" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); Modern chrome arm
EVH 80 Star
FLOYD ROSE
1980s
chrome
R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (42)
Floyd #5 - purchased new (separately) in '87 (from 1984 Ibanez Destroyer DT150); w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome)
EVH 81 -Bye Later See Ya-
FLOYD ROSE
1980s
chrome
R3 1 11/16" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black)
EVH 81 -Rude-
FLOYD ROSE
1980s
chrome
R3 1 11/16" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black)
EVH 82 Rasta
FLOYD ROSE
1990s
chrome
R3 1 11/16" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (RED)
EVH Jackson-Kramer Bumblebee
FLOYD ROSE
1980s
gold AGED
R2 1 5/8" gold nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); chrome arm
EVH Striped Series Frankenstrat-5150 Road Worn
FLOYD ROSE
1990s
unplated (chrome)/black AGED
R3 1 11/16" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (40)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black); black saddles
EVH Wolfgang Frankenstein Prototype
FLOYD ROSE
2005
chrome
R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (40)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); Modern chrome arm; stainless steel screws; titanium block inserts
Fender EVH 78 Frankenstrat
FLOYD ROSE
1980s
black AGED
R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black); chrome arm
Kramer 1984
FLOYD ROSE
1980s
black AGED
R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (40)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); chrome arm
Kramer 5150
FLOYD ROSE
1980s
chrome AGED
R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (40)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome)
Kramer 5150 83 Prototype
FLOYD ROSE
1980s
unplated (black) AGED
R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black); chrome arm
Kramer 5150 -Envy-
FLOYD ROSE
1990s
chrome
R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); THIN plate
Kramer 5150 -Monochrome-
FLOYD ROSE
1980s
chrome
R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (through neck)
stainless steel BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black)
Kramer 5150 Pacer
FLOYD ROSE
1980s
unplated (black) AGED
R2 1 5/8" black nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black); chrome arm
Kramer 5150 Tele
FLOYD ROSE
1980s
unplated (chrome) AGED
R3 1 11/16" chrome nut (top mount)
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black)
Kramer Baretta
FLOYD ROSE
1985
chrome
R5 1 3/4" chrome nut (through neck)
stainless steel BIG block (42)
Floyd #2 - purchased new in '85 (from stock 1985 Kramer Focus 1000); w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome)
Kramer Carrera Deluxe
FLOYD ROSE
1980s
black
R5 1 3/4" black nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); chrome arm
Kramer EVH 5150 Baretta
FLOYD ROSE
1987
unplated (black) AGED
R2 1 5/8" black nut (through neck)
titanium BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black); chrome arm; titanium block inserts
Kramer EVH 78 Frankenstein
FLOYD ROSE
1980s
unplated (chrome) AGED
R2 1 5/8" black nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black)
Kramer EVH 81 Pacer Special
FLOYD ROSE
1984
chrome AGED
R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black)
Kramer EVH 82 Baretta Special
FLOYD ROSE
1987
chrome AGED
R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); THIN plate
Kramer EVH 82 Pacer
FLOYD ROSE
1986
chrome AGED
R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome)
Kramer EVH 83 Pacer Frankenstein
FLOYD ROSE
1980s
unplated (black/chrome) AGED
R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); unplated saddles (chrome); chrome arm; stainless steel screws
Kramer EVH 84 -Holy Grail- Baretta
FLOYD ROSE
1985
chrome AGED
R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome)
Kramer EVH 85 Frankenstein
FLOYD ROSE
1980s
chrome AGED
R2 1 5/8" black nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); THIN plate
Kramer EVH 86 Baretta II Prototype
FLOYD ROSE
1980s
black
R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (RED); chrome arm; stainless steel screws; titanium block inserts
Kramer EVH Baretta -Diver Down-
FLOYD ROSE
1983
chrome
R3 1 11/16" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome)
Kramer EVH Baretta -Red Devil-
FLOYD ROSE
1984
chrome
R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black)
Kramer EVH Baretta -Silver Red '78-
FLOYD ROSE
1980s
black/chrome AGED
R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); chrome saddles; chrome arm
Kramer EVH Black Baretta
FLOYD ROSE
1987
black AGED
R2 1 5/8" black nut (through neck)
tungsten steel BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); chrome arm; stainless steel screws & block inserts
Kramer EVH Blue Frankenstein
FLOYD ROSE
1986
chrome AGED
R2 1 5/8" black nut (through neck)
stainless steel BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (BLUE)
Kramer EVH Frankenstein 5150
FLOYD ROSE
1986
chrome AGED
R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black)
Kramer EVH Frankenstein -82 Auction-
FLOYD ROSE
1980s
chrome AGED
R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black)
Kramer EVH Frankenstein -Neptune Factory-
FLOYD ROSE
1980s
chrome AGED
R3 1 11/16" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black)
Kramer EVH Frankenstein -Walker Ad-
FLOYD ROSE
1983
chrome AGED
R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (40)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black)
Kramer EVH Frankenstein II
FLOYD ROSE
1980s
black
R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); chrome arm
Kramer EVH -Hot For Teacher- Baretta
FLOYD ROSE
1984
chrome
R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (40)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black)
Kramer EVH Pacer Imperial White
FLOYD ROSE
1980s
chrome AGED
R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (through neck)
stainless steel BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome)
Kramer EVH Pacer Sustainer
FLOYD ROSE
1980s
chrome
R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (PURPLE)
Kramer EVH Ripley
FLOYD ROSE
1988
black
R2 1 5/8" black nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (42)
chrome arm
Kramer EVH Walker -Rude Carrera-
FLOYD ROSE
1980s
chrome AGED
R3 1 11/16" black nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black)
Kramer Pacer
FLOYD ROSE
1983
chrome
R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (42)
Floyd #4 - purchased new in '86 (from stock 1983 Kramer Pacer)
Kramer Pacer -Red Frank 5150-
FLOYD ROSE
1980s
unplated (gold/chrome) AGED
R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (40)
w/ EVH D-tuna (gold); unplated saddles (chrome); chrome arm
Peavey HP 2 NOS Wolfgang
FLOYD ROSE
2021
chrome
R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (top mount)
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); CNC saddles; Modern chrome arm
Red Devil II
FLOYD ROSE
1984
chrome
R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (through neck)
titanium oversized block (42)
my 1st Floyd Rose - purchased new in June 1984; guitar signed by EVH 6/27/86
TBD 21
FLOYD ROSE
1980s
chrome AGED
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black)
TBD 22
FLOYD ROSE
1980s
unplated (chrome) AGED
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black)
TBD 23
FLOYD ROSE
1983
chrome AGED
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome)
TBD 25
FLOYD ROSE
1980s
unplated (chrome) AGED
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black); stainless steel screws
TBD 26
FLOYD ROSE
1980s
chrome AGED
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black)
TBD 27
FLOYD ROSE
1980s
chrome AGED
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black)
TBD 28
FLOYD ROSE
1984
chrome AGED
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black)
TBD 30
FLOYD ROSE
1980s
black AGED
TBD
titanium BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); chrome arm; stainless steel screws; titanium block inserts
TBD 31
FLOYD ROSE
1985
unplated (chrome) AGED
TBD
bronze BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black)
TBD 34
FLOYD ROSE
1986
black AGED
TBD
aluminum BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); chrome arm; stainless steel screws & block inserts
TBD 35
FLOYD ROSE
1983
chrome AGED
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black)
TBD 37
FLOYD ROSE
1990s
black AGED
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); chrome arm; stainless steel screws; titanium block inserts
TBD 38
FLOYD ROSE
1980s
black AGED
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); chrome arm
TBD 39
FLOYD ROSE
1986
black AGED
TBD
titanium BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); chrome arm; stainless steel screws; titanium block inserts
TBD 40
FLOYD ROSE
1984
unplated (chrome) AGED
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black)
TBD 41
FLOYD ROSE
2021
black
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black); CNC saddles; chrome arm
TBD 42
FLOYD ROSE
1984
chrome AGED
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome)
TBD 43
FLOYD ROSE
2014
black
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (gold); chrome arm; raw brass fine tuners; stainless steel screws & block inserts
TBD 44
FLOYD ROSE
1987
unplated (black) AGED
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black); chrome arm
TBD 45
FLOYD ROSE
1985
black AGED
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black); chrome arm
TBD 46
FLOYD ROSE
1985
black AGED
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black); chrome arm; stainless steel screws; titanium block inserts
TBD 48
FLOYD ROSE
1980s
chrome AGED
TBD
cold rolled steel BIG block (40)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black)
TBD 49
FLOYD ROSE
1985
chrome AGED
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black)
TBD 50
FLOYD ROSE
1985
unplated (chrome) AGED
TBD
steel BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black); THIN plate; raw brass fine tuners
TBD 51
FLOYD ROSE
2022
satin black/vintage copper AGED
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); vintage copper saddles; chrome arm; stainless steel screws
TBD 52
FLOYD ROSE
2020
vintage copper/black
TBD
copper BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black); black CNC saddles; Modern chrome arm
TBD 53
FLOYD ROSE
2022
satin black/black
TBD
steel BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black); black CNC saddles; chrome arm; stainless steel screws
TBD 54
FLOYD ROSE
2018
nickel
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); Modern chrome arm; stainless steel screws
TBD 55
FLOYD ROSE
2022
satin chrome/chrome
TBD
steel BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); chrome CNC saddles
TBD 56
FLOYD ROSE
1986
chrome/satin pearl
TBD
steel BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black)
TBD 57
FLOYD ROSE
1990s
unplated (gold) AGED
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (gold); raw brass fine tuners; chrome arm; stainless steel screws & block inserts
TBD 100
FLOYD ROSE
2023
satin chrome/gold
TBD
FR 40th brass BIG block (37)
My German Floyd Rose #100! w/ EVH D-tuna (gold); chrome Push-In arm; raw brass fine tuners; red titanium screws; titanium block inserts
TBD 101
FLOYD ROSE
2022
chrome
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black); chrome CNC saddles
TBD 102
FLOYD ROSE
1988
unplated (black/chrome) AGED
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black); unplated saddles (chrome); chrome arm
TBD 103
FLOYD ROSE
2019
chrome
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black)
TBD 104
FLOYD ROSE
1985
chrome
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); raw brass fine tuners; stainless steel block inserts
TBD 105
FLOYD ROSE
2020
chrome
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black)
TBD 106
FLOYD ROSE (plate)
2023
black nickel/titanium
TBD
titanium BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); Tesi titanium CNC saddles, screws & block inserts; Modern chrome arm
TBD 107
FLOYD ROSE
1985
gold
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); chrome arm; stainless steel fine tuners, screws & block inserts
TBD 108
FLOYD ROSE (plate)
2023
chrome/titanium
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); Tesi titanium CNC saddles
TBD 109
FLOYD ROSE
1985
chrome AGED
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black)
TBD 110
FLOYD ROSE
2019
black
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); chrome arm; titanium screws & block inserts
TBD 111
FLOYD ROSE
2021
chrome
TBD
cold rolled steel BIG block (40)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black); chrome CNC saddles
TBD 112
FLOYD ROSE
2012
black
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); chrome arm
TBD 113
FLOYD ROSE
1997
chrome
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
different font (not Wexley Bold) - Schaller error; w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); Turbo chrome arm
TBD 115
FLOYD ROSE (plate)
2020
chrome/titanium
TBD
copper BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); Tesi titanium CNC saddles, fine tuners, screws & block inserts
TBD 117
FLOYD ROSE
2000s
chrome AGED
TBD
steel BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); stainless steel block inserts
TBD 119
FLOYD ROSE
2010s
chrome
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black); stainless steel screws
TBD 120
FLOYD ROSE
2021
satin chrome/chrome
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); chrome CNC saddles; Modern chrome arm
TBD 122
FLOYD ROSE
1980s
black AGED
TBD
steel BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black); chrome arm
TBD 123
FLOYD ROSE
1984
unplated (chrome) AGED
TBD
steel BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black)
TBD 124
FLOYD ROSE
1986
black AGED
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black); chrome arm
TBD 125
FLOYD ROSE
1985
black AGED
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); chrome arm
Kramer Kaoss
FLOYD ROSE non fine tuner
1984
chrome
no locking nut
Original nickel/brass FR (42)
Modern black arm; stainless steel string lock nuts
Smithtone Flintstones
FLOYD ROSE non fine tuner
1983
chrome
no locking nut
Original nickel/brass FR (42)
Modern black arm; Schaller "barrel" string lock screws; custom enlarged plate string lock holes
TBD NFT1
FLOYD ROSE non fine tuner
1983
unplated (chrome) AGED
TBD
Original nickel/brass FR (42)
Period Correct Guitar Parts steel retro arm; stainless steel string lock nuts
TBD NFT2
FLOYD ROSE non fine tuner
1983
chrome AGED
TBD
Original nickel/brass FR (42)
Period Correct Guitar Parts steel retro arm; stainless steel string lock nuts
TBD NFT3
FLOYD ROSE non fine tuner
1983
chrome
TBD
Original nickel/brass FR (42)
Period Correct Guitar Parts steel retro arm; stainless steel block inserts; stainless steel string lock nuts
TBD NFT4
FLOYD ROSE non fine tuner
1984
chrome AGED
TBD
Original nickel/brass FR (42)
Period Correct Guitar Parts steel retro arm; stainless steel block inserts; stainless steel string lock nuts
TBD NFT5
FLOYD ROSE non fine tuner
1983
chrome AGED
TBD
Original nickel/brass FR (42)
Period Correct Guitar Parts steel retro arm; stainless steel block inserts; stainless steel string lock nuts
TBD NFT6
FLOYD ROSE non fine tuner
1983
unplated (chrome) AGED
TBD
Original nickel/brass FR (42)
Period Correct Guitar Parts steel retro arm; stainless steel string lock nuts
TBD NFT7
FLOYD ROSE non fine tuner
1983
chrome AGED
TBD
Original nickel/brass FR (42)
Period Correct Guitar Parts steel retro arm; stainless steel block inserts; stainless steel string lock nuts
TBD NFT8
FLOYD ROSE non fine tuner
1985
chrome
TBD
Original nickel/brass FR (42)
Divebomb steel retro arm; titanium block inserts; titanium string lock nuts
TBD NFT9
FLOYD ROSE non fine tuner
1984
chrome
TBD
Original nickel/brass FR (42)
Period Correct Guitar Parts steel retro arm; stainless steel block inserts; stainless steel string lock nuts
TBD NFT10
FLOYD ROSE non fine tuner
1983
unplated (chrome) AGED
TBD
Original nickel/brass FR (42)
Period Correct Guitar Parts steel retro arm; stainless steel string lock nuts
TBD NFT11
FLOYD ROSE non fine tuner
1984
chrome
TBD
Original nickel/brass FR (42)
Period Correct Guitar Parts steel retro arm; stainless steel block inserts; stainless steel string lock nuts
TBD NFT12
FLOYD ROSE non fine tuner
1983
chrome AGED
TBD
Original nickel/brass FR (42)
Period Correct Guitar Parts steel retro arm; stainless steel block inserts; stainless steel string lock nuts
TBD NFT13
FLOYD ROSE non fine tuner
1984
chrome
TBD
Original nickel/brass FR (42)
Period Correct Guitar Parts steel retro arm; stainless steel block inserts; stainless steel string lock nuts
TBD II A
FLOYD ROSE II
1986
chrome
TBD
Original nickel/brass FR (42)
Modern chrome arm
MADE IN SOUTH KOREA - 1000 & Special
EVH Wolfgang Stealth Special MIM
FLOYD ROSE 1000 (EVH)
2015
black
FR R2 1 5/8" black nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (40)
"EVH" branded; w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); Original black saddles; Original Modern chrome arm; stainless steel screws; titanium block inserts
Charvel DeMartini Snakeskin
FLOYD ROSE 1000
2017
black nickel/stainless steel
FR R3 1 11/16" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); Kaish stainless steel CNC saddles & block inserts; Original Modern chrome arm; stainless steel screws
TBD K1
FLOYD ROSE 1000
2009
black/stainless steel
TBD
brass BIG block (37)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); Kaish stainless steel CNC saddles & block inserts; Original Modern chrome arm; stainless steel screws
TBD K2
FLOYD ROSE 1000 (EVH)
2010
chrome AGED
TBD
brass BIG block (37)
"EVH" branded; w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); Original chrome CNC saddles; Original Modern chrome arm; stainless steel screws
TBD K3
FLOYD ROSE 1000
2020
antique silver/stainless steel
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); Kaish stainless steel CNC saddles & block inserts; Original Modern chrome arm; stainless steel screws
TBD K4
FLOYD ROSE 1000
2022
antique bronze/stainless steel
TBD
brass BIG block (37)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); Kaish stainless steel CNC saddles & block inserts; Original Modern chrome arm
TBD K5
FLOYD ROSE 1000
2022
chrome/stainless steel
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (RED); Kaish stainless steel CNC saddles & block inserts; Original Modern chrome arm
TBD K6
FLOYD ROSE 1000
2022
satin gold/stainless steel
TBD
FR 40th brass BIG block (37)
w/ EVH D-tuna (RED); Kaish stainless steel CNC saddles & block inserts; Original Modern chrome arm; stainless steel screws
TBD K7
FLOYD ROSE 1000
2014
unplated (black nickel) AGED/stainless steel
TBD
brass BIG block (37)
w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); Kaish stainless steel CNC saddles & block inserts; Original Modern chrome arm
TBD K8
FLOYD ROSE 1000
2019
black AGED
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black); Original black saddles; Original Modern chrome arm; stainless steel block inserts
TBD K9
FLOYD ROSE 1000
2023
satin chrome/stainless steel
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black); Kaish stainless steel CNC saddles; Original Turbo chrome arm
TBD K-NFT1
FLOYD ROSE non fine tuner 1000
2020
black AGED
TBD
Original brass FR (42)
Original Modern chrome arm; stainless steel intonation screws; stainless steel block inserts; stainless steel string lock nuts
TBD K-NFT2
FLOYD ROSE non fine tuner 1000
2021
black
TBD
Original brass FR (42)
Original Modern chrome arm; stainless steel string lock nuts
CLMT
FLOYD ROSE SPECIAL
2012
chrome AGED/antique silver
Ibanez 1 11/16" smoke chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (32)
antique silver 1000 saddles; Original Modern chrome arm
Fender '54 Pine Super Strat
FLOYD ROSE SPECIAL
2010
antique silver
FR R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (top mount)
brass BIG block (42)
w/ EVH D-tuna (black); antique silver 1000 saddles; Original Modern chrome arm
Jackson EVH Super Strat
FLOYD ROSE SPECIAL
2010
satin chrome/stainless steel
Jackson 1 11/16" satin chrome nut (top mount)
Original nickel/brass (42)
Kaish stainless steel CNC saddles & block inserts; Original Modern chrome arm
Jackson JTX
FLOYD ROSE SPECIAL
2009
nickel/chrome
FR R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (top mount)
brass BIG block (37)
chrome 1000 saddles; Original Modern nickel arm
Jackson Monaco Strat
FLOYD ROSE SPECIAL
2009
chrome
FR R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (top mount)
Original nickel/brass (42)
chrome 1000 saddles; Original Modern chrome arm
Kramer EVH 1225
FLOYD ROSE SPECIAL
2013
chrome/stainless steel
FR R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (through neck)
Original nickel/brass (42)
Kaish stainless steel CNC saddles & block inserts; Original Modern chrome arm
TBD S1
FLOYD ROSE SPECIAL
2014
black AGED
TBD
aluminum BIG lock block (40)
black 1000 saddles; Original Modern chrome arm
TBD S2
FLOYD ROSE SPECIAL
2016
chrome/black
TBD
FR brass (37)
black 1000 saddles; raw brass fine tuners; Original Modern chrome arm; stainless steel screws
TBD S3
FLOYD ROSE SPECIAL
2019
black/antique bronze
TBD
Original nickel/brass (42)
antique bronze 1000 saddles; Original Modern chrome arm
TBD S4
FLOYD ROSE SPECIAL
(Vibe Series)
2022
goldenrod/stainless steel
TBD
FR brass (42)
Kaish stainless steel CNC saddles, fine tuners & block inserts; Original Modern chrome arm; stainless steel screws
TBD S5
FLOYD ROSE SPECIAL (EVH)
2020
black
TBD
FR brass (42)
"EVH" branded; black 1000 saddles; Original Modern chrome arm
TBD S6
FLOYD ROSE SPECIAL
2017
unplated (black nickel) AGED/stainless steel
TBD
FR brass (42)
Kaish stainless steel CNC saddles & block inserts; Original Modern chrome arm; stainless steel string lock screws
TBD S7
FLOYD ROSE SPECIAL
(Vibe Series)
2023
red/stainless steel
TBD
FR brass (42)
Kaish stainless steel CNC saddles, fine tuners & block inserts; Original Modern chrome arm; stainless steel screws
TBD S8
FLOYD ROSE SPECIAL
2023
chrome/stainless steel
TBD
FR brass (42)
Kaish stainless steel CNC saddles; Original Modern chrome arm

- All Floyd Rose tremolos above are manufactured in Germany, except the 1000 and Special, which are made in South Korea.
- All Original, German-made Floyd Rose tremolos above feature Original, German-made steel saddles unless noted (Tesi titanium). FR 1000 and Special models listed above are set up with steel saddles as noted (Original, 1000, Kaish, etc.) No zinc Special saddles are ever used.
- In 2021, Schaller/Floyd Rose updated the Original, German-made saddle (with the brass floor) with its CNC saddle, which has a solid bottom and requires rounded insert blocks.
- Most Floyd Rose tremolos above are equipped with the German-made, chrome/unplated steel Original "Old Style" screw-in arm bushing/collar arm, unless noted. Other Original tremolo bars used are the Modern "Barrel" and Modern Turbo arms, and the Push-In arm.
- 1980s Floyd Rose purchase #3 was my 1986 Kramer Focus 1000, which I sold in 2000.

licensed Floyd Rose tremolos

GUITAR
MAKE
FLOYD CIRCA
FINISH
LOCKING NUT
SUSTAIN BLOCK
NOTE
Ernie Ball Music Man EVH
GOTOH
1993
chrome
Gotoh 1 5/8" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (37)
Made in Japan; "Music Man" branded
Ernie Ball Music Man EVH 5150
GOTOH
2019
chrome AGED
Gotoh 1 5/8" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (40)
Made in Japan; FR Original chrome arm
Ernie Ball Music Man EVH '91 Poundcake
GOTOH
2018
chrome AGED
FR R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (39)
Made in Japan; FR Original chrome arm
Ernie Ball Music Man EVH '91 Runaround
GOTOH
2016
chrome AGED
FR R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (39)
Made in Japan; FR Original chrome arm
Ernie Ball Music Man EVH Axis LT
GOTOH
2019
chrome
FR R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (40)
Made in Japan; FR Original chrome arm
Ernie Ball Music Man EVH Sport
GOTOH
2000
black
FR R2 1 5/8" black nut (top mount)
brass BIG block (40)
Made in Japan; FR Original chrome arm
Peavey EVH Wolfgang
PING
1997
chrome
FR R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (top mount)
brass BIG block (42)
Made in South Korea; "Peavey" branded; w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome)
Peavey EVH Wolfgang Striped Special
PING
1998
chrome
FR R2 1 5/8" black nut (top mount)
brass BIG block (42)
Made in South Korea; "Peavey" branded; w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome)
TBD P1
PING
1999
chrome
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
Made in South Korea; "Peavey" branded; w/ EVH D-tuna (black)
TBD P2
PING
2002
black
TBD
brass BIG block (42)
Made in South Korea; "Peavey" branded; w/ EVH D-tuna (chrome); stainless steel screws & block inserts
Fender EVH Frankenstein Baritone
PING
2007
chrome AGED
FR R3 1 11/16" chrome nut (through neck)
brass BIG block (42)
Made in South Korea; "Floyd Rose" branded
D4
SCHALLER
2000
black
FR R2 1 5/8" chrome nut (through neck)
original nickel/brass FR (42)
Made in Germany; FR Original chrome arm; steel block inserts


UPDATED OCT 2 2023