Floyd Speed Loader vs. old Charvel

[Praetorian]

Hey guys, I just sort of stumbled on to the speed loader today...I was looking into replacing my 90's Charvel's liscensed trem with an OFR but I went onto their site and saw the speedloader. The question is: what do I have to do to get it in there? Is the threading different, is the routing different, do I even have to replace the nut? What all do I have to do to get it in there?
Hopefully someone knows.

[Koss]

the speed loader bridge will fit easily into an OFR cavity. So if a OFR can fit in your guitar, then so can the speedloader.
I believe the nut needs to be replaced with the speedloader nut , but remember if you go for the speedlaoder then you need to use special speedloader strings. Which are not as easy to come by as the conventional strings.

[lyconxero]

Yeah, but it's worth it to go with the Speedloader because, IMO, I think it's the best floating trem on the market. It's got the stability of the OFR with super easy string changes.

[Koss]

I agree. I also believe that it is a great improvement on problems that "floaters" face, such as replacing a string. However, most people swear by the brand of strings that they use so they are reluctant to make the switch. I think there are other concerns about them aswell, but its been awhile since i did any digging on the speedloader.

[Praetorian]

well, lol...I'm having nut troubles . It looks like the original floyd only comes in 10" and 15" radiuses and the speedloader comes with the 12". So if I wanted to replace the nut, I wouldn't be able to get one from floyd. What do you guy think I should do? I mean, it's an old Charvel, basically the same thing as a Jackson. But I don't get it, the high end Jacksons use original floyds and they have a 12" radius. Hmm. So maybe I should just stick with the stock nut and switch out the trem? I don't know. Anyway, if I were to get the speedloader, as cool as it is, I'd have to change out the nut for the speed loader nut thus eliminating the need for my tuners at the top. It's like the new Floyd Rose guitars, they have no tuners, just a sort of reverse hard tail. Unless, of course, I keep the stock nut and switch to the speed loader anyway. Anybody know how it works? I mean, if all it does is lock the string in place at the bottom, I could still use a regular nut and strings, just with the speedloader bridge, right? I know the idea is for wuick string changes, but that's not a big deal for me. I just like the fact that you can make it a fixed bridge with the turn of a screw.

[darren wilson]

Originally Posted by Praetorian

Unless, of course, I keep the stock nut and switch to the speed loader anyway. Anybody know how it works? I mean, if all it does is lock the string in place at the bottom, I could still use a regular nut and strings, just with the speedloader bridge, right?

No. The Speedloader strings have specially-designed brass ends that lock into the bridge saddles and the nut. Regular strings will not work.

[Praetorian]

Hmm...OK. I guess it's the original all the way then. Thanks.

[whatshisname]

The radius would be fine. The only potential "problem" would be the strings.

[Jemwielder]

I think yer better off with an OFR. Or if you can find one try to get a Lo-pro edge like on the jem. You might be able to get one from ibanez or perhaps various internet auction sites. I definetly think the more traditional trem is the better move. It makes buying strings way less of a hassle. You don't wanna have to go and get those speedloaders off the net or where ever if you pop a string and that's the only set you have. Call me old fashioned but the speedloader seems a little on the gimmicky side to me.

[tech_dude]

I sell guitars with speedloaders on them.................B.C. Rich.................they work quite well. I've also worked on them and they can be a bit of a pain to tune untill the strings have stretched. You have to tune them with a small allen key at the base of the bridge. The key is really small and seems like they would be easy to strip with string pressure on them. The strings retail for $28.00 a pack...................street price around $15.00............which is steep if you like to change your strings often. The strings themselves aren't too bad...................and they offer only limited gauges.