Trem Setter?

evolvedmb · #1 03-05-2005, 09:38 PM

I have been hearing a lot about the Trem setter, but am unsure of how and where to find them. Why are some of you placing them on your guitars? Can anyone explain exactly what they do, cost, instillation, and maybe supply a picture and website. Thanks for responding

buddroyce · #2 03-05-2005, 10:02 PM

It depends on which trem setter you're talking about. When Steve Vai refers to his tremsetter he means the Ibanez backstop(no longer manufactured). You can see this unit installed in the trem cavity of Steve's main axe "EVO".

The "trem setter" by Hipshot is one you can buy from most retailers, but people have had mixed experiences with this one. I've had one for over four years, but I've never installed it (it sits here in my spare parts box). You can find the Hipshot tremsetter here http://www.hipshotproducts.com/tremsetter.htm

Interestingly enough ESP also makes something similar to the Ibanez backstop, but I don't know if it's still being manufactured. Here's a shot of it in the ESP M-II deluxe that I just ordered.
http://www.animetor.com/guitars/tremstop.gif

evolvedmb · #3 03-05-2005, 10:03 PM

thanks!

unique77 · #4 03-24-2005, 12:46 AM

Is there anyone else whos had experiences with the trem setter? I'm considering buying one sense it would be nice to be able to double stop without the trem moving, I am curoius as to if the trem would still flutter with it on though.

parker_fly · #5 03-24-2005, 08:03 AM

I have trem setters in all my guitars with trems.. They are great little tools that help alot with tuning.. It doesnt go sharp as easy when your hand is resting on the trem, and helps keep the other string in tune when your tuning one particular string. I recommend it!

Drew · #6 03-24-2005, 12:12 PM

If flutter is absolutely crucial to you, then pass on the tremsetter.

I've been using a Tremol-no for the last week or so (finally talked Kevan into sending me one, lol), and while they most likely won't be on the market for a little while yet, one of these things is definitely worth waiting for. Unlocked, you'll never even notice it's there, but give the two thumb screws in the back a quick twist, and your bridge is immoblized. Absolutely perfect double-stop bends (even the trem setted will drop a couple cents, when checked against a good digital tuner), much better definition on your picking attack, and a bit of a boost to your sustain, too. As an added bonus, when it's locked down if you snap a string, you still stay in tune - I've heard a few people claim this is the case, but in my experience (a trem setter on a 7620 seven string, where with the additional lower string, the high E is actually contributing far less to the overall tension than on a six), when you snap your high E, you'll still go sharp. Not as bad as a fully floating trem, but too far out to finish a song.

That's the other common misconception on a Tremsetter - with one installed, a Floyd is no longer a true "fully floating" trem, as there is now a zero return point. You can feel the trem catch slightly as you move from dive to pullback, and bar vibratos aren't nearly as smooth. Flutter, unless you back the countertension off so far that the tremsetter basically isn't doing anything, is a no-no.

It's not a bad peice of gear by any means, and if your main guitar isn't terribly collectable and you don't mind a bit of routing in the trem cavity, then I'd say go out and give it a shot- you're talking like $30 from musician's friend. I have a feeling that for what you're looking for it isn't the answer, but it'll hold you over until the tremol-no hits production, and then you'll appreciate the T-no that much more.

-D

parker_fly · #7 03-24-2005, 09:12 PM

Quote:

If flutter is absolutely crucial to you, then pass on the tremsetter.

Ive never had a problem getting some real nice flutter out of my trems with settters in em...

patricia · #8 03-26-2005, 03:37 PM

i`ve ordered a hipshot today.
hope it works properly on my jem555 lefty.

cheers,
patricia

john1880 · #9 03-26-2005, 10:23 PM

patricia,
when you get your tremsetter, just read the installation instructions carefully. you will need to drill a small hole in the tremolo cavity, and the distance between the tremsetter and the trem block is pretty important. i have them in all my guitars with trems. it allows me to use a D-Tuna for drop D tunings. I could never do that without a tremsetter. It should work out great for you.
BTW. If you ever need to order more, I get mine from www.stewartmacdonald.com

patricia · #10 03-27-2005, 03:10 AM

thanx john!!
i wonder, will it fit in my jem555?
i`m not an technical person,however, i`ll try to install the tremsetter meself.
indeed it would be very cool to do a dropdown.
again, thanx for the info man!!

cheers,
patricia

john1880 · #11 03-27-2005, 03:56 AM

yes, it should fit in your jem555. it fit in all my ibanez guitars. the installation is fairly easy. oops. i just noticed that you're in the netherlands, so that website i posted won't do you much good. :-).
if you need help with the installation, you know where to go. also, hipshot is really great about helping too. the 1st one i had didn't have the instructions. i emailed hipshot, and they emailed the instructions to me with in a few hours. very good customer service.

john

lyconxero · #12 03-27-2005, 04:20 AM

I just ordered an Ibanez RG370DX which I hope will arrive sometime in the near future (the guy at the store couldn't tell me the status of it because it was out of stock when I ordered it). I don't know how good the tuning will be on it with trem use, but it's good to know that there are other options to improving this aside from re-routing the whole guitar and putting in a better trem.

patricia · #13 03-27-2005, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john1880

yes, it should fit in your jem555. it fit in all my ibanez guitars. the installation is fairly easy. oops. i just noticed that you're in the netherlands, so that website i posted won't do you much good. :-).
if you need help with the installation, you know where to go. also, hipshot is really great about helping too. the 1st one i had didn't have the instructions. i emailed hipshot, and they emailed the instructions to me with in a few hours. very good customer service.

john

hi john!
is it possible to send me the instructions by e-mail?

thanx in advance!!

hugs from the netherlands

john1880 · #14 03-27-2005, 12:59 PM

patricia,
here is a link to the installation instructions. you'll probably get them with your tremsetter too.

john

john1880 · #15 03-27-2005, 01:00 PM

of course, it would be more helpful if i posted the link....duh.
http://www.hipshotproducts.com/download/New%20Tremsetter%20Instructions.pdf#search='tremse tter%20hipshot%20installation'