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Author Topic: I'm GAS'ing for a Whammy (Kick Me)  (Read 4094 times)

phlip

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I'm GAS'ing for a Whammy (Kick Me)
« on: February 01, 2010, 02:33:33 PM »
OK so I'm back into playing guitar my dodgy wrist is improving, My (HEAVY) Les Paul with Rebel Yells sounds amazing and Ibanez ART320 with P90's is rocking.

Now I'm getting that Whammy bar feeling which I haven't had since the Mid 80-90's, there's a lovely Ibanez in the Local which is like this,



Except with what looked like a Quilted Maple top (forgot to look at the model number as I was on a Lunchtime rush) and a more orangey burst to the finish.


The Real question what are the ZR trems like? I like the idea of bearings over knife edges and the tuning stability sustain claims over Floyd Rose but in reality are they any good?



nwobhm

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Re: I'm GAS'ing for a Whammy (Kick Me)
« Reply #1 on: February 01, 2010, 03:12:23 PM »
The ZR trems have come into quite a bit of criticism, have a read over on Jemsite, try one back to back with a traditional floyd or kahler, you may prefer them :?
This thread needs more cowbell!

phlip

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Re: I'm GAS'ing for a Whammy (Kick Me)
« Reply #2 on: February 01, 2010, 03:26:00 PM »
I've checked Jemsite, but do trust the opinions on here more  :D

Main issues seem to be Arm thread part breaking -although this does appear to be fine as long as you pay attention to the nut and make sure it's on correctly.
Not begin able to flutter, I can live without this.
A bit stiffer than a  Floyd..
To be fair there isn't a huge amount of criticism usually on the net silence means it works.

Jonny

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Re: I'm GAS'ing for a Whammy (Kick Me)
« Reply #3 on: February 02, 2010, 08:19:04 PM »
I was thinking of getting an Ibanez S Series, as they've just changed them all to 24 frets which has made me a happy bunny. You could look at the SV series as well.

Generally I think the ZR would suit me if it is stiffer than the Floyd Rose and I don't use the whammy much so the arm breaking wouldn't bother me that much either.

Good luck if you go ahead and buy it or not.
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Mr. Air

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Re: I'm GAS'ing for a Whammy (Kick Me)
« Reply #4 on: February 04, 2010, 02:19:38 PM »
Oh man. I thought this thread was about desire for a whammy pedal  :(

Unfortunately I know nothing about whammys so can't really help out.
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maverickf1jockey

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Re: I'm GAS'ing for a Whammy (Kick Me)
« Reply #5 on: February 04, 2010, 05:04:27 PM »
Just as a left-field suggestion you might do fairly well with a pedal.

I was listening to some demos of the whammy mode on the Boss PS-5 and I was impressed by how authentic it actually was. It might take some getting used to but you would have the ability to get whammy sounds with your hardtail guitars without the problem of strings detuning with bending.
I'm tempted to get one some time as there are so many useable sounds there, ignoring the pitch-shifting, which is a bit overused nowadays.

It'd be cheaper than a new guitar, too.
I too use chicken as a measurement.

phlip

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Re: I'm GAS'ing for a Whammy (Kick Me)
« Reply #6 on: February 05, 2010, 09:20:27 AM »
It'd be cheaper than a new guitar, too.


But It's not a new guitar  :D :D, still an interesting idea.
Aside from the Whammy, I guess I'm also looking to fill a super Strat hole in my Les Paul syle based guitar stash (of 2)

Jonny

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Re: I'm GAS'ing for a Whammy (Kick Me)
« Reply #7 on: February 07, 2010, 03:26:33 AM »
I went into Rockers today to try the S420, the neck is pretty alright I guess. Prefer the Prestige neck thickness, the build is alright.

I can't say much because 5 minutes after plugging in the guy told me to get off because some other guy wanted to try a guitar.

...
"Would you like some lemon oil?"
"Oh, no thanks, I don't eat fruit."

phlip

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Re: I'm GAS'ing for a Whammy (Kick Me)
« Reply #8 on: February 07, 2010, 11:08:10 AM »
I went into Rockers today to try the S420, the neck is pretty alright I guess. Prefer the Prestige neck thickness, the build is alright.

I can't say much because 5 minutes after plugging in the guy told me to get off because some other guy wanted to try a guitar.

...

Work has gotten in my way of testing out guitars, hopefully I'll get a go next weekend.
The more I look the more I like that 2010 model I posted the pic of, fingers crossed the new models are starting to appear on thr shelves for testing  :D

phlip

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Re: I'm GAS'ing for a Whammy (Kick Me)
« Reply #9 on: February 12, 2010, 07:31:32 PM »
Well I've got a S770 like in the pic above coming to the shop for me to try next week. Tried an S570 in overly bright red today and it played very nicely for the money and the trem was rock solid in tuning and use. Stiffer and not as wobble light as a floyd which I prefered.

NGD incoming..................  :D

What BKP's for Mahogany Body, Maple top, Maple neck rosewood board then. versatile but with 80's rock and metal tones at the top of the list?

I love the Rebel Yells in my LP.
« Last Edit: February 12, 2010, 07:34:05 PM by phlip »

Lew

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Re: I'm GAS'ing for a Whammy (Kick Me)
« Reply #10 on: February 12, 2010, 10:15:51 PM »
Dunno about the function, never tried one. But, it's a very attractive design!