Floyd Rose Tremolos for Left Hand Guitars: Original and Genuine
- Gaskell Guitars Australia
- Aug 5
- 30 min read
Updated: 2 hours ago
The following is the ultimate guide on left handed Floyd Rose tremolos: genuine, licensed, and proprietary - past and present. Nowhere else on the internet will you find all this information in one place.
This article is in five parts:
Part 1: Original and Genuine Floyd Rose (Floyd Rose, Fernandes, Schaller, Sung il, Ping Well)
Part 2: OEM Producers (Kahler, Gotoh, Takeuchi, Ping Well)
Part 3: Proprietary Versions (Schaller, Kahler, Fernandes, Ibanez, St. Louis Music, Aria Pro II, Yamaha, ESP, Jackson-Charvel, Kaman Music Corporation)
Part 4: The Asian OEM Pool ("Korean Catalog", "Chinese Catalog")
Part 5: No-Names, Fakes, Unknowns, and Never Left Handed
Overview
Musician Floyd Rose invented his original guitar tremolo in 1976. In 1979, he was granted U.S. Patent No. 4,171,661 "Guitar tremolo method and apparatus" for the double-locking mechanism at both the bridge and nut. The patent documents the core mechanical ideas: a locking clamp at the nut, a locking clamp at the bridge saddles on a pivoting bridge plate and block with hardened knife‑edge contacts that let the unit rock smoothly while minimising friction at the fulcrum. Those details — locking at both ends plus hardened, precision pivots — were the technical innovations that produced dramatically improved tuning stability for heavy vibrato use.
Rose made his early double-locking guitar tremolo system in his garage and presented them publicly at the 1981 NAMM Show. Shortly thereafter he partnered with Fernandes Electric Sound Research Group Co. Ltd. of Japan to supply further prototypes and the first production models. Fernandes used factories in Japan to manufacture the units.
Rose was introduced to Eddie Van Halen through a mutual friend and Van Halen began using Rose's products on his guitars. Other prominent American guitarists at the time began to use the "Rose tremolo" too.
Rose met executives from Kramer Guitars at the 1982 NAMM show and thereafter formed a partnership in 1983. Eddie Van Halen had also signed with Kramer earlier.
The first production tremolos supplied by Fernandes were fitted exclusively to Kramer guitars in the United States beginning in 1982. Kramer guitars were built by California-based company Boogie Bodies until around 1984 after which ESP in Japan built bodies and necks and then shipped them to the United States for assembly.
Feedback from users of Rose's system, particularly from Eddie Van Halen, saw the unit gain fine tuners. Rose filed for a patent for the fine tuners on March 15, 1982.
With further input from Eddie Van Halen, the final design was released in 1983. In the same year the Kramer Baretta was released which quickly became Kramer's flagship model due to its association with Eddie Van Halen.
Kramer was a prolific user of Schaller hardware for all its guitars and bass guitars and decided to use the German company to manufacture the new Floyd Rose range, which now consisted of a non-fine tuner tremolo and a fine tuner tremolo. Local company Hansen Metalworks was employed do an interim run of 800 units during the six months it took for Schaller to get ready for production. Fernandes continued to produce Floyd Rose tremolos for the Japanese market.
The "locking tremolo" concept spread quickly throughout the Music industry which led to other parts distributors and guitar brands making their own copies. To safeguard his patent rights, Rose devised an innovative strategy to grant sub-licenses to interested manufacturers, allowing them to produce their own units or OEM units for other guitar brands that wished to utilize them. Authorized manufacturers would have to display a licensing statement on their products to validate their authenticity and to differentiate them from the genuine originals.
The contract between Rose and Fernandes ended in 1985, leaving Schaller to produce all original models thereafter. The Schaller originals continued to be marketed and distributed exclusively by Kramer.
Floyd Rose filed for a further patent for Fine Tuners on February 4, 1985, for which he was awarded U.S. Patent No. 4,549,461 on October 29, 1985. On February 5, 1985, the patent applied for in 1982 for the Fine Tuners was awarded as U.S. Patent No. 4,497,236.
Kramer went bankrupt in 1991, and Rose partnered with Fender USA, which became the exclusive distributor for all Floyd Rose products.
Rose applied for a worldwide design patent for "Fine Tuning Tremolo Bridge Unit for a Guitar" in 1989, which was awarded to him in 1992 as USD324693S.
U
SD324693S
From 2005 distribution returned to Floyd Rose. Under Floyd Rose's control, Schaller remained the exclusive producer of the Original Floyd Rose tremolos. AP International Music Supply in the United States is the current distributor of Floyd Rose original products.
Guitar brands that adopted the Floyd Rose systems include Aria Pro II, B.C. Rich, Carvin, Charvel, Epiphone, ESP, EVH, Fender, Fernandes, Framus, Gaskell, Gibson, Hamer, Ibanez, Jackson, Kramer, Music Man, Peavey, Samick, Schecter, Tokai, Tom Anderson, Vester, Washburn, Westone, and Yamaha.
Schaller produced the Original Floyd Rose OEM systems for various guitar brands up until the early 2000s after which original OEM production went fully to Korea.
Early OEM manufacturers of well-known licensed Floyd Rose tremolos were Takeuchi, Gotoh, Kahler, Jin Ah, and Ping Well. These companies manufactured units under OEM arrangements for multiple guitar brands. Licensed units were most often stamped "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Patents" on the base plate or tail.
Takeuchi of Japan manufactured licensed Floyd Rose tremolos for Ibanez, Jackson, Charvel, Yamaha, Fernandes, Aria Pro II, and Washburn, among others until the late 2000s. Unbranded kits could also be bought by the general public. The Takeuchi TRS-101 licensed tremolo is the most copied non-genuine OFR-style tremolo in the world.
Gotoh of Japan produced their own licensed proprietary tremolo as a direct replacement for an Original Floyd Rose and supplied theirs as OEM units to Aria Pro II, B.C Rich, Music Man, Peavey, and Fernandes from 1986. Theirs is still a popular choice for custom builders and individuals wanting to upgrade.
Kahler made several proprietary models during the 1980s and 1990s combining Floyd Rose and Kahler patents. These were supplied as OEM units for such brands as Carvin and B.C Rich. Kahler left the industry in the early 1990s but returned in 2005 and is now most famous for its own guitar bridges and tremolos. They also reintroduced fulcrum-based tremolos with engineering upgrades in 2024.
Ping Well in Taiwan supplemented Schaller production of genuine Floyd Rose systems for a time and also manufactured OEM and proprietary systems for guitar brands such as Fender, Jackson, Peavey and Fernandes.
Jin Ah was a Korean company that produced OEM licensed Floyd Rose and proprietary systems for many guitar brands that had Korean production lines in the 1980s and 1990s. Samick, Cort, and World Musical Instrument Co built guitars for Fernandes, B.C. Rich, Aria Pro II, Charvette by Charvel, Washburn, Westone, Marlin, Hohner, Hondo, Vester, Epiphone, Vantage, and Dean Guitars using Jin Ah products.
Fernandes, Ibanez, Yamaha, Aria, Tokai, Westone, and ESP went on to produce proprietary versions of Floyd Rose-style systems for their own guitar brands. Often, they used hardware from the same factories with just different branding for the same parts. Schaller also produced an exclusive system with fine tuners for Fender Japan.
ESP utilized the Fernandes FRT-5 double-locking Floyd Rose tremolo for their own guitars, stamped as the "Magician" and then developed their own licensed "ESP Synclear Tremolo" with proprietary modifications during the 1980s and 1990s.
Yamaha produced their licensed and proprietary "Rocking Magic" series of tremolos until the early 2000s. These units featured unique and innovative engineering, culminating in the "Yamaha Finger Clamp Tremolo System" in 2007.
Fernandes further developed the original Floyd Rose units that they supplied to Floyd Rose and Kramer to become the Fernandes proprietary "Head Crasher," then "FRT" Tremolo Systems until 1997. These were initially made by Gotoh in Japan and then by Korean factories when Fernandes guitar production moved from Japan to Korea in the 1990s.
Ibanez developed its own proprietary systems during the 1980s using Gotoh and Takeuchi to manufacture the first models and then went on to further engineer and develop their own systems which they use to this day. Modern Ibanez tremolo systems are made in China.
Aria Pro II used several unique tremolos, such as the "ACT-3" which was made initially by Gotoh in Japan and then by Jin Ah of Korea after Japanese production ended in 1987. This same unit was also used by Washburn. Samick built guitars for both brands.
Tokai produced a range of tremolo systems using Floyd Rose technologies as the "Ayers Rocker" series during the 1980s. These were exclusive to Tokai.
Westone is famous for its proprietary "Bendmaster" tremolos which were developed inhouse when Westone guitars were being built in Japan by Matsumoku. The Bendmaster range were later manufactured by Jin Ah in Korea and became an OEM product for multiple guitar brands such as Aria Pro II, B.C. Rich, Charvel, Epiphone, Hondo, Marlin, Samick, Series-10, and Vantage.
Schaller made the licensed "Blade Shooter" tremolo system exclusively for Fender Japan during the 1980s. There were eventually three versions, known outside Japan as "System I", "System II", and "System III".
U.S. Patent 4,497,236 expired on 5 February 2002 and US Patent 4,549,461 expired on 15 March, 2002, after which licensing was no longer necessary. This led to a slew of Asian manufacturers making copies of varying quality.
In the early days of mass manufacturing in China, factories sourced musical instrument hardware from established Korean OEM suppliers via a shared manufacturing pool that continues to this day. As China built its own domestic production capabilities in the late 2000s, including its own OEM pool, a flood of inexpensive counterfeit and low-quality copies emerged. To compete directly with these knockoffs, Floyd Rose introduced the affordable "Floyd Rose Special" around 2008. Manufactured in South Korea like the high-quality OEM 1000 Series (which uses premium steel components matching the German-made Original), the Special employs cost-effective zinc alloy parts while delivering the reliable performance expected from an authentic Floyd Rose product.
The following information is the definitive guide on Floyd Rose tremolos (and variants) for left-handed guitars.
I will get this out of the way first: I am a big fan of Floyd Rose tremolos. I owned an original lefty Kramer back in the 1980s. I am very familiar with each of the OFR, Schaller and Gotoh tremolos. I also like the modern Ibanez systems. I also like Kahler tremolos too.
If you are keen on upgrading your lefty guitar with a better-quality tremolo or replacing the one you have, then here are your choices:
Floyd Rose Original Tremolo System
(Made in Germany, 1983 - 2025)
Status: Phased out
The first production Floyd Rose tremolos were made in Japan by Fernandes Electric Sound Research Group Co. Ltd. from 1982, with the final double-locking design with fine tuners, introduced in 1983. After the decision to move production to Schaller, Hansen Metalworks in the United States produced an interim run of 800 units while Schaller prepared for full‑scale manufacturing. In the USA, the non-fine-tuner tremolo and the new "whale tail" tremolo were marketed simply as the "Floyd Rose Tremolo System," exclusive to Kramer guitars, while the Fernandes versions were confined to the Japanese market only. See Fernandes section following.
Kramer introduced the double‑locking tremolo with fine tuners in its 1983 catalog, initially on the Pacer, Voyager, and Vanguard models, and later that year on the new Baretta. Despite being made in Japan, the Kramer Focus Series, also launched in 1983, were built with the Schaller double-locking tremolo.
Fernandes' contract with Floyd Rose ended sometime in 1985 and Schaller became primary manufacturer of Original Floyd Rose products thereafter. All products were made in Germany. They were originally etched with "Floyd Rose" on the base plate until about 1987 after which they were embossed with "Floyd Rose Original."
The Japan-only JK range, launched in 1986 also utilized the German double-locking Floyd Rose tremolo. In the 1986 Kramer Japan catalog it states:
クレイマー・ギターには、全てフロイド・ローズ氏が自らプロデュースした "FLOYD ROSE TREMOLO SYSTEM" がマウントされています。 | All Kramer guitars are mounted with the 'FLOYD ROSE TREMOLO SYSTEM,' personally produced by Mr. Floyd Rose." |
By 1987, Kramer was using ESP exclusively for manufacturing its necks and bodies across the American Series and Signature lines, with final assembly still carried out in the United States. The Focus Series and JK Series were fully manufactured in Japan.
Left-handed availability
Kramer did make left hand versions of their U.S-assembled Pacer, Baretta, and "E.E." Pro I Series (1987-1988), and Japanese-made Focus 1000 Series. I do not believe the JK Series were offered left-handed. Left handed examples from this era include this white 1983 Pacer Deluxe, this white 1984 Baretta, this pink 1985 Baretta, this pink 1985 Pacer, this blue 1986 Focus 3000 (pictured below), and this black 1986/1987 Focus 1000.
All Floyd Rose products continued to be marketed and distributed exclusively by Kramer until Kramer's collapse in 1990. Fender USA became international distributor from 1991 until 2005. AP International in the United States is the current distributor.
Floyd Rose today
The modern double-locking Original Floyd Rose tremolo is designated the 100-Series and is almost unchanged from the original Fernandes/Schaller FRT-5 production model from 1983. The left handed product code is FRT-100L.
The modern unit is made of high-quality hardened steel and the sustain block is made of nickel-plated brass. Saddles are CNC-machined hardened steel. A minor difference between the original Kramer-era 100-Series units and the modern 100-Series units is that the modern baseplate is a full 1mm thinner than the originals.
The German-made tremolo was the flagship Original Floyd Rose model for over 40 years, however since 2025, Original Floyd Rose tremolos are fully manufactured in the United States.
Lefty versions used to be available in chrome, satin chrome, black, gold, black nickel, vintage copper, and satin pearl, but as of late 2025, black, black nickel, and vintage copper have so far been deleted as the Schaller versions become phased out.
Floyd Rose USA Series Original Tremolo
(Made in USA, 2025 - present)
Status: Current
From 2025, Floyd Rose production has been brought back to the United States at their new state-of-the-art CNC and 3D printing facility in North Carolina. This was first announced at the March 2025 NAMM show. By transitioning to in-house production, Floyd Rose gains direct oversight of every aspect of the manufacturing process, making it easier to implement design updates, fine-tune quality control, and ensure highest production standards. In a 2025 statement President Andrew Papiccio said:
“Our process ensures tighter specifications and enhanced quality. By keeping production local, Floyd Rose maintains rigorous standards and supports American craftsmanship."
The 100-Series has always been Floyd Rose's flagship model and the new USA-made unit is now the "USA Series Original Tremolo." It is made of high-quality hardened steel and the sustain block is made of nickel-plated brass. Saddles are precision CNC manufactured and come in multiple radius options, eliminating the need for individual saddle shims. Alongside the traditional 12” radius, Floyd Rose Original Saddles are now available in 10”, 14”, 16”, and 17” radii. Locking nuts are 3D printed. The base is stamped "Floyd Rose Original" at the top.
NOTE: It is not clear if, or when, lefty versions of the USA Series are being produced. According to the Floyd Rose website, it looks like leftover stock of German products are still being sold off.
Floyd Rose Original Non-Fine-Tuner Tremolo
(1983 - 1986, 2015 - present)
Status: Current
Floyd Rose's original tremolo system did not have fine tuners. It was initially built by Rose himself and Fernandes of Japan from 1982. Sometimes Rose used a mix of USA and Japanese parts for his own builds. The initial model number, according to Fernandes, was FRT-1. After a quick redesign of the saddles, it became the FRT-3, which was sold from the second half of 1982. The ones made by Floyd personally have a sticker on the block that says "ROSE Tremolo Pat # 4,171,661 USA."
The FRT-3 was the first production model to be engraved with "Floyd Rose" branding on the upper base plate. In the USA it was marketed officially as the "Floyd Rose Tremolo System."
After partnering with Kramer in 1983, Kramer brought in Schaller to take over manufacturing from Fernandes, and from late 1983 Schaller produced both the FRT-3 non-fine-tuner tremolo and new FRT-5 fine-tuner tremolo (today's 100 Series) thereafter. The German FRT-3 non-fine-tuner tremolo has "Floyd Rose" etched on the base plate with "MADE IN GERMANY" on the underside, next to the tremolo arm hole. Fernandes continued to produce the FRT-3 in Japan but only for the Japanese domestic market. (See following.)
The German FRT-3 was used on the Kramer Striker Series from 1983 until 1986. There were left handed models, such as this 1985 left handed Striker 300ST. The non-fine tuner tremolo was discontinued in 1986.
After an absence of 25 years, Floyd Rose re-released this tremolo in 2015 following revived interest in it, particularly because of guitarists Guthrie Govan, Brad Gillis, and Yngwie Malmsteen. Today it is called the "non fine tuner" tremolo. The reissued model was made by Schaller and was not available left-handed. I mention this here in the hope that, with Floyd Rose's operations now based in the USA, they will be able to produce a left-handed version as well. I'm waiting to hear back from AP International about this.
Floyd Rose II single-locking
(1986-1987)
Status: Obsolete
In 1986, Floyd Rose released the Floyd Rose II tremolo, which was made of cast iron. It is a single-locking system where the strings are fed through horizontal tubes at the rear and do not require ball ends to be cut off. It only locks at the neck. It has fine tuners. This was a genuine Floyd Rose product, made by Schaller in Germany for Kramer guitars made in Korea. It is almost identical to the Fernandes Head Crasher FRT-6, which Fernandes released two years earlier. (See Part 3: Proprietary Versions)
It was cast with "Floyd Rose II" at the top of the base plate and "Made In Germany by Schaller" at the bottom of the base plate. It had a very rough "orange peel" finish.
The Floyd Rose II was used on the 1986 - 1987 Kramer Striker Series made in Korea, while U.S-assembled Kramers and Japanese Focus Series continued to be built with the Original Floyd Rose double-locking tremolo. The Striker Series were available in left hand, such as this 1986 left-handed Kramer Striker 600ST.
Floyd Rose II double-locking
(1988 - 2000)
Status: Obsolete
From 1988, the Floyd Rose II name was reapplied to a cast-iron version of the double-locking Original Floyd Rose, for import models. This unit was also made by Schaller in Germany. The knife edges have replaceable inserts. It had "Floyd Rose II" cast into the top of the base plate. As with the single-locking version, it has a very rough "orange peel" finish. This was a genuine Floyd Rose product.
The double-locking Floyd Rose II first appeared on the 1988-1989 Kramer Striker 100-Series made in Korea. The Striker Series continued to be available in left hand. Examples include this white left-handed Kramer Striker ST100, this silver-grey left-handed Kramer Striker ST605, and this white 1988 left-handed Kramer Striker ST600.
The double-locking Floyd Rose II was also used on the 1989, Japan-only, ESP Kramer TK Series which do not appear to have been available in left hand.
1989 was the last year of original Kramer guitars as the company went bankrupt in 1990. The Original Floyd Rose, Low-Profile Floyd Rose Pro (never available left-handed) and the Floyd Rose II were advertised in Fender catalogs after Fender took over distribution in 1991. Fender did not make left handed guitars with Floyd Rose tremolos.
I am not sure what other guitar brands other than Kramer, if any, produced left handed guitars with the stock double-locking Floyd Rose II, however OEM branded versions were common. See following.
From my research it seems the Floyd Rose II may have been dropped around 2000.
Floyd Rose II: OEM supply
Floyd Rose offered both the single locking and double locking Floyd Rose II tremolos as branded OEM versions and these were adopted by Jackson, Carvin, Charvel, ESP, Hamer, Gibson, Music Man, Peavey, and Washburn for some of their production guitars through to the 1990s. These OEM models retained the "orange peel" finish of the stock Floyd Rose II.
OEM units were embossed on the face of the upper base plate with the guitar brand name and embossed on the lower face of the base plate with "Made in Germany by Schaller." The tail had "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Patents" embossed with a border around the statement. Two U.S patent numbers were engraved in the block.
Jackson-Charvel: For Jackson the string-through Floyd Rose II was model JT-570 and the double-locking Floyd Rose II was JT-590. For Charvel the latter was the FLC-202. They had "Jackson" or "Charvel" embossed on the top side of the base plate. No left handed guitars were produced with the JT-570. The JT-590 was used on the lefty Grover Jackson RR/L D-144. The identical FLC-202 was used on the 1989-1991 Japan-only, catalog lefty Charvel 475 Deluxe and the 1990-1991 Japan-only catalog lefty Charvel DK-095-SSHL.
Carvin switched from Kahler tremolos to the double locking OEM tremolo in 1990. It was listed in Carvin catalogs as the FC3 from 1990-1993. All Carvin guitars were offered left handed. OEM Floyd Rose-equipped Carvin guitars included the BC130 (1990 only), DC125, DC127, DC135, DC145, LS175 (1991 only), DC200, DC300, DC400, X220, and the long-running Ultra V. From 1994 Carvin switched to Wilkinson tremolos with Original Floyd Rose as an option.
Hamer: The Schaller double-locking OEM unit was used on many Hamer guitars such as this red 1989 Elite Graphic Finish left handed Hamer Californian Elite Custom Shop, this black 1990 left handed Hamer USA Californian, this 1993 Transparent Cherry Red Hamer USA Diablo, and this Sea Foam Green 1993 left-handed Hamer E4TE Californian. It was stamped "Hamer" on the opposite side of the "Made in Germany by Schaller" inscription.
Lâg: French guitar brand Lâg used an OEM version of the Schaller double-locking Floyd Rose II for their guitars during the 1980s including this sunburst left handed Lâg Roxane FR model.
Note: ESP, Gibson, Music Man, Peavey, and Washburn at that time either did not make left-handed guitars at all or did not make left-handed guitars with the OEM version of the Floyd Rose II, but did so for some of their right-handed guitars.
NOTE TO LEFT-HANDED GUITARISTS: The Floyd Rose II has long been discontinued and unavailable. How do you restore a guitar today with a worn-out Floyd Rose II? Especially a lefty guitar? Or what if you just like the look and want something better than a Floyd Rose Special?
If you are restoring an original left handed FRII-equipped guitar, you can upgrade your tired FRII tremolo to a compatible aftermarket equivalent, made in Korea, available for immediate purchase from Gaskell Guitars Australia.
It is also a straight swap for your lefty Floyd Rose Special.
These are OEM units which are not supplied to the public, only to manufacturers.
The Gaskell units are brand new and are identical to the original Floyd Rose II, even down to the distinctive "orange peel" finish.
Note: This unit is not a genuine Floyd Rose product and therefore does not have a "Floyd Rose II" base plate inscription.
Available in chrome, gold, and black. Prices range from US$119 - US$139. Block size = 36mm. L2 nut, posts, springs, and all parts are included for immediate installation. International postage is available. In stock. Left handed units only.
Floyd Rose 1000 Series Original Style Tremolo System
Status: Current
On lower-cost guitars fitted with a genuine Floyd Rose tremolo, the unit was not made in Germany but made in Korea. Some Korean OEM production had been occurring since the 1980s for non-U.S guitar models but it was initially Schaller producing both the originals and OEM models for guitar brands while other manufacturers were producing licensed versions.
Since about 2010 OEM versions of the Original Floyd Rose systems have been made in Korea. I eventually identified Sung-il Hightech Co Ltd as one of the manufacturers but I was told by AP International in 2025 that Sung-il has not worked with Floyd Rose for a long time. These OEM models were designated the "1000-Series" until 2020 after which they underwent a name change to 1000 Series Original Style Tremolo System.
The product description on the Floyd Rose website used to say:
"The 1000 Series Original is the Korean-made version of the Original Tremolo, made to the same specifications and materials, but is available only to guitar manufacturers and cannot be purchased aftermarket..."
Because it is a Floyd Rose genuine product, as with the earlier OEM Floyd Rose II, it does not have or need a "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Patents" statement. The 1000-Series is simply stamped with "Floyd Rose" on the base with only one exception: EVH guitars that use the 1000-Series have "EVH Floyd Rose" stamped on the base plate, apparently the result of a special arrangement between Floyd Rose and Eddie Van Halen. See the current left handed EVH Striped Series (Red with Black and White Stripes), the EVH left handed 5150 Series Standard, the EVH Wolfgang USA Left Hand, and the EVH left handed Wolfgang Special. This left handed 2012 Fender EVH Wolfgang Standard is an early example of the EVH-branded 1000L. The left handed EVH 1000 Series was even advertised on the Floyd Rose website alongside the 1000 Series Original during the 2010s.
1000-Series units have the "FR" logo and the website address stamped on the block. The lefty chrome version is the FRT-01000L, the black is the FRT-02000L and gold is the FRT-03000L.
Prior to the release of the Floyd Rose Special, 1000-Series units were sometimes branded. An example is this blue 2016 lefty ESP LTD MH-103 QM. In 2023 AP International told me that this is no longer the practice.
Floyd Rose Special Tremolo System
Status: Current
The Floyd Rose Special was introduced in 2008, originally made in Korea exclusively for Floyd Rose. It was a brilliant marketing decision to combat the flood of cheap Chinese Floyd Rose copies that were starting to come onto the market during the 2000s, and to undercut the cheaper but still high-quality licensed OFR alternatives like the Takeuchi TRS-101 and Gotoh GE1996T. Takeuchi coincidentally went out of business two years later.
The Floyd Rose Special is exactly the same as the Korean-made OEM 1000 Series but uses zinc alloy saddles in place of steel and a zinc alloy sustain block in place of brass. It is branded "Floyd Rose Special" on the baseplate and has the "FR" logo on the block.
The Floyd Rose Special (and 1000 Series) used to be manufactured by Sung il in Korea until around 2020, coincidentally the same year that the Floyd Rose OEM and Floyd Rose Special tremolos disappeared off the Sung il website. Current versions of the Special are made in China. They now have a "W" stamped on the underside of the base plate. There are some noticeable small differences in quality.
Unlike the OEM-only 1000 Series, the Special is available to the public and can be bought direct from Floyd Rose or from a reseller. Unfortunately, lefty versions weren't made available until 2020. The S1000L model is the lefty chrome version, the S2000L model is black, and the S3000L is the gold model.
The Special is the usual Floyd Rose tremolo for entry-to-mid-level guitars produced by most international guitar brands today. AP International offers the option to stamp the Special. The standard stamping format is "[brand] by Floyd Rose." Jackson's current left handed JS32L Randy Rhoads, made in China is an example.
NOTE: From 2021, there was a left-handed 7-string Floyd Rose Special, model FRTSSS1000L, but as of 2025 they are sold out according to the Floyd Rose website. The 7-string lefty was available in chrome, black, black nickel, and gold. Guitars that have the lefty 7 string Special are the Dean USA Limited Edition Rusty Cooley Signature RC7, the Schecter Jeff Loomis JL-7, the Sawtooth Americana Heritage HM724, and this Agile Interceptor Pro 725 EB DNC. Discontinued lefty models include this Washburn PXSOLAR170CLH Ola Englund Parallaxe Solar 7-String.
Floyd Rose 1500 Series
Status: Current
The 1500 Series Tremolo is the upgraded version of the OEM 1000 Series Tremolo (made in Korea) with stainless steel screws and a Push-In tremolo arm. The bridge plate, saddles, insert blocks, studs & inserts, and locking nut retain those of the 1000 Series. Like the 1000 Series, the 1500 Series is an OEM option available only to guitar manufacturers and is not available for aftermarket purchase. There are 6 and 7 string versions.
You can upgrade your existing 1000 Series tremolo yourself with these parts to make a 1500 Series:
• Push-In Tremolo Arm
• Stainless Steel Screws
SERVICE NOTICE: I no longer provide this service; however, I will perform Titanium upgrades on 100 Series or 1000 Series units if you provide your own unit. I will not upgrade Floyd Rose Special units manufactured after 2020 due to recurring quality concerns with the post‑2020 Chinese production. Fees for the parts and work apply. For Titanium upgrades please contact me at gaskellguitars@mail.com
Fernandes 1981 - 1985 (Floyd Rose contract)
Fernandes Electric Sound Research Group Co. Ltd. of Japan was the original contracted supplier of Floyd Rose tremolos, supplying the prototypes and first production models in the early 1980s.
Fernandes was primarily a design, marketing, and distribution company, not a manufacturer themselves. From 1969 they began marketing Fender-style guitars under the Fernandes brand and Gibson-style guitars under the Burny brand. They relied on a network of OEM manufacturers to build their products. Gotoh was their primary supplier of metal parts. Over time Fernandes expanded beyond guitars and began marketing electronics, replacement parts and accessories.
During the 1980s Fernandes-branded guitars were built mainly by Kawai. Burny-branded guitars were built by Matsumoku, and by Dyna and Fujugen after Matsumoku's closure in 1987. See here for Fernandes' venture into their own proprietary tremolo systems following the Floyd Rose contract.
In all the years since, it has never been made public as to who Fernandes used for the Floyd Rose contract. However, a few telltale signs that kept coming up when I researched all of this has convinced me 99.9% that it was Gotoh for Japanese production. Four facts are:
1) Gotoh was the metal parts supplier for Fernandes.
2) Gotoh was the metal parts supplier for ESP.
3) ESP made the guitar necks and bodies for Kramer and eventually whole guitars.
4) Gotoh is confirmed to have supplied the same contract-period Floyd Rose and post-contract Fernandes proprietary tremolo products on some of ESP's own lines and on ESP's Japan-exclusive "Kramer by ESP" range during Kramer's bankruptcy.
NOTE: With the exception of the 1983 catalog, Fernandes catalogs during the Floyd Rose contract (1982-1985) never showed pictures of left-handed models.
Floyd Rose FRT-1
(1981-1982)
Status: Superseded
Floyd Rose personally manufactured and sold his double-locking tremolo from 1978. This early unit had the locking saddles but no fine tuners. Rose presented it publicly at the 1981 NAMM Show, where he and representatives of Fernandes first met. Shortly after NAMM, Rose contracted Fernandes to mass-produce it with production beginning late 1981. Using Gotoh as the manufacturer, Fernandes supplied complete units and parts to Rose in the United States, and it appeared in Fernandes' own catalog for 1982 designated as the FRT-1. The Japanese FRT-1s have a sticker on the block that reads "Floyd Rose TREMOLO SYSTEM Pat. 4171,671."
The Fernandes FRT-1 was featured on the 1982 Fernandes FST-120H, ST-160 "Leopard", and ST-130 (Stratocaster) models, the EX-145 (Explorer), and the FV-135 (Flying V) catalog models; and on the Fernandes ST-135VH Eddie Van Halen and LG-135NS Neil Schon "Musician's Limited Series." During this period Fender-style guitars were built by Kawai Gakki, and Gibson-style guitars were built by Dyna Gakki.
The FRT-1 was advertised in Volume 1 of the 1982 catalog as being available for both right-handed and left-handed players, but none of the specific guitar models listed in the catalog are noted as having left-handed options, and there are no general ordering details or instructions concerning left-handed guitars.
Floyd Rose FRT-3
(1982-1985)
Status: Discontinued
After a quick redesign of the saddles, the FRT-1 became the FRT-3, released only six months later. The FRT-3 was the first production unit to be engraved with "Floyd Rose" branding on the upper base plate. Fernandes continued to supply the new FRT-3 to Rose in the United States, where it was used on Kramer guitars.
For Japan, the FRT-3 first appeared in Volume 1 of the 1983 Fernandes catalog (published late 1982) as a genuine Floyd Rose product. It was used on the 1983 Fernandes FST-115, FST-120H, ST-120, and ST-160 superstrats, the FV-135 Flying V, and the EX-145 Explorer models from the main catalog, as well as on signature models ST‑105BG (Brad Gillis), ST‑145SL (Steve Lukather), and ST‑135VH (Eddie Van Halen "Bumblebee" replica).
In Volume 1 of the 1983 Fernandes-Burny catalog, the table on page 38 lists a total of five Burny guitar and bass models and two Fernandes guitar models that could be ordered left-handed; however, none listed were models with Floyd Rose or Fernandes tremolo systems. Yet, page 10 of the catalog shows a picture of a blueburst left-handed EX-145 (Explorer) with a Floyd Rose FRT-3!
Despite what it said in the catalog, surviving examples of left handed guitars with the FRT-3 are this 1983 EX-145 and this 1983 FV-135.
After Schaller began production at the end of 1983, only the German-made FRT-3 was used on Kramer guitars thereafter, while the Japanese FRT-3s were used on Fernandes models.
For 1984, the FRT‑3 was featured on the Fernandes FST‑85, FST‑80, and FST‑115 superstrat models; the BSV‑90, EX‑100, and EX‑145 Explorer models; two Brad Gillis signature models (ST‑155BG and ST‑105BG); a Steve Lukather replica (ST‑145SL); a Mick Jones replica (ML‑120MJ); and a Neil Schon replica (LG‑135NS). Only the 1984 FST‑85 and FST‑80 were explicitly marked in the catalog as available for left‑handed ordering. The FST Series during this time was built by Kawai, including left-handed models.
For 1985, the FRT-3 was featured only on the FST-75 superstrat and JS-100 Randy Rhoads V from the main catalog, but was also featured on four Brad Gillis Signature models and a Vinnie Vincent (replica) Signature model. None of these were listed as available for left-handed ordering.
Floyd Rose FRT-4
(1982)
Status: Obsolete
With the addition of vertical fine tuners as recommended by Eddie Van Halen, the FRT-3 was developed into the prototype FRT‑4 in 1982. This change was achieved by folding the rear of the base plate vertically and positioning fine tuner knobs along the raised rear of the bridge. Rose gave prototypes to prominent artists for testing, including Eddie Van Halen, Brad Gillis, Steve Lukather, and K.K. Downing.
The FRT‑4 was produced in Japan in 1982 and featured in the March 1983 Fernandes catalog as a genuine Floyd Rose product alongside the FRT-3, and Fernandes' in-house Head Banker FRT-2 tremolo. (See Part 3: Proprietary Versions.)
A product description for the FRT-4 in the catalog states:
ロック後でもチューニングの微調整を可能にしたファインチューナー装備のFRT-4。 ナットおよびサドルをロックしたまま、チューニングの微調整ができる便利な方式。ファインチューナーノブを手で回すだけで簡単にチューニングプレート弦の調整を可能にしています。 | The FRT-4 is equipped with fine tuners that allow minor tuning adjustments even after locking. This convenient system lets you fine-tune while the nut and saddles remain locked. Simply turn the fine-tuner knobs by hand to easily adjust the tuning of the strings on the tuning plate. |
The FRT-4 was embossed with "Floyd Rose" inside a rectangular border on the upper base plate. The 1983 Fernandes-Burny catalog states it was advertised on the Fernandes FST-155 and FST-135 superstrats (not offered left-handed). However, by the time the catalog was printed, the FRT-4 was already obsolete.
The FRT-4 was produced for about 4 months and did not reach U.S. production due to complaints from its most prominent user, Eddie Van Halen. After trialing it on Van Halen's 1982 "Diver Down" tour, Van Halen commented that the location of the fine tuners interfered with his playing.
Here is a video by Youtube user mr. twistyneck examining several genuine Fernandes FRT-4 tremolos:
Floyd Rose FRT-5 / FRT-7
(1983-1985)
Status: Obsolete
Eddie Van Halen's feedback about the fine tuners getting in the way contributed to the FRT-4 gaining a "tail" to relocate the fine tuners further back. This was achieved by lengthening and bending the base plate back at an angle of about 25°. This new "whale tail" version, released in 1983, became the final production double-locking Floyd Rose tremolo system that we know today as the Floyd Rose Original Tremolo System. Fernandes designated it FRT-5 as the successor to the prototype-only FRT-4.
After an initial U.S. run by Hansen Metalworks, Fernandes was joined by Schaller late in 1983 to manufacture the final production model through 1984 and 1985. The Japanese products were made of bent steel. The German products were cast. Both Fernandes and Schaller continued to produce the non-fine-tuner FRT-3 alongside it.
Both the Japanese and German fine tuner units are etched with "Floyd Rose" at the top of the base plate. The Fernandes blocks have a sticker that reads "Floyd Rose TREMOLO SYSTEM PAT. 4,171,661." The Schaller units have "Made in Germany" embossed under the base plate and a "Made in W. Germany" sticker on the block. Two notable differences are:
The German version uses imperial measurements, the Japanese version uses metric,
The arches between where the forks meet the tail are oval on Fernandes units and square on Schaller units.
Although production began in 1983, the Japanese FRT‑5 first appeared officially in the 1984 Fernandes‑Burny catalog. It was featured on the 1984 FST-155 and FST-135 superstrats, and BSV-135 Flying V.
The FRT-5 was briefly adopted by ESP (whether sourced via Fernandes or directly from Gotoh is uncertain) and was advertised in ESP’s 1983 catalog as the “Magician.” (Gotoh was the official metal parts supplier to both Fernandes and ESP.) The ESP version was stamped "Magician" in very large text on the baseplate and was used on the 1983 ESP Random Star FR and some SE series custom superstrat models, which were also available left-handed. This left handed ESP SE-260L is an example with the FRT-5/Magician.
Left-handed availability for 1983 and 1984
An ordering note on Page 38 in Volume 1 of the 1983 Fernandes-Burny catalog established for the first time that select models from the regular lineup were produced in limited numbers and could be ordered if out of stock. Some non-stock models were accepted for custom ordering too. A total of 7 guitars, including several basses across the Fernandes and Burny model ranges, were listed in the 1983 catalog as eligible for ordering left-handed; however, none were models with Floyd Rose systems or Fernandes' own Head Banker.
The product list on page 46 of the 1984 Fernandes-Burny catalog listed 10 models between the two brands that were eligible for left-hand ordering and included an expanded disclaimer on custom ordering, lead times and surcharges. The Fernandes FST-85, FST-80, and FST-65 are listed for left-handed ordering, but only with the Floyd Rose FRT-3 or Fernandes' own FRT-2 Head Banker; none with the newer Floyd Rose FRT-5.
In the 1985 Fernandes-Burny catalog, both the German and Japanese versions were advertised. The German version was marketed as the Floyd Rose FRT-5, and the Japanese version was marketed as the Floyd Rose FRT-7. Only the FRT-7 was used on Fernandes guitars.
The FRT-7 was featured on the FST-85, FST-90, and FST-55 superstrats, and the BSV-70 and BSV-90 Flying Vs for 1985.
Fernandes also sold both the German and Japanese versions as kits in Japan and offered retrofit and aftermarket installations. The imported Schaller FRT-5 kit was more expensive than the Japanese FRT-7 kit.
Colour | German FRT-5 (1985) | Japanese FRT-7 (1985) |
Chrome | ¥65,000 | ¥45,000 |
Gold | ¥68,000 | ¥47,000 |
Black | ¥69,000 | ¥47,000 |
Left handed availability for 1985
The ordering procedure for left-handed guitars and general pre-purchase and post-purchase conditions appears on Page 49 of Volume 1 of the 1985 Fernandes-Burny catalog, where it states:
③ サウスポーギターについて ● 印のもの ロット生産していますが常時生産しておりませんので、詳細によっては在庫がない場合があります。その場合には、約3ヶ月〜6ヶ月の納期が必要となります。尚、定価は、本体定価の20%アップにしています。 ▲ 印のもの ロット生産していませんが、特注で単価は高くなりますが、納期は約3ヶ月〜6ヶ月以内で上の納期内で対応します。尚、定価は、本体定価の20%アップにしています。 × 印のものは、オーダーを受付していません。 無印のもののオーダーを受付しておりますが、特殊な治具が必要となる場合はその価格及び納期は、部品によって異なりますのでご注文依頼時に確認願います。 | ③ Regarding Left-Handed Guitars
Items marked with ●: These are produced in batches but not on a regular basis, so stock may be unavailable depending on production demands. In such cases, a lead time of about 3 to 6 months will be required. Please note: A 20% surcharge will be added to the base price.
Items marked with ▲: These are not batch-produced but can be custom-ordered, although at a higher price. Lead times are anticipated to be approximately 3 to 6 months or even longer. A 20% surcharge will also be added to the base price.
Items marked with × : Orders are not accepted for these items.
Orders for unmarked items are accepted, but if special jigs are required, pricing and delivery time will vary depending on the components involved—please confirm these details when placing your order. |
Left-handed guitar models listed as "produced in batches" were the FST-65 fitted with Fernandes' own Head Crasher FRT-6, and the BSV-60 fitted with Fernandes' own Head Banker FRT-2. Models listed as "not batch-produced but can be custom-ordered" were the FST-75 fitted with the Floyd Rose FRT-3, the FST-85, FST-90, and BSV-90 fitted with the Japanese FRT-7, and the BSV-70 fitted with Fernandes' own proprietary Head Crasher FRT-6.
Left hand examples include this black 1985 left handed FST-85L and this white 1985 left-handed BSV-70.
End of contract
Sometime in 1985, the contract between Fernandes and Floyd Rose ended, and Schaller thereafter became the exclusive manufacturer of the non-fine tuner and fine-tuner Floyd Rose systems. Fernandes' response was to rebrand their product range as the "Head Crasher Tremolo System" and continue to develop and manufacture their range of tremolos exclusively for the Japanese domestic market. The company closed its doors in July 2024.
See here for Fernandes' venture into proprietary tremolo systems post Floyd Rose: Floyd Rose Tremolos for left hand guitars: Proprietary Versions
Ping Well 1987 - 2008
Ping Well Industrial Co. Ltd. located in Taiwan was a supplementary producer of Floyd genuine Floyd Rose tremolos and was personally selected to produce Rose's Speedloader bridges (not available left handed.) They also supplied licensed Floyd Rose tremolos as OEM products to multiple guitar brands and produced proprietary models for others. They also have their own patents for guitar tuners and locking tuners. The following information is about Ping Well's genuine Floyd Rose products that were available left handed.
For Ping Well's OEM production of licensed Floyd Rose systems, see here: Part 2: OEM Producers
For Ping Well's production proprietary systems (made for other brands) see here: Part 3: Proprietary Versions
For Ping Well's genuine Floyd Rose products that were never available left handed see here: Part 5: No-Names, Fakes, Unknowns, and Never Left Handed
Genuine Floyd Rose tremolo
Status: Discontinued
During the 2000s, Ping Well manufactured a double locking tremolo for Floyd Rose. It was identical in every way to the Original Floyd Rose but with a solid, "non-plated" brass block and arm bushing. Apparently, it was produced under the strict supervision of Floyd Rose directly, to supplement Schaller production. There is very little publicly available information about this product.
This Ping Well unit was the only Floyd Rose system other than the German-made OFR at that time that was permitted to be branded simply as "Floyd Rose". The unit had "Floyd Rose" laser etched on the upper base with the "PW" logo on the lower base. The tail was laser etched with "LICENSED UNDER FLOYD ROSE PATENTS" (all in capitals) in white lettering. The block was etched with the block size and sometimes the '236 and '661 patents. It was used on the Gibson Les Paul Axcess Series, introduced in 2008. Note, the unit supplied to Gibson has "Floyd Rose" in a cursive font on the base plate.
It was available as an aftermarket kit through distributors such as Axcessories (www.axcessories.com) and was only US$30 less than an Original Floyd Rose. These could still be bought up to about 2016. I do not know if there was ever a lefty kit.
Floyd Rose Speed loader Fixed Bridge
(2004 - ?)
Status: Discontinued
The Floyd Rose SpeedLoader Fixed Bridge is a flat-mount fixed bridge with fine tuners based on the SpeedLoader and released at the same time. Being fixed, it can be used as a right-handed or left-handed bridge. I've never seen one, but apparently, it can still be used with Fender bullet strings. It has "Floyd Rose" in cursive script embossed at the top of the base plate, with "Fixed" embossed on the other side. "P.W" is embossed on the underside.
This bridge also came under scrutiny in the McCabe vs. Floyd Rose et al. case in 2010. Knock-offs are being sold on AliExpress as recently as 2025, and even state they are "made in Taiwan."
Note: Ping Well no longer sells Floyd Rose tremolos of any kind; the last time they were advertised was in their 2015 catalog. Since about 2020, they have had a new website and a new logo and sell mainly guitar tuners and some bridges.
Glossary of Terms
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer): A third-party company that produces parts for other brands.
Proprietary: An in-house design, self-branded and used only for the company's own products, usually manufactured by an OEM. For example, the Jackson JT6 tremolo was a property of Jackson-Charvel in the United States, manufactured by OEM Ping Well of Taiwan.
Licensed Floyd Rose: A tremolo made under official Floyd Rose branding but by a third-party manufacturer.
License stamp: “Licensed Under Floyd Rose Pats.” on a tremolo post-2008 does not indicate an active agreement — it’s legacy tooling or marketing.
OFR: Original Floyd Rose. Applies to the modern FRT100 Series currently made in the USA and formerly made in Germany. Historically also refers to the Japanese and German FRT-5.
N.O.S. (New Old Stock): Unused parts from discontinued production runs.
Batch-produced: Stock products manufactured in limited runs, not custom orders.
Custom order: Made-to-order units, often with long lead times or higher cost.
Upcharge / Surcharge: An upcharge is an extra charge for an additional service or option, while a surcharge is an extra charge added to the standard cost, often for specific circumstances.
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