Floyd Rose Tremolos for Left-Handed Guitars: No-Names, Fakes, Unknowns, and Never Left-Handed
Updated: Oct 3
This series is the definitive guide on Floyd Rose tremolos (and variants) with a special (but not exclusive) emphasis on left-handed guitars. It covers genuine, licensed, and proprietary systems, both historical and current. Nowhere else on the internet will you find all this information in the one place.
This series is in five parts:
Part 1: Original and Genuine Floyd Rose (Floyd Rose, Fernandes, Schaller, Sung il, Ping Well)
Part 2: Licensed Versions (Schaller, Kahler, Gotoh, Takeuchi, Ping Well, Jin Ah)
Part 3: Proprietary Versions (Fernandes, St. Louis Music, Aria Pro II, Jin Ah, Ibanez, Yamaha, ESP, Kahler, 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
No-Names
"No-names" in this context refers to unbranded or rebranded clones of well-known tremolo systems that do not attempt to pass as the original manufacturer.
These are tremolo systems that come out of China, as found on AliExpress and eBay. They are usually Takeuchi TRS-101 clones. More recently, Gotoh/Ibanez Lo-Pro Edge clones are also appearing. (For information on the Takeuchi TRS-101, and Gotoh/Ibanez Lo-Pro Edge, see Part 2: Licensed Versions.)
Chinese brand names include "Li Tian Century", "Guyker", and "Overlord of Music", among others.
All Chinese-made, stock-standard Floyd Rose copies are made of zinc alloy and generally range from low to average quality. Their greatest weakness is the metal used for the sustain blocks (which often crumble) and sometimes the baseplate itself, as evidenced by the poor longevity of their knife edges. Fit and finish are uniformly poor, especially on gold versions, which very quickly tarnish and corrode badly. Definite shortcuts have been taken on the plating. Of the ones I have inspected personally, I have found their saddles to be on par with the current Floyd Rose Special, which is also made in China.
The TRS-101 clones typically sell for between US$25 and US$75. They are usually not available left-handed. I have tried the Li Tian Century and Overlord of Music tremolos. In my experience, their performance is poor. I believe Guyker is regarded as considerably higher in quality with a generally positive reputation, but unfortunately, Guyker does not offer left-handed products, so I have never tried one!
The Chinese TRS-101 clones always carry a Floyd Rose licensing statement on the tail block. This statement is redundant and merely reflects the original licensing era and expired patents and does not, by itself, prove that current production is authorized by Floyd Rose. (The Floyd Rose name and logos otherwise remain as protected trademarks.) The presence of a “Licensed...” stamp just means that they are using copies of historic molds which by now are so far removed from the originals. Current products have noticeable detail loss.
NOTE: These "No-Names" examples are not to be confused with the OEM-supplied Floyd Rose-style products from the "Chinese catalog" otherwise used by many international guitar brands for their entry-level guitars made in China, Indonesia, or elsewhere. (See Part 4: The Asian OEM Pool.)
Chinese no-name TRS-101 clone Chinese no-name TRS-101 clone Chinese no-name TRS-101 clone Chinese no-name TRS-101 clone
Fakes
"Fakes" in this context means blatant counterfeits that display the original brand name/logo with intent to deceive.
These are Chinese knock-offs of well-known tremolo systems, where they have the gall to brand them as "originals." These can usually be bought on AliExpress and sometimes even on eBay. Unsuspecting buyers can fall into the trap if not on the ball.
The following are examples I have seen as recently as 2025:
Fake product. | Original | Link to product | Fake LH? | Comment |
Fernandes FRT-11 (Ping Well original manufacturer) | Fernandes / Ping Well | No | Counterfeit unit that even replicates the original “PW” logo. | |
Floyd Rose II (Schaller original manufacturer) | Floyd Rose | No | BLATANTLY FAKE. Counterfeit unit. The Floyd Rose II was never made in China! | |
Ibanez Edge III | Ibanez | No | Possibly genuine dead stock or OEM surplus; the original Edge III was manufactured in China. | |
Ibanez Edge Zero 2 with ZPS3 tremsetter | Ibanez | No | Possibly genuine dead stock or OEM surplus; the original Edge Zero II with ZPS3 was manufactured in China. | |
Ibanez Standard Double Locking Tremolo | Ibanez | No | Generic Chinese TRS-101 clone with "Ibanez" branding. Lacks the straight knife edge of the original. | |
Floyd Rose Special | Floyd Rose | No | Possibly genuine; the Floyd Rose Special has been manufactured in China ~2020, so some listings may represent legitimate "back door" stock. Left-handed versions not identified. | |
Floyd Rose SpeedLoader | Floyd Rose | No link (product deleted) | No | Possibly genuine dead stock; original SpeedLoader units were manufactured by Ping Well in Taiwan until the mid‑2010s. |
Wilkinson-branded Floyd Rose | Wilkinson | No. | BLATANTLY FAKE. WODL1 = No such catalogued Wilkinson product. Straight knife edge is on wrong side of baseplate. Not available left-handed. |
Unknowns
At this time, I have no products that meet the criteria for this category. Products for which there are confirmed left-handed examples associated with a guitar brand, if not an OEM, such as the KMD tremolo and Ibanez Lo-TRS II, are therefore placed in Parts 2, 3, or 4 of this series rather than here.
Never Left-Handed
These are Floyd Rose genuine, licensed, and derivative tremolos that were only ever made for and used on right-handed guitars. This disappointing list even includes some current genuine Floyd Rose products. Note: A genuine product that had a historical left-hand run, then lost it on reissue, such as the Floyd Rose Non-Fine Tuner tremolo reintroduced in 2015 (original Floyd Rose/Fernandes FRT-1/FRT-3), stays in Part 1.
The following table provides a comprehensive, at-a-glance summary of products with detailed history and specifications following.
Tremolo System | Era | Status | Manufacturer / OEM |
Floyd Rose Pro | 1991–early 2020s | Current but very recent manufacturing change | APMW / Schaller / Sung il (Korea) |
1000 Series Pro (renamed Floyd Rose Pro) | 2020s | Current | ? |
Floyd Rose Titanium | 2020s | Discontinued (2022) | TISONIX (Ping Well) |
Floyd Rose FRX Tremolo System | 2020s | Current (stock/production status uncertain) | Ping Well (Taiwan) |
Floyd Rose SpeedLoader | 2000s | Discontinued (introduced 2003; main availability ~2003–2005; fully discontinued by the late 2000s) | Ping Well (Taiwan) |
Fender Deluxe Locking Tremolo | 2000s | Floyd Rose‑branded version discontinued ~2005; Fender‑branded successor may have continued (?) | Ping Well (Taiwan) |
Takeuchi TRT-1 | 1980s | Superseded by TRS-101 | Takeuchi (Japan) |
Takeuchi TRS-505 | 1980s | Obsolete | Takeuchi (Japan) |
Gotoh Lever Lock System | 1980s | Discontinued | Gotoh (Japan) |
Yamaha Finger Clamp Tremolo | 2010s | Discontinued (2010) | Gotoh (Japan) |
KLK-I (ESP/Kramer/Schon) | 1980s | Discontinued | Likely same OEM used by Fernandes and ESP (Japan) |
KLK-II (ESP/Kramer/Greco) | 1980s | Discontinued | Likely same OEM used by Fernandes and ESP (Japan) |
Tokai Ayers Rocker V | 1980s | Obsolete | Tokai Gakki (Japan) |
Greco G Force | 1980s | Discontinued (1994) | Unknown OEM (Made in Japan) |
ESP Mighty Vise | 1980s | Prototype only | Gotoh / ESP (Japan) |
Vester SFT-70A | 1990s | Discontinued | Unknown Korean OEM. |
Floyd Rose Pro (Since 2020: "1000 Series" Pro Tremolo System")
Years: 1991 - 2020 (original), 2020-present (current)
Made in: USA / Germany / Korea
Status: Current
This is a low‑profile version of the original double‑locking 100‑Series Floyd Rose tremolo, introduced in 1991. It is a genuine Floyd Rose product, originally made by American Precision Metalworks (Kahler), then briefly by Schaller, and subsequently by Korean OEMs for the majority of its production life. Korean OEM Sung il appears to have manufactured it since the early 2000s. This product has never been available left-handed, despite being in production for over 35 years.
As the name suggests, it is a lower profile unit achieved by using very short saddle lock bolts inside of the tail, allowing for a much flatter tail for the fine tuners.
NOTE: Takeuchi’s Japanese-made TRS-PRO and Jin Ah’s Korean-made KKT-4 were licensed versions of this design, as is the Ibanez Lo-Pro Edge, made by Gotoh in Japan. The TRS-PRO was available left-handed and in the past was used notably by Fernandes and Jackson but has been out of production for over 15 years. The Lo-Pro Edge has always been available left-handed and used on many Ibanez guitars over the years. A thorough search reveals that there are no confirmed examples of left-handed guitars with the Jin Ah version. That is an evidence gap, not proof that a left-handed version was never made. Until that is settled either way, the KKT-4 stays out of this Part. All three are covered in Part 2: Licensed Versions.
Modern left-handed versions of this low-profile tremolo can be bought from Gaskell Guitars in Australia. Product is made in Korea.
Floyd Rose Titanium Floyd Rose Tremolo System.
(2010 - 2022)
Status: Discontinued
Another never-left-handed original Floyd Rose product is the Floyd Rose Titanium Floyd Rose Tremolo System.
Floyd Rose introduced an all-titanium version of his Original Floyd Rose tremolo system at the 2010 NAMM show, priced around US$900. It was produced by Ping Well under its TISONIX brand.
High-profile guitarists like Phil Collen (Def Leppard) and others began using the titanium Floyd Rose, praising its durability and tonal clarity.
Between 2015 and 2019, Floyd Rose partnered directly with Ping Well/TISONIX to co-develop titanium tremolo systems. TISONIX supplied aerospace-grade titanium components, ensuring knife edges and saddles could withstand extreme wear. The TISONIX trademark was registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 2020.
Beginning in 2020, TISONIX and Floyd Rose released additional titanium tremolo models and bridges, marketed as virtually indestructible and capable of maintaining tuning stability over 12,000+ test cycles. As of 2022, the Titanium Original Floyd Rose is listed on the official Floyd Rose website as "discontinued until further notice." As of 2026, there is no mention of it on the Floyd Rose website.
Floyd Rose FRX Tremolo System
(2015 - present)
Status: Current
In 2015, Floyd Rose released the FRX Tremolo System, made by Ping Well in Taiwan. The FRX is a direct swap for flat-top guitars with Tune-O-Matic and Stop Tail bridge systems, such as Les Paul, SG, and Flying V guitars. It uses the existing mounting stud holes and requires no additional routing. It does have a locking nut which mounts behind the regular nut of the guitar, in place of the truss rod cover.
It can be set to fixed or floating, but the tremolo arm position is for right-handed guitars, and Floyd Rose does not make a left-handed version. If you don't want it to be an actual tremolo, then you may be able to tolerate it on a left-handed guitar as a fixed bridge with the extra functionality of fine tuners and throw away the tremolo arm, unless you like the tremolo arm at the top like Stevie Ray Vaughan did. Or just get the fixed bridge version.
As of 2025, and assuming it is not just a supply issue, it appears that Floyd Rose is doing a sell-off of existing stock, going by the reduced availability options on their website.
Floyd Rose SpeedLoader
(2003 - late-2000s)
Status: Discontinued
In a 2005 interview, Floyd Rose said he personally chose Ping Well to make his then-new Floyd Rose SpeedLoader tremolo system which he had decided would not be licensed but would be manufactured directly. Rose also said in the interview that he personally supervised the project. At the same time, Rose had released his own brand of guitars, and this system was meant to be for his new guitars. The only guitar brand that took up the SpeedLoader for themselves was B.C. Rich, which featured it on their NJ Series models in 2003, around the time of its public release
The SpeedLoader has "Floyd Rose" in an unusual font on the base plate, "SpeedLoader" on the bridge, the '661 and '236 patent numbers on one side of the block, the block size on the other side of the block, and the "PW" Ping Well logo on the underside of the base plate.
Rose could not reliably supply the special double-bullet strings needed for the system, and the SpeedLoader has gone down in history as somewhat of a failure. It was discontinued by the late 2000s after several years of limited availability.
To complicate matters further, there was also a 2010 legal action brought by Geoffrey L. McCabe against Floyd Rose, naming Ping Well as a defendant and alleging that the SpeedLoader infringed on designs for which McCabe held patents. The court case was eventually dismissed in 2013. By then, the system was largely discontinued. Ping Well's involvement with Floyd Rose tremolos ended in the years that followed, and by 2015, there was no mention on Ping Well's website of anything Floyd Rose-related.
Fender Deluxe Locking Tremolo
(1993 - 2005 as Floyd Rose product, 2005 - ? as Fender product)
Status: Discontinued
In 1991 Fender became the distributor of Floyd Rose systems. In 1993 Fender engaged Ping Well to manufacture a tremolo for Fender guitars called the "Mini-Floyd Rose" Fender Deluxe Locking Tremolo. It was fitted to the American Standard Stratocaster, U.S Strat Plus, Deluxe Strat Plus, and U.S Strat Ultra models as a direct replacement for the standard Fender two-post tremolo bridge. It was stamped "Floyd Rose" at the top of the base plate and "Fender" at the bottom, next to the tremolo arm hole.
The design is very simplistic, consisting of a base plate with six individual adjustable saddles with hex screws to clamp the strings in place. The tremolo arm screws into the block. It is a genuine Floyd Rose product, so a licensing statement on the unit was not required.
When the Fender and Floyd Rose distribution agreement ended in 2005, Fender continued to sell the tremolo but with the Floyd Rose inscription removed. Fender did offer a few lefty Stratocasters during this time, but nothing with this tremolo. I only mention this to point out the significance of Ping Well in the larger scheme of historical Floyd Rose manufacturing and so you don't needlessly waste time trying to find a lefty. They don't exist.
Overlord of Music (product codes unknown)
This is a very new product from China that first appeared in the 2020s. It is not part of the Chinese universal OEM pool and is branded "Overlord of Music." It is an original take on the Ibanez Edge originally made by Gotoh. This version has saddle caps hinged on the forward part of the saddles that lock down over the saddle where the strings lock with a hex screw, very much like the Jackson JT-6 and Aria Pro II ACT-3 tremolos from the 1980s. For some reason there is no product code or number.
It appears to be available only in gold and can be easily bought from eBay, AliExpress, and even from some guitar parts retailers. There is no left-handed version.
Takeuchi TRT-1
(1986 - 1988)
Status: Superseded
The Takeuchi TRT-1 was Takeuchi's first licensed Floyd Rose tremolo based on the Original Floyd Rose, introduced in 1986. It was the predecessor of the renowned Takeuchi TRS-101 and is nearly identical. Information on the TRS-101 is covered in Part 2: Licensed Versions.
Early versions were engraved with "Mfg. Under Floyd Rose Patents." on the upper base plate. Later versions were engraved with "TRT-1" on the upper base and "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Pats." stamped on the lower base next to the tremolo arm collar. The block is stamped with "Takeuchi." The only visual difference between the two is that the TRT-1 has squared-off saddles whereas the TRS-101 has slightly bevelled saddles.
ESP: Kramer Japan was the Japanese subsidiary of Kramer with guitars built and marketed by ESP. ESP also ghost-built the bodies for the U.S-assembled Kramers and fully built the Kramer Focus Series for the U.S and international markets. From 1986 through 1987, ESP used the Takeuchi TRT-1 on the Japan-only Kramer EK and LK Series guitars. The TRT-1 was replaced in 1988 by the KLK-I and KLK-II double and single-locking tremolos, sourced from the same OEM that supplied Fernandes with its own "Head Crasher" tremolo systems. The ESP TRT-1 has the "Mfg. Under Floyd Rose Pats." inscription on the base plate. Left-handed versions are not confirmed. Here are some right-handed examples: this 1986 ESP Kramer EK-1BF, this 1988 Baretta EK-1B (this link incorrectly states it has a KLK-I), this candy blue EK-1BF (year-unknown), and this Baretta EK-1B.
Aria Pro II: The Takeuchi TRT-1 was used by Aria Pro II on the 1988 and 1989 Aria Pro II "Warrior" Series, "Armored Warrior" Series, and two models in the "Precede" Series. These guitars were made by Samick in Korea. The Aria Pro II version has "Mfg. Under Floyd Rose Patents" on the base.
"Armored Warrior" Series "Armored Warrior" Series "The Warrior" Series "The Warrior" Series
Ibanez: The TRT-1 was also used on a single Ibanez model made by Peerless in Korea. This was the 1988 Roadstar II Series RG340, sold exclusively in the United States. (The equivalent European and Japanese model was the RG360, also made at the Peerless factory, which was instead fitted with a Takeuchi TRS-101.) Neither of these models were offered left-handed. The Ibanez version has "TRT-1" on the base plate.
Tokai: The TRT-1 was used by Tokai on the 1989 Tokai VC 55 Vivian Campbell Signature model, itself a replica of a guitar made by Rand Guitars in the USA. This was a one-year-only model. In the 1989 Tokai catalog it is called the "AR-6." There were absolutely no lefties. Only 16 guitars were ever built.
1988 Ibanez Roadstar II catalog 1989 Tokai Japan catalog 1988 Aria Pro II Warrior Series 1988 Aria Pro II Warrior Series
Takeuchi TRT1 (right handed) Takeuchi TRT1 (right handed) Takeuchi TRT1 (right handed) 1988 Ibanez Roadstar II RG340
Author's comment: In a 2010 Guitarist magazine interview, Floyd Rose explained that early licensing deals with OEM manufacturers led to some Asian-made tremolos with improperly hardened steel, causing them to "fail pretty easily." Could the TRT-1 have been one such example, prompting its replacement with the subsequent and superior TRS-101? The two are visually identical, but the TRS-101 is made with hardened steel, suggesting a deliberate quality upgrade.
Takeuchi TRS-505
(1995 - 2002)
Status: Obsolete
The TRS-505 was Takeuchi's version of the string-through, single-locking Schaller Floyd Rose II and single-locking Fernandes Head Crasher FRT6, released in 1995. As with the Head Crasher FRT6 (1985) and the Floyd Rose II (1986), the strings are inserted through dummy string lock screws at the rear and are held there by the ball ends. It has the same baseplate shape as the TRS-101. It is stamped with "TRS-505" on the upper base plate, and "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Pats." on the tail, with "Takeuchi" and "Made in Japan" stamped on the block. The tremolo arm screws into the block.
It was offered on some Japanese-built Ibanez RG and S Series, Charvel, Grover Jackson, and Yamaha guitars from 1995-2002, but none left-handed that I am aware of. Ibanez and Yamaha retained the Takeuchi model number for this tremolo. For Ibanez, it is Ibanez Part Number 2TS1SR35B.
Takeuchi TRS-505 (right hand) Takeuchi TRS-505 (right hand) Yamaha TRS-505
Gotoh Lever Lock Tremolo System
(1985-2000s)
Status: Discontinued
This unique fine-tuner locking bridge, made by Gotoh, appears to have been an obscure OEM product supplied to several brands from 1985 onward.
Its underlying design is very similar to the Gotoh OGE1086TFB supplied to Ibanez for the (right-handed only) 1985 Axstar Series. Furthermore, the OGE1086TFB shares the same saddles as the Bendmaster FT tremolo designed at St. Louis Music for its Westone brand released a year earlier. Gotoh's reuse of the saddle design may have been coincidental considering the shared nature of the Japanese OEM supply chain of the time. Twenty years later, Yamaha used a revised version of it, describing it as its own "patented design." There were never left-handed versions of either. It is quite an ingenious system, so it's a shame left-handed players missed out on this one.
I believe it was originally called the "Lever Lock Tremolo." This is a string-through system where you do not have to cut off the ball ends. The strings are fed through from the bottom of the unit, and the saddles have levers that lock the strings by pressing down. You first tune the guitar before locking the saddles. It has a tail with fine tuners. Replacing the strings is simple: just lift the levers and remove the strings—no tools required. Intonation is adjusted in the same way as any Floyd Rose system, by positioning and then tightening each saddle by way of a hex screw on each saddle. It takes a regular Floyd Rose locking nut at the neck. The base plate has "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Patents" stamped upside down on it, and the block has the Gotoh "G" and "Gotoh" stamped on it.
B.C. Rich: The Lever Lock Tremolo was used by B.C. Rich on some of their Japan-only N.J Series Warlock models made at the Teihatsu factory between 1985 and 1989 such as this 1985 N.J Series Warlock, this 1986 N.J Series Warlock, and this 1987 N.J Series Warlock, as well as on some ST-III models made in the 2000s.
Rockoon: Kawai's in-house brand, Rockoon was a collaboration between Kawai and Schaller during the 1980s and 1990s. Some Rockoon models were identical to the Fernandes models they also made, not only in appearance but also sharing major components such as the Body Crasher and Head Crasher tremolo systems. There is very little surviving information on Rockoon guitars. Most surviving information comes from listings that periodically appear on Reverb or Japanese auction sites. However, here is an example of a Rockoon superstrat guitar with the Gotoh Finger Lock tremolo. It may be a late 1980s model KRF-45.
Lag Guitars: Lag is a French guitar brand. This Lag Rockline model made in France in 1987 has a Gotoh Lever Lock Tremolo.
Gibson: Gibson Guitars and Wayne Charvel collaborated in 1987 to produce the limited edition 1987-1988 Gibson WRC guitar. This guitar used the Lever Lock Tremolo, with much advertising about it.
1986 B.C Rich Warlock NJ Series Made in Japan Gotoh Lever Lock 1989 B.C Rich Warlock 1987 Gibson WRC with Gotoh Lever lock tremolo 1987 Gotoh Lever Lock 1987 B.C Rich N.J Series Warlock with Gotoh Lever Lock 1987 Lag Rockline with Gotoh Lever Lock 1985 B.C. Rich Warlock with Gotoh Lever Lock tremolo
Yamaha Finger Clamp Tremolo System
(2007 - 2010)
Status: Discontinued
The Yamaha Finger Clamp Tremolo System, introduced in 2007, is Yamaha’s proprietary update of the 1987 Gotoh Lever Lock Tremolo. Although it features some cosmetic differences, it is functionally the same, with a unique nut-locking system. It was used on the 2007 Yamaha CV820 WB Wes Borland Signature model and the 2007 Yamaha RGX-520DZ Superstrat, both made in Taiwan. The Wes Borland model was made into the 2010s.
Like the Gotoh 1987 original, it is a string-through system where you do not have to cut off the ball ends, and it has levers to lock the strings at the bridge. You still have to tune the guitar properly first before locking the saddles. Intonation is adjusted by first loosening the saddle by way of a hex screw on top and adjusting the saddle position by horizontal hex screws at the rear of the unit. This 2007 version also uses a lever-operated locking nut which, after the nut is clamped, pulls out to disengage and can be positioned at any angle to be out of the way. No tools are needed to change strings. This Yamaha product has no inscriptions anywhere on it.
2007 Yamaha RGX520DZ Wes Borland Signature 2007 Yamaha catalog Yamaha RGX520DZ 2007 Yamaha FingerClamp Page 1 2007 Yamaha FingerClamp Page 2 2007 Yamaha FingerClamp Page 3 2007 Yamaha FingerClamp Page 4
KLK-I
(1988 - ?)
Status: Discontinued
The KLK-I was an unbranded version of the Fernandes Head Crasher FRT-4, which was originally released in 1987 and reused by ESP in 1988 after Fernandes redesigned its "FRT" range with horizontal fine tuners and shifted production to Korea. The 1987 Head Crasher FRT-4 was a combination of the official 1985 Floyd Rose FRT-7 with the saddles of the 1985 Head Crasher FRT-6. See Part 3: Proprietary Versions for these post-contract Fernandes developments.
The KLK-I and the Head Crasher FRT-4 are identical except the KLK-I has either "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Pats." stamped on the face of its upper base plate or no inscriptions at all.
Kramer (ESP) Japan. ESP built Kramer guitars for both the United States market and the Japan domestic market. Beginning in 1983, ESP supplied necks and bodies, and by 1984 had progressed to become the principal OEM builder of complete instruments.
By 1987, Kramer was heavily indebted to ESP and had also fallen behind on royalty payments to Floyd Rose, leaving the company on the brink of bankruptcy. In an effort to recover their losses, ESP continued to market Kramer-branded guitars domestically as ESP products. In ESP catalogs, these appeared as “Kramer by ESP.” They were assembled from leftover parts and hardware, even after Kramer closed its doors in 1990. These "parts bin" guitars often bore little resemblance to any familiar Kramer USA line and were given Japan‑only series names, such as "Glide Series, "Grace Series", and "Garaxy Series."
Coincidentally, it was ESP that first released the final angled-tail Floyd Rose design in Japan as the "ESP Magician" in 1983, despite Fernandes holding the official contract to manufacture and market Floyd Rose products. ESP's version was quickly withdrawn, after which Fernandes officially released the design in late 1984 as the domestic Floyd Rose FRT-5/FRT-7. See Part 1: Original and Genuine Floyd Rose
The KLK-I was used by ESP in 1988 for its Japan-only Kramer EK Series. Pre-1988 EK models used the Takeuchi TRT-1. In addition to the EK Series, the KLK-I was used on the Kramer Japan KRS-130 Ritchie Samboro Signature model.
KLK-1 tremolo - a hybrid of the Fernandes FRT-7 and FRT-6 KLK-1 tremolo - a hybrid of the Fernandes FRT-7 and FRT-6 KLK-1 tremolo - a hybrid of the Fernandes FRT-7 and FRT-6 KLK-1 tremolo - a hybrid of the Fernandes FRT-7 and FRT-6 KLK-1 tremolo - a hybrid of the Fernandes FRT-7 and FRT-6 KLK-1 tremolo - a hybrid of the Fernandes FRT-7 and FRT-6
Neil Schon: Neil Schon of the band Journey has designed and released numerous signature models through multiple brands over the years. He released his own guitar brand called Schon Guitars in 1987, and these guitars were initially built by Jackson USA and then briefly by Larrivée Guitars in the USA.
Neil's first Schon-branded model was the "NS-1" in 1987. This guitar came with the KLK-I. For Schon, it was stamped "Licensed by Floyd Rose..." followed by the '236 patent number on the upper base. Not many of these guitars were made, and definitely none were left-handed. Neil's eventual production model, the NS-6, would instead be fitted with Aria's proprietary ACT-3 tremolo.
Schon NS-1 Schon NS-1 Schon NS-1 Schon NS-1
KLK-II
(1988 - 1994?)
Status: Discontinued
The KLK-II was a single-locking tremolo where the strings are fed through individual tubes at the rear and do not need to have their ball ends cut off, in the same way as original single-locking Floyd Rose II, Fernandes Head Crasher FRT-6, and Takeuchi TRS-505. The KLK-II shares more in common with the Fernandes Head Crasher FRT-6 than the others, and was very likely manufactured by the same OEM given Fernandes and ESP's close association in the early days of Floyd Rose and Kramer guitar production.
Shared features:
base plate shape
shapes of knife edges
swept back tail
oval arches between the forks of the tail
tremolo arm collar
Differences:
saddle shape
the shape of its feeder tubes (notched on the FRT-6, plain on the KLK-II)
the tremolo arm screws directly into the block on the KLK-II.
The KLK-II has no licensing inscriptions of any kind on the unit or on the block, as with the Head Crasher FRT-6.
Although the Head Crasher FRT-6 was readily available left-handed, the KLK-II appears to have never been offered left-handed, simply because the guitars it was fitted to (primarily the Kramer Japan LK Series) were never produced left-handed.
Kramer Japan. The KLK-II was featured on the 1988 Kramer Japan LK Series. It was the companion tremolo to the KLK-I featured on the 1988 Kramer Japan EK Series. The product page for the 1988 LK Series states:
日本語（原文想定） 新型「KLK-II」トレモロシステム — LKシリーズ — 高いコストパフォーマンスを実現。アーム操作が滑らかで、ストリング交換が素早く行えます。ファインチューナー搭載で、さまざまな演奏状況でも安定したチューニングを保ちます。LKシリーズはこのシステムを標準装備しています。 | The new “KLK‑II” tremolo system — LK Series — offers outstanding performance and value for money. It delivers smooth arm action and is designed for easy and fast string changes. Equipped with fine tuners, the system maintains stable tuning even under vigorous playing conditions. The LK Series comes standard with this system. |
Here is an example of 1988 silverburst Kramer Japan LK-1BF with KLK-II tremolo. This 1988 or 1989 ESP Kramer LK-4 is another example. This 1990 Kramer Japan MK-II B HH was built with N.O.S parts including a KLK-II tremolo.
KLK-II - Fernandes Head Crasher FRT-6 clone KLK-II - Fernandes Head Crasher FRT-6 clone KLK-II - Fernandes Head Crasher FRT-6 clone KLK-II - Fernandes Head Crasher FRT-6 clone KLK-II - Fernandes Head Crasher FRT-6 clone 1988 ESP Kramer LK-3 with KLK-II tremolo Kramer LK Series with KLK-II Kramer LK Series with KLK-II
Greco: Greco is a house brand of Kanda Shokai, a major Japanese musical instrument distributor. Greco initially produced Gibson and Fender clones. The brand later added Rickenbacker and Ibanez replicas to its lineup. From 1987, Greco began producing its own designs while still offering high-quality replicas in the Mint Collection series. Greco guitars were primarily built at FujiGen Gakki, the same factory that also produced guitars for Fender Japan, Yamaha, Fernandes, and Ibanez. Left-handed Grecos were produced occasionally, but only as basic versions of their core Gibson-style models and were not consistently displayed in Greco catalogs until 1989 (ref. Greco 1989 catalog page 63, or Greco 1990 catalog page 15, which shows models such as the EG-720/L, EGC-720/L, and SS-720/L).
Until 1987, Greco exclusively used Kahler cam-type tremolos on Greco-branded guitars.
From 1987 to 1994, Greco used the KLK-II on their NYS-85, JJ-60, JSH-60, and SPF-55 superstrat guitars. It was branded as the Greco "WING."
1987 Greco catalog Greco Wing (KLK-II) Greco Wing (KLK-II) Greco Wing (KLK-II)
Tokai Ayers Rocker I - V
(1984 - 1990)
Status: Obsolete
Tokai Gakki was another early Japanese guitar manufacturer to make tremolo systems inspired by Floyd Rose designs as licensing arrangements were being organized in the mid-1980s. Although Tokai did offer their Stratocaster and Telecaster "Traditional Series" in left-hand, none of their superstrats were available left-handed.
Tokai produced at least five different vibrato bridge systems under the "Ayers Rocker" name, the first being a fine-tuner vibrato bridge similar to the Rockinger Tru Tune Tremolo, introduced in 1984. Tokai produced its own metal parts, and available evidence suggests that the Ayers Rocker systems were branded and assembled to Tokai's specifications at its Hamamatsu factory in Japan, with the precision metalwork often handled in partnership with Gotoh.
The first Tokai-branded, visibly licensed Floyd Rose-style vibrato system was the Ayers Rocker V introduced in 1985. This is essentially a copy of the German Original Floyd Rose with the addition of string lock insert blocks that also serve as saddle caps, forming a continuous flat surface across the saddles, much like the Jackson JT6 made by Ping Well in 1987. It appeared in 1985–1987 Tokai catalogs (Volumes 11–13) as a Tokai-original option, priced at approximately ¥20,000 extra on high-end models such as Tokai's Vivian Campbell VC-75, JSR-series superstrats, and the 1986-1988 SD-651, SD-652, SD-653 "Lady Killer" Mirror Guard Super Editions.
1986 Tokai catalog 1986 Tokai catalog 1986 Tokai catalog 1986 Tokai catalog 1986 Tokai catalog 1987 Tokai catalog 1987 Tokai catalog Tokai Ayers Rocker V advertisement ~1987
Coincidentally, the AR-V baseplate and tremolo arm collar are identical to the Aria Pro II ACT-3 tremolo, which was otherwise available left-handed. The AR-V also has the same L-shaped block design as the ACT-3. Where they differ is in the post spacing: The ACT-3 has 73mm spacing, and the Ayers Rocker has the standard Floyd Rose 74mm spacing.
The Ayers Rocker V appears to have been discontinued after 1987; some sources say 1990.
Tokai Ayers Rocker V Tokai Ayers Rocker V Tokai Ayers Rocker V Tokai Ayers Rocker V Tokai Ayers Rocker V Tokai Ayers Rocker V Tokai Ayers Rocker V Tokai Ayers Rocker V
Vester SFT-70A
Years: late 1980s–early 1990s | Made in: Korea | Status: Discontinued
The SFT-70A was a licensed Original Floyd Rose tremolo, usually stamped “VESTER SFT-70A” on the baseplate, that appeared predominantly on Vester guitars during the brand's short existence in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It is very similar to a standard Original Floyd Rose, but with knife edge inserts, more similar to those of the Gotoh Edge Tremolo than the Schaller Floyd Rose. It is unknown as to who the OEM was that manufactured the unit.
Vester was Samuel Music’s United States brand. Early instruments were built in Korea by Young Chang until 1987 and then by Saehan Guitar Technology until the brand's demise in the 1990s. As set out in The Floyd Rose–Fernandes Connection, Samuel did not design its own guitars. It merely rebranded what the factories were already producing for other brands. For example, Saehan was already building instruments in the Fernandes export pipeline, and Samuel rebadged them.
The SFT-70A appears on both the Vester Maniac series and the Vester Stage series. While "SFT-70A" is the product ID for the tremolo unit itself, Vester also used SFT-70 / SFT-70A as a model name for some guitars.
Surviving Vester examples with the SFT-70A include this 1992 Maniac SFT-70, this Vester SFT-70A HSH, and this Vester The 1400 Limited Edition. An example of a model in the Stage Series is this Stage Series with ebony board and FR trem.The bridge itself has been sold as parts on Reverb at times, such as this black SFT-70A listing, and this SFT-70A sold for parts listing.
It appears that it was also fitted as an OEM product on guitars by other brands with Korean production lines during the 1990s. There are numerous documented ESP Grass Roots Horizon models with the SFT-70A, such as this sunburst Horizon model, this white 0174-TB model Les Paul, and this green Horizon with figured top. There are several documented B.C. Rich guitars that had the SFT-70A, such as this 1989 Gunslinger, : a 1992 B.C. Rich Virgin NJ Series whose owner identified the factory bridge as an SFT-70A, and another player claiming one was on an early NJ Warlock.
No left-handed SFT-70A has been identified. The unit was only ever made for, and used on, right-handed guitars.
Greco G Force
(1987 - 1994)
Status: Discontinued
Some Greco guitars from the late 1980s and early 1990s were fitted with a Floyd Rose-style tremolo called the "G-Force" tremolo. According to Greco catalogs, it was used on the 1987 JJ-75, 1988-1990 JJ-75, SPF-70, NYS-65, BOM-65G, and BOM-95 superstrats, and on several models in the 1992 "Wild Pecker" Series. It has "G Force" on the upper face of the baseplate and "Made in Japan" on the underside of the baseplate. It should, but doesn't, have a Floyd Rose licensing statement on it. It shares the same baseplate shape as a Schaller Floyd Rose (rectangular baseplate + square arches between the forks of the tail) but has different knife edges. The OEM that manufactured it remains unknown.
1988 Greco Spitfire series 1988 Greco BOM series 1988 Greco NYS-65 1988 Greco JJ series
1990 Greco catalog 1990 Greco catalog 1990 Greco catalog 1990 Greco catalog
1992 Greco "Wild Pecker" series 1992 Greco "Wild Pecker" series 1992 Greco "Wild Pecker" series 1992 Greco "Wild Pecker" series
After 1994, Greco switched to the Takeuchi TRS-PRO for the Wild Peckers and either Original Floyd Rose or Kahler systems for the higher-spec GP Series.
During the 1990s, Greco not only produced Gibson and Fender replicas but also produced Ibanez Iceman replicas ("Magna Series") and advertised Music Man, Washburn, Gretsch, Hohner, Atlansia, and Vigier guitars in their catalogs as part of Kanda Shokai’s broader distribution network in Japan.
ESP Mighty Vise
(1983)
Status: Obsolete
Although there are no primary sources to support this, there appears to be empirical evidence suggesting that Gotoh may have been an OEM used by Fernandes to manufacture the genuine FRT-1 (Floyd Rose's original non-fine-tuner design), and more certainly the FRT-3 (modified original non-fine-tuner design) and FRT-4 (the first fine tuner prototype). Fernandes supplied the FRT-1 and FRT-3 to Floyd Rose in the United States until Schaller took over manufacturing for Kramer in 1983. ESP built bodies and necks for Kramer in the United States and therefore used the same OEMs as Fernandes for its tremolo systems in order to develop and test body routes and hardware fitments. Additionally, Both ESP and Fernandes used Gotoh parts for their own-brand guitars.
ESP also used the FRT-3 briefly. It was branded "ESP" (rather than "Floyd Rose") on the baseplate and was paired with an adapter plate that enabled the bridge and adapter plate, without the block, to be retrofitted to guitars that had Tune-o-Matic bridges. This unit was called the "ESP Mighty Vise." It first appeared in the ESP's August 1983 Export catalog. ESP guitars listed with the Mighty Vise included the LPS-180-MV, LPS-200-MV, LPS-260-MV, SGS-175-MV, and SGS-195-MV. The MV Series was manufactured at Matsumoku, the same year the factory began OEM production of Floyd Rose-equipped guitars for Fernandes.
Despite the appearance in the catalog, it appears to have only ever been an experimental or prototype design. This product did not even last six months. It is doubtful there were ever any left-handed guitars made with it, and probably not many, if any, right-handed guitars either. As of 2025, a search of Reverb (dating back to its beginnings in 2013) has not turned up a single example.
Glossary of Terms
Batch-produced: See Lot runs
Custom order: Made-to-order units, often with long lead times or higher costs. With Japanese guitars, this also refers to store-exclusive models initiated by a music store.
Double-Locking: A system where the strings are clamped at two points: the bridge (via saddle blocks) and the nut (via a locking nut). This removes the tuning pegs from the equation during play.
Fine Tuners: The small, knurled screws on the back of the bridge used for precision tuning after the nut has been locked.
Knife Edges: The two sharpened points on the baseplate that pivot against the mounting studs. This is the "friction point" of the system.
License stamp: “Licensed Under Floyd Rose Pats.” signifys that the manufacturer has official permission to manufacture Floyd Rose tremolos. Active during the period before when the patents expired. New products with the stamp indicates legacy tooling was used to manufacture it.
Licensed Floyd Rose: A tremolo made by a third-party manufacturer with official permission from Floyd Rose.
Locking Nut: A nut consisting of three metal pads tightened by hex bolts. Lefty Note: Nut sizes (R2, R3, R4) are mirrored for lefties (L2, L3, L4). A right-handed nut cannot be used on a lefty neck.
Lot runs: Stock products manufactured only in periodic runs, not continuously.
N.O.S. (New Old Stock): Unused parts from discontinued production runs.
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer): A third-party manufacturer that produces parts for other brands.
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.
Proprietary: A complete in-house design, or derivative design of a Floyd Rose product which may or may not also have been "licensed under Floyd Rose patents."
Radius: The curvature of the saddles. A Floyd Rose must match the fretboard radius (e.g., 12", 16") to ensure consistent string height.
Tremolo: A musical effect where the volume (amplitude) of a note is rapidly modulated, producing a pulsating or shuddering sound. It is distinct from vibrato, which otherwise affects pitch, not volume. Since 1954, this term has been technically misused to describe pitch-bending effects such as those produced by guitar vibrato systems. The error originates with Leo Fender.
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.
Vibrato: A musical effect where the pitch of a note is varied up and down, usually rapidly, creating a warbling or wavering sound. This expressive technique adds warmth and richness to music, commonly used by singers and instrumentalists.
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