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Floyd Rose Tremolos for Left Hand Guitars: OEM Producers

  • Writer: Gaskell Guitars Australia
    Gaskell Guitars Australia
  • Aug 5
  • 23 min read

Updated: 5 days 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:



NOTE: I have not included Schaller's OEM production of Floyd Rose tremolos here as they were Floyd Rose OEM offerings, not Schaller, hence they fall in the category of "genuine Floyd Rose." See Part 3 of this series for Schaller's own proprietary Floyd Rose-style products.



Kahler


In the 1970s, Gary Kahler produced brass guitar parts and hardware for Fender and later DiMarzio. Kahler created a second company called American Precision Metal Works and in 1981 released a guitar bridge system that would later become the famous Kahler cam-based tremolo system which differed from the eventual fulcrum-based Floyd Rose system. Kahler products have always been made in the USA.


In addition to his own system, Kahler developed three double-locking, fulcrum tremolo systems, one of which was a licensed Floyd Rose, and the other two proprietary systems which incorporated both Floyd Rose and Kahler technologies. The three fulcrum-based tremolos were collectively called the 2700 Series consisting of the Steeler, Killer, and Spyder. All Kahler tremolos were available in left-hand, though some models were limited to custom orders or specific brand partnerships. These were produced until 1992.


The Kahler Killer and Kahler Spyder are covered here: Floyd Rose Tremolos for Lefties: Proprietary Versions



2760 Steeler

(1986 - 1992)

Status: Discontinued


The Kahler Steeler from the 1980s was Kahler's licensed version of the double-locking Original Floyd Rose 100 Series. It was stamped at the top of the base with "Kahler - Made in USA Lic. Under Floyd Rose Pats" and stamped on the bottom with "Made in USA by Kahler." Somewhat disappointing is that left-handed versions were simply upside-down, right-hand units with a hole drilled into what was ordinarily the top of the baseplate to accommodate the lefty tremolo arm, thus producing two holes on the baseplate and obscuring the stamping. Although this was visually jarring and cosmetically unappealing, functionality was not at all affected.


Carvin Guitars


During the 1980s, Carvin entered into an OEM arrangement with Kahler to produce Kahler tremolos, including the Steeler, for Carvin guitars. Carvin guitars were made-to-order and almost all models were available in left-hand. After Kahler left the industry in 1992, Carvin went over to Original Floyd Rose systems.


The Steeler was used on the Carvin left handed DC-150, the mid-1990s lefty DC-135, the 1990 left handed DC-300 Reverse Headstock, and on the 1992 left handed DC-400. This 1991 left handed X2200CL was ordered with a factory-installed Steeler.


B.C. Rich Guitars


U.S-made B.C Rich guitars from the late '80s came standard with either a Kahler Steeler, a Kahler cam-based tremolo, or Original Floyd Rose. Guitars could be special ordered with other options. Some guitars came with Gotoh tremolos including the Edge tremolo, more associated with Ibanez. This USA left handed B.C. Rich Warlock from 1988 has the Kahler Steeler.


Tom Anderson Guitars


Tom Anderson Guitars often used Kahlers. This 1991 Tom Anderson lefty has a Kahler Steeler.


After an absence of 32 years, Gary Kahler re-released the Steeler in 2024 with engineering improvements and modifications. It is now a proprietary product. The new Steeler is available in two versions, including a version where you do not have to cut the ball ends off the strings. The Kahler Auto Latch, which allows one to switch the tremolo from floating to fixed via the tremolo arm, is an option as well. Lefties are available by special order. All products are made in-house in the USA. See Part 3: Proprietary Versions




Gotoh


Gotoh is a major Japanese parts manufacturer that has supplied guitar hardware for multiple guitar brands since 1960 and is world-renowned. Gotoh was the factory that Fernandes used to produce the original FRT-1, FRT-3, and FRT-5 tremolos for Floyd Rose before Schaller took over. Gotoh continued to manufacture Fernandes' own subsequent proprietary tremolo systems until their guitar manufacturing went offshore at the end of the 1980s.


Gotoh also manufactured OEM and proprietary tremolo systems for multiple brands including Yamaha, Aria Pro II and Ibanez. See here: Floyd Rose Tremolos for Lefties: Proprietary Versions


In addition to OEM production for other brands, Gotoh produces their own double-locking proprietary Floyd Rose variant, which has remained largely unchanged since 1988.



Edge Tremolo

(1986 - present)

Status: Current


Gotoh's own take on the Floyd Rose 100 Series was the Gotoh Edge Tremolo released in 1986. It was used on some Japanese B.C Rich guitars such as this 1986 left handed B.C Rich Warlock and this 1987 left handed B.C Rich ST-III. Ibanez exclusively adopted it as an OEM product from 1986 and the unit became the basis for all future Ibanez proprietary tremolo systems. Gotoh continued to produce Ibanez's proprietary tremolos for its Japanese-made range of guitars, while factories in Korea, Indonesia, and China used local suppliers to manufacture lower quality versions for guitars made in those countries. Both the original Edge from 1986 and Lo-Pro Edge from 1991 are in use to this day.




Gotoh GE1988T

(1988 - 1996)

Status: Superseded


Gotoh's GE1988T was the first licensed Floyd Rose OEM tremolo to be supplied by Gotoh to other brands, released in 1988. It was stamped "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Patents" on the tail and "GOTOH Japan" on the block. Sometimes it was stamped with "Gotoh" and the Gotoh "G" logo on the upper baseplate. It was different from the Floyd Rose originals in that the top knife edge of the baseplate was straight. Also distinctive is the saddle assemblies are bevelled making them appear slightly rounded. It has offset saddle screws so that the strings don't get in the way when adjusting the intonation. It also has a square tremolo arm collar base.



  • B.C Rich: Between 1989 and 1992, some manufacturing of B.C. Rich guitars occurred at the Teihatsu factory in Nagoya, Japan. This was the NJ Series II which were built for the Japanese and European markets only. These guitars came with the Gotoh GE1988T. The B.C. Rich OEM tremolos had "B.C. Rich" stamped upside down on the baseplate for right-handed guitars but was left off altogether for left-handed guitars. "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Patents" was stamped on the tail. The unit was listed in B.C. Rich catalogs as the "B.C. Custom Tremolo." It was used on the 1990 left-handed Warlock WG-801LH. Another example is this left-handed Japanese B.C Rich ST-III.



  • Aria Pro II: The Gotoh GE1988T was supplied to Aria as an OEM product from 1989. The tremolo was stamped "Aria Pro II" on the base with "ART-1" in smaller writing underneath. It was used on some Warrior, Libra, Magna, and Aquanote series guitars beginning in 1989. In the same year, Aria and Gotoh entered into an OEM arrangement to make a more specific proprietary version of the GE1988T under exclusive license for Aria Pro II guitars. The new version was designated ART-2. The new ART-2 had saddle height adjustment, and the sides of the baseplate were curved. Its fine tuners had longer threaded screws. It had an L-shaped block that the tremolo arm screws into. The baseplate was engraved with "Aria Pro II." The new ART-2 featured in the 1990 Aria Pro II catalog. It was used on Aria Pro II Magna Series guitars from 1992-1995 and was eventually replaced by the Gotoh GE1996T.


  • Music Man: Eddie Van Halen chose the Gotoh GE1988T over the Original Floyd for his EVH range of guitars made in partnership with Ernie Ball/Music Man from 1991 to 1995. The EVH tremolo was stamped "Music Man" on the baseplate. No EVH guitars were made in left-hand, so we missed out there! This would change only when Eddie Van Halen eventually partnered with Fender in 2005. This would also see Eddie return to Floyd Rose products and a decent range of EVH-branded left hand guitars.

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GE1996TL

​(1996 - present)

Status: Current


The Gotoh GE1996T is the current Gotoh Floyd Rose tremolo originally released in 1996. It was modified slightly from the GE1988T so it could be a straight swap for an Original Floyd Rose rout and is outwardly identical to the GE1988T except for the tremolo arm collar.


One of its engineering improvements is the Gotoh patented Stud Lock System. Each pivot stud (post) has a small internal locking screw that, once tightened, secures the stud to the insert which in turn prevents the studs from turning inside their threaded bushings therefore eliminating micro-movements that could affect tuning stability and action.


The GE1996T comes in three block sizes (depth) 33mm, 36mm and 40mm. Left hand units are available in chrome, black, cosmo black (black chrome) and gold. Gotoh tremolos are stamped with "High Stability Tremolo System" on the tail and "Gotoh Japan" on the upper baseplate.


The unit can be bought by the general public and is highly regarded by guitar builders and players around the world. Many believe the Gotoh GE1996T to be better than the Original Floyd Rose.



The GE1996T was also used as an OEM unit for Fernandes and Aria Pro II and sometimes on Caparison, Jackson (Japan), and Schecter (Japan) guitars.


  • Fernandes: From 1997 Gotoh supplied their GE1996T as an OEM unit for Fernandes who had ceased direct procurement of their own licensed tremolos in that same year. The Fernandes model was designated FRT-10 and was stamped "Fernandes Guitars" on the baseplate and without any inscription on the tail. Fernandes offered limited choices of left-handed guitars and only by special order. An example with the Gotoh-made FRT-10 is this 2004 left handed Fernandes FR-180S Revolver Pro. The 2005 Fernandes catalog states that the FRP-2000L Revolver Pro, which came with the FRT-10, was available for special order. (For its entry-level guitars Fernandes used the Ping Well GE1996T clone which was designated FRT-11.)


  • Aria Pro II: The GE1996T tremolo was used on the 2000 Aria Pro II MA Series MAC-85V model. This time Aria retained the original Gotoh model name.



Takeuchi

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Takeuchi Manufacturing Co. Ltd was a Japanese company that was a major producer of licensed tremolo systems for many guitar brands that manufactured guitars in Japan beginning in about 1986.


Takeuchi products were also sold to the public as replacement or aftermarket kits. The company's last known OEM production runs concluded around 2008; the company ceased operations around 2010, and remaining new‑old‑stock (N.O.S.) kits continued to be sold until approximately 2016.



Takeuchi TRS-101

(1988 - 2008)

Status: Discontinued


The TRS-101 was Takeuchi's licensed version of the Original Floyd Rose 100 Series tremolo and was adopted by many guitar brands that had Japanese lines throughout the 1980s and 1990s. It was used by Aria Pro II, B.C. Rich, Charvel, ESP, Fender, Greco, Ibanez, Jackson, Kramer, Washburn, Westone, and Yamaha. It was produced from 1988 until 2008 and attained legendary status as the most popular OEM unit of its era.


The TRS-101 replaced its less-refined predecessor, the TRT-1 which was identical in appearance but never used on left hand guitars. See Part 5: No-Names, Fakes, Unknowns, and Never Left Handed


The TRS-101 was stamped on the top part of the baseplate with "TRS-101" or the name of the guitar brand, with "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Pats." stamped in very small letters on the bottom of the baseplate next to the tremolo arm collar. Later versions did not have the licensing statement. The block was stamped "Takeuchi" with "Made in Japan" below it. It is distinctive for its trapezoid-shaped baseplate and slightly more angular tail. It has a screw-in tremolo arm which screws into the block. To this day, the TRS-101 is the most copied Floyd Rose-style tremolo system of all time.



The TRS-101 is also known as the Jackson JT580, Washburn 600-S, Ibanez TRS, Fender Ex-Trem, Greco GF-II, Charvel FLC-101, among others.


  • Jackson: Left handed Japanese-made Jacksons with the JT580 include the 1991-1994 Pro Series Stealth EX, this 1997 Dinky DK2SL, this late 90s Performer Series PS4, and the 2000 Pro Series DK-3L. It last appeared in the 2008 Jackson Japan catalog after which it was fully replaced by the OEM Floyd Rose 1000 Series or Original Floyd Rose.

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  • Charvel: Some Japanese Charvels made at the Chu Shin Gakki factory (1986-1991) came with the equivalent FLC-101 including the 1989 and 1990 left handed DK-070-SSHL and the 1990 left handed DK-065-SSH.


  • Ibanez: While Ibanez ordinarily used the Gotoh Edge or low-profile Takeuchi tremolos for most of their guitars, they did use the TRS-101 on some Japanese-built guitars including the 1999 left handed RG420AHL. It was known as the Ibanez TRS.

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  • B.C Rich: Some lefty B.C Rich guitars made in Japan during the late 1980s were fitted with the TRS-101 if not a Kahler Spyder. I am not sure if any came left handed.


  • Aria Pro II: The TRS-101 first appeared in the 1989 Aria Pro II catalog on several models of the CT, XR, and Vanguard Series, and from 1991 on several models of the Vanguard, Magna, Avenger, and Viper series. This left handed 1993 Aria Pro II MA-62 LH Magna came with the TRS-101.


  • Washburn has always been one of the worst guitar companies for left hand guitars, but there were left hand versions of the 1988 Japanese G-5V, and the Korean-made 1988-1991 Chicago Series KC-40V, the 1988-1990 KC-70V, and the 1992 Mercury Series MG40 LH. Each of these models came with the equivalent 600-S. Washburn stopped advertising left hand electric guitars after 1992.


  • Westone: This 1990 left handed Westone Steve Lynch Signature Corsair came with a TRS-101 although it is not clear if that would have been by special order as the 1990 Westone catalog says it came with a Kahler tremolo, and it does not specify if the model was available left-handed.



NOTE TO LEFT-HANDED GUITARISTS: Takeuchi went out of business 15 years ago, and modern high-quality alternatives aren't offered in left hand. The Chinese knockoffs are not good. If you are restoring a MIJ guitar that came with an original TRS-101 (e.g., Jackson, Ibanez, Kramer, ESP, etc.) or you are wanting to upgrade an entry-level Ibanez, Schecter, B.C. Rich, etc, you can buy the high-quality, Korean-made equivalent, NEW from Gaskell Guitars. This is the same OEM product sold to manufacturers, not to the general public. Left-handed, of course.


Note, if your guitar came with a TRS-101 or a copy with the same baseplate shape (e.g. JT580, ILT1, RMPro II, or KKT-3) and you replace it with a Floyd Rose Special or a Gotoh GE1996T it's going to have huge gaps on both sides of the tremolo cavity as the Original Floyd Rose, Floyd Rose Special and Gotoh GE1996T have a different shaped baseplate. It's not a good look. Replace like for like.


Available in Chrome, Black, or Gold. IN STOCK. Prices from US$119 - US$149, including L2 nut and all parts for immediate installation. This is a complete kit. Made in Korea in 2025, not the Chinese-made Floyd Rose Special or the $50 Chinese junk sold on AliExpress and eBay.


Contact me at gaskellguitars@mail.com to purchase directly, or buy from the Gaskell Retail Reverb store. Worldwide shipping available.



Takeuchi TRS-PRO

(1994 - 2010)

Status: Discontinued


In 1994 Takeuchi introduced its version of the Floyd Rose Pro tremolo for guitars made in Japan.  It has the locking bolts inside of the tail and the tail is flatter. This was released as the TRS-PRO. It was also known as the Jackson JT580LP, Washburn 800-S, Fernandes FRT-5PRO, Charvel FLC-PRO, Greco GF-III, among others. These models were stamped "TRS-PRO" on the baseplate (if not branded) and "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Pats." (abbreviated) on the tail. the block was stamped "Takeuchi" and "Made in Japan" on a second line. It was made until the late 2000s.


  • Jackson: The equivalent JT580LP was used on Jackson's U.S-market Dinky and Performer models that were made in Japan from the mid 1990s until about 2000, such as this 1995-1998 left handed Performer Series Dinky PS-4, and this 1990s left handed DK2-L. (Jackson's lower-end models built in Korea used a nearly identical clone sourced from the Korean OEM pool and continued to label it as the JT580LP. The most visible difference is the tremolo block on the Korean clone is stamped “Licensed Under Floyd Rose Pats.”) 

  • Grover Jackson: It was used on several Japan-only 1991-1998 Grover Jackson Dinky models including the left handed DKL A-66, this 1996 left handed DKL.A-55, and the Grover Jackson left handed RRL P-90 (Randy Rhoads V.)


  • Washburn: The equivalent 800-S was used on the 1990s left handed Washburn MG74 LH.


  • Fernandes: In 1994, Fernandes adopted the Takeuchi TRS-PRO which became the standard bridge for their FR Series. It was designated FRT5-PRO for Fernandes. The top of the baseplate was stamped with "FRT Tremolo System" with "FRT5-PRO-TRS" on a second line. The tail had the usual "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Pats." statement. It was used on Fernandes guitars until 2003, after which the FR Series adopted the Gotoh GE1996T (FRT-10) and Ping Well P505 (FRT-11) units. Fernandes regularly offered limited production runs of select left hand guitars including their core FR-55 and FR-65 models. Examples are this 1994 Fernandes FR-65L, and this 1994 Fernandes FR-55L.

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Takeuchi TRS-PRO (straight edge version)

(1994 - mid 2000s)

Status: Discontinued


Takeuchi produced a variant of their TRS-PRO which is identical in every way except the upper knife edge of the baseplate is straight. It has a screw‑in tremolo arm. The block has "Takeuchi" and "Made in Japan." It appears to be an OEM version adopted by Ibanez and Yamaha. For Ibanez it is known as the Lo-TRS. For Yamaha it is the Yamaha TRS-PRO.


  • The Ibanez Lo-TRS version is engraved with "Ibanez LO-TRS TREM" (upside down) at the top of the baseplate, with "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Patents" (in full) engraved on the tail but reverse facing, unlike a regular TRS-PRO. The left hand version is Ibanez Part No. 2LT1L35K. The Japanese-made 2000-2002 left-handed RG470L, manufactured by FujiGen Gakki, came with the Lo-TRS.


  • The Yamaha version has "YAMAHA" and "TRS-PRO" stamped upside down on the upper baseplate and the same inward-facing licensing statement on the tail. It first appears on the 1994 RGX Series. Yamaha never made a lot of left hand guitars, but the 1996 Yamaha RGX 421DL, made in Taiwan used this tremolo. Yamaha continued to use it on their RGX Series until the mid 2000s.




Takeuchi TRS-PRO7

(1999 - 2010)

Status: Discontinued


Takeuchi also made a left handed 7 string tremolo, the TRS-PRO7. This unit was available right up until when Takeuchi closed its doors in 2010. Like other Takeuchi tremolos at this time, the upper knife edge was straight. As with all Takeuchi products it had "Takeuchi" on the block and "Made in Japan" on a second line underneath.


  • It was designated 700-S by Washburn. I am not aware of any 7-string Washburn guitars that were made left handed.


  • For Ibanez it was called the LO-TRS7 and was used on the only left handed 7 string Ibanez has ever made, the 2000-2002 RG7420L. The Ibanez version has "Ibanez TRS LO-TRS TREM" stamped upside down on the baseplate with "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Pats." engraved on the tail. It is Ibanez part number: 2LT1UV35B.


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Ibanez's venture into proprietary tremolo systems, including the Edge Series, their Takeuchi clones, and ZR/ZPS systems is covered in Part 3 Floyd Rose Tremolos for Lefties: Proprietary Versions



Ping Well 

(1987 - 2015)

​

Ping Well Industrial Co. Ltd. located in Taiwan was one of Floyd Rose's official producers of genuine Floyd Rose products as well as an OEM producer of licensed products for various guitar brands. Floyd Rose personally selected Ping Well to manufacture the Floyd Rose Speedloader in 2004 and to supplement Schaller production of the Original Floyd Rose. (See Part 1: Floyd Rose Tremolos for Lefties: Original and Genuine)


The company has its own patents for guitar tuners and locking tuners. 


NOTE: The original Ping Well website (www.ping-well.com) was shut down around 2020. They now have a new website and a new logo. Their most recent parts catalog from their old website was from 2015. They no longer advertise tremolo systems on their current website. Ping Well’s business remains healthy as an exporter and manufacturer of tuners and other generic hardware, supplying companies like C.F. Martin & Co., but without prominent licensing partnerships or major IP-associated products in the post-2015 era.



Jackson JT-6 

​(1987 - 1989)

Status: Discontinued


Jackson-Charvel used the Chushin Gakki factory in Nagano exclusively for its Japanese-made range of guitars. In 1987, the company commissioned Ping Well to produce an OEM tremolo for its Japanese guitars. This was the JT-6. It replaced the Kahler tremolos in use up until this time.


The JT-6 is actually an exclusive Jackson proprietary system. It was different from original Floyds in that the fine tuners ran horizontally out the back of the unit along with the string lock screws rather than sitting vertical on the tail. The saddles also had string lock blocks with cover plates making the whole saddle surface flat. It was embossed with "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Patents" on the tail with "Jackson" on the front of the block and "Made in Taiwan R.O.C" on the back of the block. The block also had a sticker with "#40121587." The JT-6 has a distinctive rough "orange peel" finish, even rougher than the Schaller Floyd Rose II. It was made of pot metal. Public reviews over the years suggest that they were not considered to be good quality.


Jackson's left-handed Dinky model of that era came with this tremolo as did the left handed 1987 Charvel Model 3 and left handed 1988 Charvel Model 3. Another example (without the capped string blocks) is here: Charvel Model 3. Left hand versions of the 1987 Randy Rhoads, Soloist, and Strat-body models could be custom ordered. The JT-6 was standard for each. 


It was replaced in 1990 with the Takeuchi TRS-101.




PT 505

(1996 - 2015)

Status: Discontinued


Ping Well produced a budget version of the Gotoh GE1996T that was supplied as an OEM product to Fernandes and Peavey from 1996 until the mid 2000s. The Ping Well designation is PT 505. (PW Product Code YF-04VB) It is outwardly identical to the Gotoh except for the shape of the saddles which are bevelled on the Gotoh and squared-off on the Ping Well. The Ping Well version has their "PW" logo or "P.W" abbreviation on the block.


NOTE: It appears Ping Well stopped producing this Floyd Rose licensed guitar bridge after 2015. Their original website was shut down around 2019 or 2020. They now have a new website and a new logo. They sell tuners and bridges, but nothing Floyd Rose-related anymore.


  • The PT 505 was used on Peavey's 1996-2004 range of EVH Wolfgang guitars. (The earlier 1991-1995 EVH guitars came with a Gotoh GE1988T.) The unit is stamped "Peavey" on the baseplate and "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Patents" on the tail. Ping Well's "PW" logo is stamped on the block. It was not until Eddie Van Halen partnered with Fender in 2005 to redesign the EVH models and establish EVH as its own brand that we would get left-handed EVH models, such as the Japanese-built Wolfgang Special released in 2010, and shortly thereafter, other models. The Fender EVHs instead use the OEM genuine FRT-01000 Series.

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  • The Fernandes version is designated FRT-11. (Fernandes also used the original Gotoh which is designated FRT-10.) The FRT-11 is printed with "FERNANDES Guitars" on the baseplate (The Gotoh original says "FERNANDES" only) and "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Patents" on the tail. It was introduced in 2000. By the 2000s, only select Fernandes models were available left-handed, and by special order only. Examples are this 2004 left handed Fernades FR-55SL, this 2004 left handed Fernandes FGZ-550L, this 2004 left handed Fernandes FGZ-550SL, and this 2003/2004 left handed Fernandes FR-55SL with Sustainer Light. The last mention of the FRT-11 is in the 2018 Fernandes Japanese catalog, specifically the last year of the FR-Standard 2011 and FGZ-Standard 2011 Series. By this time Fernandes had quietly ceased offering left-handed guitars.


  • The Graph Tech GHOST LB-63 is an OEM-supplied double-locking tremolo that is essentially a modified Ping Well PT-505 that takes Graph Tech’s GHOST piezo system. It was released around 2010. The primary visual difference between the two is the LB-63’s baseplate, which features sharp, rectangular corners instead of the rounded corners found on the regular PT-505. The Graph Tech GHOST saddles are retrofit components that replace the stock saddles. Each GHOST saddle contains the piezo element and must be individually installed in the saddle slots of the baseplate. The signal cables are routed from each saddle to the control cavity or preamp through a round hole in the block. The block is made of brass and is stamped "P.W." The baseplate is laser etched with "graphtech" and the tail is laser etched with "Precision Tremolo System" in white lettering. Since Ping Well has been out of business for a decade, newer ones are likely from the universal Korean or Chinese OEM pools, for which there are Ping Well clones available. I doubt whether there are any lefties.




Jin Ah


Jin Ah Precision Industries was a Korean company that emerged as a key producer of OEM licensed Floyd Rose tremolo systems and OEM proprietary tremolo systems during the late 1980s and 1990s, supplying universal hardware to major brands with Korean production lines. They were a major supplier of guitar parts to Samick, Cort, and World Musical Instrument Co.


Jin Ah ceased tremolo production around the early 2000s as OEM manufacturing shifted to higher-spec OEMs like Ping Well in Taiwan and Sung-il in Korea.


Jin Ah's most well-known series of licensed Floyd Rose tremolos is the KKT series. (This is actually the Samick designation for the series.) Early products are easily identifiable by the "Mfg. Under Floyd Rose Pats." wording of the licensing statement on their products and their conical fine tuners.


Jin Ah also carried on manufacturing St. Louis Music’s proprietary Bendmaster tremolo as an OEM product for multiple brands built by Samick after Matsumoku closed its doors in 1987. The factory also manufactured several proprietary Aria Pro II tremolo systems post-Matsumoku. See PART 3: Floyd Rose Tremolos for Lefties: Proprietary Versions



KKT-1

(1980s)

Status: Discontinued

 

The KKT-1 was Jin Ah's version of the original Bendmaster proprietary tremolo, which was originally developed by staff at SLM (St. Louis Music) in the United States for Westone guitars, which were manufactured by Matsumoku and distributed by SLM in the United States and FCN Music in the United Kingdom and Europe. It was a two-point, string-through bridge with vertical fine-tuners, curved baseplate sides, and J-shaped string hooks. Strings are fed through chambers in the block and do not need the ball ends cut off.


The SLM original was made in Japan. It became an OEM product used by many major guitar brands well into the 1990s, after SLM production moved to Samick in Korea following the closure of Matsumoku.


The Jin Ah version is outwardly identical to the Japanese original, but the block shape is completely different, and it is made of inferior metal. As with the original, it was made initially with no inscriptions of any kind. Later versions were stamped "Mfg. Under Floyd Rose Pats." on the baseplate, and the bottom of the block was embossed with "JINAH."


  • Aria Pro II. After Matsumoku closed in 1987, Aria Pro II guitars were made by Samick in Korea. Left handed guitars were not standard and had to be custom ordered. The KKT-1 was featured on a single model in the 1989 Aria Pro II catalog, on the SL-DX-3.

      

  • B.C Rich moved production of their import guitars from Terada in Japan to Korea in 1986, using Cort for the main, and from 1987 until 1993 the entry-level Platinum Series were built with the KKT-1 including the catalog-listed Platinum Series left handed Warlock introduced in 1988. It was referred as the Bendmaster in catalogs. The B.C Rich versions were properly stamped "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Patents" from 1990.


  • Hondo: During the 1970s and 1980s, Samick produced guitars under the Hondo brand (as a joint venture with U.S company International Music Corporation.) The Hondo Fame Series were built from 1984 until 1987 which included a left handed Strat copy: the Fame Series H-760. The last of the H-760 models came with the KKT-1 as an option. (This same guitar was also sold as the Epiphone S-300 from 1986-1995, although was not available left-handed.) Samick continued to build Hondo guitars until 1990.

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  • Epiphone: Samick produced the 1986-1989 Epiphone S-Series Superstrats and Flying V with this tremolo, stamped as "Bennder." There was a lefty model: the Epiphone S-600L. 

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  • Charvette By Charvel: From 1989-1991 Samick made Charvel's entry-level Charvette range, some of which also used this tremolo. The Charvette version was designated CH-120. I am not sure if Samick built any lefty Charvettes.


  • Series 10: This was another St. Louis Music brand that were student-level guitars produced from the early 1980s to the late 1990s and built in Korea, by Samick. SLM marketed its acoustic line under the Bentley name, while the Series 10 label was reserved for its electric models. They made an Ibanez/Jackson Superstrat clone which came with the Bendmaster tremolo. This Series 10 left-handed Fat Strat was built with the KKT-1.


  • Memphis was a budget guitar brand distributed by Kaman Music in the United States between 1977 and 1989. Guitar pedals and amplifiers were also sold under the same brand. Some late-80s superstrat models came with the Bendmaster/KKT-1 tremolo. Very little information about them has survived. Visually, Memphis superstrats look like rebranded Washburn guitars and may very well have been. There are no known lefty models.

​


 

KKT-2

(1988 - 1995)

Status: Discontinued

 

The KKT-2 was a single-locking variant of an Original Floyd Rose manufactured by Jin Ah. It was not attributable or specific to any one brand but was used on guitars built in Korea by Samick, Cort, and World Musical Instrument Co. Ltd.


Strings were fed through individual self-locking T-shaped saddle assemblies, each on see-saw pivots. Vertical fine tuners at the rear of the individual saddles pressed on the baseplate when turned, thus making the saddles pivot to make tuning adjustments. It had a rectangular tremolo collar in common with the Aria Pro II ACT-3. The KKT-2 was stamped "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Patents" on the top face of the baseplate.


Samick: The KKT-2 was used on Samick's own guitars including this 1990-1999 left handed KJ-560.


Aria Pro II:  The KKT-2 was used on several Korean-built Aria Pro II guitars such as this Aria Pro II 1989 SL-DX-3, and 1990 Diamond Series JX-450. Left handed examples include this 1988-1991 Excel Series XL SPT-3RL, this 1991 Viper Series VP-40, and this 1992 Magna Series MA-20 built by Samick.


B.C Rich: From 1993-1995 B.C Rich's Korean-made Gold 50 Series guitars came with the KKT-2. This tremolo was carried over onto the reintroduced N.J Series made in Korea from 1996. In B.C Rich catalogs it is referred to as "Single Locking Tremolo." I believe these guitars were made by Cort. Left handed examples also include this red 1994 Platinum Series B.C. Rich Warlock.

​



KKT-3 / Bendmaster FR / ART-10

(1989 - 1996)

Status: Discontinued

 

The KKT-3 was Jin Ah's licensed OEM Original Floyd Rose 100-Series double-locking tremolo, but with the same trapezoid baseplate shape as the Takeuchi TRS-101, and with one straight knife edge. It also has adjustable saddle height. It was stamped "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Patents" on the upper face of the baseplate using "Courier New" font, in caps-and-lower-case. It is also recognizable for its conical-shaped fine tuners. In addition to the KKT-3 designation by Samick, it was known as the Bendmaster FR on SLM’s Westone brand, and as the ART-10 by Aria. After its introduction in 1989, it was soon after used by multiple brands in the 1990s.


The KKT-3 was also sold as an aftermarket kit. It could be bought from WD Music Products in the United States. This would be the last licensed Floyd Rose product before Jin Ah disappeared off the OEM scene.


B.C Rich also used KKT-3 alongside the KKT-2 on their import line beginning in 1994. It was an alternative to the KKT-2 on some Gold 50 Series models and was standard on the Diamond 100 Series until 1996. In B.C Rich catalogs it was noted as "Floyd Rose Licensed Tremolo." I believe they were built by World Musical Instrument Co.


Dean used the KKT-3 on its DS Series guitars in the 1990s, such as the left handed Dean DS-92E superstrat. Samick ghost built the DS Series during this time. (Dean did not make left handed guitars again until 2008.)


Hamer had a range of entry-level guitars made at the Cort factory in Korea during the 1990s, marketed as Slammer by Hamer. Those that had Floyd Rose systems were fitted with the KKT-3. I do not know of any lefties.


Samick: The KKT-3 was used on Samick's own brand, such as this 1991 Samick KR-660L which was also avaliable left-handed via custom order, and this left-handed 1994 Viper KR-564L TBK.


Aria Pro II: Korean-built Aria Pro II guitars that came with the equivalent ART-10 include the 1989-1995 left handed Aria Pro II XL DLX3, and the 1990-1993 left-handed Aria Pro II Mad Axe ST-02-3XL/VS. 


Vantage: From 1978 Matsumoku produced Vantage guitars for Canadian distributor Jam Industries and U.S. distributor Music Technology Inc. Samick acquired the Vantage license from Matsumoku a year before its closure and continued to manufacture the brand for Music Technology Inc. before taking over the brand fully in 1990. The KKT-3 was used on some Vantage guitars including the 1991-1996 left-handed 818G-DT. Samick continued to build Vantage guitars until 1998.


Westone used the KKT-3/Bendmaster FR for its Challenger, Dimension, and Spectrum II models in 1989, then replaced it in 1990 with a Takeuchi TRS-101 on the 1990 Dan Armstrong Signature model (which wasn't made in left-hand) and Kahlers for most other models. Samick manufactured Westone guitars until 1991.

​


NOTE TO LEFT HANDED GUITARISTS: Jin Ah's KKT series was a bit hit-or-miss in terms of quality in the beginning. For example, the blocks and saddles of the Jin Ah Bendmaster tend to crumble eventually. Knife edge wear and tarnishing are common on 35+ year-old units. Of course, all Jin Ah products have been out of production for decades. They are unreplaceable, especially lefties.


For restorations of original KKT-3 equipped guitars, you can upgrade to a compatible Korean aftermarket equivalent available for purchase from Gaskell Guitars. Straight swap. The Gaskell units are brand new stock, superior to the originals and modern Chinese copies. They are also a straight drop-in for guitars built with the KKT-2. Enquire here: gaskellguitars@mail.com




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.

  • OFR: Original Floyd Rose. Applies to the modern 100-Series currently made in the USA and formerly made in Germany.

  • 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.

  • 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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