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Floyd Rose Tremolos for Left Hand Guitars: OEM Producers

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

Updated: 2 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 three 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." See Part 3 for Schaller's own proprietary Floyd Rose-style products.



Kahler

(1983 - 1992, 2023 - present)


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 fulcrum-based Floyd Rose system. All Kahler products have always been made in the USA.


In addition to his own system, Kahler developed three double locking, fulcrum tremolo systems, starting with the Kahler Steeler, which was Kahler's licensed version of the Floyd Rose tremolo. All Kahler tremolos were available in left hand.


Following the Steeler, Kahler produced two other designs incorporating both Floyd Rose and Kahler technologies, while at the same time developing and selling his own cam-based systems. The three fulcrum-based tremolos were collectively called the 2700 Series consisting of the Steeler, Killer, and Spyder. These were produced until 1992.

2760 Steeler


Status: Reintroduced


The Kahler Steeler is visually very similar to the Original Floyd Rose FRT-5 (current FRT-100.) 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 the left handed Steeler versions were simply an upside-down, right-hand unit with a hole drilled into what was ordinarily the top of the base to accommodate the lefty tremolo arm, thus producing two holes and obscuring the stamping.


During the 1980s, Carvin entered into an OEM arrangement with Kahler to produce the Steeler for Carvin guitars. Carvin offers all its guitars in left-hand and was a prolific user of Kahler products until Kahler left the business in the '90s. The Steeler was used on the Carvin left handed DC-150, the mid-1990s lefty DC-135, the 1990 left handed DC300 Reverse Headstock, and on the 1992 left handed DC400.


U.S-made B.C Rich guitars from the late '80s came standard with a Kahler Steeler, a Kahler cam-based tremolo, or Original Floyd Rose. Guitars could be special ordered with options other than standard. Some 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.


The original Steeler was discontinued in 1992.



For information on the Kahler Killer and Kahler Spyder see Part 3 Floyd Rose Tremolos for Lefties: Proprietary Versions


Update 2024. After an absence of 32 years Gary Kahler for some reason has just re-released the Spyder and Steeler with modifications, marketed now as the "2700 Series fulcrum tremolo." The Spyders are being assembled from new old stock parts and the Steeler has some updates. The Kahler Auto Latch is offered again on the Spyder which allows one to switch the tremolo from floating to fixed via the tremolo arm. The new Steeler is available in two versions, including a string-thru option. The Kahler Auto Latch is an option as well. As these are so new it remains to be seen if provisions for lefties have been thought of yet.



Gotoh


Japanese parts manufacturer Gotoh has been making Floyd Rose-style tremolos since 1986, beginning with OEM models for Ibanez. Gotoh tremolos are made in Japan, and their current proprietary Floyd Rose 100-Series equivalent is held in high regard by guitar builders and players around the world. Many believe the Gotoh Floyd is even better than the Original Floyd Rose. The modern Gotoh is a straight swap. I personally prefer the modern lefty Gotoh tremolo over the Schaller-made products. It remains to be seen how good the new 2025 USA Series Floyd Rose tremolos are, assuming left-handed versions are included.


Ibanez Edge Series

(1986 - present)


Status: Current


Gotoh OEM-produced the original "Ibanez Edge tremolo" for Ibanez in 1986 and the subsequent "Lo-Pro Edge" in 1991. Gotoh continued to produce Ibanez's proprietary tremolos until Ibanez shifted production to Korea, Indonesia, and China in the 2000s. Both the original Edge and Lo-Pro Edge were re-introduced around 2010 and are in use to this day, although no longer made by Gotoh.



The original Gotoh Edge tremolo was used on some B.C Rich guitars such as this 1986 left handed B.C Rich Warlock and this 1987 left handed B.C Rich ST-III.


See here for Gotoh's contributions to Ibanez proprietary tremolo systems:  Floyd Rose Tremols for Lefties: Proprietary Tremolos


GE1988T

(1988 - 1996)


Status: Obsolete


Gotoh's GE1988T was the first licensed Floyd Rose OEM tremolo to be supplied by Gotoh to other brands, based on the Original Floyd Rose 100 Series. 


The OEM unit 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 base plate. It was different from the Floyd Rose originals in that the top knife edge of the base plate was straight. Also distinctive is the saddle assemblies are upside U-shaped. It also had a square tremolo arm collar. Gotoh may have been the first producer to introduce the straight knife edge.


  • B.C Rich: Between 1989 and 1992, some Japanese manufacturing of B.C. Rich guitars were manufactured at the Teihatsu factory in Nagoya, targeted for the Japanese and European markets only. This was the "NJ Series II." These guitars came with the Gotoh GE1988T. The B.C. Rich OEM tremolos had "B.C. Rich" stamped upside down on the base plate 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: Gotoh also supplied this tremolo to Aria Guitars in 1991 for their Japanese Aria Pro II Superstrats. The tremolo was stamped "Aria Pro II" on the base, sometimes with "ART-1" in smaller writing underneath. Aria's "Esprit" model was available in left-hand and was made with this tremolo.


  • Music Man: Gotoh supplied the same tremolo, stamped "Music Man" on the base plate for Ernie Ball/Music Man for their EVH guitars produced from 1991-1995. None of them were offered in left-hand, so we missed out there! This would change when EVH became part of Peavey and then Fender.

​


GE1996TL

​(1996 - present)


Status: Current


The Gotoh GE1996T is the current Gotoh Floyd Rose tremolo released in 1996. It was modified slightly from the 1988 model so it could be a straight swap for an Original Floyd Rose. The unit can be bought by the general public and is often the first choice for custom guitar builders. It comes in three block sizes (depth) 33mm, 36mm and 40mm. Left hand units are available in chrome, black, and gold. Gotoh offers a different type of colour for their black tremolos called Cosmo Black (CK) which is actually finished in a light black chrome colour rather that standard black. Gotoh tremolos are stamped with "High Stability Tremolo System" on the tail and "Gotoh Japan" on the base, on the opposite side of the hole for the tremolo arm. The current model does not have the square tremolo arm collar of the earlier version.



From 1997 Gotoh produced a branded version of their GE1996T 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 base plate and without any inscription on the tail. Fernandes didn't make a lot of left handed guitars in the 1990s and 2000s, but the FRT-10 was used on the 2002 left handed Fernandes Revolver Pro. For Fernandes' entry-level guitars Fernades used a copy of the Gotoh which was made in Taiwan by Ping Well, designated "FRT-11.")



Takeuchi

​

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.


Takeuchi products were also sold to the public as replacement or aftermarket kits and could be bought from AllParts in the USA up until about 2016.


Takeuchi went out of business in 2010.


TRS-101

(1988 - 2002)


Status: Obsolete


The TRS-101 was Takeuchi's version of the Original Floyd Rose 100 Series used on many Japanese-built guitars throughout the 1980s and 1990s including guitars by Aria Pro II, B.C Rich, Charvel, ESP, Fender, Greco, Fernandes, Ibanez, Jackson, Kramer, Washburn, Westone, and Yamaha. It was made from 1988 until 2002 and is a straight swap for an Original Floyd Rose.


The TRS-101 was stamped on the top part of the base plate with either "TRS-101" or with the name of the guitar brand and with "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Pats." stamped in very small letters on the base plate next to the tremolo arm hole. Later versions did not have the licensing statement. The block was stamped "Takeuchi" with "Made in Japan" below it. The shape of the base plate is distinctive for its bevelled edges. It also has a slightly more angular tail. It has a screw-in tremolo arm which screws into the block.



The TRS-101 is also known as the Jackson "JT580", Washburn "600-S", Ibanez "TRS", Fender "Ex-Trem", Greco "GF-II", Charvel "FLC-101", Tokai "TRS-202", among others.


  • Jackson: Left handed Japanese-made Jacksons with the JT580 include the 1991-1994 Pro Series Stealth EX, this 1997 Dinky DK2SL, and the 2000 Pro Series DK-3L.

​

  • 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.

​

  • B.C Rich: Some lefty B.C Rich guitars made in Japan during the mid-80s were fitted with the TRS-101 if not a Kahler Spyder.


  • Aria Pro II: Aria's 1993 Aria Pro II MA-62 LH Magna came with the TRS-101.


  • Washburn usually did not make left handed guitars, but there were left hand versions of the 1988 G-5V, the 1989-1992 Chicago Series KC-40V, the 1989-1991 KC-70V Superstrats, and the 1992 MG40 LH. Each came with the equivalent 600-S. 


  • 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.



TRT-1

​(1988)


Status: Obsolete


The Takeuchi TRT-1 is the same as the Takeuchi TRS-101 but used on guitars made in Korea instead of Japan in 1988 only. It is identical in every way, including the licensing statement on the lower base plate. It is engraved with "TRT-1" on the upper base. The block simply says "Takeuchi," whereas the TRS-101 also says "Made in Japan" on the block.


  • The TRT-1 was used on the Aria Pro II "Warrior" Series, and two models in the "Precede" Series for 1988. The Aria Pro II version has "Mfg. Under Floyd Rose Patents" on the base. I am note sure if Aria Pro II made left handed versions of any of these.


  • 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 TRS-101. I do not believe either of these guitars were made left-handed?




TRS-PRO

(1994 - 2010)


Status: Obsolete


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 base plate (if not branded) and "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Pats." (abbreviated) on the tail. "Takeuchi" and "Made in Japan" were engraved on the block. It was made until the late 2000s.


  • Jackson: The equivalent JT580LP was used on Jackson's U.S-market "Dinky" models that were made in Japan from the mid 1990s until about 2000, such as the 1995-1998 left handed Performer Series Dinky PS-4, and the 1990s left handed DK2-L. To confuse matters, around the time Fender bought Jackson in the 2000s, the Takeuchi JT580LP was replaced with an almost identical tremolo, made in Korea. Fender continued to call it the JT580LP. The obvious difference is the block which is stamped "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Pats." It has different dimensions to the Takeuchi and may not be a straight swap for earlier Jacksons. This was used through the 2000s on entry-level guitars.

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


  • Washburn: The 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 and was used on Fernandes and Burny guitars into the 2000s. It was designated "FRT5-PRO" for Fernandes. The unit was stamped with "FRT Tremolo System" and "FRT5-PRO-TRS" on the base plate and "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Pats." on the tail. Left handed guitars with this tremolo included the Fernandes FR55.


If you can find a left-handed TRS-PRO or OEM version of it on the second-hand market, this would be the closest you can get to a left-handed Floyd Rose Pro, as neither Floyd Rose nor Schaller have ever produced left-handed versions of their low-profile models.

​



TRS-PRO - straight edge version


Status: Obsolete


Takeuchi produced a variant of their TRS-PRO which is identical, except the upper knife edge of the base plate 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 base plate, 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 was manufactured with the Lo-TRS.


  • The Yamaha version has "YAMAHA" and "TRS-PRO" stamped upside down on the upper base plate and the same inward-facing licensing statement on the tail. Yamaha never made a lot of left hand guitars, but the 1995 Yamaha RGX 421DL, made in Taiwan used this tremolo.




TRS-PRO7


Status: Obsolete


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. It is Ibanez part number: 2LT1UV35B. The Ibanez version has "Ibanez TRS LO-TRS TREM" stamped upside down on the base plate with "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Pats." engraved on the tail.


​


TRS-505

​

Status: Obsolete


The "TRS-505" was Takeuchi's version of a single-locking tremolo, similar to the Floyd Rose II, or Fernandes Head Crasher FRT6, released in 1995. As with the Floyd Rose II and FRT6, the strings are inserted through dummy string lock screws and are held there by the ball ends. It is stamped with "TRS-505" on the upper base plate, "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.



Ibanez's venture into proprietary tremolo systems, including the Edge Series, their Takeuchi knock-offs, 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. 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 remaining 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: Obsolete


Jackson-Charvel used the Chushin Gakki factory in Nagano exclusively for its Japanese-made range of guitars. In 1987, Jackson-Charvel commissioned Ping Well to produce an OEM tremolo for its entry and intermediate level guitars made in Japan. This was the "JT-6."


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 Charvel Model 3 of 1987 and 1988 left handed Charvel Model 3. Another example (without the string block caps) 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


Status: Discontinued


Ping Well produced a Gotoh GE1996T-style tremolo that was supplied as an OEM product to Fernandes and Peavey in the 1990s and 2000s. The Ping Well designation is "PT 505." (PW Product Code YF-04VB)


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.


  • It was used on Peavey's 1996-2004 range of EVH Wolfgang guitars. (The earlier 1991-1995 EVH guitars came with a genuine Gotoh.) The unit is stamped "Peavey" on the base plate 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.

​​

  • The Fernandes unit is designated "FRT-11" and is near-identical to the Gotoh-made "FRT-10" except for the shape of the saddles which are bevelled on the Gotoh and square on the Ping Well. The Ping Well version has the Ping Well logo on the block. It is printed with "FERNANDES Guitars" on the base plate (the Gotoh says "FERNANDES" only) and "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Patents" on the tail. It was introduced in 2000 and used until 2010. This tremolo was used on the left handed Fernandes FGZ550, left handed Fernandes FGZ-550S, and the 2000-2003 left handed Fernandes FR-55S with Sustainer Light.





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