Floyd Rose Tremolos for Left Hand Guitars: OEM Producers

Gaskell Guitars Australia
Aug 10, 2023
13 min read

Updated: 19 hours ago

The following is the ultimate guide on left handed Floyd Rose tremolos: genuine, licensed, and proprietary - past and present. Nowhere else on the internet will you find all this information in one place.

This article is in three parts:

Part 1: Original and Genuine Floyd Rose (Floyd Rose, Fernandes, Schaller, Sung il, Ping Well)
Part 2: OEM Producers (Kahler, Gotoh, Takeuchi, Ping Well)
Part 3: Proprietary Versions (Kahler, Fernandes, Ibanez, Matsumoku, Samick, Yamaha, ESP)

Kahler 1983 - 1995

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.

Steeler

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.

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 l eft handed DC-150, the mid-1990s lefty DC-135, and on the 1992 left handed Carvin DC400.

U.S-made B.C Rich guitars from the late '80s came standard with a Kahler Steeler or a Kahler cam-based tremolo. 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.

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 (1986 - present)

Parts manufacturer Gotoh have been making Floyd Rose-style tremolos since 1986, beginning with OEM models for Ibanez. Gotoh tremolos are made in Japan and some believe they are the best of all licensed Floyd Rose tremolos. I personally prefer the modern lefty Gotoh tremolo over the Schaller products.

GE1988T

Gotoh's GE1988T was the first licensed Floyd Rose OEM tremolo to be supplied by Gotoh to other brands, based on the FRT-100. The OEM unit was stamped "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Patents" on the tail and "GOTOH Japan" on the block. Sometimes it was stamped "Gotoh" and the Gotoh "G" logo on the baseplate. It was different from the Floyd Rose originals in that the top knife edge of the base plate was straight. This would become a distinguishing feature of Gotoh tremolos.

Between 1989 and 1992, some Japanese manufacturing of B.C. Rich guitars occurred, targeted for the Japanese and European markets only. This was the NJ Series II made at the Teihatsu factory in Nagoya. All 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 Warlock WG-801LH. Another example is this Japanese left-handed B.C Rich ST-III.
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.
Gotoh supplied the same tremolo, stamped "Music Man," 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!

GE1996TL

The modern Gotoh GE1996T 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.

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.

Ibanez Edge Series

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 and China in the early 2000s.

The original Gotoh Edge tremolo was used on some B.C Rich guitars manufactured in 1987 such as this 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

Takeuchi 1988 - 2010

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. The public could buy the whole kits from AllParts in the USA. Takeuchi closed its doors in 2010.

TRS-101

The TRS-101 was Takeuchi's version of the Original FRT100 used on many Japanese-built guitars in the 1980s and 1990s including Aria Pro II, B.C Rich, Charvel, ESP, Fender, Fernandes, Ibanez, Jackson, Kramer, Washburn, Westone, and Yamaha. It was made from 1988 until 2002. It is a straight swap for a FRT-100.

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 usually with "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Pats." in very small letters near the tremolo arm hole at the bottom. The block was stamped "Takeuchi" with "Made in Japan" below it. It is distinctive for its slightly more angled tail.

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

Left handed Japanese Jacksons with the JT580 include the 1991-1994 Stealth EX and the 1997 Dinky DS2L.

Some Japanese Charvels made at the Chu Shin Gakki factory (1986-1991) came with the FLC-101 including the 1991 left handed DK-070-SSH.

Ibanez ordinarily used the Gotoh Edge or low-profile Takeuchi tremolos for all their guitars but did use the TRS-101 on some Japanese-built guitars including the 1999 left handed RG420AHL.

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

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

The 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 Westone catalog does not specifiy that the model was available left handed and a Kahler tremolo is standard.

The left handed Edwards (by ESP) EC-98V built during the mid-90s came with the TRS-101.

TRT-1

The Takeuchi TRT-1 is the Takeuchi TRS-101 but made in Korea instead of Japan. It is identical in every way, including the licensing statement on the lower base. 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 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. This was instead fitted with a TRS-101. I do not believe either of these guitars were made left-handed.

TRS-PRO

In 1994 Takeuchi introduced its version of the "Floyd Rose Pro" tremolo for guitars made in Japan. This was released as the "TRS-PRO." It has the locking bolts inside of the tail and the tail is flatter. 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" was engraved on the block. It was made until the late 2000s.

The equivalent JT580LP was used on Jackson's U.S-market "Dinky" models that were made in Japan from the mid 1990s until the late 2000s such as the left handed DK2-L.
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.)
Yamaha does not make a lot of left hand guitars but the left handed Yamaha RGX 421DL made in Taiwan from 1995 until 2000 used this tremolo.
The "800-S" was used on the 1990s left handed Washburn MG74.
In 1994, Fernandes adopted the Takeuchi TRS-PRO which became the standard bridge for their "FR" Series and was used on Fernandes 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 Ibanez LO-TRS 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.

Ibanez Lo-TRS

Takeuchi made a variant of their TRS-PRO for Ibanez which was designated "Lo-TRS." It is functionally identical but with a couple of subtle differences. One is that the upper knife edge of the Lo-TRS is straight, like a Gotoh. The Lo-TRS is engraved at the top of the base plate with "Ibanez LO-TRS TREM" and with "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Patents" (in full) engraved on the tail but reverse facing compared to the TRS-PRO. The block has "Takeuchi" and "Made in Japan." The left hand version is Ibanez Part No. 2LT1L35K. In 2000, when Ibanez production shifted from Korea back to Japan, the left-handed RG470L was once again manufactured with the Lo-TRS until 2002.

Ibanez Lo-TRS II

From 1994 to 2004 Takeuchi produced a second version of the TRS-PRO for Ibanez, called the "Lo-TRS II" which was fitted to some entry-level Ibanez guitars built in Korea by Cort from 1994-2004. The Ibanez parts number for the lefty version was 2CL1LC34B for black and 2CL1LC34K for Cosmo black. It is exactly the same as the Lo-TRS except made in Korea.

Left handed Ibanez models that received the Lo-TRS II were the 1994-1999 RG470L, the 1998-2004 S470L, and the 1997-2000 JEM555L.

This unit appears to have earned a consistent bad reputation with Ibanez players for its cheapness and apparent trouble staying in tune.

TRS-PRO7 / Lo-TRS7

Takeuchi also made a left handed 7 string tremolo, the TRS-PRO7. This unit was available through to the 2010s. It was designated "700-S" by Washburn. 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

The "TRS-505" was Takeuchi's version of the single-locking Floyd Rose II, released in 1995. As with the Floyd Rose II, 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 retained the Takeuchi model number for this tremolo. For Ibanez it is Ibanez Part Number 2TS1SR35B.

SLT-101

The SLT101 (SLT = "Single Locking Tremolo") was the budget version of the string-through TRS-505 made by Takeuchi used by Ibanez for its entry level guitars bult in Korea including the 1998-2001 left handed RG270L. It is Ibanez Part Numbers 2SL1C12C (chrome) and 2SL1C12B (black) and is made in Korea.

ILT1

In 2001 Ibanez engaged Takeuchi again to make another version of their TRS-101 for Ibanez's entry-level Superstrat models built in Korea and Indonesia. This became the "ILT1." Unlike the TRS-101 or TRT-1, the upper knife edge is straight (like a Gotoh.) It was stamped "Ibanez" (upside down) on the upper base plate and "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Patents" on the tail. The block has the Takeuchi logo and the word "Takeuchi" and "Made in Japan" stamped on it. Left hand models were Black (2CD1L101B) or Chrome (2CD1L101C).

They were used on entry-level Ibanez guitars from 2001-2010, including the 2001-2002 left-handed S370L, and the 2000-2002 left handed RG270L.

Ibanez's venture into proprietary tremolo systems is covered in Part 3.

Ping Well 1987 - 2020

Ping Well Industrial Co. Ltd. located in Taiwan was one of Floyd Rose's official producers of genuine and OEM Floyd Rose tremolos. Floyd Rose personally selected Ping Well to manufacture the Floyd Rose Speedloader in 2004. (See Part 1: Original and Genuine Floyd Rose)

Ping Well also produced a licensed Floyd Rose very similar to the Gotoh GE1996T, which was utilized by various guitar brands in the 2000s and was available as an aftermarket Floyd Rose alternative.

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.

JT-6

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 cover plates making the whole 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 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 Japan-only 1988 left handed 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

Ping Well also produced a Gotoh GE1996T-style tremolo that was used by 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.

Ping Well PT 505 licensed Floyd Rose tremolo

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-1000.

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. 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. The Ping Well was used right through to the 2010s.

Ibanez ZR

Starting in the 1980s, Ibanez manufacturing guitars with tremolo systems supplied by OEM producers Gotoh and Takeuchi. Eventually, Ibanez began designing and creating their own proprietary tremolo systems, which they developed alongside and ultimately replaced the Gotoh and Takeuchi units.

In 2003, Ibanez introduced the "Zero Resistance" (ZR) tremolo, made by Ping Well.

This tremolo features a ball-bearing pivot system (like a Kahler) instead of the two-post and knife-edge pivot. It also has offset saddle locking bolts so they can be adjusted without the strings being in the way. The unit came with the "Zero Point System," which is a tremsetter (backstop-like device) that fits in the bridge cavity and applies counter pressure, and extra springs to return the bridge to the centre point. It was used exclusively on Ibanez S-Series guitars. The S420L is the only production Ibanez left-handed model ever to employ the ZR tremolo, produced from 2010-2013 in Indonesia.

Floyd Rose, Ibanez and Ping Well were involved in a legal action in 2006 brought by Geoffrey L. McCabe for patent violations for the Floyd Rose Speedloader and the ZR tremolo system. The cases were eventually settled out of court.