Floyd Rose Tremolos for Left Hand Guitars: Proprietary versions
- Gaskell Guitars Australia
- Jun 15
- 32 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:
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 1981 Gary Kahler of American Precision Metal Works released a guitar bridge system that would later become the famous Kahler cam-based tremolo system. Besides his own system, Kahler developed three double locking, fulcrum tremolo systems, starting with the Kahler Steeler, which was Kahler's licensed version of the Original Floyd Rose tremolo.
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." All Kahler tremolos were available in left-hand.
For information on the licensed Floyd Rose Kahler Steeler see Part 2: Floyd Rose Tremolos for Lefties: OEM Producers
Killer
The Kahler 2710 Killer was a further development of the basic Floyd Rose design and Kahler's own licensed version, the Steeler. (See Part 2.)
The Killer incorporated finger-locking saddles which eliminated the need to cut off the ball ends of the strings and the need to lock the saddles with tools. This unit had more advanced intonation adjustability over a Floyd Rose and string spacing could be adjusted.
Left-hand guitars were produced with this tremolo, but disappointingly, the left-hand units were simply upside-down, right-hand units with a hole drilled into the metal on the opposite side for the lefty tremolo arm. Carvin, a prolific user of Kahler tremolos throughout the 1980s, adopted the Killer in 1989 before switching to Floyd Rose systems from 1990.
Spyder
The 2720 "Spyder" tremolo utilized Kahler patents but was still reminiscent of a Floyd Rose. There were three versions: the 2722 (Wrench-locking model), the 2731 (Finger-locking model), and 2750 (Non-locking model.) Unique to Kahler is the Kahler Auto Latch which is an optional fitting to the block that allows one to switch the tremolo from floating to fixed via the tremolo arm. The Spyder will not fit in a Floyd Rose rout. As with the other 2700 Series tremolos, left-hand units were simply redrilled, upside-down right-hand units.
The 1988-1991 lefty Peavey Tracer came with the Spyder tremolo. Here is a 1987, USA Custom Shop lefty B.C Rich ST-III which was optioned with the Kahler Spyder, and this is another left-handed B.C Rich ST-III from the same era.
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.
Fernandes "Head Crasher Tremolo System" 1985 - 1986
Fernandes Electric Sound Research Group Co. Ltd. of Japan was the original producer of Floyd Rose tremolos including the prototypes and first production models.
Fernandes manufactured and sold their own "Fernandes" and "Burny" guitar brands, as well as electronics, parts, and accessories to the public. They sold both their own Original Floyd Rose kits and the Schaller Original Floyd Rose kits while both companies were producing the Original Floyd Rose tremolos.
Floyd Rose dropped the contract with Fernandes in 1985, and all Original Floyd Rose tremolos were thereafter manufactured by Schaller in Germany. Fernandes immediately rebranded their range of Floyd Rose tremolos to "Head Crasher Tremolo System" and undertook to develop and produce their own proprietary systems.
Head Crasher FRT-7
Fernandes' version of the Original Floyd Rose FRT-5 was designated "FRT-7" to distinguish it from the Schaller version during the time when both companies made it. After the contract ended it was renamed "Head Crasher FRT-7." It was etched on the top face of the base plate with "Head Crasher" sometimes with "U.S. Pats 4497236" on a second line. There was no licensing statement on the unit or block. One notable change was that the upper knife edge became a straight edge (like a Gotoh.)
The Head Crasher FRT-7 was used on the 1985 left handed Fernandes BSV-70 and the 1985-1987 left handed Fernandes FST-55 "The Function" Stratocaster.
Head Crasher FRT-6
Fernandes' version of the single-locking Floyd Rose II was advertised as the "Head Crasher FRT-6" while Schaller and Fernandes were both making them. After the contract ended Fernandes continued to produce it for their own guitars. It had "Head Crasher" etched into the base plate and no licensing inscriptions. Fernandes did make left hand guitars with the FRT-6 including the short-scale lefty Fernandes BSV-70 Flying V.
Body Crasher FRT-8
Fernandes introduced the "Body Crasher FRT-8" tremolo in 1986. The Body Crasher is not like any original Floyd Rose system. It is a very simplistic string-through tremolo with fine tuners that screw vertically on six individually pivoting arms which each of the strings feed through horizontally and then go over saddles. String tension holds the arms down and the vertical fine tuners work by raising or lowering the arms on their pivots when you turn them. On this tremolo the whammy bar screws into the block.
Early models had no stamping of any kind and later ones were etched with "Body Crasher" on the base plate. There are no Floyd Rose acknowledgements anywhere. This tremolo would become the longest running tremolo for Fernandes, going all the way to 1997.
The Body Crasher was an option on some Fernandes FR Series guitars including the left-handed FR55 from 1986.
Here is an excellent video showing a close up of the FRT-8: Fernandes FRT-8 — Obscure Lefthand Bridges — FR-55
Note: Fernandes guitars were being made by Matsumoku at this time who also produced Aria Pro II guitars. This same tremolo was also used on some Aria Pro II models including the left handed Aria II Pro Mega Metal Stage III. In the Aria Pro II catalogs, it is referred to as the "ART-2." Yamaha also used this tremolo for some of their RGX Series Superstrat guitars introduced in 1987 that were made in Taiwan, calling it the Yamaha "RMX" tremolo.
I have a left handed one of these from a guitar that I had back in New Zealand during the 1980s. Mine has no stamping. I cannot remember what guitar it came off. I don't think it was a Fernandes. Definitely not a Yamaha. In fact, I used this bridge (because I was poor at the time!) on the very first left handed guitar I personally built in 1992. I gigged with that guitar a handful of times in the early-2000s and I remember it did not stay in tune well. To me this design is somewhat primitive. I have questions.... Where did Matsumoku, Fernandes, and Yamaha get this one from? Does any reader know what factory actually made this tremolo?
Fernandes "FRT Tremolo System" 1987 - 1997
From 1987, the whole range of Fernandes tremolos were renamed "FRT Tremolo System" while retaining the "Head Crasher" name for each of the tremolo models. At this time, Fernandes was distancing itself from its Floyd Rose origins and was well into further developing its own unique proprietary tremolos. In the same year Fernandes shifted manufacturing of its cheaper guitar series from Japan to Taiwan.
The new FRT-7-based tremolos retained the straight upper knife edge introduced in 1985.
FRT-9 and new FRT-7
For 1987, Fernandes introduced a system incorporating a plate that fitted to the top of the guitar that the tremolo units sat in which, by way of a lever, locked the bridge, thereby turning the bridge from floating to fixed. The string-through "FRT-6" with this system became the new "Head Crasher FTR-9" and the "FRT-7" with this system became the new "Head Crasher FRT-7."
The new FRT-7 was used on the 1987 Revolver FR-120. The new FRT-9 was used on the 1987 FR-75.
FRT-4 and new FRT-5
Also, in 1987 the previous FRT-7 (without the floating/fixed adjuster) was redesignated "Head Crasher FRT-4." Adding saddle height adjustment ability to it became the new "Head Crasher FRT-5."
According to the 1987 Fernandes catalog, the new FRT-5 with saddle height adjustment was used on the The Function FST-80, the Grand Function STF-115 and STF-125, the JS-100 (Randy Rhoads V), and the STJ-120. The renamed FRT-4 was used on the 1987 FR-65 and FST-65.
The 1987 range continued through 1988.
In the 1988 catalog, it says that the Function FST-65 came with the FRT-4 (formerly FRT-5), yet this 1988 left-handed The Function FST-65 example is fitted with the string-through "Head Crasher FRT-6." (Why different for a lefty?)
The "Body Crasher FRT-8" continued to be used on the Revolver FR Series guitars.
New FRT-4
In 1989 the "FRT-4" was redesigned to reposition the fine tuners horizontally. It had "Fernandes" printed on the tail and "FRT TREMOLO SYSTEM" embossed on the upper base plate. Both knife edges were round again. The kit versions sold to the public had a sticker on the block saying "Made in Korea." From 1989, there was no more mention of "Head Crasher" on any Fernandes tremolos or literature.
The new FRT-4 was used on the higher-end FR-100 and FR-120 Revolver Series as well as the The Function FST Series.
According to the 1989 Fernandes catalog, only two tremolos were offered on Fernandes guitars for 1989: the FRT-4 "with pitch shift cavity" and the FRT-8.
The FRT-8 was now etched with "FRT TREMOLO SYSTEM" on the base and was used on the lower-spec Revolver Series. It was used on the 1990-1994 left-handed Fernandes FR-55 MTV Revolver.
For 1992 the only FRT Tremolo System variants advertised were the FRT-4, FRT-5, FRT-6, FRT-7 and FRT-8.
By 1993 only the FRT-4 and FRT-8 were offered.
In 1994, Fernandes adopted the Takeuchi TRS-PRO low-profile licensed tremolo, designated "FRT5-PRO" for Fernandes. It had "FRT Tremolo System" and "FRT5-PRO-TRS" stamped on the base plate and "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Pats." on the tail. This became the standard bridge for the "FR" Series. It was used on the left handed Fernandes FR55.
In the same year the FRT-4 continued to be offered as did the FRT-8, although the FRT-8 was renamed "FRT-8PRO." According to an ex-Fernandes employee, the manufacturing of the FRT-8 from this time changed to a different factory.
From 1996 Fernandes started to advertise the German Schaller licensed Floyd Rose on their U.S.A range of guitars. It was designated "SFRT-2."
End of proprietary systems
From 1997, Fernandes dropped all the original tremolo bridges they had produced previously and adopted a Fernandes-branded Gotoh GE1996T for many of their guitars. In the Fernandes naming convention, the new Gotoh was designated "FRT-10." It had "FERNANDES" on the base plate and "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Patents" on the tail. They also continued to use the Takeuchi TRS-PRO ("FRT5-PRO.")
From 1999 choices Fernandes guitars were made with either the Gotoh GE1996T ("FRT-10"), the Takeuchi TRS-PRO (FRT5-PRO") or the cheaper GE1996T made in Taiwan by Ping Well (named "FRT-11.") The Ping Well unit is different from the Gotoh in saddle shape and the Ping Well says "FERNANDES Guitars" on the base. Here is an example of a lefty Fernandes FGZ-550S with FRT-11 tremolo.
The Takeuchi was dropped in the 2000s but the Gotoh and the Ping Well were used through to the 2010s.
In the 2020s Fernandes used the stock Gotoh GE1996T, the FRT-100 Original Floyd Rose, or the Korean FRTS1000 Specials for its Fernandes and Burny guitars that are advertised with a Floyd Rose system.
UPDATE 2024: Fernandes Co., Ltd. ceased operations on July 11, 2024. The company posted a notice at its headquarters stating: "We are currently burdened with a considerable amount of debt to multiple creditors, and unfortunately, we are unable to continue our business."
Matsumoku (1962 - 1987)
Matsumoku Industrial Co. Ltd. was a factory in Nagano Japan that made guitars for Aria Pro II, Electra, Epiphone, Fernandes, Ibanez, Greco, Hondo, Samick, Univox, Vantage, and Washburn, along with its house brand "Westone." They also built some of the early 80's Focus Series Kramers. The company was initially a subsidiary of Singer Sewing Machine Company, and produced wooden cabinets, tables, and accessories for Singer sewing machines. It was one of the largest producers of OEM guitars in Japan.
Bendmaster FT
Matsumoku's first use of a Floyd Rose-style tremolo was in 1984 with the "Bendmaster FT" made by Jin Ah of Korea. It is a two-point, string-through bridge with vertical fine-tuners. It is quite distinctive for the curved sides of its base plate and J-shaped string hooks.
These tremolos initially had no stamping. Later versions were stamped "Mfg. Under Floyd Rose Pats." on the base plate, and the bottom of the block was embossed with "JINAH." It was used on many Vantage, Electra, and Westone guitars including the 1985 left handed Westone Spectrum DX, and the left handed Westone Spectrum LX
Note: Gotoh made a version for Ibanez which was used for one year only, on the 1985 Ibanez Axstar Series. The Gotoh version is model OGE1086TFB and was available only in black. It was stamped "Gotoh" on the block. The Axstar Series were made at the Jackson-Charvel Chushin Gakki factory and I do not believe they were available in left hand?
ART-2
Some Aria Pro II guitars built in the 1980s came with a tremolo listed in their catalogs as an "ART-2" which is identical in every way to the Fernandes "Body Crasher" and Yamaha "RMX" tremolo. It was available on the left handed Aria II Pro Mega Metal Stage III built by Matsumoku and the 1988 left-handed Aria Pro II XR Series built by Samick.
The Aria Pro II version is stamped "Aria Pro II ART-2" on the base plate, whereas the Fernandes is engraved with "Body Crasher" and later "FRT Tremolo System." Yamaha has no inscriptions on theirs. Fernandes continued to use this tremolo for 10 years after Matsumoku closed its doors.
The specific factory responsible for building or designing this tremolo is not publicly known. However, given that it was utilized by multiple brands that were manufactured in various factories, it is reasonable to assume that one factory produced it and supplied it to all the others.
ACT-3
Other Matsumoku-built Aria Pro II and Washburn Superstrat models were fitted with a unique tremolo called the "ACT-3" for Aria Pro II and "600T" for Washburn. This tremolo's earliest appearance was also in 1984. I have no proof, but I believe it may have been manufactured by Tokai, as Tokai offered an identical unit called "Ayer's Rocker V" on some of their guitars, and it is a fact that they made some metal parts.
The ACT-3 has very different dimensions from a genuine Floyd Rose and is not at all interchangeable. It is very recognizable for the large, raised rectangular collar on its base plate where the tremolo arm goes through; that the strings are fed through the horizontal tube screws at the back without needing to cut off the ball ends; and that it has rectangular carbon steel "pressure pads" (string clamps) that clamp the strings down, each secured by a hex screw. The tail is almost horizontal. It has an L-shaped block which the tremolo screws into.
The Aria Pro II unit was stamped "ACT/3" on the base only. Initially, there was no licensing statement anywhere on it. The Washburn version had "Washburn 600T" on the upper part of the base and "Mfg. Under Floyd Rose Pats." in very small lettering at the opposite end of the base under the tremolo arm hole. Eventually, the Aria Pro II version gained this too.
This tremolo was highly regarded by players of the time and came standard on the 1984-1985 Aria Pro II RS Esprit Yngwie Malmsteen Signature model (sadly not made left-handed.) Malmsteen was a huge promoter of it. It was used on the 1985 left-handed Aria Pro II RS Esprit. and the left-handed Aria Pro II XR Series. Here is an example of a 1987-1988 left-handed Washburn E29 that came with the 600-T equivalent.
Bendmaster Deluxe
Matsumoku also built its Westone guitars with a string-through Floyd Rose-style tremolo called the "Bendmaster Deluxe." From the Westone catalogs, it appears it was new for 1986. It was used on the 1986 left-handed Westone Spectrum DX. This tremolo was unusual in that it had roller-style, yet fixed, saddles and had very long tuning springs, which made the tail very long but low too. It was stamped "Bendmaster Deluxe" on the base plate and without apparent acknowledgment of the Floyd Rose patents elsewhere. In the January 1987 Westone catalogs, it lists the Pantera Standard and Deluxe Series, the Spectrum II and III Series, the Corsair DLX Series, and the new-for-1987 Genesis I and II Series as having the Bendmaster Deluxe. Of those, I do not know if any were made left-handed.
By the late 1980s, Singer was on the verge of bankruptcy. This caused major problems for Matsumoku, and the company was unable to buy itself out from under Singer and closed its doors in 1987.
Matsumoku's Westone brand of guitars continued to be marketed by the original distributor St. Louis Music for the United States, and by FCN Music for the UK and European markets, with guitars subsequently built by Samick in Korea.
Various Japanese factories such as Terada and FujiGen picked up Matsumoku's Japanese market contracts, but by the late 1980s Japanese manufacturing had become expensive and most guitar brands that had Japanese lines moved to Korean factories.
After Samick took over production, the Bendmaster Deluxe was gone by 1988.
Samick
For many decades Samick has been the largest OEM producer of electric guitars in the world. In 1982, Samick opened a branch office in Germany and a full subsidiary in the United States. In 1992, Samick built a factory in Indonesia which produces the majority of instruments built by Samick today.
During the 1970s and 1980s, Samick produced guitars under the "Samick" and "Hondo" brands (the latter a joint-venture) and was the major producer of Epiphones from 1984 until 1996. Hondo guitars were made until 1990.
Samick had a prior association with Matsumoku in the early 1980s when Matsumoku built some Samick and Hondo guitars for Samick. Samick acquired the Vantage license from Matsumoku just before its closure in 1987 and continued to build Vantage guitars for U.S. distributor Music Technology Inc. before taking over the brand fully in 1990. Samick continued to make Matsumoku's Westone guitars until 1991 and Vantage guitars until 1998.
Samick also built Marlin guitars between 1986-1988, and Squier from 1989-1991, as well as guitars for Epiphone, Aria Pro II, Washburn, and Charvette by Charvel during the 1990s.
When Gibson Guitars bought Kramer Guitars out of bankruptcy in 1997, Gibson resurrected the brand and sold Kramer guitars via U.S on-line shop MusicYo from 1998 until 2009. These guitars were made by Samick in Korea, which already had a long-standing relationship with Gibson through the production of Gibson's Epiphone brand. Epiphone, in turn, oversaw the production of the Gibson Kramers. One model, the Baretta FR404SNL, was produced in left hand and came with a Kramer-branded licensed Floyd Rose style tremolo which I still have not identified.
Cort
Cort is one of the largest guitar manufacturers in the world, with headquarters in Korea. Cort began manufacturing guitars in 1973, eventually producing guitars for many brands at different times including Hohner, Kramer, ESP, Ibanez, G&L, Schecter, Yamaha, Epiphone Squier, and B.C Rich. In 1984 Cort exclusively built Steinberger guitars.
WMIC
World Music Instrument Co. is another major guitar factory in Korea that produced B.C Rich and Dean guitars at different times.
KKT-1 (Bendmaster FT)
As with Matsumoku, Samick used the "Bendmaster FT" tremolo during the 1980s for some guitars. In the Samick naming convention, it was designated "KKT-1."
Samick built the Hondo "Fame" Series guitars beginning in 1984 which included a left handed Strat copy: the Fame Series H-760 which came with the KKT-1 as an option.
The Fame Series lasted until 1987. (This same guitar was also sold as the Epiphone S-300 from 1986-1995, although was not available left-handed.)
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.
The 1986-1988 left handed Marlin K38KT Loner and left handed Marlin K36KT Stingray models built by Samick were fitted with the KKT-1, and it was an option on the left handed Marlin K34 Sidewinder. (In 1989, the brand was bought by Hohner, who switched production to Cort.)
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." (Some Charvettes were also made at the Chu Shin Gakki factory where they made the higher quality Japanese Charvels and Jacksons.) I am not sure if Samick built any lefty Charvettes.
B.C Rich moved production of their import guitars from Japan to Korea in 1986, using Cort for the main, and from 1987-1993 the entry-level "Platinum Series" were built with the KKT-1 including the 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.
The Vester brand of guitars were built in Korea, originally by Young Chang, then by Saehan Guitar Technology. They were distributed internationally by Midco International in the United States from 1987 until 1994. Some Vester guitars were made with the Bendmaster tremolo although none left handed.
KKT-2
Samick built some Aria Pro II guitars with a single-locking tremolo by Jin Ah, which they also used on their own Samick brand guitars during the 1990s. This unit was designated "KKT-2." Strings were fed through a self-locking T-shaped saddle assembly on a see-saw pivot. Vertical fine tuners at the rear of the individual saddles pressed on the base plate when turned, thus making the saddles pivot to make tuning adjustments. This unit has the raised block where the tremolo arm goes through like the ACT-3 / 600-T. The top of the base plate was stamped "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Patents."
Korean-made Aria Pro II models received the KKT-2 whereas the high-end Aria Pro II models made at subsequent Japanese factories were usually fitted with the Gotoh OEM double-locking tremolo from 1991. The KKT-2 was used on the left handed 1990-1999 Samick KJ-560 Superstrat, the 1988-1991 left handed Aria Pro II Excel Series XL SPT-3RL, the 1991 Japanese left handed Aria Pro II VP-40 Viper, and the mid-90s Japanese left handed Aria Pro II MA-20 Magna Series.
From 1993-1995 B.C Rich's Korean-made "Gold 50 Series" guitars came with the KKT-2. This was continued in 1996 on the reintroduced "N.J Series" made in Korea. In B.C Rich catalogs it is referred to as a "Single Locking Tremolo." I believe these guitars were made by World Musical Instrument Co.
KKT-3 / Bendmaster FR
From 1989 Samick introduced a TRS 101-style double locking tremolo by Jin Ah but with one straight knife edge (like a Gotoh Floyd.) This replaced the Bendmaster Deluxe. It was designated "KKT-3" by Samick. For Westone it was designated "Bendmaster FR." The KKT-3 was stamped "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Patents" on the upper base plate in "Courier New" caps-and-lower-case font. It is also recognizable for its slightly conical shaped fine tuners.
It was used on the 1989-1995 left handed Aria Pro II Excel, the 1993 left-handed Aria Pro II Mad Axe ST-02-3XL/VS, and the 1991-1996 left-handed Vantage 818G-DT.
Westone stopped using it in 1990, opting for a Takeuchi TRS-101 on the 1990 Dan Armstrong Signature model (which wasn't made in a left-handed version) and Kahlers for most other models. (Note: As mentioned, Samick also built Squier and Fender guitars from 1989, but those that had Floyd Rose systems were fitted with Schaller licensed tremolos or the cheaper Floyd Rose II. Cort took over Fender production from 1992. No Fender or Squier guitars with Floyd Rose tremolos were made left handed.)
B.C Rich also used this double-locking tremolo on their Korean-made guitars 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."
Some Dean DS Series guitars made in the 1990s also came with this tremolo, such as the left handed Dean DS-92E Superstrat. I believe B.C Rich and Dean were both using World Musical Instrument Co. to build their guitars by this time. Dean never made many guitars with Floyd Rose tremolos, only their V and Explorer "Noir" models, and some of the "Dimebag" models in the 1990s and 2000s, and none left handed until 2008.
Samick also built the Gibson Kramers that were produced from 1998 until 2008 and were distributed by online retailer Music Yo in the United States. The Floyd Rose tremolos used on these look like a Schaller but they have faux knife edge "inserts" and no inscriptions anywhere. They are unbranded. Some (not all) of the Music Yo Kramers are highly regarded and were built with decent specs. Samick used Jin Ah hardware but these are not Jin Ah KKTs. What are they?
Ibanez
Ibanez began building their guitars with tremolo systems provided by OEM producers Gotoh and Takeuchi in the 1980s. Ibanez began to design and produce their own proprietary tremolo systems alongside of and eventually instead of the Gotoh and Takeuchi units.
For details on OEM production by Gotoh and Takeuchi for brands other than Ibanez, refer to this link: Floyd Rose Tremolos for Lefties: OEM Producers.
Ibanez Edge Tremolo
Ibanez's first proprietary tremolo was the "Ibanez Edge Tremolo" made by Gotoh in 1986. The Edge Tremolo is very similar to the Original FRT-100 and is a straight replacement. It was stamped "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Patents" on the top of the tail. The block was stamped with "Ibanez EDGE" and "Japan" in smaller letters on a second line.
The first Ibanez left handed models to feature the new Edge Tremolo were the one-year-only 1986 PL1770L and the 1986-1987 Roadstar II RG440L. It continued to be used on the 1988-1991 RG550L, the 1989-1990 Roadstar II 540S-L and the 1993 USA and European market RG470L. These guitars were made at Fujigen Gakki, Fender Japan's factory in Nagano.
Some B.C Rich guitars made in 1987 also received the original Gotoh Edge tremolo.
Lo-Pro Edge
In collaboration with Gotoh, Ibanez introduced a lower-profile version of the Edge tremolo called the "Lo-Pro Edge" in 1991. Like the Original Floyd Rose PRO, this system too has the fine tuners moved to the back of the saddles in front of the tail and separated from the string locks. By 1992, the Lo-Pro became the standard tremolo for all high-end Ibanez guitars made in Japan. The left hand version is Ibanez Part No. 2LE1L31K and is only available in black.
Left hand models were the 1992 RG560L, RG570L, and RG550L, the 1998-2000 RG680CL, and the 2001-2002 Japan-only RGR580L.
Starting in 1997 select high-end RG models reverted back to the original Gotoh-built "Edge" including the Japan-only left handed RGR580L (2001-2002) and Europe-only left handed RG570L (2002–2004.)
Edge Pro
From 2003 the Edge was discontinued, and the Lo-Pro Edge was replaced by the "Edge Pro", produced by Gotoh again.
The Edge Pro was a different design, but still based on Ibanez's own Lo Pro Edge. It shares nothing with its predecessors in terms of parts except the push-in tremolo arm. It can be strung either with or without removing the ball ends of the strings. Instead of having string holder blocks, the Edge Pro has sliding string holders which are part of the bridge. The tail has "Ibanez" cast in the centre, and there are no licensing statements elsewhere. It cannot be retrofitted into a guitar that was built with the Edge or Lo-Pro Edge and vice versa.
The Edge Pro was produced until 2009 and was fitted to Ibanez's Prestige line and most Signature models. Left handed finishes for the Prestige line were 2ELJ11LK (Cosmo black), 2EL1J11LG (gold), and 2EL1J11LPC (powder Cosmo.) Left hand models were the 2003-2008 RG1570L and 2009 RG1550ML. The 2009 limited edition left handed JS1200L Joe Satriani Signature was available in chrome only.
Edge Pro II
Also in 2003, Ibanez released a cheaper version of the Edge Pro for its mid-level models made in Korea, the Edge Pro II. It was manufactured in Korea. As with the Edge Pro, the Edge Pro II can be strung either with or without removing the ball ends of the strings. It has a threader tremolo collar instead of the push-in system on the Edge Pro. It was featured on all Korean-made RG models utilizing double-locking systems.
Lefty Ibanez models fitted with the Edge Pro II were the 2003-2004 RG320FML and the 2004 RG370DXL that was made in Korea. (From 2005 the RG370DXL would thereafter been manufactured in Indonesia.)
ZR (Zero Resistance)
In 2003, Ibanez introduced the "Zero Resistance" (ZR) tremolo. It is the first Ibanez tremolo to feature 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," (ZPS) which is a tremsetter (backstop-like device) that consists of a metal bar attached to a pair of springs installed in the bridge cavity outboard of the usual tremolo springs. It applies counter pressure to return the bridge to the zero point (flat position.) It was used exclusively on 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.
According to information from a 2006 legal case involving Ibanez and Geoffrey L. McCabe regarding alleged patent infringements, it appears that the ZR tremolo was produced for Ibanez by Ping Well in Taiwan. (Ibanez and McCabe settled out of court, and a later similar case between Ping Well and McCabe was dismissed. In the 2010s, McCabe partnered with Ping Well on some of McCabe's ventures.)
Edge III
The "Edge III" was introduced in 2005 and has a slightly higher tail than the Edge Pro/Edge Pro II which was made that way to circumvent Ibanez having to pay ongoing license fees to Floyd Rose for newer patents that were in force.
The Edge III eventually replaced the Edge Pro II for Ibanez's Korean and Indonesian-made guitars including the 2005-2010 RG370DXL and the 2009-2012 USA-only RG5EX1L, both made in Indonesia.
Edge Zero tremolo with ZPS3
In 2008, Ibanez introduced the "Edge Zero tremolo with ZPS3 (Zero Point System 3) tuning stabilizer." It borrowed the ZPS design from the ZR, while using traditional knife-edge pivots. The lefty version is Ibanez Part Number 2TRX5AE005. It is made in China.
The Edge Zero design finally eliminated any elements covered by the remaining Floyd Rose patents, the last of which was apparently the Edge Pro's low-profile saddle design. The Edge Zero reintroduced the locking studs from the original Edge tremolo and was used on Japanese Prestige models.
The ZPS3Fe is the third version of the Zero Point System, which adds a dial in the spring cavity cover that allows you to adjust the spring tension with your finger (at the back of the guitar) without having to use an Allen key.
The Edge Zero tremolo with ZPS3 was available only in Cosmo black and was used on the RG2550ZL (2009, 2013-2014), RG1570ZL (2010-2013), RG1550MZL (2010-2011), and the RG8570ZL (2015-2017, 2019-2020.)
One common complaint about the Edge Zero is that it lacks the steel backing plate for the fine tuner screws, which was a feature of the earlier designs. This change means that the fine tuners are threaded directly into the more brittle zinc alloy of the tremolo body, which, with even general use, can cause this brittle metal to crack.
Edge Zero II
In 2011, Ibanez released the "Edge Zero II," which was available with or without the ZPS3Fe system for mid-level guitars and to replace the Edge III. It is made in China.
The left-handed Edge Zero II with ZPS3Fe was available in black (2TRX5AF006) or Cosmo black (2TRX5AF008), and the left-handed Edge Zero II with spring hook was available only in black (2TRX5AD032).
Lefty models with the Edge Zero II included the 2011-2014 RG370DXZL (with ZPS3Fe), the 2011-2012 RG870QMZL, the 2013-2014 RG450DXBL, and the 2013-2014 RG950QMZL.
As of 2025 the Edge Zero II for lefties is only available on the left handed Nita Straus Signature JIVA10L, first released in 2022.
Reintroduced Edge and Lo-Pro
Due to the overall negative feedback on the Edge Zero, in 2010 Ibanez brought back the original 1986 Edge and 1991 Lo-Pro Edge tremolos for their Japanese-made guitars. They continue to be used to this day on Prestige Series guitars. The new Edge and Lo-Pro Edge tremolos no longer need or have the Floyd Rose licensing statement on the tail as they did originally.
The original Edge tremolo was used on the following left handed Prestige Series guitars: 2011-2013 JEM7VL Steve Vai Signature, 2011-2015 JS1200L Joe Satriani Signature, 2016-2017 Prestige Series RG655L, 2016-2019 RG652AHML, 2017 30th Anniversary JEM777L, 2017 RG652MPBL, 2018 RGR652AHBL, and the 2018-2020 Genesis Collection RG550L reissue (available in yellow or red.)
It is used on the current (2024-) RG550L-DY (Desert Sun Yellow Mancina) Genesis Collection.
The re-introduced Lo-Pro tremolo was fitted to the 2020-2022 left-handed RG5320L.
Ibanez have reduced their lefty offerings as of 2025, but they do offer the Lo-Pro tremolo on the 2025 lefthanded RG5120ML.
Standard DL Tremolo
The Edge III was phased out and finally discontinued in 2017. It was replaced with Ibanez's own "Standard DL tremolo," which was introduced in 2013 and is made in China. It is essentially a Takeuchi ILT1 (straight knife edge) clone. The unit has "Ibanez" (right side up) etched on the upper baseplate only. A box with the block size inside it is stamped into the block. With the return to this design, Ibanez was able to avoid further licensing fees to Floyd Rose and Geoffrey McCabe for their proprietary systems.
Like the Edge Pro II, Lo-TRS II, and Edge III tremolos before it, the Standard DL tremolo is made for entry- to mid-level Ibanez guitars made in Indonesia or China such as the Indonesian-made 2015-2019 left handed RG450DXBL and left handed Steve Vai Signature JEMJRL, which has been produced since 2016 (and costs around $1,000 here in Australia.)
Yamaha
Yamaha started making acoustic guitars in 1966, followed by electric guitars in the 1970s. Their guitars have always been built by contracted factories in Japan, and later in Korea, China, and Indonesia. The company has never been very lefty-friendly, but has made token offerings on and off over the years.
Yamaha produced a series of tremolos for their own guitars called the "Rocking Magic Series" which were licensed Floyd Rose tremolos further developed with some proprietary modifications. These were used by Yamaha all the way through to the 2000s. As previously mentioned, Yamaha also used the Takeuchi TRS-PRO low-profile tremolo on some of their guitars in the 1990s including the left handed Yamaha RGX 421DL models made in Taiwan from 1995 until 2000.
RMX
During the 1990s, Yamaha used the Body Crasher / ART-2 tremolo for some guitars calling it the "RMX" and claiming in their literature that it was an "exclusive" Yamaha product. Not exactly the truth, is it? It was used on only a couple of Yamaha models, and none left handed that I am aware of.
Yamaha RM-II
The first proprietary tremolo used by Yamaha was the Yamaha RM-II. This was a single locking tremolo that had the strings fed through from the rear of the base (rather than tubes as on the original Floyd Rose II and most other single locking variants.) The Yamaha 1986 Catalog says the following: "The new Yamaha Rockin' Magic II locking vibrato system adds a new dimension to the concept of radical pitch bending. The low profile bridge allows for right handed muting techniques without being hindered by bulky hardware. String locks at the nut and on each individual saddle ensure perfect tuning stability at all times. Individual fine tuners on each string provide for minute pitch adjustments while playing. The Rockin' Magic II uses standard ball end strings and is capable of both upward and downward pitch bending."
The left handed RGX-312L and the left handed RGX-612SL were both made in Taiwan from 1987-1990. Both came initially with this tremolo.
Yamaha RM-Pro
This was a single locking tremolo that had the strings fed through from the rear of the base. The strings are attached without cutting the ball end, but are double-locked because they are locked with a plate. It was unique in that it used needle bearings at the fulcrum to ensure smooth operation and precise pitch return. The bridge also featured a pitch rise adjustment which makes it possible to set a maximum amount of pitch bend. It also has a pop in-pop out tremolo arm. There was no licensing inscription or model identification on the unit.
Later versions of the 1987-1989 left handed Yamaha RGX 612SL and Yamaha SE612L were made with this tremolo.
Yamaha RM-Pro II
The RM-Pro II was the successor to the RM Pro and is an FRT-100 style unit with one straight knife edge (like a Gotoh.) It is immediately recognizable for the fact that its licensing statement is stamped upside down on the base plate, irrespective of whether the guitar is left handed or right handed. It says: "YAMAHA RM-PRO II" with a second line saying "Licensed Under" and a third line saying "Floyd Rose Pats." All three U.S patent numbers are stamped on the block. From the very few pictures you can find of these units it appears that Yamaha couldn't be bothered to change the base plate to left handed, as they have drilled the straight edge of a right hand base for the tremolo arm. But that doesn't matter, who cares about lefties?
Left hand guitars made with this tremolo were the 1989-1991 Yamaha RGZ 612L, and the1992-1994 Yamaha Pacifica 912JL, both made in Taiwan.
RM Pro III
The Yamaha "Rockin' Magic Pro III" looks like a Rockin' Magic Pro II. It was used on guitars when Yamaha wasn't making any left handed guitars (1995 -2001) so who cares, really. It says "Yamaha RM PRO III" on the base plate with a licensing inscription on a second and third line. It's a big "so what" for us lefties.
RMX Pro-II
The RMX Pro-II is another Yamaha exclusive, proprietary made single-locking tremolo where the strings are fed through the back and the ball ends do not need to be cut off. Each string is individually locked and has its own fine tuner thus the "tail" is not one piece bar that the fine tuners would ordinarily screw through.
Here is a video presenting a close up of the lefty RMX-Pro II: Yamaha RMX II — Obscure Lefthand Bridges — RGX 312L
The Yamaha left handed RGX-312L that was made in Taiwan from 1987-1990 initially came with the Yamaha "RM II" tremolo, then the "RMX Pro II."
Finger Clamp Tremolo System
In 2007 Yamaha released two guitars with what they stated was a "unique" and "patented" double locking tremolo. It is mentioned here so that you don't waste your time trying to find one, because these two models were never made left handed. This tremolo was the "Yamaha Finger Clamp Tremolo System" and 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.
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 guitar and the saddles have levers that lock the strings by pressing down. You tune the guitar properly first before locking the saddles. Tuning on-the-fly is done with the fine tuners. The saddles unlock with a simple lifting of the lever. 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. The locking nut also has a lever system which, after the nut is tightened, pulls out to disengage and can be positioned at any angle to be out of the way. No tools are needed to change strings. Quite ingenious actually. It is also distinctive for the "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Patents" licensing statement being stamped upside down on the baseplate. Pity us lefties missed out on this one!
I don't know how Yamaha could say this was "unique" and "patented" in 2007 because the very same tremolo was used 20 years earlier by B.C Rich, on some of their Japan-only N.J Series Warlock models, from 1986-1989. It was also used on some B.C. Rich ST-III models, 2000s era. Further, Gibson Guitars and Wayne Charvel collaborated in 1987 to produce the limited edition 1987-1988 Gibson WRC guitar (never offered left handed.) It used this exact same tremolo.
ESP Japan (1980s and 1990s)
ESP of Japan began as a guitar repair shop in Shibuya, Tokyo in 1975. In 1979 they started a custom shop and established a presence in the United States in 1981. The company opened its own factory in Nagano, Japan in 1983. A second factory opened in 1986 in Sado Island, Niigata-ken Japan. During the 1980s and 1990s, the company was an OEM producer for several brands including Kramer.
ESP offers five brands: "Navigator" which is exclusive to the Japanese domestic market and consists of high-end Fender and Gibson replicas, "ESP" for the international market with high-end and intermediate guitars, "Edwards" for the Japan domestic market aimed at intermediate to advanced players, entry-level brand "Grassroots" for the Japanese domestic market, and entry-level brand "LTD" for the international market. "Edwards" was launched in 1990. "LTD" and "Grassroots" were launched in 1996 and are both made in Indonesia or China.
Also, in 1990 ESP bought Schecter Guitars.
ESP has, for the most part, been quite lefty-friendly. One of the few.
Magician
ESP was possibly the first major guitar company to make clones of early original Floyd Rose tremolos, starting with an FRT-3 non-fine tuner clone used on some of their 1982-1983 ESP Navigator guitars, followed by an FRT-5 clone called the ESP "Magician" in 1983.
The Magician was advertised in the 1983 ESP catalogs. Sold individually, it retailed for ¥50,000, which was a lot of money for 1983. ESP guitars could be special ordered in left-hand, and the Magician was available (as you can see in the following pictures.) A very rare example is this lefty ESP SE-260L.
ESP made guitar necks and bodies for Kramer and eventually whole guitars, so the connection is perhaps not surprising. It is even possible the Magician was made at the same factory that Fernandes was using for it's genuine Floyd Rose tremolos.
Synclear
When Floyd Rose commenced licensing arrangements with manufacturers other than his own, ESP produced their "Synclear" tremolo for their own ESP and Edwards brand guitars under Floyd Rose licensing agreements in 1987. The Synclear had some unique proprietary features, while still based on Floyd Rose principles. Each saddle could be individually adjusted for correct intonation by way of a vertical hex screw on each saddle and a washer underneath that stopped it from moving when tightening the screw. This was later changed to a Floyd Rose-style saddle arrangement. The block is L-shaped and the tremolo arm screws into the block. It has "ESP" on the tail and "Licensed Under Pat No 4549461 No 4497236" embossed upside down on the upper base plate. It was produced until 1993.
The Synclear is not a straight swap for an Original Floyd Rose as the sides of the base plate of the Synclear are oval and the sides of the Floyd Rose base plate are straight. The post spacings, however are the same.
There was a left handed version, as used on the mid 80s left handed ESP Mirage Deluxe.
KLK-I and KLK-II
ESP
ESP used a "no-name" double-locking and string-through tremolo for some of its Japanese guitars beginning in the late 1980s. In ESP catalogs, the double locking is designated "KLK-I" and the string-through is designated "KLK-II." The KLK-I is a TRS-101 clone and has "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Pats." on the tail. The KLK-I was used on the late-2000s left-handed Grassroots Original Series G-FR-62GT which was made in China.
The string-through KLK-II is quite distinctive in that the tail curves back and the top of the tail is very thin. It has the same tall oval arches as the early Fernandes "Head Crasher" tremolos. It could easily pass as a clone of a Head Crasher FRT-6. It has no inscriptions of any kind on the unit or the block. The block is L-shaped.
Kramer Japan
ESP also built Kramer guitars exclusively for the Japanese market. The Japanese EK Series used the KLK-I and the Japanese LK Series and JK Series during the late 1980s used the KLK-II. I am not sure whether they made lefties. After Kramer declared bankruptcy in 1989, ESP attempted to recover its losses by continuing to build Kramer-branded guitars for the Japanese market using surplus bodies, necks, and whatever parts and hardware they had on hand. These "parts bin" guitars were sold in Japan as "Kramer by ESP" throughout the 1990s and do not necessarily correspond to original Kramer or post Gibson-era Kramer specifications.
Some Japanese Kramers were built by Tokai in Japan and left handed models were also produced. I do not yet know the nature of the relationship between ESP and Tokai for Kramer Japan guitars during this time period.
B.C Rich
From 1997-2003, some B.C. Rich "NJ Series" guitars made in Korea were built with the KLK-I tremolo. This replaced the KKT-3 double-locking tremolo made by Jin Ah. In B.C Rich catalogs it was listed as "Double Locking Floyd Rose licensed tremolo." It was used on the "NJ Neck-Thru Series" and some "NJ Platinum Series" models including lefty models such as this Platinum Series B.C. Rich Warlock and this NJ Neck-Thru B.C Rich Warlock.
After dabbling with the ill-fated Floyd Rose Speedloader in 2003 and 2004, it appears B.C. Rich returned to the KLK-I until about 2006, after which the choices were Kahlers or Original Floyd Rose.
Tokai (early 1980s)
Tokai Gakki was another early Japanese guitar manufacturer to make tremolo systems inspired by Floyd Rose designs before licensing arrangements were initiated. They did not make left handed guitars with any of these, but I see they made five different bridge systems under the "Ayer's Rocker" name with the first licensed Floyd Rose unit being the "Ayer's Rocker III."
I only mention Tokai here because their AR-V looks almost identical to the ACT-3 tremolo used on Aria Pro II, Washburn, and Westone guitars made by Matsumoku in the 1980s, including left-handed models.
In Tokai catalogs of the time, they claim it is their own design. And I wonder now if Tokai made this for themselves and Matsumoku? Or did both just source it from elsewhere? Tokai said they made their own tuners, so that means that they were capable of metalwork, and they did make guitars for other brands too, e.g Fernandes. All of this is just supposition. Otherwise, this information is of no benefit to lefties.
Gaskell
All Legacy Gaskells (2008-2013) that came with a Floyd Rose tremolo were fitted with an OEM tremolo made in Korea. This tremolo was used by many international brands, especially B.C Rich during the 2000s, and is still sold to this day as an aftermarket unit. The tremolo is stamped "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Patents" on the tail and "Licensed Under Floyd Rose Pats." on the block. The underside of the base plate was stamped "BH." It was essentially a TRS-101 clone. I believe (but am not 100% sure) that is the very same KLK-I used by ESP, Kramer by ESP, and B.C Rich. (See preceding section on ESP.)
These were supplied from Korea directly to the factory in China that made my guitars. It was used on the Gaskell Concord, Gaskell M-Series/Brumby, and Gaskell Classic III (left handed Explorer with Floyd Rose.) These tremolos were the highest quality for the price point of the guitars. I personally gigged hard with a factory Gaskell Concord right up to before Covid and although the guitar was over 10 years old and in original condition (apart from some EMG pickups) it never ever failed me. These Korean tremolos were good.
I have played around with Chinese tremolos, the ones you can buy on eBay for $50, and they are not good. They are a waste of time and a waste of money. False economy.
Greco
Greco is a musical instrument brand marketed by Japanese company Kanda Shokai Corporation.
Greco, Fernandes, Tokai, and Ibanez each became very (in)famous for producing Fender and Gibson knock-offs during the 1970s and 1980s. The "problem" was that they made them too good, sometimes better than the originals. Grecos of that era were made by Fujigen Gakki, which also made Ibanez guitars.
In 1982, Fender USA, Kanda Shokai, and another distributor, Yamano Gakki, formed a partnership with the Fujigen Gakki factory to manufacture official Fender guitars. This partnership became Fender Japan, which lasted until 2015. Greco brand guitars continued to be built at the Fujigen factory at the same time as the Japanese Fenders, but for the Japanese domestic market. Fujigen stopped making guitars for Greco in 1993.
Greco "G Force" and "Wing" tremolo
The Greco "G Force Tremolo" was a FRT-100 clone. The Greco "Wing Tremolo" was a string-through version. Both had "G Force" stamped on the top face of the base plate and no inscriptions anywhere else, Being local market guitars only, they could get away with that as U.S patents are not enforceable in Japan. Both the G Force and Wing systems were used on a number of Greco JJ-Series and SPF-Series Superstrat models throughout the 1980s, although the Kahler Flyer was also used too. Greco switched to a branded Takeuchi TRS-PRO, called the "GF-III," in the 1990s. I do not believe any Greco Superstrats were made left handed.
Greco continues to produce guitars today, featuring their own designs and replicas of Ibanez and Fender models, exclusively for the Japanese market. I believe they are currently made at Tokai Gakki.
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