5 string bass tremolo

Kornjunky · #1 06-05-2010, 03:25 PM

I'm looking into a tremolo for my ESP.
I've actualy been looking into this for a while and i still HAVE NO IDEA HOW TREMOLOS ARE INSTALLED! I'm basically clueless on the subjuct and need some help. First of all what should I choose and why, second... how do i go about putting it in?

FunkMetalBass · #2 06-05-2010, 03:33 PM

Hipshot and Kahler are the only companies I know that make them. They both will require routing cavities through you bass to mount a trem. I'm sure, after you spend the serious coin on them, there will be instructions.

Kornjunky · #3 06-05-2010, 03:34 PM

so do i have to completely replace my existing bridge?

Bass-Adrenaline · #4 06-05-2010, 03:53 PM

Yeah, you need to replace your existing bridge and have the body routed with a deep cavity to accept the tremelo. As stated by Funk, both hipshot and Khaler make trems for the bass. Also, depending on hwo you have it done this will not be a cheap pocess. That being said if you have a cheap bass you may want to consider if its worth doing. If you do at least youll have the bridge if you ever want to do it to another bass later on.

Kornjunky · #5 06-09-2010, 03:26 PM

I dont consider my bass cheap but it all depends on the point of view doesnt it?
like Bill Gates could think a $10,000 piece of jewelry is cheap
i think i could install it myself, though. does anyone have any experiences instaling it themselves?

Bass-Adrenaline · #6 06-09-2010, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kornjunky

I dont consider my bass cheap but it all depends on the point of view doesnt it?
like Bill Gates could think a $10,000 piece of jewelry is cheap
i think i could install it myself, though. does anyone have any experiences instaling it themselves?

Just because you have more money doesnt make the value of an item less. A 10000 watch is a 10000 watch regardless of whether you think its a lot of not. Its more relative to the item than what a perosns view is.

Anyway, the hardest part about installation is the routing. If youre comfortable with printing out a template and using a router to do the work yourself then the rest is pretty easy imo.

Kornjunky · #7 06-09-2010, 03:42 PM

what i meant by that was, i see my bass as not cheap because my point of view is that there are cheeper basses like a squire. but to someone else it might be cheap because its an LTD

NoobOnRoad · #8 06-09-2010, 06:39 PM

What is your LTD, a B,D,F or another one? Because with a Kahler, you must have some extra place to install it.

tehbassist · #9 06-10-2010, 09:04 PM

Ok I have a 5 string kahler trem on a bass, and let me say, don't do it yourself. Because first off, you can't.

Second its hard and you need a router, so lets do some math.

$240 for the bridge, and $80 for a new craftsman router, and then you ruin your bass.
OR
$240 for the bridge, and $80 to have it professionally routed, cavity painted, and set up, and your bass is fine.

Even if you can do the measurements and slap a template in the right place then you're still a long damn way from being able to install it your self. Routers are fairly hard to use accurately, especially for a novice. To get the best cut you need a jig, do you know how to make a jig?

What I'm saying is leave cutting chunks of wood from your bass to a PROFESSIONAL it will be worth it, just go find a luthier and have him do it.

Kornjunky · #10 12-28-2010, 12:01 PM

well I've actually heard it can cost up to another $200 to install it yourself

Kornjunky · #11 12-28-2010, 12:01 PM

But it doesn't really matte I decided against getting one at the moment.

FunkMetalBass · #12 12-28-2010, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kornjunky

well I've actually heard it can cost up to another $200 to install it yourself

If you have a router and guide, it's a piece of cake. Routing takes minutes. Templates can take hours to make, and trust me, the best thing you can do is spend as much time as possible perfecting your template.