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Tremolo Bass

B

Bio-Bassist

Jan 17, 2011
210
8
#1
so i've really been considering getting a bass, a cheap one, but not utter **** and putting a tremolo on it, so I would just like some opinions on what others think, and what bass would be best for it, also possibly what kind of tremolo to get, i myself was thinking about getting a kahler tremolo, or if i should get something different. I'm trying to find a bass within a 100 to 200 dollar range, via craigslist if need be, just want your opinions, thank you! :help:

P.S. this is my area
http://cleveland.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=bass&catAbb=msa&srchType=A&minAsk=100&maxAsk=200
 
#2
Hipshot and Bigsby would be the other ones you could try, but the Bigsby isn't really a big dive bomber...it's more of a warbly vibrato like you hear in old 50's rockabilly. I have a Kahler on one of my basses, and it's the shizz.

However, $200, even used, is kind of wishful thinking because of how involved installing them is. The body must be routed and it's kind of easy to screw up if you're not careful.
 
#3
Kahlers are great! Mine is routed and sunk into the body.

2008-12-25042.jpg
 
#9
cableguy said:
Back in the late 80's I had a Kahler put on my Explorer bass. (go figure right?) Anyway it was very good at breaking strings during drunkin dive bomb sessions. If used right it can be pretty cool.
Click to expand...
LOL! I used to have the same problem until I was told that the break angle of the strings was too extreme and the Kahler needed to be elevated. My repair guy put a plate under it to raise it, and never broke a string again.
 
#10
I had a bass Transtrem

What I found was that it killed the strings in short order, but more importantly, because you need less turns to get heavy strings to pitch, there isn't all that much scope really for bass tremolo, because the travel is kinda short before you're down to nothing.
 
#12
I dunno about break angle after the nut being a factor, I've always had a Kahlered Charvel bass or 2 around and never had tuning issues after pulling and diving.
P1010316.jpg

.
and if you really go for it, I have an old spare chrome 2410 that I would sell for a lot less than 200 bucks because I lost the arm for it and you'd have to buy one.
.
 
#14
amimbari said:
I dunno about break angle after the nut being a factor, I've always had a Kahlered Charvel bass or 2 around and never had tuning issues after pulling and diving.
P1010316.jpg
Click to expand...
I was referring to the break angle behind the bridge saddles. The bass I have it on had a thick fingerboard that raises the strings off the body a little higher than most basses. So to get the saddles high enough to get the action right, it had a very extreme break angle behind the saddles. Once my tech installed that plate, it worked much better and I don't think I ever broke a string since.
 
#15
OK JimmyM, I didn't know what you meant but do now. and Bio-Bassist? just find any cheap bass that plays good first then have the hole cut and go for it. Some bodies need to be flat mounted like my white unit, some need a recessed application to match up with the FB height. It is a fun playtoy, and many people have found a great use for it in their music.

AND if you never use it as a string bender, it is a fine heavy bridge just by itself.
 

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