Wilkinson/Gotoh VSVG Vintage Tremolo

This is a great tremolo unit but it could be better. Unfortunately the screw holes did not line up on an Asian import Strat like I had thought so I had to plug existing holes and re-drill new ones. My only other issue is the method to intonate could have been executed better.

First of all, this is a great trem, well built and with some very clever and useful designs and a big improvement over my original trem. BUT, it didn't quite fit my japanese 90's strat, so I had to use only four of the long screws to fasten it to the body, the outer two holes are partially covered by the bridge itself, something that can't be fixed without major surgery on either part. For me, four screws are more than ok, but some people may not see it my way.

...that the photos of the item are a bit misleading.

I was concerned about the string spacing as the published spec indicated a different spacing to the vintage standard spacing. I needn't have worried. Five of the slots are oval so there's a fair amount of leeway with one of the hole being round to provide a solid fixing.

That said, there's more forward/back movement on this unit than you get with a genuine Fender bridge, but as soon as it's up to string tension, it's not an issue.

The supplied intonation adjustment screw seems a bit superfluous. It's just as easy to loosen the locking nut and push it backwards and forwards by hand pressure. The screw only pushes the saddle anyway so backwards adjustment has to be done by hand.

In other respects, the locking arrangement is good and very stable once everything is screwed down tight.

So what's misleading about the photos? I don't know about you, but to me they look like there going to be solid metal saddles (like the Hipshot ones). They're not. In fact, they are bent metal sheet rather like the original Fender ones only extending further back to incorporate the locking mechanism.

In itself, this isn't a problem as the unit is very stable and sustain is fine. I do think they should include a side-elevation shot though just to make this clear.

Despite this one concern, I would recommend this bridge as a good alternative if you don't mind your Strat being non-vintage correct.

Just installed a VSVG Vintage tremolo on my '84 MIJ strat to replace the original bridge that was very oxidized and difficult to intonate. The installation was a snap, easy to intonate and very stable thanks to the locking saddles. My guitar never sounded better and the smooth finish, hidden height adjustment screws and layout make it much more comfortable to rest your hand while picking. The perfect upgrade!

I am very happy with the Wilkinson/Gotoh VSVG Vintage Tremolo. I tried another brand first and was never satisfied with the stability of the bridge. This works well and I was able to float the the bridge and achieve a 1 1/2 step pull from open G to Bb as well as the regular vibrato effect. Purchase a set of locking tuners as well. You will need them for the best stability.

I am nothing short of amazed! I never had a Strat with a tremolo on it that stayed in tune better! I'm not just talking about subtle vibratos but also divebombs and whole step downqard bends. I tried all those nasty things that are usually reserved to users of locking tremolos and when I got back to the original position and waited for the horrible sound of a terribly out of tune guitar it was (almost) perfectly back in tune.
Of course I should mention, that I also installed Steinberger locking tuners on that guitar, which certainly help, but still, I am amazed.

i change out my fender bridge, with this one and wow, i can really do harmonics now, u can adjust each string to your height, love it

I've played for 25 years, and owned a lot of different guitars over the years. For the past five years or so, I've strictly been playing Ibanez Prestige two humbucker equipped guitars, and I missed the single coil Strat sound, as well as the Strat neck. So I finally bought a Deluxe Players Strat, and that's where this Wilkinson comes in.

I love everything about the guitar - except for the bridge. I realized right away that I would not be able to use the whammy bar with the stock Fender bridge. I overnighted this Wilky as well as Sperzel locking tuners. Install was a snap. It's literally six screws and three springs - DONE. Intonation was almost dead accurate out of the box. I restrung the guitar BEFORE I switched out the machine heads, and the Strat stayed in tune even with the stock vintage style classic tuners (the inexpensive ones, made by Ping I believe). I then switched to the Sperzels (be prepared to drill if you do this), and I can NOT make that guitar go out of tune once the strings are broken in. Unbelievable.

The only thing I did notice is that it doesn't quite resonate the same as the stock bridge, but I switched to Fender Bullet strings (I think there's something to that bullet end, as opposed to the ball ends with wraps around it), and the resonance came back. Very solid bridge, I love the adjustable tension pop in trem arm (I can't stand screw in arms - another reason for the upgrade), and the trem arm has NO slop or "wiggle" in it whatsoever once the tension is set right. This is a very fast, very easy, relatively inexpensive upgrade that solves a lot of problems. Not only is tuning stability attained, but intonation is better and string breakage is reduced because the saddles actually have a notch/groove in them, unlike the stamped steel Fender saddles in which the strings can slide side to side on. I highly recommend it!

I thought I was buying something that would last, but within weeks the bridge started to actually rust. Not just tarnish, but actual oxidization. The bar will not stay in the bridge without placing one wrap of tape around the end of the trem bar to keep it from falling into the floor.

Setting the intonation is probably the worst feature. It is accomplished with a small thumbscrew that sets parallel to the body of the guitar. You will grind your fingertips raw screwing this thing in and out. After you unlock the saddle and get it adjusted, locking it back in place takes it out of adjustment and it's back to unscrewing the thumbscrew again.

For $117 I expected more. I will be undoubtedly replacing this bridge in the future, it will have to work for now. Poorly designed and cheap materials

WOW! I can't say enough good things about this bridge. It replaced the standard 6 hole Fender tremolo. It has increased sustain and resonance, given me MUCH more intonation flexibility. Stays in tune/intonation better and because the saddles lock down to the baseplate, I don't have to re-intonate with every string change. The stock bridge required this because of all the slop in the saddles. Excellent performing and very comfortable bridge and it doesn't look out of place. Also, the trem arm has adjustable tension and it simply pulls out/pushes into the bridge block. No more screwing/unscrewing to put it back in the case, nor stripping of the threads. I could go on. This is simply the most effective and noticeable upgrade I could perform for about a hundred bucks, making a guitar I very much love a whole lot better.