Kevan

Well, NAMM is upon us..... The Tremol-No will be featured at the following booths on the main floor at NAMM: All Parts: Booth #5882 This booth will feature a body-only display that folks can check out how the Tremol-No installs and operates. This is the "Tyson Project" that I put up here on the Project Guitar forum. Graph Tech: Booth #5920 Not only do these folks have *the* saddles for most bridges, but they're also debuting LGM's new line of guitars, The Leviathan. There will be a Tremol-No-equipped Leviathan on display for all to come by and try out for themselves. Stop by and say hi to the Leviathan designer himself, and be sure to check out the rest of the stuff Graph Tech has! THD Electronics: Booth #4150 My buddy and reformed shred-aholic, Ed DeGenaro is going to release the fooking fyoory during his NAMM performances (he's also playing a Tone Merchants gig on Friday night). Ed will have his Tremol-No-equipped Suhr in the THD booth with him all 3 days. Check out what the Tremol-No can do for a REAL player (instead of a hack like me. LOL), thru some kickbutt amp-age. The front page of www.tremol-no.com has all the NAMM updates as well. Hopefully we'll get some pics too! There are a couple of other folks that I'm awaiting confirmation on, but "The Tremol-No Triangle" (if you look at a map of the main floor at NAMM, these three make an almost perfect triangle) is pretty damn cool. I'm extremely happy, and feel quite lucky that these amazing folks are so gracious to display and demo the Tremol-No. Thanks again for all your support, folks. It's greatly appreciated. Again, I'm goin' as fast as I can with getting these units out to you.

Well, it's amazingly jacked on MSIE for Mac, but seems to work fine on the PC. If any other Mac users have issues, please let us know. We'll be doing plenty of re-tweaking to get the Forum looking and operating smoothly. The forum is ultra-secure now, so what happened on those other sites shouldn't happen here...*knocks on burled maple*... Sorry Postwhores- the post count goes away again (that'll be the FIRST thing I do tonight). Thanks for the kudos, and we'll get ya back up to speed in no time.

Luke- Expect a "noticable" sustain loss, similar to the loss when switching between a Tele and a trem-equipped Strat. Springs are natural sustain suckers. It's inherent in their design. The Stetsbar is a cool design, esp. for those that want trem function but don't want to jack up their nice LP. There are, however, other trem designs that will work on LP's- Wonderbar (tough to find, but they're out there), and the Kahler 2300 and 2400 series trems (again, they're out there). The Wonderbar is a flat-mount system, so it involves simple drilling into the top of the body. The Kahler systems involve some drilling and routing in the top only. I am NOT saying that any of these units are bad. I'm saying that springs eat sustain.

THREAD CLOSED Please see duplicate thread here: http://projectguitar.ibforums.com/index.php?showtopic=13089

Sorry man, but if there are springs anywhere in the equasion, you will lose sustain. I saw this unit years ago. I'm not hot on how the bar attaches to the unit, but otherwise it looks pretty cool.

The part you're looking for is the (in)famous 2LE2-B: http://www.ibanez.com/parts/2002_PARTS/el_...1R31.HTM#2LE2-B You can check with your local Ibanez dealer, or order them online thru Rich Harris' site: http://www.ibanezrules.com/parts.htm#Trem%20Parts The ones you want are the plain 2LE2-B ('92 thru '00) or the "Redesigned-Grooved" ones that are a bit more pricey. Either will work for your application. Don't forget to lube both the groove on the post and the knife edge when putting it all together. I would also double-check the measurements of the depth of the route in your guitar body....using the thread you posted in over here: http://projectguitar.ibforums.com/index.php?showtopic=633

Thanks guys! The one thing I forgot to mention is the budget for this project. Total expenses were about $10 (1 pack of strings and a few singles). Now labor time, well...that's a different story.

I've called Rivera a dozen times, and had nothing but polite, smart, and insanely considerate conversations. Paul Jr. actually took a parts order from me one day (replacement pot...painless). I'm not sure what the dealieo was with Capt. Footswitch you heard from, but I don't think they make the TBR foot switch anymore, so finding one kicking around the factory might have taken a while. I don't use my TBR f/s, so if you'd like to borrow it until you can find one, let me know. Paul Sr. is a former Fender guy. He did TONS of hot-rodding of Fender amps "back in the day" before leaving Fender to start his own company. His designs are Fender-based, but with greater output (no, really? 320W is high-output? you're kidding!). If you're looking for Fender-era sound, but with a bit more gain, wider tonal range, and more output, you've come to the right place. I have (8) 6550's as my power amp glass. They're a matched "octa-pair" from TubeStore, but it sounds like Mike can get you a hookup like that as well. Good call. For the setup I run, this amp works great. It sounds like you're doing a similar setup to what Darren and I do: kickbutt tube amp cleaning up digital effects. Good luck with the rack and wiring it up. Should be a fun, low sawdust, project. :-)

Well, fortunately there's no duct tape or bailing wire. Also, the owner of the company DISPLAYING (not selling, yet) the body loves the 2nd design. He's writing the check- so to speak- so if he loves it, that's what counts. Not a bad idea, but: 1. I don't have an old neck. 2. They sent a body and a trem. That's it. 3. The owner of the company said, "No neck." Hey, if you've got a better way to do it, I'd love to see it. Oh, and you've only got 10 days to do it, from inception to shipping. True, a full frontal cover would have looked cleaner, but it would also look less like a Strat. Someone here made a good point- "That cover makes it look like you're hiding something"; a full frontal cover would have the same effect. Also, the top can't be covered- I need the trem to fully actuate. The bottom line is: 99.44% of the people attending the NAMM show are going to see this: http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached034.JPG They won't see the other stuff. Plus, who doesn't like color-matched neck screw heads?

All my amps: http://www.tremol-no.com/images/rig2004.jpg You can see the facing that I did on the name plate, as well as the fronts of the handles. BTW- those handles are not only for picking up the 80 lbs. monstrosity, they're also for setting it down on them. I know it sounds odd, but with this amp, you're *supposed* to rest it on it's face. :-) Yikes- Ruby Tubes. I get all my tubes (36 total, in the 3 amps pictured above) from TubeStore.com. Good prices, and good descriptions of the tubes. If your tubes are truly stock/factory, they will have a little metal sticker on the base that's signed "Paul Rivera" and has a date. DON'T THROW THESE OUT! The Rivera team can research using that info and your S/N to send you a perfectly matched, pre-biased, set of power tubes...if you want factory stuff. If you're going to tech the amp yourself, call Rivera. Their staff is so cool, it's not even funny. When I first went to bias my TBR, they transfered me over to Paul Sr. He spent 20 min. with me (Joe Average Moron) and gave me the correct way, and then his quick way, to bias the amp. Absolutely painless, and saved me countless tech time and money. The TBR-series were all made "per order" (MSRP was anywhere from $1800 to $2300 depending on model/options), and Paul Jr. and Paul Sr. are *the guys* who know the amp inside and out. If I remember correctly, Eric also knows the TBR stuff well. It's been a while since I've (had to) call, but don't be surprised if Paul Sr. or Jr. answer the phone themselves. :-) Their customer service is something all companies should strive for. If you have any other TBR questions, let me know. I'll try to answer them.

Drak- thanks for the edit, but you can post links to the other pics. Just don't use the IMG tag and you're all good. I "faced" (machined) the name plate on my Rivera. It looks SWEET! Pics available upon request.

Well, it's complete and out the door, headed to the NAMM floor (site updates this week on who and where). Bowser- sorry man, no springs on the front anymore. I wasn't happy with that design, and it turned out not to work very well either. After doing a little mind-meld with LGM, I came up with this idea: http://www.tremol-no.com/images/tysonproject/P1010001.JPG http://www.tremol-no.com/images/tysonproject/P1010002.JPG It's a Schaller SureClaw that's been modified. It now works as a vertical-mount, sliding lock nut. There are 6 holes drilled to the face of the sliding block: 3 for strings to pass thru; 3 threaded holes for the clamping part of the lock nut. I used the 'bottom' of a plain claw, and Dremel'd out clearance slots for the slots, and drilled clearance holes for the screws to go thru. Man, did it clamp down on the strings! In those first two pics, all the strings are .050's. :-) Here's a shot of it installed. http://www.tremol-no.com/images/tysonproject/P1010003.JPG String gauges are (Low E to High E): .050, .026, .018, .015, .035 and .050. I'm not trying to tune it, so I went with a nice and thick, even-spread setup. Alex- the trem does float, but only about 1 full step of pitch raise is available with the setup I did. You can see how it's setup here: http://www.tremol-no.com/images/tysonproject/P1010004.JPG http://www.tremol-no.com/images/tysonproject/P1010011.JPG Vintage trems don't have a lot of travel, so if I take too much away from the 'dive' movement, you don't get as dramatic of movement when watching from the back. Most people will "get it" when they see it function during a dive. Here are some other shots, with the cover still off: http://www.tremol-no.com/images/tysonproject/P1010005.JPG http://www.tremol-no.com/images/tysonproject/P1010006.JPG Here's a shot with the cover installed but unpainted: http://www.tremol-no.com/images/tysonproject/P1010007.JPG Here are the finished project pics: http://www.tremol-no.com/images/tysonproject/P1010008.JPG http://www.tremol-no.com/images/tysonproject/P1010009.JPG http://www.tremol-no.com/images/tysonproject/P1010010.JPG http://www.tremol-no.com/images/tysonproject/P1010012.JPG Is it Driskill perfect? Nah, but then again I did this whole thing in less than 2 weeks, with no prior design to work from and lots custom fabrication (and one failed attempt). I'd say all-in-all, not too bad. No one's going to be looking at the front of the guitar anyway. :-) I hope you guys enjoyed this. I did. Kyle- you might want to check this thread: http://projectguitar.ibforums.com/index.php?showtopic=4337 To answer a couple of your questions quick: -Schaller= no interest/no reply. -Gotoh= in contact with (doubtful for production though). -F.Rose= no interest/no reply. -Patents= oh yeah. 4 or 5 on the way. Should be here any day now.

Hey Drak, nice rig (I run a TBR-2SL), but.... http://projectguitar.ibforums.com/index.php?showtopic=11235 Did we forget?

From the Picture Posting Rules thread... Bassman- I'm gonna leave your pic up, for now, but I'm going to move it to the Announc/Test area. You can use this thread to practice your posting techniques. BTW- GORGEOUS bass, my man. I like it. You'll have to post a thread regarding the build details. Nice work.

I'm sure you guys have already read this....but just in case, here are the official rules regarding pics: http://projectguitar.ibforums.com/index.php?showtopic=11235

Frank- that's not a bad idea, but I'm trying to keep this thing as low profile as possible. The less it looks like a project- and the more it looks like a normal Strat- the better. Plus, I don't need it to be in tune; I just need the trem to float. Let's have some fun with this new design. Here are two pics. The first one is of the new design with the cover over it. (and the new strings). http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached038.JPG The second pic is of my bench at this current moment. There is a clue on the bench as to what's under the cover. http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached039.JPG The first to post what's under the cover will win the admiration of their friends and fellow members of PG.com. If you want to know what that's like, ask our last winner, Darren Wilson. He's one popular cat now.

Nah...don't listen to them. :-) There are several models out this year with the Tree Of Life design. My buddy Pete just picked one up from Japan (the pink flame-top RG one; I forgot the model number). I'm pretty sure that Ibanez will continue to offer the Vine and Tree of Life inlays on their higher-end models. Keep looking...they'll be there. :-)

The NAMM shows are not open to the public. You have to be a NAMM member (maufacturer, distribuitor, dealer, store owner, etc) to attend. The guitar looks fantastic Jeremy! Those flames are very, very cool.

The only thing you can play on this guitar, right now, is the very first part of VH's "Runnin' With The Devil". Yeah- upper fret access does suck....considering there is none, at all. LOL Hmmm...milled alum. block. Not a bad idea. Maybe bronze to match the body? :-) I just got back from downstairs and found the G string blown (at the spring end). I'm going to pick up a bunch of nice thick Low E strings tomorrow and re-do all the strings. The set that's on there now was the original set that came with my $150 super-store Strat. :-P EDIT- Big props to LGM for tossing me some ideas to help with the big tension issues. I'm gonna try something a bit different now that I have the whole thing apart (again. LOL). More pics soon!

Thanks. http://www.tremol-no.com/support.html

Thanks guys. GM- The back of the body (Tremol-No side) will be facing the crowd 99% of the time. Few will actually see the cover on the front. I'll agree it's a kind of kooky idea to begin with, but...hey, it's done, it looks good, and most importantly- it works! :-D

This is a Strat with a floating vintage trem (1/2 step pitch raise), but it's got no neck. It's a display for the upcoming NAMM show. The cover is for hiding the springs on the front of the guitar. Actually, it's to cover up the screws and springs on the face. The cover can't be much shorter, because then the string ends/spring ends would show. I have decided to re-build a new cover for it. It will be less jacked-looking and not as wide on the bridge side. And only one set of screw holes.

Pics work just fine on every test machine I've checked them on.

So, I get a call from one of the potential licensees for the Tremol-No. He asks me, "Can you do a Tremol-No-equipped body, but with no neck?" Pfft....is Natasha Henstridge hot like fire? Of course I can (I think). I said if he ships me a body and trem, I'll make it happen. He'd like to display it at the NAMM booth, and use it for training his staff on it's use and installation. I asked "Why not just a whole guitar?", and he replied with, "I don't want ANOTHER neck swingin' around in my small booth for 3 days.". Fair enough. So, here I am with a blank, undrilled bronze Strat body and a basic vintage trem. I had to think about how to do this, because I told him that I'd get it together with no mods to the body- it could be a regular Strat at any time (not the brightest thing I've ever said, but....). So, I begin with the neck block. I'm not going for uber-fancy or dead-on, but I'd like it to look nice. It's a basic piece of pine, that obviously was used as a support when I painted something red. LOL http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached006.JPG http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached007.JPG http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached008.JPG http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached009.JPG After that was cut and shaped a little, I began to test out tension ideas. I came up with very short, double ball-end strings that I would have to make myself. These would attach to regular trem springs, then to a regular claw that was screwed into the no-neck block. So, I experimented with making my own double ball-end strings: http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached010.JPG Came out pretty good. Ned Steinberger eat your heart out. LOL Now, I can't have ugly strings & springs on the face of the guitar, just hangin' out there for the frays of the Dean girls' tops to catch on....so I cut up some plexi and formed a cover. I drilled 3 holes to mount it to the neck block. The basic shape came out nice: http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached011.JPG http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached012.JPG The back edges of the block were milled 1/8" so the cover fit flush when screwed on. BTW- that blue is the protective backing; it comes off later. (No- Dean is not the potential licensee; it's just tough to miss their girls. LOL) So, now it's back to the trem. I've never messed with 'faking' string tension before, so I guessed on the string length. I tried cutting them/building them each the same length, but of course the High E came out a little longer than the rest (damn skinny diameter string. LOL). The strings had to be built "inside" the trem, because of their double ball-end nature: http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached015.JPG http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached016.JPG Here's the neck block, in between coats of paint (not a perfect match, but damn close): http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached017.JPG http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached018.JPG Also notice that the pickguard holes have been drilled. Well, it's go-time. I got the trem mounted and sprung the back, then attached the strings (2 per spring) to the front. The black goop is Liquid Electrical Tape. I was trying to keep the strings from slipping off. This worked....for about 4 seconds. LOL Good for electrical connections; bad for keeping metal in place. http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached019.JPG http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached020.JPG I test-fit the cover again, just to make sure the strings had enough clearance on the sides: http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached021.JPG The pickguard got wired up and installed: http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached023.JPG http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached025.JPG I've done tons of 2-post trems, but never had the 'opportunity' to do a 6-screw vintage trem. Wow....what an adventure. I finally got some measurements from a friend of mine, and drilled it. I was sweating this one, but then said to myself, "Screw it. It's just a body, right?". I think I got damn close. If not....I certainly did try. LOL http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached024.JPG After a quick test run, I realized that the claw would 'bottom out' before I had enough tension to get the trem to float, so I trimmed away a healthy chunk of the no-neck block (damn router took a big chunk of the right side too; thankfully the cover hides that): http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached026.JPG Since I had to shorten the no-neck block, there are now 6 screw holes in the cover. I cut off the heads of 3 matching screws, and glued them into the countersunk holes. If I get an extra day, I might re-do the string/spring cover. It also cracked last night inbetween the top two screws. Here's what I thought would be final assembly. The no neck block has about 4 coats on it, the ball ends of the strings are soldered to the springs, and we should be ready to go... http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached027.JPG Strings attached to claw/block assy: http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached028.JPG Some rear shots: http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached029.JPG http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached030.JPG (Note the color-matched screw heads!) The INSIDE of the plexi glass cover got painted (and some POS black fleck got in there! Arrggh!), and then trimmed and the edge rounded with a file by hand: http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached031.JPG http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached032.JPG Looks alright, right? Well, the trem was stiffer than LGM at a CNC tradeshow, so...something had to be adjusted. I thought about changing/shortening the string length, but then the strings would be VERY short, and the cover VERY long. I tried 5 springs pulling on the 6 strings, and that helped, a little, but not nearly enough to get the trem to float. I decided to cut about 20mm off the ends of the trem springs in front, and re-attach the strings to those super-short springs: http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached033.JPG You don't really think about the tension on a string until you try to do something like this. My hands hurt from trying to screw in that claw far enough to get the trem to float. Man, there's A LOT of tension there, esp. in the short of a distance that I used. Here's the Tremol-No fully installed (and smooth as silk): http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached034.JPG With the cover installed, again: http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached035.JPG http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached036.JPG String spacing looks a little more normal with 5 springs, eh? LOL Here's a 'players hand view" of the body. http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached037.JPG Notice the clearance notch for the pickup screw and the nicely rounded edge on the back of the cover. If I get a chance (an extra day from the guy), I might mold another cover, but I'm pretty damn happy with it. Those attending the NAMM show will get to mess around with it and say, "Hey- I read a post from the clown who built this thing!"