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I’ve been using Original Floyds (OFR) for a while now because without exception, everyone I’ve talked to always says to go with an OFR as the copiers aren’t as good. I’ve been looking at the Schaller Floyd and I really like it’s specs and features, plus Schaller makes really good hardware. So, can anyone tell me why an OFR is really better than a Schaller? Also, can a Schaller fit into an OFR route or will it need some modification? The Schaller looks to have a larger block than the OFR so I don’t know if that would pose a problem or not?

Cheers,

CJ

The OFR is made by Schaller in Germany, right next to the Schaller licensed Floyds. They are spec's exactly same with the only difference being the block. I believe the OFR has a steel block while the Schaller has an alloy. The OFR will tend to be a little brighter due to that. As far as the block size, the length is offered in 32, 35/37? and 42mm, for recessed, partially recessed, or non-recessed mounting.

Are you asking about the Schaller version with the soft metal plate? One problem that comes up with that Schaller copy is that soft metal base tents to not like the saddle screws being clamped too tight... They strip easy as the metal is soft. It's a pot matel of some sort i think... Some players like this base for the less bright tone but in the end i prefer my guitars to be as strong as they can be....

WhoFan

same thing. no diference except the logo. schaller also did trems for jackson/charvel in the 80's and 90's and they are stamped with the respective company logo, but also have the Made by Schaller, Germany bit stamped at the trem arm

quality vise they are the same

talking about the original floyd design

OFR trem blocks are brass. The rest of the unit is cold rolled steel. They are very durable.
They are made by Schaller. The Schaller licensed trem look exactly like the OFR but use a diecast block and die cast saddles.


Originally Posted by WhoFanAre you asking about the Schaller version with the soft metal plate? One problem that comes up with that Schaller copy is that soft metal base tents to not like the saddle screws being clamped too tight... They strip easy as the metal is soft. It's a pot matel of some sort i think... Some players like this base for the less bright tone but in the end i prefer my guitars to be as strong as they can be....

WhoFan

I had two Schaller trems do that to me.
I won't use a the Schaller Lic. Floyd ever again.
I say go with the OFR.
Or, if you can find one, a used Kahler Steeler.
Those were great lic. Floyds.

Kent

Thanks to everyone for your replies. I’ve decided I’m going to go with the OFR. It was a slow day here at work so I spent most of it looking into this topic. Although I like some of the features of the Schaller, I can mod an OFR to match them (saddle radius, etc) and I’m not really comfortable with the problems I’ve read about regarding the soft metal base of the Schaller. Thanks again to everyone for your help!

Cheers,

CJ

OFR's have a hardenend steel trem block, not brass. I bought a new OFR last year and the block was hardened steel. The Gotoh copies, like the one on my EM MM Axis, have brass trem blocks.

If you buy a new 'original FLoyd Rose' you are getting a Schaller made unit. Schaller has been making Floyds for a long time.

There is a difference:
The Schaller has the knife edges inserted into the Base, where the OFR they are part of the base, ground out.

Also, the string lock screw is different.

The Schaller is the same as the double locking version of the Floyd Rose II
I've had two of each, and I've always found that the OFR's are a lot smoother to use.

my schaller has the same base as the ofr. no inserted knife edges....

though... my schaller is from the 80's


Originally Posted by Daveymy schaller has the same base as the ofr. no inserted knife edges....

though... my schaller is from the 80's

Yes it does, take a good look at the knife edges... notice how the edge itself is a darker material

The quality of a Schaller / Floyd Rose II is exactly the same as an OFR, just a slightly different tone and feel.

They´re both made at Schaller in Germany, both use a steel block and steel saddles (they´re interchangable)...

The differences are in the baseplate: the OFR uses a hardened steel plate, wheras the schaller uses an alloy plate with hardened knife edge inserts.

The newer Schallers incorporate brass inserts to support the intonation screws becasue the stripping problem is unforttunately common when people use the wrong end of the allen wrench to tighten them and thereby overtorque and strip them (though admittedly a user error and not really a trem flaw, mine are all fine).

Schallers will usually fit into an OFR rout, but an OFR will have the locking screws hanging out over the back edge of a Schaller rout.

The Schaller also has a 1/16quot; shorter mounting distance because the knife edges are farther forward, depending on what´s being swapped for what on which axe this may or man not cause Intonation issues

The Schaller is warmer tonally and not quite as sensitive, the OFR is the quot;classicquot; Floyd feel and tone.

The reason for this is that 15-20 years ago many complained about OFRs being too bright and too sensitive (most notably quot;trem warblequot; on light strings), so Schaller continued /modified the design to incorporate a warmer sounding baseplate and made it a bit quot;firmerquot; in feel. The different baseplate also makes the use of the shorter, thicker locking screws a possibility, counteracting the bending problems many had on early floyds.

I use both and the Jackson JT-6 (which i WOULD say is a bit lower in quality)more or less exclusively, and am very happy with all 3 systems


Originally Posted by ZerberusYes it does, take a good look at the knife edges... notice how the edge itself is a darker material

WELCOME BACK BRO ok.. upon extencive inspection, yes it does.. i thought it's just all the gunk lol.. cant see that well cos i cant see the edge and thought it's just not stamped as the front is..

oh well.. sounds amazing as is so whatever =)

who makes the ibanez floyds?


Originally Posted by nahfutenwho makes the ibanez floyds?

Depends, Gotoh makes the Edges, Takeuchi makes the Trs series


Originally Posted by ZerberusThe Schaller also has a 1/16quot; shorter mounting distance because the knife edges are farther forward, depending on what´s being swapped for what on which axe this may or man not cause Intonation issues

Question Zerberus? I have a 10 year old Floyd Rose Original (that may of been made by Schaller...) It has the harden base plate but has the nice thumb screw arm.... I added this bridge to my 1994 Jackson Performer Series Reverse Dinky.. It was a b*tch to get this bridge to work on this guitar.. I had them refret the guitar and change the radius of the neck so the FRO would work better... one problem i didn't fore see... The Jacksons Bridges posts are farther forward then the FRO likes... It just intonated... The low E string is slightly out on a tuner for intonation but you can't hear it when you play the guitar.... I have been wanting to put the old Jackson bridge back on this guitar but it means fileing the frets flatter so the old flatter 16inch radius bridge will work...

the Question is if a Schaller style trem with the soft metal base and knife inserts is sopposed to be mounted 1/16 shorter then an original Floyd this should help me with the intonation trouble i'm having with this Jackson? In theory that would mean i would have 1/16 th more to adjust the intonation... Would this be true? If so changing the bridge over to a Schaller style Floyd copy may be the easiest fix for my old Jackson. I don't like the Schaller but i could live with it if it will work better on my Jackson.

WhoFan

Schaller has produced the OFR exclusively since about 1987, only the first few were truly quot;Made in the USAquot;

Depending on the direction you´re quot;bottoming outquot; in, yes... the JT-500 that was mounted on Performer series was a copy of the Fr-II (Schaller) style, including the mounting distance.... if the Low -e won´t quot;go back far enoughquot; and the saddle is hitting the whale tail, that´s your problem right there.

BTW: it´s kind of overkill to refret a neck and change the radius to match the floyd... that´s what floyd saddle shims are for..... if the tech recommended this 200dollar job instead of a set of shims for 5-10$ (or aluminum foil for 20 cents) and a setup, then do the following:

Take the guitar and shove it so far up his bum that he can restring it with his tongue... pointy headstocks are great for that

That kind of person has no business working on guitars. BUT: SInce Schaller and OFR saddles are interchangable, you´may be in luck after all: take the Jackson Baseplate (nearly identical with the real schaller, IMO the best part by far of the JT-500), and see if you can mount the OFR saddles on there.. it should work, now you simply change the locking screws if necessary /possible (on a real Schaller it´ll work), and you now have your current radius and the baseplate with the intonation range you need.

If it works, then merely force feed the tech the Jackson saddles and OFR baseplate

Zerberus, Master of the Floyd...

Great information I was wondering about it myself. I stripped my base screw on my Schaller Floyd and replaced it with a new one with the TRem arm, the one I had was missing it.


Originally Posted by ZerberusSchaller has produced the OFR exclusively since about 1987, only the first few were truly quot;Made in the USAquot;

Depending on the direction you´re quot;bottoming outquot; in, yes... the JT-500 that was mounted on Performer series was a copy of the Fr-II (Schaller) style, including the mounting distance.... if the Low -e won´t quot;go back far enoughquot; and the saddle is hitting the whale tail, that´s your problem right there.

BTW: it´s kind of overkill to refret a neck and change the radius to match the floyd... that´s what floyd saddle shims are for..... if the tech recommended this 200dollar job instead of a set of shims for 5-10$ (or aluminum foil for 20 cents) and a setup, then do the following:

Take the guitar and shove it so far up his bum that he can restring it with his tongue... pointy headstocks are great for that

That kind of person has no business working on guitars. BUT: SInce Schaller and OFR saddles are interchangable, you´may be in luck after all: take the Jackson Baseplate (nearly identical with the real schaller, IMO the best part by far of the JT-500), and see if you can mount the OFR saddles on there.. it should work, now you simply change the locking screws if necessary /possible (on a real Schaller it´ll work), and you now have your current radius and the baseplate with the intonation range you need.

If it works, then merely force feed the tech the Jackson saddles and OFR baseplate Well in this case it is all my fault and not the tech's.... He was shaking his head at me and tried to change my mind about doing all this un-needed work... I was being bull headed and asked that he did what i wished... At the time i didn't like the extra large frets and the bridge was a pain as it seemed to be going out of tune easy.... so i figured a good Floyd and a fret job was a cool thing to do.... This was years ago before i woke up and now know a fair bit about guitar making myself.... I have made my own guitars in the past.. The Jackson i had the work done to was almost a free guitar to me. I had won some money in the lotterey.. enough to buy this guitar.... After a year or so i wanted it all customized... and i showed up with the parts and a pocket full of money and would not take no for an answer.... He was one of the better techs around and that is why i used him.

Odd enough that mangled Jackson has been my number one ever since... It was my most used guitar for years..... But i think i'd like to take the Floyd Rose Original off it and use that bridge on a Warmoth... I'd like to return this Jackson back to original specs with the right parts..... I've thought about making a homemade neck, refretting the neck that is on it so the old bridge works on it, or finding another Jackson neck that fits and i can use the original parts.... I have been weighing my options... I have been told by the local store getting a new Jackson neck ordered in for it will not be easy if i went that route.

I picked up a second Jackson Reverse Dinky-(Performer series again)... It was just like the one i had butchered.... Now that i know what i'm doing a bit more then i did way back then i have only replaced the Floyd posts with better ones and gave it a fret dress... The Posts on those cheap Jackson Floyds on their imported guitars rock in the wind and i perfer the hardened ones from Stew Mac....

I have a piece of Mahogany with an angled back blank headstock i can use to make my own homemade neck for it for a while.. I wouldn't mind a homemade neck on it anyway... Wonder what a Basswood body with a mahogany/rosewood neck sounds like....

WhoFan