Hipshot Tremolo tone (gold plated brass) [Archive] - Anderson Guitar Forum

rfield54

10-29-2010, 05:05 PM

I've ordered a Hipshot US Flat Plate Tremolo (gold plated) with the brass block for my Tom Anderson Cobra (M1 - M3 - HF2), and was wondering if anyone out there has experience with this unit. It's basically all brass: the saddles, plate and block. I'm curious about its tonal characteristics. Overall, the guitar has plenty of high end - almost too much in the lead position. The main reason why I'm switching is to possibly increase sustain, specifically on a few tonal areas (3rd octave A is weak). Also, I want to do away with the Fishman Powerbridge currently on it, which has the peizo saddles (and circuitboard under the plate). I have a suspicion that the peizos and circuitboard might be robbing the guitar of tone/sustain, as the circuitboard blocks about 1/3 of the direct contact between bridgeplate and block, and the peizos certainly block direct contact between strings and saddles.

Any thoughts out there?

ducmike

10-30-2010, 06:34 PM

I had a hipshot on my Koll. Best feeling trem I have used. Very smooth, and it stayed in tune well.

Not sure on the tonal quality on your Andy though. My Koll was chambered mahogany with a maple top, maple neck with rosewood board, never sounded bright to me.

wolf

10-31-2010, 04:44 AM

Is this trem a direct replacement for the Anderson trem ?

Is the brass block a Hispshot option or aftermarket ?

rfield54

10-31-2010, 12:15 PM

Is this trem a direct replacement for the Anderson trem ?

Is the brass block a Hispshot option or aftermarket ?

1) I'll know when it arrives. My measurements say yes, though.

2) Hipshot happened to have a few brass blocks laying around from a wholesale order that didn't pan out for whatever reason (overstock?).

I may end up experimenting with steel saddles and/or a steel or zinc block with the brass platform.

wolf

10-31-2010, 12:32 PM

Will you please let me know the results ?

Pics too :D :D

rfield54

10-31-2010, 08:36 PM

will do . . .

wolf

11-06-2010, 05:40 AM

Any update ? ;)

rfield54

11-06-2010, 10:56 AM

Yes, and thanks for asking. I received the tremolo and installed it yesterday. AND . . . the tone was horrible. Just flat and nasally, but it certainly worked beautifully. I called Hipshot and asked for a steel trem block and steel saddles, which should get here by Thursday or so. I'll give that a try. The Hipshot gold plated tremolo plates and saddles are brass only, and I'm committed to gold hardware, though I'll be making an exception with the saddles (black). If that still doesn't work for me, I may try the Gotoh 510FT-1W.

Anyway, I'll update when I get the steel parts.

Later, Roy

tom

11-06-2010, 11:36 AM

you know you could have just changed the saddles. the fishman bridge is steel on steel.

rfield54

11-06-2010, 01:00 PM

It appeared difficult and invasive because of the wires going from the saddles to the circuitboard under the platform.

tom

11-06-2010, 01:08 PM

if you don't want to use the piezos, either un sloder them from the pc board underneath, or just cut them flush with the top of the baseplate.

wolf

11-06-2010, 01:22 PM

Why don't you do what I'm about to do and order the latest trem from Anderson ?

I'm going into hospital on Thurs for major surgery, so I won't be placing my order until I get home from hospital but I'm curious as to why you're not staying with Anderson ??

rfield54

11-06-2010, 01:29 PM

if you don't want to use the piezos, either un sloder them from the pc board underneath, or just cut them flush with the top of the baseplate.

Good point. However, I like the feel and fluidity of the Hipshot more than the Powerbridge. If the tone isn't as good or better than before, I might then try the new steel saddles on the fishman bridge as you suggested.

rfield54

11-13-2010, 09:00 PM

Alright then. This is what I've settled on: The steel trem block, the gold plated (brass) platform, and the steel saddles in black...which I suppose look OK with the black pickups and black trem knob. I really like the precision feel of the Hipshot Trem. The sound now is a bit more punchy than the original Fishman bridge, and the sustain is better than ever. One thing I discovered regarding the use of the Vintage Tremolo Springs, and specifically in combination with the Hipshot Tremsetter - which I previously installed on my two main electrics, and which is an amazing invention by the way - is that the VT springs REALLY rob tone. I lost a very noticeable amount of sustain on both guitars with the VT springs, and more pronounced on the G string(s), almost as if the strings were less connected to the guitar. The Tremsetter takes up the space of one spring, so a maximum of four springs can be used, which is how many I was using. Maybe using all five VT springs is different, I'll never know. I went back to the original springs on my Cobra as well as my Custom Shop Strat.

Anyway, that's the latest. - Roy

wolf

11-14-2010, 05:53 AM

Have you used the original Fishman studs with the new trem ?

Can't see from the pic.

Pietro

11-14-2010, 08:54 AM

Have you used the original Fishman studs with the new trem ?

Can't see from the pic.

How did the surgery go? You healing and getting better?

rfield54

11-14-2010, 09:14 AM

Have you used the original Fishman studs with the new trem ?

Can't see from the pic.
Yes. The Hipshot studs are larger in diameter and installation of their respective anchors will require a retrofit. That's a commitment I'm not willing to make at this moment, because going back is a poor option - aesthetically anyway. The Fishman studs seem to work flawlessly, as I smoothed out the narrow sections [of the hourglass shape].

I'm now toying with the idea of trying out titanium saddles...just for the hell of it. http://www.tisonix.com/shopping/main/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_76&products_id=188
They aren't cheap, but they're satisfaction guaranteed. If I don't hear an improvement, back they go.

wolf

11-14-2010, 09:41 AM

The surgery went ok thank you very much.

It was more complicated than I expected.. took them 4 hours and they had to remove my ear and re attach it as past of the procedure.

Gonna be housebound for 2 months minimum and have to avoid any loud noise or risk permanent tinnitus.

In regards to the titanium saddles, don't bother, I have a set and they're awful.. very very bright sounding... I have the new KTS block saddles... what a waste of money :(

rfield54

11-14-2010, 09:44 AM

thanks for the tip on the Ti saddles...

wolf

11-14-2010, 10:14 AM

I'd like to see a better pic of the new bridge if possible.
If you were in the UK mate, I'd send you my Ti saddles for you to try.

Like to have another opinion.

I've tried them on all of my guitars and I'm unimpressed.

tom

11-14-2010, 10:54 AM

i actually have a set of the kts block saddles on my personal guitar and like them. not brighter at all, i'd say clearer more than anything, especially on the plain strings. my guitars tend to be on the darker side so we'll be playing with them on some classics this week to see what they do there.
i think if anyone expects giant changes when they switch saddles or blocks they will be disappointed. all these small changes can only enhance or slightly decline the properties that the wood combo has. i think when we read testimonials we anticipate life changing tone and that is seldom the case. but small changes can make the difference between good and great.

wolf

11-14-2010, 11:18 AM

I'd be very interested to read your thoughts on the KTS saddles on a Classic Tom. :D :D :D

I've noticed that they're a bit smaller than the ferraglides I have now, so there was a slight gap between them which allowed them to move when bending the strings.

No such issues with the ferraglides.

tom

11-14-2010, 03:05 PM

no sideways issues on mine.

wolf

11-14-2010, 03:12 PM

Good thing I'm buying a new trem then :D

Look forward to reading your opinions with the Classic.

rfield54

11-14-2010, 08:21 PM

I'd like to see a better pic of the new bridge if possible.

close up photos of the bridge

wolf

11-15-2010, 07:28 AM

Looks like it fits well, not sure I like the black saddles though.

How does it sound ? that's the important part.

I'm still gonna order the newest Anderson trem to replace my fishman made version though. :D

rfield54

11-16-2010, 01:34 PM

I was initially undecided about the black saddles on the gold platform, but I actually like the look...especially with the black pickup covers and black trem bar tip. The guitar never sounded better, but I'll probably try the Tisonix Center Mount Saddles (not the vintage style).

Post a photo when you get your new TA trem. ;)

wolf

11-16-2010, 02:34 PM

rfield54

11-16-2010, 08:50 PM

I don't have the KTS Ti vintage saddles, I have the new block type.

Still don't like them though.. :D

The ones you're looking at always have a huge gap between them in every pic I've seen.
That's bound to allow them to move when bending etc.

Tom said he finds the Ti block saddles clearer on his guitar ( which he says is dark sounding ) on my drop Top they sound awful.

I sent an email to Tisonix a few days ago asking about the width of these saddles, but no reply. Visually I wouldn't want too much space between the saddles, but I'm not worried about the saddles moving when I slacken the trem, because none of the strings ever get that slack (no dive bombing for me). And, as I mentioned earlier, if I don't see an improvement (even slight) I would return them.

wolf

11-16-2010, 11:23 PM

I don't like mine.

How about I send them to you for you to try ?

If you like them, buy them off me, if not, send them back. :D

Sound good ?

rfield54

11-17-2010, 01:42 AM

I don't have the KTS Ti vintage saddles, I have the new block type.

Which saddles do you have, and what color? KTS doesn't make a block strat saddle (according to their website).

wolf

11-17-2010, 07:17 AM

They do make block saddles mate.. here they are

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x182/wolf5151/KTSSaddles.jpg

rfield54

11-17-2010, 08:57 AM

Wow, there they are. Apparently they're the PR-17 and nobody seems to have them in stock. Could it be KTS stopped production because of complaints like yours? Maybe the rolled vintage models sound better (different)? I still may try the Tisonix...anyone out there use the Tisonix strat saddles ?