I’m considering a second guitar and thinking of going for a hardtail. I have a squire with a tremolo currently, but never use it because it goes out of tune, and honestly in a few years of playing haven’t come across anything I’ve tried to play that requires it. I haven’t seen one used in a single tutorial video.
If you aren’t playing Van Halen, do they ever really get much use?
I would buy a decent Floyd Rose, but don’t know if the tuning would be a hassle. Or if I went hardtail would I regret it later?
Other than some rock, where are these really used?
My trem equipped guitars get a lot more play than my LP or tele.
I would say you’re not going to get close to Van Halen territory with a squire generally, especially one that hasn’t had a ton of attention paid to the nut, but my S type with a Gotoh 510 and Jazzmaster with the stock Fender system and a Graphtech XL nut and a Mastery bridge both stay in tune no matter how much shoegazing I do. Not VH dive bombs sure, but I’m not precious about it by any means.
I think if you’re looking for crazy dive bombs you’re going to be disappointed by most non locking systems, but for real just try some subtle warbling now and then, it’s fun.
I second subtle warbling
I have both types. Tremolos are nice due to the added expression, but they’re not worth the hassle to me. Granted I play 7 string so more strings means more time spent trying to tune. Also Floyd Rose bridges take more time than normal trems, at least in my experience
A tremolo can give a lot of versatility. Or you might never use it. It depends on your play and what you like.
Both of my electrics have tremolo bridges. I’m definitely in the market for a stop tail, though. Just for different stuff.
Hardtail advantages:
- quick access to alternate tunings
- easier string gauge experimentation
- usually better tuning stability (unless comparing to double locking)
- marginally faster string changes
Trem advantages:
- A plethora of wild effects
- Much more authentic covers of other trem players (surf, hard rock, metal, fusion)
- tuning stability with premium double locking terms
I have twontrem equipped guitars: a PRS SE Custom 24 and a Vintage V6. Both stay in tune when I use the trem, the Vintage especially so. Having well lubed nuts and bridges really helps.
Squire without a tremolo is like a tuxedo without pants. There is some really good information out there on how to keep your Strat in tune, even with heavy dive bombing on the tone arm. Such as: https://myguitarlair.com/stratocaster-tremolo-setup/
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I would go for a hard tail so you have both. The hardtail will give you options for changing tuning faster. If you regret it later you can install a Bigsby style. And if you love it you there are products to block the floating bridge later too.
Jeff Beck
