Floyd Rose is a brand that manufactures high-performance tremolo systems for electric guitars. Their products are known for their ability to stay in tune even with heavy use of the tremolo bar.
Floyd Rose invented the locking tremolo system in the late 1970s.
The first Floyd Rose tremolo system was installed on a guitar made for Eddie Van Halen in the early 1980s.
Since then, Floyd Rose has become a popular choice among guitarists who want to achieve extreme pitch bending and stay in tune while doing so.
Kahler manufactures tremolo systems similar to Floyd Rose, with a focus on sustain and tone.
Hipshot manufactures a variety of guitar hardware, including tremolo systems that are designed to be easy to install and use.
Gotoh manufactures a range of guitar hardware, including tremolo systems that have a vintage look and feel.
The original Floyd Rose tremolo system with locking nut and fine tuners.
A more affordable version of the original Floyd Rose with zinc saddles.
Similar to the original Floyd Rose, but with hardened steel saddles and a lower price point.
A locking tremolo system is one that locks the strings in place at the nut and bridge, which allows for more extreme pitch bending without the strings going out of tune.
Installing a Floyd Rose tremolo system requires some technical skill and knowledge of guitar setup, but it is not impossible for the average guitarist to do with the right tools and instructions.
Floyd Rose tremolo systems require a specific routing in the guitar body, so they may not fit on all guitars without modification to the body.
While Floyd Rose tremolo systems are known for their ability to achieve extreme pitch bending, they can also be used for subtle vibrato and fine-tuning of notes.
The Floyd Rose Original has a higher quality construction, with hardened steel saddles and fine tuners, while the Floyd Rose Special has zinc saddles and a lower price point.