MOdel 6 Trem Swap?

[mattdoubleyou]

I have an 86 charvel model 6. Id go through the specs but you all already know them. It has a Khaler trem on it and I dont like it to much. Does ne one know of a trem i could replace it with with out having to rout the body all to hell? No body mods would be perfect. Also the sustain is a bit weaker than what Id like, do you think its b/c of the khaler. Thanks you guys a re freaking awesome.

[Rich#6]

Also the sustain is a bit weaker than what Id like, do you think its b/c of the khaler.

Yes A lot of people believe kahlers that. The newer kahlers maybe better, but pretty sure anything else you will have to route the body for the springs.

[jon]

Most Model 6 have under license floyd rose on. My ´87 Model 6 is with one. Don´t know the difference.

[Tekky]

Most Model 6 have under license floyd rose on. My ´87 Model 6 is with one. Don´t know the difference.

In 1986 the model series was introduced with Kahler tremolos on the locking models. (the model 1 and variants had Gotoh tremolos) In 87 to the end of the run in 88 they used a Jackson badged JT-6 tremolo with a two variations of Kahler-style locking nut.

[dg]

One thing you may be able to do is replace the brass cam & rollers with a steel cam & rollers. That will basically turn it from a Kahler Standard to a Kahler Pro. It adds some brightness and to me it sounds a bit louder unplugged, but I don't know if it will translate to more sustain. Unfortunately, the parts are expensive, too:

http://www.kahlerparts.com/Other_Pages/Upgrades.htm

If you decide to go with a floyd, my advice would be to sell this guitar & get one originally equipped with a floyd. It's funny, because there are folks who say the Kahlered models have better sustain since less wood is routed out of the guitar, and there are others who say the Kahler kills sustain.

[Rich#6]

Does the guitar have the origianl pickups? Those have great tone but are not the best at output, lots of people swap those out. I finally did after 19 years. did you check the battery?

[Partial @ Marshall]

I put the new Kahler hardtail on my '86...best Kahler ever, cuz it doesn't move. All mounting holes are the same, so it was easy...sounds good! Loads of sustain

[mattdoubleyou]

Does the guitar have the origianl pickups? Those have great tone but are not the best at output, lots of people swap those out. I finally did after 19 years. did you check the battery?

I just changed the bridge pu to aseymore duncan invader. Awesome p/u imo. The original humbucker just had too much of an 80's early 90's hair metal sound for me. And that did help a bit with the sustain.

My problem is that I cant do crap with the wammyb/c one or two strings end up out or the whole rig ends up just a touch sharp or flat. I changed the springs to newer ones (not much help). I guess I just have to either rebuild the thing bak to new or buy a new one. Id just like to dive and play around without going out of tune.

[Rich#6]

My problem is that I cant do crap with the wammyb/c one or two strings end up out or the whole rig ends up just a touch sharp or flat. I changed the springs to newer ones (not much help). I guess I just have to either rebuild the thing bak to new or buy a new one. Id just like to dive and play around without going out of tune.

Did you check to make sure that the lock plate are OK? These do get groves, you can buy new ones or try fliping them over. Also some people soder the string ends so they don't slip as much.
There is a sticky on the board that shows there are things to do to make the bridge more stable.
Be careful with the invader it is a hot pickup but there isn't a lot of highs there. I think it is muddy myself.

[mattdoubleyou]

Did you check to make sure that the lock plate are OK? These do get groves, you can buy new ones or try fliping them over. Also some people soder the string ends so they don't slip as much.
There is a sticky on the board that shows there are things to do to make the bridge more stable.
Be careful with the invader it is a hot pickup but there isn't a lot of highs there. I think it is muddy myself.

1. I prob need to just get a new lock nut. Goin to do soon cuz the grooves are prtty bad.

2. The invader has a good sound for me, I wanted more bottom end. And I just picked up a new pedal the Rocktron Silver Dragon I can make up some of the higs with that. (So far a killer pedal as far as dist. goes, just gotta be careful not to set it to high cuz it wil get quite a bit muddy and noisy)

3. m not farmilliar with a sticky, what and where is that?

Thanks again for the help. Oh yeah I heard about the soldering but dosent that over time get built up and nasty? I imagine it would getting all down in the grooves. Any help on doing it right so I dont ef something up?

[Rich#6]

http://www.jcfonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52679

This is the sticky I was thinking of, not sure if it will help at all. How about the rollers on the trem are turning?
Also bending the string end helps too.

[mattdoubleyou]

The rollers turn, theyre a bit worn though. You can see the string imprints on a few sides of the low strings. (brass rollers). I try to keep them oiled once every month or so just as a maintenence thing and its pretty clean. Not near what the one looked like in the pics. I guess im just going to make a decision on wheter or not to buy a new one altogether (the easy way), or rebuild the lod one (fun project). Does anyone know if there is a big difference in a brand new one as compared to the original. Does the saying "they dont build em like they used to" apply here? Or are the newer ones a better quality? I love my baby and only want the best for her.
Thanks again this is soo much help!