Thoughts on a GFS Xrem Stud Mount vibrato system

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Ralph124C41
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Thoughts on a GFS Xrem Stud Mount vibrato system

Post by Ralph124C41 » Thu Nov 24, 2022 6:14 am

Has anybody here ever used a Guitar Fetish Xtrem Stud Mount Vibrato system? I just received my Harley Benton sunburst JA-60 Jazzmaster clone. It has no vibrato system so I thought about adding something if I could do it without drilling any holes in the body and I could afford it.

So the GFS unit seems to fill both needs for me. I've also looked at the Duesenberg Les Trem II but that seems too expensive for me as I rarely use the vibrato but I would like to have it available for some songs or touches.

I've looked up the GFS posts but I can't find any specifically mentioning the newer Stud Mount units.

Thanks ....

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sholkham
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Re: Thoughts on a GFS Xrem Stud Mount vibrato system

Post by sholkham » Thu Nov 24, 2022 6:29 am

youtube channel 60 cycle hum has a video where he installed one on a HB, looks like a good option

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFfanbLGEME&t=1353s
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Ralph124C41
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Re: Thoughts on a GFS Xrem Stud Mount vibrato system

Post by Ralph124C41 » Thu Nov 24, 2022 6:41 am

Yes I saw that. But he also put a Les Trem II on some other guitar which he seemed to like more. In fact I think he said something like "The jury is still out" on his thoughts on the GFS unit. I know different units on different guitars (the other was not an offset) but I think he said the Dusenberg had a wider range of controls. I will have to rewatch both of them. But the unit did seem to work fine.

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Re: Thoughts on a GFS Xrem Stud Mount vibrato system

Post by Ralph124C41 » Fri Dec 23, 2022 10:39 am

I just wanted to update to report I did buy the Guitar Fetish unit and used a coupon code. I had to pay $15 shipping for the item to come to me here in New York. I think shipping ranges from $5 in Florida to $20 out in California, or something like that.

The good ... it seems to work just fine for my purpose, which is for minor sweeps ... no nose diving. I did use the weaker of the two springs. My unit did come with two very, very small felt pads but no instructions, as posted in that 60 Cycle Youtube video review. However I have not encountered any noise with it or excessive tuning issues ... but that could be because I'm using the weaker spring and not doing nose dives.

The con is that the unit just seems ... well, big. The Harley Benton JA-60 Jazzmaster clone I put the unit on seems to have a slightly smaller body than a regular Squier or Fender JM and the unit just looks overpoweringly large. I think visually it would be fine on a larger-bodied guitar, such as my two 335 types so I may switch it over. That is one good thing I think about the design ... you can put it on and take it off in a few minutes without having to use any screws.

So I'm thinking about doing that and buying the smaller Duesenberg Les Trem II or one of the knockoff brands and putting that on the JA-60.

But, again, it works fine, went on very easily and the cost to my door was under $57.

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Re: Thoughts on a GFS Xrem Stud Mount vibrato system

Post by fearsatan » Fri Dec 23, 2022 3:38 pm

CSGuitars on youtube released a video today where he did the same mods as 60 cycle hum, but he used a Göldo LesTrem instead of the GFS vibrato.

https://youtu.be/tc7nKVMdANk

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Re: Thoughts on a GFS Xrem Stud Mount vibrato system

Post by Ralph124C41 » Fri Dec 23, 2022 4:07 pm

Thanks. I also read where Ryan of 60 Cycle Hum asked if his unit was noisy, as his has GFS unit has had some creaking noise, which can be heard on his Youtube video.

Yes I think the two Duesenberg Les Trem II knockoffs are the Goldo the reviewer used as well as some units from Guyker.

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