psa: shorter string lock screws for gotoh 1996 floyd replacement

[Jimbilly]

I put a Gotoh 1996 on my red sparkle Cali (too many stripped base plate holes), I could have swapped the old shorter string lock screws into the Gotoh, but it didn't bug me at the time, I could still swap the old ones over, but I kind of like leaving the original as intact as possible (not that it matters anymore)...

 Anyway, I found these stainless ones from china ebay (link below), a bit under $20, I imagine they will fit, 33.3mm claimed which is the same as the stock/loose one laying next to the Gotoh in the photo.  

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/396877013890

[Dave Scepter]

Hmmm~🤔

[Jimbilly]

56 minutes ago, Dave Scepter said:

Hmmm~🤔

I should probably read more of the 'fine print' !  - we'll see!!

[bruce919]

its an M6 screw. Go to a hardware store and get a few. Grind off the ends if they are too long. 

[diablo175]

1 hour ago, bruce919 said:

its an M6 screw. Go to a hardware store and get a few. Grind off the ends if they are too long. 

Not sure this is feasible. Looking at the various M6 screws on line, can't help but wonder if they'll work; the tip needs to have a slight point & the threading might not be compatible with the saddles. 

12 hours ago, Jimbilly said:

I should probably read more of the 'fine print' !  - we'll see!!

Double check that the width of the shaft of the Schaller-type screws will fit through the slots on the baseplate. I believe they're too fat for the width of the slot. You're better off ordering a set of Schaller short (38mm) string lock screws IF the threading is compatible. Be advised- the Schaller fat stubbies are 34mm and the "short" Floyd Rose-style bolts are 38mm. It'll be close but should fit. I've used them in my Custom Californian and the double neck Cali but both of those trems are LockMeisters.

 

Edited August 12, 2025 by diablo175

[ArsPo]

I believe, Gotoh 1996t has different studs, so it should not be used as a replacement for Schaller bridge. Best is to put in new Schaller. Also there is an option to fix stripped base plate holes, like in the attached picture.

[Jimbilly]

2 hours ago, ArsPo said:

I believe, Gotoh 1996t has different studs, so it should not be used as a replacement for Schaller bridge. Best is to put in new Schaller. Also there is an option to fix stripped base plate holes, like in the attached picture.

that's an interesting fix, I'd like to know more about that. 

  The 1996t seems to work well with the Schaller studs, - unless I'm missing something really obvious.  

 I've had bad luck trying to make screws shorter with a grinder etc, the threads always seem to get messed up, I suppose I could clean them up with a die, but I think the tip of the screw should not be a point for these string lock blocks. 

Diabo: it looks like 38s would still be a little bit too long

 

Ideally Gotoh would reissue the Yamaha RM-Pro ii design for replacing the older oem stuff, those are pretty neat. The intonation set screws, those along with keeping the ball end on make it unnecessary to clamp down with any real force on the set screw or the bolt to the plate.  My photo of the RM-pro ii is from when I had just got it home in 'derelict' condition and was having a first real look (note the busted off knob), the lower set of screws (one missing at that time) are for setting the intonation, a couple on the right were not doing their job, thankfully the missing one was a common hardware store item.

 

Edited August 12, 2025 by Jimbilly

[ArsPo]

2 hours ago, Jimbilly said:

that's an interesting fix, I'd like to know more about that. 

I don't know, if there are any workshops in USA, which do that.

But basically they remove soft metal (i believe it is zinc alloy) from downside of base plate, where there are intonation holes and put in a patch from hard metal (stainless steel probably). Not all metal is removed, they leave like 1 mm of old metal on top of the base plate.