Kahler Question

[Supadupadave]

I have a few questions about the tremolo and the string lock on my GT.

The guitar will not stay in tune, even when I don't use the wammi bar. What is more likely to be the cause.

1. String Lock Screws Missing, so they aren't engaged.

2. The springs in the bridge are worn out.

I intent to get the replacement screws so this question may be moot anyway, but I thought I would ask anyway.

Also, is there a recommend way of restoring the finish on these tremolo's?

Dave

[murkat]

1. you need a lock down device.

go to an Ace Hardware and get some nice

allen heads that will thread in the tight downs,

do not bother getting the Kahler oem,

there too small and strip and you lose them too easy.

2. replace springs with the heavy set. nuff said on that.

3. lube rollers and cam with a micro dot of mobil 1 syn oil.

4. restore finish? no. buy new/ used that looks better, but why...

[tbonesullivan]

IMHO... the kahler is a substandard design. It fails to eliminate the most common areas where string tuning issues come from, and even introduces some new ones. While it is a cam tremolo, it is still based on a set of opposing forces: string pull vs a spring. When you bend hard, you will move the bridge cam. If the bridge is not lubricated properly, you can have tuning issues. The rollers especially over the years can get seized. Also, the strings lie on top of the cam, which can cause binding/tuning issues.

Another bad design cue is the use of the string ball ends. This basically means that you still get all the usual problems with slipping in the wrap at the end of strings. The ball ends can also move over time, causing more tuning issues.

now, as you can tell, I'm not a kahler fan. I had one for a year, and the set up requirements are almost worse than that of a floyd rose. also it is made of of a lot of parts, and isn't nearly as rigid of a unit, having lots of joints, pivots, set screws, etc.

[Armitage]

I've had great sucess with Kahlers, the number one problem I've found is in other peoples guitars. They over tighten the nut locks and put a grove in the little plates, and then the strings can slide on by no matter how tight you make them.

Take the nut off, and undo the plates and flip them over.

[tbonesullivan]

that's a problem with all locking nuts unfortunately. People seem to think that you have to tighten the heck out of them, when in reality, you don't. It's usually the unwound strings that make the grooves first, as they are often made of harder steel than the string lock.

[Thundernotes]

I've only ever had one tuning issue with the Kahler, and that was stuck rollers. Clean and oil them. For the way I play, I will probably go to the heavy spring set soon too.

[Hamer95USA]

I have the Kahler Spyder on my '87 Fender Japan Strat, so I can't give advice on how to set up or service your flatmounted Kahler bridge. I do recommend getting your parts from Kahler USA though:

Kahler USA

Kahler has been back in business for the past few years. They got all the OEM parts you'll need to get your bridge in good shape.

Guitar George

[zorrow]

I've owned some Kahler-ed guitars. The high-tension springs are a must, as murkat mentions.

My side, the only problem I've had with Kahlers is stuck rollers -same as Thundernotes. I've used Jig-A-Loo with great results.

PS: I don't like Kahlers just because they are bulky and I argue they are tone suckers -not confirmed by anyone; this is just my opinion/perception. However, I do think it's a great design.

[FrankieIII]

I've determined that a Kahler Pro is fabulous with only heavy weight (Northern ash or maple) body guitars...

[Armitage]

Just in case someone's looking.

[FrankieIII]

Wow! Good stuff there, Armitage. Thanks for posting!

[Armitage]

I just got a thank you email for this post... years later. People are still looking for this info.

[mrjamiam]

[ARM OF HAMER]

I have no issues with mine and I have the locking nut removed but for my style of playing I seldom use it and if so just for a subtle effect................... I'm certainly not dive bombing, I just have the short Kahler "PALM BAR" also so.....................In any case I had no choice in the matter as it was on the guitar when I bought it so if I wanted this guitar and I did well......... there you go.......... the Kahler is a D S "Pat Pending" 2300 model [And it still looks brand new].If it hurt the guitars sound I can't tell because like I said it was there when I got it, After playing and owning many guitars through the years [i'm 63] I would hope I can tell the difference and IMHO this HAMER sounds great to my ears,there is seldom a day that I don;t play it at some point. HERE

[Brentrocks]

LUBE YOUR NUT

[coolfeel]

The Kahler Steeler is superior to any other Floyd Rose I've ever tried.

[Armitage]

While I prefer a Floyd over a Kahler, for people who couldn't buy another guitar there was pretty much no other option without tons of expensive mods. I was happy with mine.