24 Guitars with a Floyd Rose or Edge Zero Tremolo System

I've always been a fan of the Floyd Rose locking tremolo system.

That type of flexibility and tuning stability is impossible to replicate in a traditional tremolo bridge, which is why the Floyd Rose has become a must for many lead guitar players who specialize in whammy bar use and high-end lead technique. It has also given way to a handful of imitation locking tremolo systems, including the Edge Zero by Ibanez, which functions - and appears - nearly the same as a full Floyd Rose.

In this article we're looking at electric guitars specifically with Floyd Rose locking tremolo systems installed.

We'll also do a second table with the Edge and Edge Zero systems, all of which are from Ibanez.

Instead of putting all of this in a ranking, we're simply listing all of the electric guitars we could find that shipped with a Floyd Rose tremolo. Keep in mind, these are not modified or custom guitars, but rather examples of guitars that arrive with the Floyd Rose tremolo already installed and ready to use.

For those wanting that as their primary feature, we've done the rest of the sorting for you.

Best Electric Guitars with a Floyd Rose and Edge Zero Tremolo Systems

Again, it's important to mention that we aren't ranking these guitars, because they're all quite good. They all just have a Floyd Rose system installed, which allows you to pick through all the guitars that already have your primary feature covered.

Please keep in mind: We partner with Sweetwater and use their links in the orange buttons below. This provides links to products we recommend without adding any extra cost to you.

Floyd Rose (FR) Table

The first table includes Floyd Rose only. Since Floyd Rose is its own company, we see them show up in a number of different brands, whereas the Ibanez-developed Edge Zero only shows up in Ibanez guitars. We've included a photo, the full name of the guitar model and the rating column. For these particular tables, if the rating column isn't filled out yet, that just means we haven't rated this guitar specifically for its own write up.

Edge, Lo Pro Edge, Edge Zero (Ibanez) Table

As we mentioned above, the Edge Zero tremolo system is unique to Ibanez, though looks essentially the same as the Floyd Rose tremolo.

There are also several variations of this system, primarily the following:

• Edge
  
• Lo Pro Edge
  
• Edge Zero
  

The locking functionality and floating spring system functions the same as the original Floyd Rose design, though Ibanez has made some minor adjustments to their version. For those interested in a guitar with a Floyd Rose tremolo system, the Edge is a perfectly acceptable alternative and - in our mind - not a downgrade.

Common Floyd Rose Brands

As we mentioned, Floyd Rose hardware can and has shown up in a wide variety of guitar brands. However, there are a few guitar makers that have shown to be more inclusive of the tremolo system over the years. They include - but are not limited to - the following:

• Schecter
• ESP LTD
• PRS
• Fender
• Jackson

Again, there are other brands that use Floyd Rose systems, but these are the bigger names that most guitar-savvy people will recognize.

Other "Floating" and Locking Tremolo Systems

Aside from Floyd Rose and Ibanez, there are a handful of companies that have tried their hand at building a similar locking tremolo system. Most of them range from "okay" to fairly cheap, which is why we don't necessarily recommend them here. They're also usually sold as extra parts and not on an already setup electric guitar.

For those looking into other Floyd Rose alternatives, here are some of the companies that make them:

Low-End Budget Brands

• Musiclily 
• Wikinson
• Dopro
• LYWS

Mid to High-End Brands

• Gotoh
• Schaller
• Callaham

Floyd Rose VS Edge (Edge Zero)

Between the two front-runners - Floyd Rose and Edge systems - which one is better?

That question can get a little subjective when you're talking about two devices that essentially mirror each other. Floyd Rose has the advantage of being the original design, but that doesn't mean the Edge and Edge Zero can't compete. Aside from some minor dimension differences, there isn't much variance between the two pieces of hardware.

Thus, figuring out which one is better is going to have far more to do with the guitar they're attached to, which is what this roundup is primarily about.

In other words:

1. Don't hold out for a Floyd Rose by avoiding an Ibanez electric guitar
2. Don't shun Ibanez electrics just because you're afraid of the Edge systesm

Both are good and will do the job, assuming they're fitted to a reliable instrument.

Typical Dimensions

Since Floyd Rose has a patent on all their designs, dimensions are easy to pull together. We listed them here along with a graphic that shows the dimensions in millimeters. Edge and Edge Zero dimensions aren't readily available since they come with an Ibanez guitar, though we would expect them to be appreciably similar to the Floyd dimensions.

Floyd Rose Dimensions (inches)

• Post Width: 2.91 inches
• Full Width: 3.27 inches
• String to String Width: 0.39 inches
• Height: 2.28 inches

Are floating tremolos just a lead guitar thing?

I mentioned earlier that these kinds of tremolo systems are often used by pro-level lead guitar players, particularly the following:

• Joe Satriani
• Steve Vai
• Eddie Van Halen
• Alex Lifeson
• Mick Mars
• Kirk Hammett

You can checkout more on Floyd Rose's artist list. 

This trend begs the question: Are guitars with a Floyd Rose or similar floating tremolo system just a lead guitar thing?

We would say that the floating tremolo itself is definitely exclusive to the lead guitar style. For whammy bar use, tremolo technique, and deep dive bombing, that's all related to lead guitar and melody-focused playing. However, that's not to say that guitars with a Floyd Rose can't double as a rhythm guitar while the floating tremolo serves a lead-only purpose.

Most players who use them play a lot in both a rhythm and lead role. Thus, we'd summarize up this section as follows:

• Floyd Rose and floating-style tremolo systems do serve a particular function for lead guitar players
  
  
• However, the guitars that house these tremolo systems are not limited to lead-only playing

If you are exclusively a rhythm guitar player, we'd recommend avoiding this type of tremolo system, simply because you aren't likely to use it. Instead, here are a few electric guitars for rhythm players we recommend.

Possible to mod a non-Floyd Rose guitar?

Another question that comes up: Is it possible to mod and non-Floyd Rose guitar to fit that kind of bridge and tremolo system? In most cases, this is something I would recommend staying away from, just because it's almost always going to be a heavy modification with a lot of cutting into the original guitar's body, especially if there was just a stop-bar there to begin with.

You'll also spend a pretty large amount of money for the modification and the bridge itself, even if you make it a DIY project.

For most, we'd recommend buying the guitar and the Floyd Rose in the same package, already put together.

Are Floyd Rose trem systems hard to keep in tune?

If they're set up right, floating tremolos with locking tuners are extremely stable when it comes to tuning. Since the tuners can lock at the nut position (right before the headstock) the strings have nowhere to go after they've been stretched. 

How do you tune them?

There are also two different ways to tune a Floyd Rose-style tremolo system with locking tuners:

1. In the unlocked position: Traditional tuning pegs on the headstock
2. In the locked position: Fine tuning screws

Those small circular screws on the bridge allow you to tune the guitar from the bridge itself, while the locking mechanism is in place. As they turn, you'll notice they cause a far less dramatic shift in pitch compared to the traditional tuning heads. This is where you get the term "fine tuning screws" as they're helpful for making really small adjustments that aren't easily thrown out of tune.

Conclusion

All of the guitars in these two tables provide the functionality and experience of a locking tremolo system. As we come across electric guitars we like that have these bridges, we'll list them here and expand both tables.

Addition & Your Questions

In the meantime: 

If you know of a guitar with a Floyd Rose or Edge system that you think is worth including in this list, feel free to drop it in the comments section below and I'll take a look.

You can also leave questions about the guitars already listed.

Talk to you there.

Related Articles