05/05/2026
So… the rest of my stuff FINALLY came in and I got to complete work on this guitar.
I pulled out the stock Bridge Pickup awhile back and replaced it with a Dimarzio Super Distortion. The active pickups it came with were not doing it for me. The Neck Pickup is disconnected entirely and just there for “show” now.
These are the last of the upgrades (for now).
With the exception of the EVH D-TUNA, most of these parts are very affordable and surpassingly easy to upgrade your guitars with.
I have Gotoh locking tuners on other guitars. I compared the Kaish ones to them and even installed a Kaish on another guitar.
I find them to be comparable in quality and even just a tad more fine tunable that then pricier Gotoh’s!
So as of right now, Kaish are my go to locking tuners for my personal guitars.
There are reviews from others saying that they are “bad” for some reason (ID10T users) but with Amazons return policies, if there’s an issue, you can easily return and exchange it. I know what the quirks are though, and I know how to address them easily, in case you want to know, ask. I have not had to return any yet.
The brass block and claw is Music Lilly. Great quality across the boards. Love them.
All the springs are from FU Tone. Great quality!
The trem stopper is an experiment, mainly in order to keep the trem more fixed for the D-TUNA. I would not buy this unit again. In fact, I might just install a straight trem stop (brass and low cost as well) unit in it in the future.
The Brass block WAS the right size to fit in and cover up, but I wound up having to readjust the string action/Floyd Rose DOWN more and that brought it down to flush with the backplate space. I’m leaving the backplate off as it isn’t necessary and it works absolutely fine!
If I replace it, it will be with a 34 or 37(?)mm instead. The old one was a steel 32mm. The difference in tone and sustain is absolutely noticeable!
When putting the brass block on, always check how your spring insert will go in. You want it to be a “straight” facing towards the neck. If it angles down sharply, the block needs to be installed the other way. In this case, the Music Lilly logo faces the neck. Another thing I like about this brand of brass blocks.
These upgrades are on a Floyd Rose Special. It really does improve upon the entire set up. All actual Floyd Rose base plates are made of the same steel. Some people just don’t want the “Special” stamped on the plate, or insist on the “made in Germany” stamped underneath.
Only a snob is going to notice these differences. Your audience does not care as long as you sound GOOD.
Some of my ABSOLUTE BEST Floyd Rose tremolos are of the “Special” brand. One of them absolutely destroys a Floyd original I have in staying in tune (that’s a story for another day).
In doing all this, I found a couple of high fret spots that I needed to spot file down. This was pretty much a “new” guitar still, so shame of Jackson QC there. I’ll finish polishing them down with the next string change.
D-TUNA’s are notoriously EASY to install, but the tuning on them takes a LOT of “finesse” and even then, can be a little finicky while playing. Even the best of pro guitar techs to the stars will tell you this.
Eddie Van Halen played these on stage, but I HIGHLY DOUBT he used them on any actual recordings.
Especially after my experiences with these.
I wanted another guitar with one because I like how FUN they are to mess around with, and when just practicing at home, it’s one less time I have to get up and swap a guitar to practice a different song.
I have some more upgrade stories to share on another guitar in the near future.
Right now, I am going through my entire stable of guitars and re-setting them up and just running through the motions to keep my chops up.
Wendy also bought me a new tool that REALLY dials in my sets ups now. I love it!
No, I won’t tell you what it is, except that it fits in a very small amount of space, and can fly out with me if I have a tech gig to go to!
All I’ll say about it, is that it is VERY NEW and the patent is pending!
I gotta have some secrets of my own ya know! 😜
