Replacing Licensed Floyd Rose with Gotoh GE1996T (ALL MODS REVEALED)

Licensed Floyd Rose no longer holding tuning properly? In this video, I replace the double locking tremolo on a Godin Freeway Floyd with the critically acclaimed Gotoh GE1996T. I paid like $150 CAD for a chrome 40 mm block version. Did this on a budget because I like putting in the work!
I spent a ton of time on this project, mainly because it was a learning experience. It would cost way too much money for a shop to do all the modifications. I also levelled, crowned, dressed, and polished the fretboard.
Three allen keys are included in the kit: 1.5 mm, 2.5 mm, and 3 mm. 1.5 mm adjusts the arm tension, 2.5 mm is for the saddle position, 3 mm is for securing the strings and locking the nut. 4 mm is a common truss rod size.
MODIFICATION STEPS:
- Unscrew M6 (or M7 for OFR/FR1000) studs and place small tremolo cavity cover screws in inserts and retighten studs. This will lift the inserts out of the guitar body. Alternatively, use a pry bar with the studs in to pull the inserts completely out.
- Redrill insert holes with 7/16" (11.1 mm) bit. Compare old and new insert length. If longer, drill the holes deeper so that string action (playing height at 12th fret) can be maintained. Better to go slightly deeper, as action can be raised with locking studs. Center spacing is 74 mm, ensure plum.
- Grind the smooth end off of saddle string set screws. Use an M4 die to repair the thread. With a T15 torx bit on a drill, drive the screws partially in and out of an M3 die secured in a vice (recreates the smooth end).
- Repaint any modifications which exposed the wood of the guitar body. Spray paint works. Spray into the lid and use a brush for tough areas. Note that almost no wood modifications will be visible with the bridge on.
IF REQUIRED:
- Grind brass block down to match stock depth (40 mm to 34 mm in this case)
- Hacksaw new spring slots to initial depth
- Redrill spring holes so that springs sit flush with block
- Cut ground wire to tremolo claw if in the way of drilling deeper for inserts
- Redrill new path for ground wire to reach tremolo claw
- Solder or use crimp fitting to reconnect wire
- Drill out the arm/bar sleeve ledge in the tremolo cavity deep enough so the Gotoh can be seated fully. Depending on your desired string action and the particular guitar, also sand/file/chisel down the flat area where the studs/inserts are, so the bridge can dive/pull up properly.
SET UP:
- Use 3 or 4 springs. 3 in a triangular pattern is quite common. Balance tuning the guitar with leveling out the bridge on each side by adjusting the spring tension. This process can take some time.
- When tuned up, check string intonation: compare the 12th fret harmonic to the fretted note. If the note is flat, loosen the string and move the saddle forward slightly. If sharp, move the saddle back.
Want to see a demonstration of the Gotoh? Link at end of video!
0:00 Intro
4:16 Overview, LFR vs. Gotoh
6:55 Installing Gotoh Studs
10:18 Testing Gotoh Fit, Advice
14:50 Modifying Locking Screws
19:48 Demo of Progress
22:04 Soldering
22:26 Painting
24:06 Lowering String Action
25:25 Final Update
27:09 Final Product
#guitarmods #gotoh #floydrose #whammy #rockwithshawn
Electric guitar: Godin Freeway Floyd (Gotoh)
Strings: Daddario EXL110 (10-46 light gauge)
Action: 2.25 mm E-e (before and after)
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[@rockwithShawn]

Licensed Floyd Rose no longer holding tuning properly? In this video, I replace the double locking tremolo on a Godin Freeway Floyd with the critically acclaimed Gotoh GE1996T. I paid like $150 CAD for a chrome 40 mm block version. Did this on a budget because I like putting in the work! I spent a ton of time on this project, mainly because it was a learning experience. It would cost way too much money for a shop to do all the modifications. I also levelled, crowned, dressed, and polished the fretboard.
Three allen keys are included in the kit: 1.5 mm, 2.5 mm, and 3 mm. 1.5 mm adjusts the arm tension, 2.5 mm is for the saddle position, 3 mm is for securing the strings and locking the nut. 4 mm is a common truss rod size.
MODIFICATION STEPS:
- Unscrew M6 (or M7 for OFR/FR1000) studs and place small tremolo cavity cover screws in inserts and retighten studs. This will lift the inserts out of the guitar body. Alternatively, use a pry bar with the studs in to pull the inserts completely out.
- Redrill insert holes with 7/16" (11.1 mm) bit. Compare old and new insert length. If longer, drill the holes deeper so that string action (playing height at 12th fret) can be maintained. Better to go slightly deeper, as action can be raised with locking studs. Center spacing is 74 mm, ensure plum.
- Grind the smooth end off of saddle string set screws. Use an M4 die to repair the thread. With a T15 torx bit on a drill, drive the screws partially in and out of an M3 die secured in a vice (recreates the smooth end).
- Repaint any modifications which exposed the wood of the guitar body. Spray paint works. Spray into the lid and use a brush for tough areas. Note that almost no wood modifications will be visible with the bridge on.
IF REQUIRED:
- Grind brass block down to match stock depth (40 mm to 34 mm in this case)
- Hacksaw new spring slots to initial depth
- Redrill spring holes so that springs sit flush with block
- Cut ground wire to tremolo claw if in the way of drilling deeper for inserts
- Redrill new path for ground wire to reach tremolo claw
- Solder or use crimp fitting to reconnect wire
- Drill out the arm/bar sleeve ledge in the tremolo cavity deep enough so the Gotoh can be seated fully. Depending on your desired string action and the particular guitar, also sand/file/chisel down the flat area where the studs/inserts are, so the bridge can dive/pull up properly.
SET UP:
- Use 3 or 4 springs. 3 in a triangular pattern is quite common. Balance tuning the guitar with leveling out the bridge on each side by adjusting the spring tension. This process can take some time.
- When tuned up, check string intonation: compare the 12th fret harmonic to the fretted note. If the note is flat, loosen the string and move the saddle forward slightly. If sharp, move the saddle back.
Want to see a demonstration of the Gotoh? Link at end of video!

[@pistolpete7280]

Gotoh tremolo is amazing! I have installed about three of them myself. I much prefer them to even an original floyd rose.

[@rockwithShawn]

Awesome! I also really like the Gotoh 510 2-point floating trem on my Charvel. Great brand.

[@michaelsmith9544]

I put a hard item in the shaft and screwed the post down and the shaft lifted right up. It was a pretty easy swap from the licensed Floyd. I just installed it but its actually holding tune now.

[@rockwithShawn]

That's great! What type of guitar did you do the swap on?

[@michaelsmith9544]

@@rockwithShawn it was a jem kit guitar. The LFR and the tuners were junk but the body and neck were pretty good.

[@rockwithShawn]

@@michaelsmith9544 Oh sweet, yeah a lot of guitars only need a bridge or pickup upgrade to become elite!