RT200N Rail Tail Narrow Tremolo System - Black Review

Traditional Trem Replacement

The Rail Tail is a bit expensive but it does create a smooth vibrato that is easy to install. It is essentially a drop-in for guitars with a traditional, Fender style "tremolo" bridge. You can only pull notes down (no pulling up). The directions will tell you that the tuners should be locking and the nut should be well lubricated, graphite, Tusq etc… The materials are solid… read more and the bridge does not feel flimsy or cheap. I placed one on a Kramer Baretta Special. Even though the tuning stability is improving with use, I need to install better locking tuners and a better nut. Overall, it was a great improvement for this guitar. Yes, the Rail Tail costs more than the guitar so this may not be the best application but I am a huge Floyd Rose fan.

---

Cancel Comment

Good Value For An Easy, Affordable Upgrade

I installed this on a Fender Stratocaster (Made in Mexico). The instructions are about 98% correct, at least in my case. I've only recently ventured into the DIY world of guitar repair and mods. This was a good jumping-on point. As far as Floyd Rose's go, you get the benefit of having one without the headaches usually involved. While locking tuners are probably the best way to… read more go, I have found that once the strings have been stretched and they settle in, using the locking method of string winding is good enough for me. Sometimes the strings go a little sharp, so I've experimented with de-tuning the strings a bit before playing and that has worked pretty well for me. As for the tremolo arm, the one I received doesn't pop in and out -- it locks into place with an enclosed Allen wrench. Once it is on, it stays on. I guess they had trouble with the trem arms falling out, from what I've read anyway. If you don't want to use the tremolo, you still gain great benefits from being able to do bends and other trickery on the fretboard and the guitar stays perfectly in tune. While you could save yourself some money and just block the bridge yourself, which I did at first, I find this solution even better still. Getting rid of the original floating bridge in favor of this Rail Tail is a DEFINITE upgrade. They only packaged four springs with this, and that's all it needs. Using only three springs, the bridge doesn't sit flush against the guitar's body. Just to play it safe, I used five springs to make sure it stayed in place. Re-stringing is only a minor pain. To deal with this, I only leave two screws on the backplate, because the holes in the backplate do not line up with the bridge. So I just remove the two screws and then replace the strings. You could also use a wedge of some sort to lift up the Rail Tail enough so you don't have to worry about that. All in all, a solid product that gets that horrible floating bridge on the Strat out of your life. No more strings going out of tune, even while you're tuning other strings. I mean, that just drove me nuts. Worth every penny. I highly recommend.

---

Cancel Comment

Best drop-in Tremolo I've personally used

Installation is very simple and the dives surprised me. I purchased this for my Fender fit perfectly making the adjustment for the dive is simple. I also checked it's able to fit on a Squire Strat as well although the back plate won't fit due to the block being slightly taller then the body. I personally don't use back plates so doesn't affect me but something to keep in mind if… read more you intend to use it on your Squire Strat. I recommend locking tuners and a well slotted nut to keep it in tune for when you take deep dives.

---

Cancel Comment