Kahler Tremolo System

The Kahler Tremolo System is bridge with a cam operated tremolo arm system for electric guitar. It was invented in 1979 by Gary Kahler and Dave Story. They shifted their business model to making Golf clubs in the 1990's (mostly due to lower popularity of tremolo use), but are back to bridge manufacturing as of April 2005.

Models and varieties

Cams and saddles are available in several different types, including brass and stainless steel. Stainless steel models were introduced in 1985. Brass cams and saddles have a warmer, more full tone, whereas steel produces a brighter tone with enhanced harmonics. Aluminum cams, announced in 2004 and released in 2005, have what is described as a "bright, growling midrange with super clean harmonics." The 2310, their current OEM model, is the only tremolo to offer the aluminum cam - though parts are interchangeable - and offers brass rollers. Steel rollers can also be used, but, due to increased sustain and harmonics, they are primarily for metal and not preferred for other purposes.

Kahler also produces one of the only bass tremolo systems currently available (Hipshot produces a fulcrum-based unit not unlike the two-point system used on Fender Stratocasters currently built in the United States), and it is perhaps the most well-known of all of them. Famous users, such as Les Claypool and Victor Wooten, have made them a popular (albeit rare) commodity on eBay. The first two bridges Kahler sold after their return in 2005 were 2410 bass tremolos.

Guitars that have carved tops (as opposed to flat, like the Fender Stratocaster), such as the Gibson Les Paul, cannot properly mount the 2300 series of Kahler tremolo, and instead have to use a stud-mounted 2200 series.

For a period spanning from the mid-1980s to the time when Kahler ceased production in the early 1990s, Kahler also produced fulcrum-based systems similar to the Floyd Rose brand of tremolos. The 2600 "Steeler" tremolo was licensed by Floyd Rose during the late-1980s. The 2500 and 2520 (the former having steel rollers; the latter brass), were designed as an alternative to the stock Fender trem, and were offered on several Fenders during the 1980s. Today, Kahler no longer produces fulcrum-based tremolos.

Neal Moser offers Kahler bridges on many models, and the Jackson and ESP Custom Shops currently offer Kahlers as a custom option. ESP and B.C. Rich also offer the Kahler X-TREM on their more affordable signature models for Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King respectively. ESP and B.C. Rich offer the Kahler Hybrid model on their mid-range guitars such as LTD JH-600 and B.C. Rich Wartribe, both with EMG pickups. Gibson is also including the Kahler system on two of its limited edition guitar series to be released in June and August 2008.

The Kahler tremolo system does not use a conventional "cam" as shown in the "cam" link given on this page. There is no true "cam" in the Kahler tremolo system, although it is called "cam-operated" in the patent application.

Historic usage

Kahlers were most popular in the 1980s, with users such as Steve Vai, Earl Slick, Jeff Loven, Adrian Belew and Jerry Peek and bands such as Judas Priest, Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe.

Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King of Slayer still use Kahlers today. In the summer of 2005, Kahler announced it would hand-build custom bridges at an increased cost. At winter NAMM 2007, Kahler unveiled 7-string and 8-string bridges in the 2300 series.

Guitarist Jerry Cantrell, formerly of Alice in Chains uses the G&L Rampage model, a guitar that had the Kahler tremolo unit fitted as standard.

Les Claypool of Primus and Victor Wooten use Kahlers extensively in their recordings, and are some of the very few recording musicians to use a bass tremolo.

Fodera basses has a Victor Wooten model which comes with a Kahler installed.

Manowar guitarist Karl Logan is also a Kahler user.

External links

* [http://www.kahlerusa.com Official website]