Re: Looking for original TransTrem

[Sean Echevarria <sean@loomwebdesign.com>]

Hey Cara, The following is copied directly from the SteinbergerWorld 
website ( http://www.steinbergerworld.com/tt_tips.htm ).  They use frames 
and images of text so navigation can be a bit of a pain.  I found that URL 
on the technical info page at http://www.steinbergerworld.com/techinfo.htm 
.

:)


The first version of the TransTrem (now known as a Type1) was designed to 
use threaded ball ends in the bridge.  This allowed for the fine tuning of 
the transposing feature, as screwing the ball in or out moved the string 
up 
or down and thus varied the string length.  But with the luxury of 
hindsight, even Ned admits that it was not the most graceful solution.

The biggest complaint about this design came during string changes.  Once 
the trem was set up it worked great.  But the fine tuning part (the ball 
end) had to be removed and then reset again each time you changed a string.

After a few years Ned redesigned a version 2.0 trem (known as a Type2).  A 
major change was the addition of fine tunings jaws which separated the 
transposing adjustment from the ball end itself.  This allowed the use of 
regular ball ends for the manufacturers, and meant the fine transposing 
settings would remain set when the string was removed.  Retuning after 
string changes became much easier.   This Type2 TT was introduced in the 
late 80's, and all instruments manufactured up until production ended in 
1998 featured this upgraded design.

For previous owners Type 1 owners frustrated with threaded ball end 
strings 
Steinberger offered an upgrade.  You shipped your guitar (or just the 
bridge) to the factory, and they replaced the jaws and either re-milled or 
replaced the bridge top plate.  Bridges that have been upgraded are said 
to 
have the "trem retro mod".  For some this offers the best of both worlds: 
the milled steel components of the Type1 trems add tone and sustain and 
the 
Type2 intonating jaws ease the hassle of string changes.  Most trems were 
upgraded, and it's estimated perhaps less than a hundred original 
unmodified Type1 trems are still out there.  Since the plant is closed 
Gibson no longer offers the upgrade for older unmodified Type1 trems.

The pictures in this section should be a guide to what bridge you own.  If 
it's a Type2 or a Type1 "trem retro" then you've got the newer jaws and 
the 
standard sets of calibrated strings are what you order.  If you still have 
the original factory unmodified Type1 TT, then you must order threaded 
double ball-end calibrated strings.  Only LaBella makes these.


At 08:59 PM 03/09/23, Goddess wrote:
>   Hi Sean, what's the dif between type 1 and 2?  Thanks...
>
>Smiles,
>
>Cara