80s ESP trem replacement options

[Chris]

This thing here is checking quite a few boxes for me:

https://reverb.com/item/38715308-esp-standard-mirage-deluxe-1984-1990-black

But I know that trem will be a hot mess. What fits in there?

[Nick]

Wtf even is that?!

[Blazon_Stone]

It's called Sinclair, ESP used them on their early guitars

[Ken]

Ooooo. 5 springs.

Good luck, brother man! May have to bust out some tools to shoehorn something else in there.

[bigdave]

https://g-gotoh.com/images/GE1996T-Dim.jpg

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...Dimensions.jpg

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=...AAAAAdAAAAABAF

I think your good with a OFR or a Gotoh.... but check close

[bigdave]

Shit.... I had the Sinclair drawing link and its gone now ? Post separation was 74mm like the others but I dunno what happened to my link

[Chris]

It's called Sinclair, ESP used them on their early guitars

Yeah you're right. I knew about the Sinclairs but in my head they looked different than this.

Maybe a decent candidate for an Evertune...

[Blazon_Stone]

Oh dead lawrd.

Someone asked me to install Evertune on a guitar with recessed Floyd Rose.
I did it. But never again

[Mike]

Yeah you're right. I knew about the Sinclairs but in my head they looked different than this.

Maybe a decent candidate for an Evertune...

If you destroy that beautiful piece of work with an Evertune I will use every available mode of transportation to come and slap you.

I've seen Gotoh Floyds on guitars that had Synclairs. The slight post difference is why they have that one side that's a straight blade, IIRC:

[Blazon_Stone]

One straight blade is good for easy compatability, but it can still be out-of-center depending on C-C

[Bloody_Inferno]

Maybe a decent candidate for an Evertune...

An Evertune retrofit? You monster.

Gotoh 1996T or bust.

[jacksonplayer]

The Synclair is actually a quality trem, from what I understand, and this one comes with the bar (which is a non-standard part).

Why plan to fix something before you know it's broken?

If you do need to replace the trem, my limited understanding is that the post spacing is the same as an OFR (that was the case on my old '80s The Mirage Custom that had been OFR retrofitted). However, the problem is that you'll have to modify the recess to fit the larger OFR base plate. It's unfortunate that ESP chose a weird baseplate shape back then and then routed the body specifically to fit it.

[Nemesis9K]

That's sweet looking

[Greg McCoy]

This thing here is checking quite a few boxes for me:

https://reverb.com/item/38715308-esp-standard-mirage-deluxe-1984-1990-black

But I know that trem will be a hot mess. What fits in there?

The Sinclair, terrible trem. The non recessed ESPs are better for that reason, you can replace the trem with anything, I replaced mine with a Schaller. The Sinclair is ugly as fuck, has a terrible route, and is terrible functionally.

[Greg McCoy]

The Synclair is actually a quality trem, from what I understand, and this one comes with the bar (which is a non-standard part).

Why plan to fix something before you know it's broken?

If you do need to replace the trem, my limited understanding is that the post spacing is the same as an OFR (that was the case on my old '80s The Mirage Custom that had been OFR retrofitted). However, the problem is that you'll have to modify the recess to fit the larger OFR base plate. It's unfortunate that ESP chose a weird baseplate shape back then and then routed the body specifically to fit it.

You are definitely misremembering the Sinclair, especially considering the Kahler Spyder was the trendy terrible 80s trem that replaced an I with a Y to look edgy.

Post spacing is standard though, you can replace them with a Schaller or OFR drop in. On the unrecessed models obviously.

[jacksonplayer]

You are definitely misremembering the Sinclair, especially considering the Kahler Spyder was the trendy terrible 80s trem that replaced an I with a Y to look edgy.

Post spacing is standard though, you can replace them with a Schaller or OFR drop in. On the unrecessed models obviously.

What are the functional problems with the Sinclair? I thought I had read that they are decent if you get one that isn't beat to hell or missing the bar.

My worst experience with off-brand Floyds was the oddball one that came with my old Washburn EC-36. It had saddle clamps that made palm-muting almost impossible, and the saddles widths weren't compatible with Floyd ones--so I ended up finding a less-deluxe comtemporary Washburn trem to cannibalize for saddles that would fit.

[Greg McCoy]

What are the functional problems with the Sinclair? I thought I had read that they are decent if you get one that isn't beat to hell or missing the bar.

You haven't had one? I thought you had a Mirage where you replaced it with an OFR?

It's just not that good IMO. Roughly comparable to a Spyder. They don't hold tune that well. The baseplate is also "weighty" and sluggish feeling, like you get on a lot of non standard weird 80s off brand trems. It's kind of thick and unwieldly, not super responsive IMO.





I don't think the baseplate is hardened steel, I don't know if it's something super shitty like low quality zinc or not, but it's not hardened steel. You see more pitting on them than OFRs of comparable age, that is for sure. It's not the worst out there, but unless it's pristine, most of them have at least some pitting indicative of a lower quality softer metal.

I think I either gave mine away or still have it somewhere actually.

[lespauled]

I had a Sinclair on my first run ESP Lynch Sunburst Tiger. A Floyd will NOT fit in it. It was routed for the Sinclair only. If the edge dull, you might have to try and sharpen it, and the reheat it to harden the edges. At the time, I couldn't find parts. Maybe they're available these days. It's been a while.

[Darren]

Lawsuit headstock?

[jacksonplayer]

You haven't had one? I thought you had a Mirage where you replaced it with an OFR?

A previous owner did that before I got it. The routing job to fit the OFR baseplate was more enthusiastic than competent, but it was an awesome guitar regardless. Wish I'd kept it, if for no other reason than the stupid prices they are selling for now.

[Greg McCoy]

A previous owner did that before I got it. The routing job to fit the OFR baseplate was more enthusiastic than competent, but it was an awesome guitar regardless. Wish I'd kept it, if for no other reason than the stupid prices they are selling for now.

That's why you have to go for the unrecessed ones with the neck angle, no need for routing.

[Mike]

That's why you have to go for the unrecessed ones with the neck angle, no need for routing.

The one in the pic is a bolt-on. Floyded goodness is only a shim away!

[Kagami]

The route needs to be widened but the posts spacing is the same. I put a schaller and mine and cranked the posts up some, I should get it fixed or shim the neck but I'm lazy. I'd also like to replace it on my horizon but I've sidelined that for a long time lol.

[Alan]

Back from the dead...... thought I remembered a post here regarding these trems... I might have a mystery ESP here at the house now with a top mounted Sinclair and it definitely doesn't stay in tune real well. Are there any replacement posts that will fit the Sinclair bushings? I've found mentions of a Jackson set that drop right in, but I can't find them for sale anywhere.