The Original Fender 6-screw is virtually unchanged and stuck in time since Leo and Freddie invented it. Fender even use some of the tooling machines Leo designed to make the saddles. When the American Standard hit the market in 1987, it was a turning point for Fender with the 2-point tremolo. This was a redesign on the mount system of the unit and made the tremolo more fluid and stable with the knives edge pivot system.
Today, the 6-screw seems to be deemed as an obsolete unit by Fender themselves, and even the Mexico Strats where 6-screw was a standard up to a few years ago has gone over to the 2-point.
But the 6-Screw are still installed on Custom Shops, Signature models and Vintage reissues like AVRI models and Vintera. So it will still be available from Fender for a long time still.
A major step up in qualtiy is Bill Callaham´s units. He is probably the most well known 3rd party vintage tremolo manufacturers around.
You instantly feel the quality and difference when you hold a Callaham unit in your hand. Its solid, well built and machined.
Callaham put a great deal in keeping tolerance of their machining to strict levels. The action is more smoother and more precise on his tremolo unit. Mount holes aligned more perfectly for correct pivot. They have improved mounting of the tremolo arm featuring a Delrin bushing pressed into the Trem block to hold the arm more secure without slop.
Yet, it still has the same classic look and you can't really tell on distance what it is other than the CG stamps on his Saddles.
You can select between three lengths on the arm on order including the Gilmour-length.
A popular choice for many who want to upgrade.
Priced at $150 and up which is on par with Fender Prices, and features all sizes.
Callaham also makes replacements for Tele, Gibson and upgrades for Bigsby. They do not make 2-point tremolo's. Sold in UK trough Charles Guitar & Charlie Chandler or in Japan trough SoundHouse. You can also order trough Toneshapers in US
Wudtone is based in England. Compared to Callaham, they have taken the Fender bridge to further steps and added some more details for better action.
Wudtone offers a pivot base plate that the tremolo pivots on. Milled string holes and notched screw holes for the 6 screw that gives the screw heads more clearance. In other words, excellent machined for a more gently handling of action to clear all obstacles the comes in its way.
They are fairly expensive bridges as well at $250. They offer two models. The standard CP Vintage and the "Holy Grail" with added mass. Comes standard with Highwood saddles. Sold in U.S. trough BYO Guitar
The Kluson brand started making tremolos after the WD Music acquisition to expand the selection to more than just tuners. I would say, Kluson are on par with the USA made Fender units, but in machining, are very much the same. No bushing to eliminate slop of the arm or anything. Also has the same "mis-aligned" mounting holes. They do not feature the details of Callaham or Wudtone and they come fairly simple. What they can offer though, is a tremolo block in Aluminum for weight reduction (sold separately). I own one and the weight reduction is noticeable. Also, Tremolo plates are usually Chrome plated from most makers, but Kluson offer an all-Nickel unit as well. They also sells black and gold. They come at a reasonable price around $100.
Noteworthy to mention that their tremolo blocks fits Fender bridges as well if you wish to get a replacement block from Kluson.
Not surprising that Gotoh always makes the list. The japanese manufacturer makes almost every part of the Stratocaster. This bridge (GE101TS) has excellent machining and polished finish. Comes in dark chrome and gold as well. You can also find these in relic.
The mount holes are on similar to Callaham and Wudtone for excellent pivot. The downside is that its only available with vintage string spacing. For narrow string spacing you have to select the 510T-SF2 for the vintage look. (upside is a modern bushing-mount for the arm)
But these unit i can highly recommend. Excellent quality bridge for the money.
And the price? You can find these for as low as $50-$60 which is a steal.
Wilkinson is known to most. They offer an wide range of bridges for any guitar. Their most traditional designed bridge in their catalog is this model simply named "Year One" (WVS54) which i think was the first bridge Wilkinson ever designed. Trevor actually designed this with Leo Fender's support and input while he still was alive, although Freddie Tavares is the man credited to perfect it.
It is dubbed as a "simple recreation of the original design". On this unit, the mount holes are machined perfectly in line with the pivot axis to tilt more correctly just like Callaham and Wudtone does. But that is basically it. It features a standard threaded arm without Delrin bushing as Wilkinson is known for with other designs. Very simple but fairly pricey at $190. I would rather get a Callaham or save up for Wudtone instead.
This German maker is one many rarely consider, or cross path with.
Howerver, the ABM is a very high quality bridge with every part and screw being of top-end steel alloy. To quote them
Solid Cold Work Steel base plate with milled string guide
Cold Rolled Steel saddles with threaded Saddle-Screw-Flanks
Two custom made Torpedo-Knobs, without any edge
Hardenend mounting screws, staggered height
Tremolo block made of Cold Work Steel - threaded stainless steel tremolo arm with adjustable clearance
By the looks of them, The saddles looks very smooth made. Lovely curves. Germany is well known for being high ranked in steel works. One to consider. All sizes offered
Price is 169 Euro ($182).
Not technically a 6-screw but RR is advertising it as a "Improved Vintage Trem" so i will slip it trough the needle. If weight relief is on your table, then consider this one. The block, plate, saddles and Claw are machined out of titanium, which brings the unit to just 12oz (or 340gram).
The block has offset G&E string like Wilkinsons to compensate for Intonation being more in a correct breakage point.
The saddles are as close looking to bent steel as can be since Titanium can not be bent, they look more "Die-Cast" like, and like Wudtone, the plate has notched screwhead dents so it pivots more naturally without conflicting with the screw heads too much.
They decided to ditch the 2 middle screws as they thought that "they were not needed". That is fair enough
An exciting piece of unit to try.
The price is steep at $350. But consider that this is the ultimate next-level unit with a classic vintage look. (with some compromises)
They might ship overseas, for a while they did US Only.. contact them.
There are a few select budget bridges out on Ebay, Aliexpress and those types of places. These are cheap bridges, all Asian made. Click on the photo slide to reveal a few. Quality-wise, dont expect the best. Sloppy tolerance threading and such occurs.
Kaish ($24)
Musiclilly ($25)
Guitarfetish ($40) (USA)
Guyker ($19)
Wilkinson WVC-SB ($40)
Fleor ST (Japan 10.8 spacing)
Mighty Mite (USA/China)
There are many more unnamed tremolo´s on Ebay and other asian markets. But these are the dominating economy brands. (except Mighty Mite) Usually fitted on cheap guitars, Squiers or kit builds.
