Welcome to Best Tremolo Stabilizer.
You came to my Best Tremolo Stabilizer article because you are having a problem with your tremolo getting out of tune.
My review will guide you in choosing the best tremolo stabilizer in the Market.
With my experience, I consider the Rockinger Black Box Tremolo Stabilizer as the Best Tremolo Stabilizer available in the Market.
I have been modifying my guitars as well as my clients for more than 17 years.
This stabilizer will provide you unprecedented tuning stability even after deep dive bombs and pull-ups.
If you are using a Floyd Rose Tremolo equipped guitar, this stabilizer is the best Floyd Rose Tremolo Stabilizer.
I have listed here the available tremolo stabilizers online for comparison. It will be updated from time to time, so check for updates.
Table of Contents
- What is a Tremolo Stabilizer?
- What are the available Tremolo Stabilizers in the Market?
- Rockinger Black Box Tremolo Stabilizer
- Tremolo Stopper
- Tremol-no Tremolo Stabilizer
- Hipshot Tremsetter
- Tremolo Stabilizer
- ESP Arming Adjuster
- Conclusion
What is a Tremolo Stabilizer?
A floating tremolo is a headache when it goes out of tune. It happens when the tremolo will not go back to the zero point once it is disturbed.
The zero point is the exact position of the tremolo where the strings are tuned. It is where the tension of the strings matched the precise tension of the springs.
When you disturb that balance, either by pulling up or pushing down the tremolo bar, it should go back to the zero point once the tremolo bar is released.
A perfect tremolo system should always go back to the zero point once the tremolo bar is released.
This feat is somewhat a challenge to achieve on a full floating tremolo bridge because there are so many factors that would cause the tremolo not to go back to its zero point.
As you can see in the picture above, the tone block is resting on the Black Box Tremolo Stabilizer. At this point, the Black Box Tremolo Stabilizer is working like a tremolo stopper.
When you dive-bomb, it is not connected to the tone block, and when you release the tremolo arm, the tone block will sit again on the Rockinger Black Box Tremolo Stabilizer, thereby enforcing that zero point.
The spring on the Rockinger Black Box Stabilizer allows you to do pull-ups.
The spring will compress when you do pull-ups and when you release the tremolo arm, the Black Box Tremolo Stabilizer has a mechanism that will make the rod the same exact length, thereby preserving the zero point.
The spring tension is adjustable if you desire to have a rigid stabilization or if your system just requires only a slight stabilization.
What are the available Tremolo Stabilizers in the Market?
There are plenty of stabilizers out there to keep the tremolo stabilized. They are the:
- Rockinger Black Box Tremolo Stabilizer
- Tremolo Stopper
- Tremol-no Tremolo Stabilizer
- Hipshot Tremsetter
- Tremolo Stabilizer
- ESP Arming Adjuster
Rockinger Black Box Tremolo Stabilizer
Of all the available tremolo stabilizers in the Market, I highly recommend the Rockinger Black Box Tremolo Stabilizer.
Rockinger Black Box Tremolo Stabilizer
(Best Tremolo Stabilizer)
The Rockinger Black Box Tremolo Stabilizer is by far the best-designed stabilizer in the Market. It always goes back to the zero point.
It is like a Tremolo Stopper but compressible using a spring, which in turn allows pull-ups.
The ability for a tremolo stabilizer to put back the floating tremolo to its zero point is the primary factor for the selection as the best tremolo stabilizer available in the Market.
A zero point is the neutral point where all the strings are tuned to their desired pitch. Once the tremolo is moved in any direction, the strings will be detuned.
Once you release the tremolo, it should go back to its original position. This position is the zero point.
This feature is the advantage of the Black Box Tremolo Stabilizer. It will make the tremolo always go back to its zero point.
One point to note also is that when you dive bomb, The Black Box Tremolo Stabilizer is not connected to the tone block of the tremolo.
This factor also makes it the Best Tremolo Stabilizer in the Market as of this writing.
Click here for the full review
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Tremolo Stopper
The Tremolo Stopper is a good tremolo stabilizer if you go dive bomb only. It is because you have a fixed zero point as the tremolo tone block sits on the tremolo stopper.
Since this is a blocking device, a pull-up is not possible, which is, to some players is not practical.
It also adds sustain to your tone as it adds more contact point between the body of the guitar and the tremolo tone block.
It is an excellent device to put the tremolo in a stabilized position while doing string change or setting the string action.
Tremol-No Tremolo Stabilizer
The Tremol-no Stabilizer could be set up as full floating, dive only, or hardtail.
It is a good idea that a device could make a tremolo-equipped guitar transformed into a hardtail guitar.
The additional feature that it can also be selected as a dive bomb only, which in effect is also working like a Tremolo Stopper, is also a good idea.
No holes have to be drilled, and it is actually a drop-in device. It is also a useful device to stabilize the tremolo while changing strings or setting up the intonation and action.
The only problem with this is when you select full floating. There is nothing to stabilize the tremolo on this mode, and it is a dreadful idea.
You are left at the mercy of the stability of your tremolo, which is not a good idea since this the reason why we have to install a tremolo stabilizer because floating tremolos are not stable.
Now, this tremolo stabilizer is perfect when paired with a Black Box Tremolo Stabilizer. Install it side by side with the black box, and you will have three options.
You can have a hardtail bridge, a dive-only tremolo, and a full floating tremolo with the Black Box as the stabilizer.
Hipshot Tremsetter
The Hipshot Tremsetter is a full floating stabilizer. The only problem with this tremolo stabilizer is that it creates a lot of noise because the tremolo stabilizer is connected all the time to the tone block.
It is also very hard to dial the zero point. You also have to do a lot of drilling. What I also hate is the fact that you have to drill a cavity for the long rod into the body of your guitar.
Now that’s not what I can consider a drop-in upgrade.
Tremolo Stabilizer
Tremolo Stabilizer is just a rod connected to the spring claw, and when you pull up, the rod will prevent the tremolo spring from compressing, and the spring claw will move instead.
When you release the tremolo bar, the spring claw will move back to its original position, trying to go back to the zero point.
Sometimes it will not go back to the zero point because the spring claw will not be in its original position on the screw head.
It is a very rudimentary design and not consistent. The only thing that is good about this tremolo stabilizer is there are no holes are to be drilled.
ESP Arming Adjuster
This tremolo stabilizer is a close second to the Black Box Tremolo Stabilizer. The Japanese have made a good innovation.
What I really like about this design from a guitar technician’s point of view, is the ease of installation.
They have made the mounting screws visible, so you do not have to disassemble the stabilizer to install it.
Some people will hate it because it will add bulkiness, unlike the Rockinger Black Box, where it is very compact in design.
It is also made of brass, which we know is a very musical metal.
Conclusion
I consider the Rockinger Black Box Tremolo Stabilizer as the best tremolo stabilizer in the Market. Following very close is the ESP arming Adjuster with its easy installation.
Both of them will do the job, but a certain factor of one will stand out over the other, but the Rockinger is the certain winner of the two being mentioned.
So there you go, if there are concerns or any questions you may want to ask, please feel free to drop a comment below.
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Hello Everyone,
I am Belden but friends call me Den, and I am the owner of this Website.
I have finally quit my job in Aviation as my online business is giving me financial freedom.
I love doing this online business as I love to help people quit their day job and do things they really love.
You will mostly find me hanging out at the coolest site to learn anything about online business.
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What about the Trem-Endus? Looks very similar to the ESP model. Back box does looks good, but the Trem-Endus is more available in the US. Any opinions on this model? https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FRTES–floyd-rose-frtes-trem-endus-tremolo-stabilizer?mrkgadid=1000000&mrkgcl=28&mrkgen=gdsa&mrkgbflag=0&mrkgcat=guitars&acctid=21700000001645388&dskeywordid=39700065529673164&lid=39700065529673164&ds_s_kwgid=58700007302028581&device=c&network=g&matchtype=b&adpos=largenumber&locationid=9028713&creative=538076596752&targetid=aud-297527862170:dsa-1460500203757&campaignid=6730319005&awsearchcpc=1&gclsrc=aw.ds&gclid=CjwKCAjwh5qLBhALEiwAioodsyNh6LsNYsmSTt7RC3gsbUyxQv2snAsLNDVCzkQX0Q8hLCFhaTswOxoCk3sQAvD_BwE
Hi Dean,
The Trem-Endus is a good tremolo stabilizer. I agree with you that the Black Box is better but it is not readily available in the US. The Trem-Endus is not far behind plus it is a Floyd Rose product. You can never go wrong with a Floyd Rose product.
Thanks for the comments,
Den
Thank you for your information.
Have you used the Super-Vee Mag-Lok Tremolo Anti-Deflection Device?
Johnny Hilland and some other country guitarists are recommending it.
I have narrowed my choices to the Super Vee and the Rockinger?
Thank you for answering my question
Hi Scott,
Sorry for the late reply. The Mag-Lok will definitely keep your guitar in tune once the magnet is engaged. The problem is you cannot flutter and you can feel it when the magnet is disengaged.
Thanks for the comments,
Den
Have you tried the Floyd Rose fRTES Trem -Endus stabilizer? If so, how does it compare to the Rockinger?
Hi Ross,
The ESP Arming Adjuster, the Trem-Endus, and the Rockinger Black Box Tremolo stabilizer are all excellent tremolo stabilizers.
The Trem-Endus design is very much similar to the ESP arming Adjuster.
The Rockinger design is in my opinion, much more polished or professional so to speak.
I don’t mind if it is harder to install it because of the two partially hidden mounting screws.
Those two partially hidden mounting screws make the stabilizer look sleeker.
So to answer your question, I will pick the Rockinger over the Trem-endus even though the latter is from a very well-known brand, which is Floyd Rose.
Thank you for your comments,
Den
Does the Black Box Tremolo Stabilizer keep the guitar in tune if a string breaks?
Hi Mike,
There is a spring tension adjustment on the black box stabilizer. The more tension, the more stability. If you have set it to high tension, it will not get out of tune when a string breaks.
There is a drawback though, it will be harder to pull the tremolo with more tension. There should be a balance between string break protection and ease of play. You will get it right as go along.
It will do the job if set properly.
Thanks for the comments,
Den
Hello, thanks for your precise and clear review about the Best Tremolo Stabilizer. You recommend the Black Box Tremolo Stabilizer as the best. I agree with your recommendation as I found that it has the best design feature compared to the other stabilizers you listed in this article. This is a very thorough review, thanks
Hi,
The Black Box Tremolo Stabilizer is the best tremolo stabilizer available in the market. It serves the purpose as a tremolo stop and on top of that it has an adjustable tension springs so you can still do pull ups.
Thanks for the comments,
Den
Nice review about Tremolo Stabilizers. You highly recommend the Black Box Tremolo Stabilizer over the others. Your recommendation is valid as it works as a trem stop while allowing some pull ups. Very neat design and functionality. Is the spring tension on this stabilizer adjustable? Thanks for the thorough and detailed information.
Hi,
The Black Box Tremolo Stabilizer is the best tremolo stabilizer available in the market. It’s design and functionality is unsurpassed. Yes, the spring tension is adjustable if you want a firmer tremolo or just slight stabilization.
Thanks for the comments,
Den
Hello!
Your website is great, especially for those who are as passionate about guitars as you are! This particular comment is based on your review of the Best Tremolo Stabilizer. I see you recommend Black Box Tremolo Stabilizer as the best tremolo stabilizer. I agree with your recommendation as it is the one with the best design and functionality. I would have liked to see some video to compliment your words. Sometimes I get lost in what I am reading and that’s where a video would help out.
Hi Scott,
Yes the Black Box Tremolo Stabilizer is the best tremolo stabilizer available in the market. I will add some videos soon.
Thanks for the comments,
Den
It’s been a while since I was involved in the tech world of guitar. I need to break mine back out. You recommend the Black Box Tremolo Stabilizer over the other models. It looks like a great design and pretty simple to install. Do you recommend having it installed by a professional?
Thanks,
Mitch
Hi Mitch,
I highly recommend the Black Box Tremolo Stabilizer, and I even call it the best tremolo stabilizer. I think you need to have a guitar technician to install it. I did all the installation on my guitars and on my customer’s guitars without removing the tremolo. There is a trick on how to do it which involves disassembling the Black Box for access. I have installed a lot of these stabilizers.
Thanks for the comments,
Den
Nice work, Den. You are teaching me once again. I didn’t know these existed. I assume this stabilizer can be added to older guitars to help keep them in tune?
Do some guitars ship with this sort of feature now? It reminds me a bit function-wise of those Floyd Rose clamping bridges.
Hi Geoff,
This stabilizer will keep the tremolo equipped guitars in tune. This is an upgrade and no brand new guitar comes with this stabilizer pre-installed.
Thanks for the comments,
Den
Good information and I’m glad I now know the tremolo stabilizer to get! I tend to collect guitars and now that I’m getting back into playing the ones I have I have a feeling I will end up getting another electric guitar I can use this on. Thanks for the detailed review!
Hi Jamie,
Nice to know you like to collect guitars. I really appreciate that you find my article useful. That is the main objective of this website. To share my knowledge about guitars to other players.
Thanks for the comments,
Den
A guitar with a floating tremolo is very hard to tune. I use a tuner that I had to go to every single string and test whether it was in tune using the device. I had to do that too many times, because when you tune one the other strings are affected. I wish I have this Black Box Tremolo Stabilizer which you claim is the best tremolo stabilizer in the market. It could have helped me tune the guitar easier and keep it in tune.
Hi, Nathan,
The Black Box Tremolo Stabilizer, which I consider as the best tremolo stabilizer in the market will really stabilize the floating tremolo of the guitar, during string changes and tuning. During tuning the other strings will not change pitch because the tremolo will not move, as it is being stabilized by the Black Box Tremolo Stabilizer.
A floating tremolo without a stabilizer will move when you tune one string , thereby those other strings will get out of tune. After you tune one, and tuned another you will find that when you go to the first one you just tuned, it is out of tune again. If you are inexperienced, it will take you a very long time. The Black Box Tremolo Stabilizer will solve that.
That is just one function of the Black Box Tremolo Stabilizer. The other function which is very important and it became famous with, is to put back the floating tremolo to the same position where all the strings are tuned, after you move the tremolo bar whether up or down and released. The strings will keep in tune even if you play with the tremolo bar or the whammy as some players call it.
Thanks for the comments,
Den
Thanks for the great review! Glad to know that the Black Box Tremolo Stabilizer is the best tremolo stabilizer in the market. It’s nice to have professionals sharing information about this,making sure we get quality products! My cousin needs one installed on his tremolo equipped guitar. I will pass this information to him and for sure he will appreciate this article.
Thanks,
Eric
Hi Eric,
The Black Box Tremolo Stabilizer is the best tremolo stabilizer available in the market. There are so many tremolo stabilizers available in the market but this is the best in terms of design, build quality and functionality. I have tried all of those tremolo stabilizers but they fail comparably to the Black Box Tremolo Stabilizer. None of those even come close to the Black Box Tremolo Stabilizer.
Thanks for the comments,
Den
When I was a teenager, I used to play an electric guitar with a full floating trem. I remember it was one of the Ibanez RG series line of guitars. It was really fun to play, until I actually had to re-string it.
I did not have any of the tremolo stoppers that you have reviewed. So I had to use a makeshift metal stopper to help stabilize the trem while re-stringing. Your review has helped me a lot, and I will surely consider your points when looking for a tremolo stabilizer in the future.
Great review!
Hi, Farhan,
A Tremolo Stopper will not make your guitar full floating. It is usable only for dive bombs and of course when changing strings. The Black Box Tremolo Stabilizer which I considered as the Best Tremolo Stabilizer is like a Tremolo Stopper with an added twist. Your Tremolo is still floating and changing strings is no problem.
Thanks for the comments,
Den
I never realized the guitar was affected by the tremolo in all the years I played guitars. It has me wondering which guitars provide the best design. I never actually had that much regard for the tremolo bar which makes me rethink the whole idea of it’s use after reading this. It is certainly an area for the professional who uses his guitar’s tremolo to comment on. I appreciate the information.
Hi,Ronald!
A tremolo equipped guitar is more fun to use than a guitar with a fixed bridge as long as the tremolo is stabilized. The only drawback with the tremolo is when it causes tuning problems.
Thanks for the comments,
Den
Thanks for such an extended tremolo stabilizer overview. Today I have almost forgotten how to play guitar, but years ago I was an active guitar player and remember how annoying was string tuning. My son plays guitar and is addicted to computerized sound mixing and so. I think that your post will be interesting for him and will forward it.
Thanks
Hi, Andre!
Tremolo Stabilizers really solved a lot of tuning problems. Tremolos are very fun to use as long as it is stabilized.Yes your son might be interested in some upgrades on my website. I’ll be glad to welcome him.
Thanks for the comments,
Den