Author Topic: Zebrawood Exploiter guitar (Read 433 times)

crgaston · « **on:** May 28, 2006, 09:18:07 AM »

Don't see these very often...
exploiter

David Houck · « **Reply #1 on:** May 28, 2006, 05:39:38 PM »

Especially a brand new '84.

jalevinemd · « **Reply #2 on:** May 28, 2006, 05:59:38 PM »

I don't know. That headstock just doesn't work for me on an Explorer style body. Otherwise, it's a beautiful instrument.

David Houck · « **Reply #3 on:** May 28, 2006, 06:13:20 PM »

I just noticed the nut and bridge. I don't recall seeing these on an Alembic before; but then I have an unreliable memory.

tom_z · « **Reply #4 on:** May 28, 2006, 09:12:45 PM »

Dave, the California Special has a similar nut and bridge.

jalevinemd · « **Reply #5 on:** May 28, 2006, 09:29:27 PM »

It's a Kahler. They fell off the face of the planet after Floyd Rose basically cornered the market during the hair metal invasion. My '82 Charvel had a Kahler trem, though. I know they've been trying to make a bit of a comeback of late with Kerry King as their poster child.

David Houck · « **Reply #6 on:** May 29, 2006, 06:40:27 AM »

Tom; when I first saw it I thought of the California Special, but then what threw me off was that, if I recall correctly, California Specials have a large cavity cover on the back to access the springs. The second thing that caught my eye was that on this particular guitar the nut is not brass. So this must have been a special order guitar.

jalevinemd · « **Reply #7 on:** May 29, 2006, 06:57:33 AM »

Dave,

If you notice, there's no hole for the tremolo arm. This is one of Kahler's fixed bridges. Hence, no need for any springs in the back.

Regards,

Jonathan

David Houck · « **Reply #8 on:** May 29, 2006, 07:14:10 AM »

Yes, I was wondering how you attached the arm! So the advantage here is the locking tuning?

jalevinemd · « **Reply #9 on:** May 29, 2006, 07:27:01 AM »

Yes, though with locking tuners available, I never understood why someone would disfigure a guitar with a large fixed, bridge like this. Other than the ability to fine tune, I don't see any advantage.

bluplirst · « **Reply #10 on:** May 29, 2006, 07:47:48 AM »

Actually, the hole for the tremelo arm is right behind the saddle for the high E string. I had one of these on a guitar for a while. It really worked great and was very adjustable. I wish I had the cash for this guitar.

Dan

jalevinemd · « **Reply #11 on:** May 29, 2006, 08:17:30 AM »

I stand corrected.

trekster · « **Reply #12 on:** May 30, 2006, 05:25:03 AM »

Jalevinemd -- those type of Kahler trems never had standard back springs -- it's a top mount unit the has a route underneath the bridge that doesnt go thru the whole body. The springs (which are very short) are attached from the cam arm (where the strings are attached) to a claw on the underside of the bridge. You could adjust the tension of the springs via a allen screw on the cam arm.

Just before Kahler went out, they did make a Floyd-style trem that used the trem cavity we all know..but it was just an attempt to recapture the market. Didn't work.

jalevinemd · « **Reply #13 on:** May 30, 2006, 10:04:58 AM »

You're right. Now that I think about it, my old Charvel didn't have springs in the back body. It's been a long time since I owned that guitar.

phylo · « **Reply #14 on:** May 30, 2006, 10:28:36 AM »

Speaking of Charvel... I recently had my model 6 resurrected, replaced the jackson active pickups with DiMarzios and now that baby cooks! I can't believe I left it in the case for 10+ years. I think it plays better than my friends custom PRS! The tremelo system works great - once you get it in tune, it stays there. Totally under rated.