You're correct! I decided to do a full dissection of the trem, and discovered that set screw. I also made a 3d model of the bridge(slightly modified), the model is here:
https://grabcad.com/library/kiesel-hipshot-style-tremolo-bridge-for-headless-guitars-scalable-1
I think the set screw is kind...
I've got the Helix floor, rescued it from a worship band for $1,100. Picked up a decent PA for $200 off CL, boom. Way nicer than lugging a halfstack around.
Ah yes, I should have specified. These are things I'm into:
Any headless Kiesel, pref SS frets
Any MIJ Ibanez
ESP Eclipse - Black and gold ones are my fav.
Gibson SG Std.
Electric Drums
Electric Cello
I'd have to agree with that. My first guitar was an early 2000's Yamaha. The fret job on it is pretty solid, I'd say on par with Prestige-series Ibanez. It was ~$400 in 2001, so that's probably the equivalent of a $600 guitar today.
Brief & Accurate Description of gear/guitar: USA Rusty Cooley model. EMG 707's. Has a bit of buckle rash, no rear cover plate. Has a bit of fret buzz when on the high register/high strings running a low action, probably needs a bit of leveling work. neck is flat and straight.
Modifications (if...
Gibson SG Gothic. I was enamored by SG's; had an Epiphone SG special at 14, and saved up to buy the REAL thing. Finally found a used Gothic SG on eBay. The thing was a yoooge POS. Firstly the case was moldy or something, it had an awful stale stench that would not go away. Tried baking soda...
Just a MIJ black and gold eclipse. Not really my ideal guitar specs wise, but the shiny gold bits contrasted on matte black bring out my inner raccoon.
So I decided to order my first 'custom' guitar last year. At the time there was no factory stock option that fit all my criteria. I decided on the Vader since it had a very innovative trem design, and my previous Carvin was an excellent sounding and playing guitar.
I put the order in for this...
Oh wow. Straplockgate. Now I'm doubting if my SS frets are in fact just plain old nickel..
But yeah:
1: Kiesel was totally ready to give me a shipping label
2. The strap buttons got delivered to my home mailbox
3, I'm not going to send away my new guitar for "repairs" when I had already waited...
Just an update. I made a bunch of these, got a good system dialed in. The models are all parametrically driven, so you just plug in the relevant measurements and boom. I sold like 3 of them on Reverb in 6 months though, so it's probably not a viable marketable product lol. If anyones interested...