Guitars with non recessed Floyd Rose

[OmegaSlayer]

Guys, please feed me with guitars that have a non recessed Floyd
I don't like to keep my guitars in drop tunings, as I don't use them often, so the genious idea is to purchase 3 guitars with Floyd and D-Tuna and keep them in E-Eb-D standard and have the chance to flip them into Drop tuning when I need.
So, except the Wolfgang (that is on my purchase list), what other guitars with non recessed Floyd are reasonable to find on second hand market at a reasonable price (which means no Caparison LOL)
I'm brand and shape agnostic, that's a matter of function over looks
Thanks in advance

 

[ThomasUV777]

Can't you just get some tremol-no's? You can still push the floyd down (because really, how often does one pull it up from 0-point position? You ain't Treybag Darrelthoth!) and you can still easily droptune.

I know that's not answering the question directly BUT it is function over looks ;-)

 

[Nightside]

Check out the old Esp Mirage models from the 80s. 80s Jacksons. 80s Fernandes. The recessed thing didn't really take hold until the end of the 80s and early 90s.

Jackson Adrian Smith is top mounted.

Or you could just order a custom Jackson or Esp and specify to not recess the trem.

 

[Boojakki]

Charvel Super Stock Model 1888​

 

[DarthV]

EBMM Axis, but good finding one cheap nowadays :/

 

[HeHasTheJazzHands]

Some of the Kramers do. I think some Charvels as well?

 

[grimmchaos]

LTD M1 '87 is top mount as well. Keep in mind you will have to put a trem stop in the back of it to prevent the floyd from damaging the top of the finish. Unless it's some sort of relic guitar, you don't really want the floyd bouncing off the top. You could also shim the back of the neck pocket of a bolt on recessed guitar, and then raise the Floyd appropriately. Still need a trem stop though.

Top mount are my favorite by far. I have a couple late 80's ESP Mirages, a weird 90's ESP Horizon, an 87 Soloist, and a Grover Jackson KV that are all top mount. Feels better under my hands too.

 

[Surveyor 777]

Kramer Nightswans are top mount (and 24.75" scale). I think you can get those used at a pretty reasonable price.

If I remember correctly, the Kramer Jersey Star is also top mount.

I have those two (but haven't played them in a while) - but there may be other Kramers (less expensive) as well.

You already mentioned the Wolfgang. I have a Standard and a Special - from what I remember the Standard is top mount but I think the Special had a little bit of a recess - not much, but not perfectly flat top-mount. Maybe due to the carved top?

 

[eaeolian]

The EVH guitars are all top mount and most actually come with the D-Tuna already, since the trem isn't floating. They are essentially the same quality as the Mexican Charvels, since I believe they're made in the same factory. Most of the 2011 and earlier Charvels are top mount, too.

 

[gabito]

Any Floyd equipped guitar is non recessed if you have enough batteries, nickels, or wood available. Also glue and some patience

All my guitars become dive-only in a matter of minutes that way (I actually used zip ties because that's the easiest way with Edge Zero tremolos).

I also own a Wolfgang (which you mentioned), and it's great if a bit clunky compared to the Ibanez guitars I own. Most if not all of the guitars related to EVH in some way will be dive-only because that's what the guy liked and used.

Plenty of early to mid 80s guitars are dive-only too.

 

[somethingsomething]

A non-recessed Floyd isn't just about setting it up dive-only, it also feels different. I personally prefer anchoring my hand on a non-recessed Floyd vs. a recessed one.

OP also mentioned wanting to install D-Tuna on these guitars, which often isn't easy to do on a recessed Floyd even if you block it.

Following with interest because non-recessed Floyd is superior to recessed. Fight me.

 

[eaeolian]

Any Floyd equipped guitar is non recessed if you have enough batteries, nickels, or wood available. Also glue and some patience

All my guitars become dive-only in a matter of minutes that way (I actually used zip ties because that's the easiest way with Edge Zero tremolos).

I also own a Wolfgang (which you mentioned), and it's great if a bit clunky compared to the Ibanez guitars I own. Most if not all of the guitars related to EVH in some way will be dive-only because that's what the guy liked and used.

Plenty of early to mid 80s guitars are dive-only too.

Very few are dive-only, most are floating. Topmount != flushmount, which is what the EVHs, Wolfies and Axis are. Almost all of my topmount guitars have stabilizers and can be pulled up.

If the OP prefers recessed, there's options like stabilizers and the Tone Vise drop tuner that will work in a recess.

 

[Shask]

A non-recessed Floyd isn't just about setting it up dive-only, it also feels different. I personally prefer anchoring my hand on a non-recessed Floyd vs. a recessed one.

OP also mentioned wanting to install D-Tuna on these guitars, which often isn't easy to do on a recessed Floyd even if you block it.

Following with interest because non-recessed Floyd is superior to recessed. Fight me.

Yeah, top mounted Floyds feel different. They sit higher off the body and need an angled neck. I think they feel more like playing a TOM bridge than a recessed Floyd, if you are used to that feel.

My first thought was Wolfgangs and older Charvels. These are the top mounted guitars I own.

 

[Nightside]

How about top mount but with a pull up cavity like the old 90s Charvels? I really want to try that out.

Very few are dive-only, most are floating. Topmount != flushmount, which is what the EVHs, Wolfies and Axis are. Almost all of my topmount guitars have stabilizers and can be pulled up.

If the OP prefers recessed, there's options like stabilizers and the Tone Vise drop tuner that will work in a recess.

Can you do very much pulling up with a top mount Floyd?

 

[jaxadam]

Charvel Model 6, Caparison TAT II.

 

[rifftrauma]

Wild West Guitar has a fairly continuous flow of Strats with non-recessed Floyds. They call them the Black and White Lightnings, always wanted to grab one.

WWG White Lightning - Electric Guitars - Wild West Guitars

wildwestguitars.com

 

[eaeolian]

How about top mount but with a pull up cavity like the old 90s Charvels? I really want to try that out.

Can you do very much pulling up with a top mount Floyd?

Half to a whole step, depending on the way the trem cavity is cut.

 

[eaeolian]

Charvel Model 6, Caparison TAT II.

I forgot about the Caparisons. All but the newest ones are up pretty high, they have the '90s Japan Charvel cut.

 

[eaeolian]

Wild West Guitar has a fairly continuous flow of Strats with non-recessed Floyds. They call them the Black and White Lightnings, always wanted to grab one.

WWG White Lightning - Electric Guitars - Wild West Guitars

wildwestguitars.com

Wow, those are absurdly expensive.