I have a Schecter C-1 Classic, and I absolutely love it. Not much of a reputation, but these guitars are great, just the sheer quality for the price is unbeatable. Anyways, just about my only gripe about this guitar is the lack of a tremolo. Now, don't get me wrong, I love the string-through design, but having a tremolo just opens up so many possibilities.

I've pondered the possibility of getting a new guitar for a long time, but I don't want to waste money on another guitar that I don't need (can't afford it anywho), so I don't want to just pick up a guitar that I won't use for a long time. On the other hand, I've thought about investing in a higher-end or custom guitar, that will hopefully be in use for most of my life. But realistically, I know I won't be able to afford one for quite a while. Besides, I really do love the feel of the guitar, and it's definitely worth investing in. So, I've decided to check out installing a tremolo.

Now, I've heard that installing a Floyd Rose on a string-through guitar is just about catastrophic, the work/cost required is massive. I've been wondering about Kahler bridges, though. My uncle has an old Carvin with a Kahler and I just love the feel of it! I don't have much experience with tremolos, but I actually much prefer the feel of the Kahlers I've tried to Floyd Roses. Now, I think that Kahlers can be installed on carved top guitars, and with only top routing, right? So, does anybody who has some experience with Kahlers know difficult/how damaging would it be to install one on this guitar?

Also, does anybody with experience in both Kahlers and Floyd Roses have any opinions about these, which are better for different things, or which they prefer? I'm mostly interested in using the bar for vibrato, from gentle chord vibrato to some wild, crazy, half-step-or-more vibrato (a la Greg Howe), and melodic usage (stuff like Vai). And of course, being able to dive bomb or make it scream without it dropping out of tune is a plus.

Finally, about locking nuts. I'm sure they are a great help in keeping the guitar in tune, but wouldn't sticking of of these on have a pretty nasty impact on your tone, or your sustain?

Thank you in advance!

Doesn't Kahler have some detailed descriptions on wether they fit on carved tops or not? If I remember well a carved top would work. Check to see, they must have assembly instructions on the net.

About installing a FR in a string through, I don't know if it's catastrophic or not. Same with Kahler, don't know. But as a rule, anything is possible.
What I can guarantee is that the tone you have today in your string through will never ever ever ever be the same when you have a Kahler or Floyd rose. They are tone suckers if anything.

Not to rain on your parade but I wouldn't go through with it because of you'd get less good tone. Better spend the money on a nice stomp box.
I thought I should mention the tone issue since you were worried about just that with the locking nuts.

I wouldn't do it. The cost involved along with the fact that you have then lost your string- thru makes it a better idea to save for a Schecter, say, that has a Floyd.