
WV6 R SERIES
VINTAGE VALUES, MODERN TECHNOLOGY
WV6R VIBRATO
The Wilkinson R series is our most comprehensive range of
Vibrato bridges. The R series offers many of the upgrades that Trev Wilkinson has conceived to give you the best possible performance in a modern vibrato unit, while still retaining the essence of the original vibrato bridge created in the 1950’s.
R SERIES KEY FEATURES
5 saddle types, Brass, Stainless Steel, Threaded bar, Bent Steel, Wilkinson.
3 different knife edges, VS 2 pivot, Wave 2 pivot, 5+1 knife edge.
Billet steel block with stagger pattern and deep drill.
Total control vibrato arm system.
INNOVATIONS
The WV6-R Series vibrato is the closest relation to the original 1950’s unit in look but with all the Wilkinson innovations included. The WVP6’s Six barrel nickel plated bent steel saddles are manufactured to original spec and offer that classic vintage look and sparkle associated with this style of saddle, the same applies to the top plate which matches the classic vintage specifications as close as possible.
Developed on the groundbreaking Wilkinson VSV vibrato the
WV6 also features our unique stagger drilling pattern which achieves a more consistent break angle for the strings over the intonation point, this feature combined with our deep drilled billet steel block aids considerably in the goal of creating a much more stable vibrato system and ultimately a more in tune instrument.
TOTAL CONTROL
The Total control vibrato arm system is full of Wilkinson developed innovations that offer the player the ability to set the arm tension and arm height perfectly to their preferred feel. The internally threaded stainless-steel arm is anchored at the bottom of the vibrato arm hole by a matching thread screw/bolt, and held perfectly in the delrin sleeve that is inserted into the block and which can be tensioned from the rear of the block, the stability of this system gives the player instantaneous control with no arm lag.
REENGINEERING HISTORY
The knife edge of the traditional vibrato developed by Leo Fender in the early 1950’s is the anchor point of the system. At this point many of the tuning issues associated with the vibrato develop, binding of components, misaligned screws and soft materials are all factors that cause problems and also factors that have caused Trev Wilkinson to continue developing solutions for these issues.
On R Series you will find three types of knife edge including our unique 5 + 1 system that was introduced on the VSV vibrato, our Wilkinson wave 2 point system, and our original 2 point VS system that was on the legendary VS100 vibrato and is exclusive to the VS50 IIKR in the r series range.
5+1 KNIFE EDGE
Our WV6-R series vibrato features the unique 5+1 knife edge.
The 5+1 design conceived by Trev Wilkinson for the VSV vibrato from our Pro series was developed to alleviate the issues found on the traditional 6 screw vibrato.
THE PROBLEM
Same size screw holes on the base-plate with little clearance for movement, and misaligned screws which commonly occur when inserting the 6 pivot screws cause tuning instabilities and binding issues on the vibrato unit.
THE SOLUTION
Elongate 5 of the 6 holes across the lateral knife edge to allow for misalignment of screws and offer more freedom of movement thus avoiding binding, the sixth hole is used as the reference and index point for the vibrato and stops any sideward’s movement once the unit is fitted.
SPECIFICATION
Model WV6R
Finish Chrome, Gold, Black
Block Material Billet Steel
Saddle Material Nickel Plated Steel
String Spacing 10.80mm
Arm Push In, Internally Threaded