We love working with creators who bring bold ideas to the table—and this one’s been a standout. Earlier this year, we were approached by Tristan Nightingale, a designer and luthier known for his minimalist headless systems. What he shared with us wasn’t just a sketch—it was a fully thought-out STL concept for a compact, locking headless tremolo.
Right away, we saw the potential: a fully enclosed tremolo mechanism, built for stability and sleek string loading, with design cues drawn from legendary systems like the Floyd Rose and Gotoh GE1996-T—but shrunk down to fit the modern headless form factor.
🔧 A Collaborative Process in Motion
Our team kicked off feasibility checks and quickly realized Tristan’s design had serious merit—alongside a few manufacturability challenges. Tristan’s openness to feedback made all the difference. When a certain detail in the prototype proved complex to machine, he offered smart alternatives—like adapting a Steinberger-style top-loading structure to improve efficiency without compromising function.
We’ve since progressed from 3D-printed resin tests to fully machined metal prototypes, iterating on locking stability, saddle geometry, and string installation. The latest prototype reflects all that shared insight: easier string loading, more consistent locking, and cleaner aesthetics.
🛠 What’s Next
As of now, the project is in internal testing, with results expected soon. We’re also reviewing a new matching locking nut concept proposed by Tristan to round out the system.
This collaboration has been a joy—equal parts creative vision and technical problem-solving. We’re proud to be helping bring Tristan’s idea to life, and we can’t wait to share the final piece with builders everywhere.
