What does a steinberger r trem do?

Answer 1

It is a vibrato arm mechanism. It balances string tension against compression on a large metal spring, across a knife-edge fulcrum. This differs from some other trems. It is more massive than the much more expensive steinberger s trem; this greater mass gives greater sustain and a fuller tone. On the other hand the r trem is stiffer than the s trem, which is very smooth. Unlike most trems, the r trem includes a locking mechanism that blocks the vibrato mechanism; many players don't like vibrato mechanisms and this locking mechanism makes a steinberger r trem suitable for those people too. Moreover, this locking mechanism speeds up tuning enormously--lock the trem, tune up, then unlock the trem and adjust a single knob that sets the main spring tension. This is nice but you may need a screwdriver to adjust that single main spring tension knob--still it beats tuning most vibrato-equipped Guitars.

The r-trem stays in tune well if you never pull up on the vibrato arm. Only push down to lower the tone. This same limitation applies to most vibrato arms, but there are a few (e.g., Floyd Rose) that do not have this limitation--but have other limitations instead.

The r-trem includes string tuners. So, generally, it is used with guitars that have no headstocks, such as Steinberger guitars. However, it can be used with any guitar--if the guitar is routed for it. The r-trem does not involve drilling entirely through the thickness of the body of the guitar, as with stratocaster type vibrato arms.