Tuneing a floating bridge

[ben19384]

I need help tuning my electric guitar as a floating bridge. I have a floyd-rose jackson guitar.

 

I looked through a lot of material and cannot find the single proper way.

 

Also i need to know how to do it assuming i have untuned strings on. The "replace one string at a time" is not a option. I need to adjust the 3 springs in back as well.

 

The 3 best youtube vids i found were:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhqIjt8n5GA

 

 

 

But they all show a different way..

[ashasha]

Well the guy in the third video is a jerk and possibly functionally retarded.

 

I made that video a few years ago so you know which way I think is best. It works for me and I've only had about 3 people over the years that didn't get it setup correctly after using that method.

 

The whole concept is really easy. The spring tension has to equal the string tension when tuned to pitch with the tremolo in the neutral position. That's all there is to it.

 

The hard part is trying to make that happen when changing anything effects all of the others. Basically you have 3 variables where a change to one changes the other two.

 

By using the blocking method and getting the tremolo at it's neutral position you establish a constant for one of those variables that isn't going to change.

 

As soon as the strings are tuned you have 2 out of 3 variables established.

 

The third is the spring tension and by adjusting it to the point that the block falls out you meet that magical point where all 3 are where they need to be.

 

I'm sure that there are other ways to do it, but this method has never let me down and once you do it once or twice it's very fast for string changes. Heck, once the balance is set the first time you just block it, tune it and it's usually fine. It's just a matter of finding that spot to begin with.

[ben19384]

Will this still work if all my strings are widly out of tune (over and under) or off (no strings)

 

to start with

[mrbrown49]

 

Will this still work if all my strings are widly out of tune (over and under) or off to start with

 

 

If I'm understanding your question right, that's what blocking is for. It positions the bridge where it should be so you can rough in the string tuning and spring tension.

[Task]

Here is a quick beginner lesson on the floyd locking trem.

 

First thing to do is back off the fine tuning screws almost all the way to give you room for your strings to stretch and tune up after locking the nut.

 

With the nut still unclamped, tune using the headstock tuners till the guitar is in tune. Your trem baseplate or knife edge insert should float flat to the general top of the guitar. if it is pitched forward (like a divebomb), you will need to tighten the springs in the back a bit which will pull the back of the trem down. This is done by tightening the claw that holds the springs in the body cavity to stretch the springs farther/tighter. Do it in small steps. Retune to pitch. Repeat until you have the trem floating flat with the guitar in tune. If the trem is floating where the back of the trem is too far down or hitting the guitar top when it is in tune, do the opposite. Loosen the springs a little bit at a time, retune.

 

Stretch the strings a bit, tune the guitar and let the guitar sit for a few hours. Come back and retune the guitar. The strings will usually stretch a bit. when in tune, and the trem is floating flat, clamp the nut (DON'T OVERTIGHTEN!) Just snug the bolt a bit. That will be enough to hold the string from slipping. Overtightening will strip the threads, and you will have to replace the screws and possibly the clamp itself. From now on use the tuners on the trem to do your tuning. When you tune one string sharp, the rest will go a bit flat. Usually if you have to tune one string up a bit, just go and tweak them all a partial turn sharp to save yourself some time.

 

Stay with the same brand/guage of string, Replace one string at a time if you totally restring.

 

It takes awhile to get the hang of it, but floyds are the best trems for staying in tune. Only the steinberger systems are better IMO.

[ashasha]

 

Will this still work if all my strings are widly out of tune (over and under) or off (no strings) to start with

 

 

The answer would be absolutely. I rip all my strings off so that I can clean everything and do a spot inspection (part of the maintenance guy in me).

[EADGBE]

The way I do it is I put all of the strings on and tune. Then if the bridge is now pulling up towards the neck the spring claw will have to be tightened some to bring the bridge down. But the strings should be loosened some first or they may break as you do this. You keep tuning and adjusting the spring claw until the guitar is in tune and the bridge is level with the body. If after you initially tune the guitar to proper pitch and the bridge is leaning back away from the neck, you will need to let out the screws of the spring claw a little. Usually it's just tuning and adjusting the spring claw until the guitar is in tune and the bridge is level with the body. A small ruler comes in handy for checking the level of the bridge.

[panther_king]

Take the whole 'floating bridge' out of the equation while you tune.. thats the best way to do it. THEN adjust the bridge to float once tuning is relatively set.

 

 

Block the trem so that the bridge is level; either with some picks underneath the trem on the top of the guitar (my preferred method), or with a wood or similar block in the cavity. The idea is to make it not move when you do the next step.

 

Tighten the spring tension/claw down ALL THE WAY. With the block in place, this should keep the trem firmly in the position you'll want it to be in. This provides a stop-tail-stable tuning platform for you. No worrying about adjusting tension or retuning strings from the trem tension changing.

 

String it up and tune it to pitch. Make sure that your fine tuners are in the middle of their range of adjustment so that you can adjust later in the process once the nut is locked.

 

Lock the nut.

 

Okay, here's the ingenious bit. REMOVE THE BLOCK. This will cause the trem to bend way up in pitch. That's fine.

 

Steadily relieve tension on the springs by unscrewing the claw. Check tuning as it releases and stop when the bridge is level again with the body. Your 4th or 5th string should be pretty close to pitch.

 

Use the fine tuners to make final tuning adjustments.

 

 

You're done! Rock out and enjoy.

[ben19384]

Few concerns:

 

In one of the videos the guy loosened all strings before tighteningloosing the spring so that it would not strip the screws holding in the springs (which would wreck the guitar). Several of you said just to tune, and then to adjust springs.

 

Second thing is as someone mentioned, breaking the strings. If I tune it, the trem claw is all the way up and cannot extend anymore. I assume that if I tighten the claw the strings will break due to being pulled down (with the trem).

[EADGBE]

 

In one of the videos the guy loosened all strings before tighteningloosing the spring so that it would not strip the screws holding in the springs (which would wreck the guitar). Several of you said just to tune, and then to adjust springs.

You mean the spring claw? I suppose you could loosen the strings before you adjust it. I don't because I don't think it's a problem. And it's much easier to fine tune so to speak.

 

 

Second thing is as someone mentioned, breaking the strings. If I tune it, the trem claw is all the way up and cannot extend anymore. I assume that if I tighten the claw the strings will break due to being pulled down (with the trem).

The strings won't necessarily break. It's just that you really don't want to put more tension on the strings than normal. As this could deform them or cause them to break. And this would set you back. You don't have to complete slacken the strings. Just loosen them some as you tighten the spring claw. Check the tuning as you go along.

[ben19384]

I downtuned all strings so the trem claw was mostly resting and then tightened both screws for the spring tension. I started tuning and my low end E broke. The trem claw was in a good neutral (for all i know -- first timer here) position for the mostpart.. was doing good. Now gotta buy new strings.

 

How do i prevent the string for poping again? It seemed like things were as they were susposed to be...

[Reignman]

Video 3 guy is a total n00b... Unlock the nut first, psh!!! Everybody knows you get a beer first as it's going to be a while and take a little patience..... pfft, dumbass

[ashasha]

Video 3 guy is a total n00b... Unlock the nut first, psh!!! Everybody knows you get a beer first as it's going to be a while and take a little patience..... pfft, dumbass

 

[Reignman]

 

Seriously, kool vid. I always eye-ball it and "teeter totter". I'll have to start doing the pick thing, makes sense. Only question I have is the dual srpings. If the e-a-d strings are slightly sharp you would screw the claw screws counterclockwise on the corresponding screw? If thats correct I am with ya.

 

I want that Music Man. Engl thunder 50, do it, DO IT!

[ben19384]

bump

[ben19384]

What did I do wrong to break the low-e string?(thin one)

How do i prevent the string for poping again? It seemed like things were happening correctly..

 

was the claw too tight?