Adjusting FR action with or without string tension

[constant mesh]

Hi, all, let's see what's your opinion on this one. Lately a few people who bring their guitars into my shop have seen guitar related videos on the internet telling players to set Floyd Rose action while strings are loose so you don't damage the knife edge. They usually put a wedge or a post-it block behind the bridge to prevent it from tilting back completely, as we all do with restrings and sunch.

I think these kids are wrong. Yes, losening the strings eases up the tension on the bridge towards the neck, but at the same time the tremolo springs have a lot more pull since the counter-force is zeroed with the strings lose. Also, getting the bridge back to rest as if the strings were on is impossible. When the force is only applied by the tremolo sptrings they tend to pry the knife edge upwards, out of the groove on the studs.

And to make the story even shorter, actually using the tremolo as most people do puts a lot more stress on the posts and knife edge than rotating the stud while the V-groove glides easily and centered over the knife edge with the strings at pitch and tremolo set correctly. Putting some oil there makes things go even smoother, of course.

One thing, though, there are certain Ibanez systems made of aluminium, that require this kind of procedure claimed by manufacturer, but still, I don't even see a point of having an aluminium bridge.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Adjusting FR action with or without string tension

Yeah you turn those posts while having tension on it!



Don't come back complaining, when the floyd do not return to zero from a pull up



Most of the time I change one string at the time on Floyded guitars...

When I set the action on a Floyd guitar, I usually pull the bridge all the way off, and then put it back, check it and redo it if it is not quite there.

 

[CrookTele]

Re: Adjusting FR action with or without string tension

Always release string tension. The knife edge on the trem will cut into the posts and cause tuning stability problems if you keep the tension on there. One you cut into the posts, the problems occur.

 

[constant mesh]

Re: Adjusting FR action with or without string tension

All original Floyd Rose and Fender 2-point tremolo posts are hardened steel so the bridge plate is made of softer material than the posts are, guaranteed, you can tell by the color of it. I've been an avid hobby machinist before I started guitar repair, so my understanding of a guitar is completely on the mechanical level. It is true that the knife edge will be damaged first and it is designed as such, but still, why is it so important to lose the strings, while the trem springs have a lot more pull now? Ideally you would want to take off the trem springs too and collapse the bridge completely and turn the studs with your finger. So what's the point of the hex key again? And why nobody cares about it when they divebomb?

Imagine how the different forces apply to the bridge in various scenarios. Even the best guitar techs never point that out because I think it's kinda pretencious. Who in the world would design a bridge that was so fragile at the pivot point you couldn't do a few adjustments, but could withstand any sort of usage.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Adjusting FR action with or without string tension

.......nevermind.....

 

[CrookTele]

Re: Adjusting FR action with or without string tension

Trust mez I made a noob mistake on my first Floyd. Had full string/spring tension on it and used the hex key to adjust the height. The knife edge cut into the posts, causing grooves. Didn't pay any attention. Until I started using the trem alot, then started having tuning trouble when the trem came back to zero. I finally had to buy new posts.

 

[Vengeance]

Re: Adjusting FR action with or without string tension

All original Floyd Rose and Fender 2-point tremolo posts are hardened steel so the bridge plate is made of softer material than the posts are, guaranteed, you can tell by the color of it. I've been an avid hobby machinist before I started guitar repair, so my understanding of a guitar is completely on the mechanical level. It is true that the knife edge will be damaged first and it is designed as such, but still, why is it so important to lose the strings, while the trem springs have a lot more pull now? Ideally you would want to take off the trem springs too and collapse the bridge completely and turn the studs with your finger. So what's the point of the hex key again? And why nobody cares about it when they divebomb?

Imagine how the different forces apply to the bridge in various scenarios. Even the best guitar techs never point that out because I think it's kinda pretencious. Who in the world would design a bridge that was so fragile at the pivot point you couldn't do a few adjustments, but could withstand any sort of usage.

That has been my experience with real 100% German OFR. No issues ever adjusting height and the knives cutting into the posts. I didn't know the posts were so soft that the knives would cut into them??? <<<sarcasm,sorry.

I couldn't tell you about any other off brand name or chinese floyds just my 25 years experience with OFR.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Adjusting FR action with or without string tension

 

[J E C]

Re: Adjusting FR action with or without string tension

I have a OFR from 1982 that has the wood screw type posts. I have adjusted it many, many times with out ever loosening the strings. I dive it, flutter it and pull it up till it stops, and have never had a problem. Been bangin on it like that for the last 31 years and it always stays in tune, always. Newer ones, and/or other makes may have a problem with that. I don't know.

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: Adjusting FR action with or without string tension

DO NOT I repeat DO NOT adjust a FR action while under full string tension. You don't have to change the spring tension but you do have to slack the strings enough that the bridge falls back into the cavity to adjust the action. If you do turn the post wile the strings have tension you risk messing up either the knife edges or post. Once there messed up you can try and use chapstick in between the groove or some 3in1 oil but rather then messing up the knife edges just slack the strings and do it.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Adjusting FR action with or without string tension

*sigh*

German (and Korean OEM) stamped Floyds use hardened steel post and base plates. You can adjust them at full tension with no worries what so ever.

The cheaper knock offs that use zinc or soft steel plates are the ones that will quickly dull.

I have Floyds that have been in use since the '80's, and the knife edges are just fine.