Changing pickups on a Floyd Rose guitar

[TNTales]

I just recently got an Ibanez RG350D and want to put some new pups in it. I'm thinking I'll need a Trembucker. But what really has me worried is dealing with the bridge. This is my first Floyd (mostly for reasons like this) and I'm a bit intimidated by doing a pickup change in it. It's already set up and everything and I'd hate to mess with it. But those Infinity pickups just don't do it for me.

I've tried to search for answers and didn't get the info I needed. Here it is:

1) This guitar has pickguard mounted pups (think Strat) so I think I can take out the whole assembly. I was hoping there was a way to do this without losing all the tension in the bridge. Basically the least invasive procedure I can do. Suggestions?

2) Can I do this without removing all the strings? If not, is there a way to keep tension on the bridge when I take them off? I was wondering if maybe I could keep both E strings on.

Thanks. Looking to do a Jason Becker Perpetual Burn, not sure about a neck pickup. Wanting to do clean to modern but not metal distortion (think Marilyn Manson's Beautiful People on the hard end and something like Rhiannon on the other).

 

[CaptainWhizz]

Re: Changing pickups on a Floyd Rose guitar

You might be able to place something inside the trem cavity to hold everything in place? Some sort of temporary trem stopper/ setter?

Or maybe pack both sides of the trem block so that it can't move?

 

[gregory]

Re: Changing pickups on a Floyd Rose guitar

I just pull the springs and pull the entire bridge off the studs with the strings still attached and place it in a towel or something to keep it from dinging the guitar.

When I'm all done I just put the bridge back and springs back in. If I put the springs back in the same locations I won't even have to re-tune.

 

[gregory]

Re: Changing pickups on a Floyd Rose guitar

...changing strings is another story. That's when I'll wedge something between the block and the body (if the trem is recessed) or between the bolts and body (if not recessed; easier).

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Changing pickups on a Floyd Rose guitar

I just pull the springs and pull the entire bridge off the studs with the strings still attached and place it in a towel or something to keep it from dinging the guitar.

When I'm all done I just put the bridge back and springs back in. If I put the springs back in the same locations I won't even have to re-tune.

This, just back the stings off (down tune) and pop the springs out to remove the tremolo.

 

[gregory]

Re: Changing pickups on a Floyd Rose guitar

I just pull the trem all the way sharp before yanking. I normally go back into the cavity to make tweaks two or three times before buttoning it back up for good. The tweaks are usually adjusting fixed resistor values and sometimes cap values after figuring out the best switching logic for the specific guitar and pickups chosen. I've normally taken to partial shunting when straight parallel wiring doesn't cut it.

Some day I'll get some Tremol-Nos (and two D-Tunas for the 7-string).

 

[PierceOkken]

Re: Changing pickups on a Floyd Rose guitar

No you have to remove all the strings, but if it was set up, as soon as it is tuned back up, it will be fine again. I would not recommend taking the entire tremolo off, it is way to much work and risk.

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: Changing pickups on a Floyd Rose guitar

Just tune it and everything so it’s just like you were about to play. Then block the bridge so it stays exactly where it is in its resting position. Remove all the strings, and keep the bridge blocked. Replace the pickups and everything while still keeping the bridge blocked and stationary. Do not let that bridge move. Once the pickups are swapped, put the strings back on, and keep it blocked. Tune up to exactly what you had tuned to from the beginning, and only once everything is in tune and playable do you unblock the bridge. If you did it correctly, the tension from the springs and strings should already be equal and you won’t have to reset the bridge.

 

[gregory]

Re: Changing pickups on a Floyd Rose guitar

Do you own an actual FR, or something that closely resembles one (two-stud fulcrum design)? It wouldn't seem like it.

Really: it's a piece of cake! Takes maybe 20 seconds at most. By leaps and bounds it's far more trouble to remove the strings.

I recommend you try it sometime. There is absolutely no contest.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Changing pickups on a Floyd Rose guitar

You guys are seriously overcomplicating things.

Detune the bridge, pull the springs and pop it off. You don't have to change or remove the strings, and it takes two minutes.

 

[TNTales]

Re: Changing pickups on a Floyd Rose guitar

Thanks for all the tips. Just for clarification this is an Edge trem from Ibanez.

 

[gregory]

Re: Changing pickups on a Floyd Rose guitar

You guys are seriously overcomplicating things.

Cynically, I'm inclined to think it is based on unsubstantiated fear, but honestly interested in their reasoning.

I have to admit I'm not sure what the need is even to detune.

 

[gregory]

Re: Changing pickups on a Floyd Rose guitar

Thanks for all the tips. Just for clarification this is an Edge trem from Ibanez.

Pull the trem back to help unload the springs, yank them out and then gently release the trem and pull it away from the treble-side stud and then off the bass-side stud.

Reverse the order when putting it back.

...I may have the treble-side stud/bass-side stud order reversed. It's been a while. One way is easier than the other. The plain strings normally pull a bit more than the wound strings. Perhaps this is the reason Ayrton detunes. I normally leave the tuners out pretty far for the 1st and 3rd strings. The third string because the lock at the nut turns clockwise a bit when I tighten it and the first string for the same reason and because it tends to go flat over time.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Changing pickups on a Floyd Rose guitar

It is much easier if you detune, and why risk chipping the guitar.

The Edge trem is no different, and I do it on my RGs all the time.

If you detune the bridge, it will drop into the recess, and then you can remove the spring lock bar on the trem block. The three springs will easily pop off, and then you can slide the trem off the studs and set it aside.

Assembly is the reversal of disassembly.

Don't forget that Ibanez has locking studs. I have seen many get snapped off trying to adjust without unlocking (if you plan to make any adjustments)

 

[gregory]

Re: Changing pickups on a Floyd Rose guitar

Makes sense.

My Edge trems are the originals from the mid-'80s and not recessed (so I've had no worries about chipping; besides detuning at the bridge won't relieve all the tension on the high strings the way I have it anyway). No spring lock bar or any of the other fancy stuff they did later.

...FWIW

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Changing pickups on a Floyd Rose guitar

Ibanez made a guitar before 1987?

 

[gregory]

Re: Changing pickups on a Floyd Rose guitar

For just one year, yes and the neck profile fits me like a glove.

Too bad they didn't use alder.