changing pickups on guitar with floyd rose tremolo?

[midigods]

I haven't done many pickups changes, and I'm about to change the pickups on my Jackson Dinky that has a licensed Floyd tremolo on it. How should I deal with the tremolo when changing the pickups? Do I take off all the strings except the low E to maintain some tension on the tremolo? Or do I have to do something more extreme like remove the springs, then remove the strings to install the pickups? Any experienced guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Paul

 

[Lonkero]

Re: changing pickups on guitar with floyd rose tremolo?

Whatever works man Have your friend help and push the tremolo arm down while you take the pickup out and put a new in. No need to unattach the strings

 

[supercoupe]

Re: changing pickups on guitar with floyd rose tremolo?

I'd take off all the strings and remove the tremolo. That way you're not trying to slip the pickup (with exposed adjustment screws pointing down) in/out under the strings and likely scratching the finish (ask me how I know)

 

[super rad stuff]

Re: changing pickups on guitar with floyd rose tremolo?

i wouldn't go so far as to take the trem off, maybe just the strings and springs so there's no tension on it while you're doin' the electronics.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: changing pickups on guitar with floyd rose tremolo?

Pull the trem all the way back and pop out the springs. Works like a charm. That's the only way I will change pickups on a Floyded guitar. No sense in removing/loosening strings when the springs will come out so easily. You can't hurt them or the trem by doing it - no more than loosening the strings. Still gonna get the same wear on the knife edges either way.

Just be sure you put the springs back on in the same orientation i.e. ||| or /|\

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: changing pickups on guitar with floyd rose tremolo?

One other thing that you can try is to physically block the FR into position before you slacken and/or remove the strings.

An acquaintence of mine owned a Peavey Wolfgang. With the strings at concert pitch, he used to tilt the vibrato as slack as it would go, pop a PP3 between the steel baseplate and the body wood and let the vibrato rest against that while he worked on the electronics.

I cannot remember what damage this technique may have done to the top of the guitar. Also, of course, the Wolfgang lacks the sort of recess behind the bridge that is routed from the majority of FR-equipped guitars.

 

[flieger67]

Re: changing pickups on guitar with floyd rose tremolo?

If you're planning to change strings at the same time you're doing the pickup swap, you can simply place some sort of brace across the back edge of the bridge plate or over the routed-out area behind the bridge. Using some padding or folded-over rag to protect the finish. There used to be a cool little tool called a Tremolok that did this but they aren't made anymore.

While Dr. Newc has a good suggestion on what to do if you don't want to change the strings, you may want to change the strings so that you have a fresh set on as you check out the new pickup.

 

[Diocletian]

Re: changing pickups on guitar with floyd rose tremolo?

I just pull the trem forward, and stick a clothes peg under the baseplate to hold it in place (with a duster, or (clean!) sock or whatever in place to stop any scratches).
Then loosen and take the strings off the trem(it's easier to get into the pickups with them off and only takes a minute).
Once the pup's changed, put the strings back in the trem, tighten a bit, take the peg out, and retune.

 

[cakire82]

Re: changing pickups on guitar with floyd rose tremolo?

You can see here how Frank from SD is doing it during the triple shot installation.

http://www.seymourduncan.com/movie/Triple_Shot/352/228

It is also my opinion to remove the springs and then the trem.

 

[Gingrel]

Re: changing pickups on guitar with floyd rose tremolo?

You can see here how Frank from SD is doing it during the triple shot installation.

http://www.seymourduncan.com/movie/Triple_Shot/352/228

It is also my opinion to remove the springs and then the trem.

I've done that with my Strat trem when I rewired my tonepot, makes testing the electronics a breeze!