Changing Strings on a Floyd

[mirkok1]

i've been playing guitar for about 20 years and i've always played guitars with a standard fixed bridge. recently i bought a charvel with a floyd rose. every time i change the strings the floyd becomes uneven to the bridge. i only change 1 string at a time, i never take off all the strings. is there thing else i can do so i don't have to readjust the guitar every time i change the strings?

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Changing Strings on a Floyd

Floyds are a bit tricky until you learn the subtleties about them. Lots of guys, even pro techs, change the strings one at a time to minimize changing the balance of the trem. Another option is to block the entire trem with a piece of wood or something else (underneath the bridge in the routed out portion of the body, or inside the trem cavity) so the bridge does not fall back when you take all of the strings off. I've heard of several people using an old fashioned square eraser as a block pretty effectively.

Otherwise, if you take all of the strings off at one time you will have to mess with it a bit to get it back into balance. It's one of the things that make people (me included) frustrated with Floyd's from time to time. Like I said, once you've done it a few times and learn the subtleties of the thing, it will work more smoothly. For me, it's one of those things that I had to do a few times to understand.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Changing Strings on a Floyd

This page will aid you greatly.

http://www.ibanezrules.com/tech/setup/

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Changing Strings on a Floyd

Remove all the strings at once.

Put on one string at a time, being sure to keep the pivot points/knife edges centered on the notch of the pivot posts.

Tune each string just to be taut, until you have them all on, then tune them to pitch, keeping an eye on the knife edges as before.

 

[Metalblaze]

Re: Changing Strings on a Floyd

I take all strings off at once. No blocking etc. Then I just tune them starting from low E and going down. Once I've done with the high E the lower strings now are out of tune. I start again...and again and again until they're all there. It doesn't take long (no more than 5 mins). When they're all in tune the trem floats at the right position.

 

[Metalblaze]

Re: Changing Strings on a Floyd

The ultimate level you can achieve is to be able to predict how sharper you have to tune the lower strings so when the higher strings will be in tune the lower ones will be too. I'm not that good. But sometimes by tuning the first ones shparper saves me time to get there.

 

[TheProphet]

Re: Changing Strings on a Floyd

In order I do the following 10 steps

1.) Measure back spacing from trem block to edge of cavity and make a blocking material out of wood (once you've done this you never have to do it again)
2.) Remove Old strings
3.) Insert new strings
4.) Insert blocking material
5.) Wind strings
6.) Stretch strings
7.) Tune strings
8.) Adjust trem springs if necessary
9.) Lock the nut
10.) Fine tune

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Changing Strings on a Floyd

You don't insert the block before you take the old strings off?

 

[Metalblaze]

Re: Changing Strings on a Floyd

Another cool "trick" is to quickly tighten the strings as even as possible without tuning them until the trem floats near the desired position and a bit backwards. Then tune them from E to E a couple of times until you're there. Just a thought...I usually do this when I'm in a hurry.

 

[CrashCorpse]

Re: Changing Strings on a Floyd

i bought a LTD with a floyd rose the other day...i learned that once you have it setup... you have to keep the same guage in your strings or else its a pain in the Ass to get right again.
one string at a time is the way to go, blocking the trem is a must.
along with lotsa swearing .

 

[TheLivingDead]

Re: Changing Strings on a Floyd

Another cool "trick" is to quickly tighten the strings as even as possible without tuning them until the trem floats near the desired position and a bit backwards. Then tune them from E to E a couple of times until you're there. Just a thought...I usually do this when I'm in a hurry.

That's exactly what I do. Saves a bunch of time and it works like a charm.

 

[TheProphet]

Re: Changing Strings on a Floyd

You don't insert the block before you take the old strings off?

No, I usually completely remove the bridge when changing strings. If I don't I sometimes use a white eraser to stop the bridge from tilting back into the recess.

My main block is to provide keep the bridge at the general intonated level when coming to tune, stopping it from arching forward. Ideally you want two hard blocks to keep the bridge at the proper angle that it sits at when intonated. But I don't like having anything on the spring side of the block.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Changing Strings on a Floyd

Provided you're using exactly the same guages of string it should be pretty much the same tensions. Just stick with the same strings and replace them one by one.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Changing Strings on a Floyd

On my full floating trems, I either do one string at a time, or if I wanna clean or oil the board, Ill wrap a ruler with a soft cloth, put it under the back of the trem so it wont go down and then remove the strings.
When restring, I string Backwards. I put the ball end of the string (D'addarios) at the tuning peg, make a couple of wraps and then go to the bridge. That way, I only have to cut the string one time and I have less slippage. And, if I break a string at the bridge, I can usually unwind a little and still use the string. Tighten them all up to where they are close to pitch, (leave alittle flat) remove the ruler and then fine tune. I have it to where I can restring a floyd in about 10 min..

 

[sosomething]

Re: Changing Strings on a Floyd

I do it like this:

1. polish floyd'd guitar and clean the fretboard
2. place it in a spot well-lit with natural light
3. use a dslr camera to take appealing pictures of guitar from multiple angles
4. log into ebay
5. post auction for insufferable floyd'd guitar (include description of how amazing it is)
6. wait several days
7. use resultant funds to purchase telecaster

And you're done!

 

[DankStar]

Re: Changing Strings on a Floyd

I only use titanium Floyds. They change their own strings.

[applause, laughter, more applause, laughter finally dies down]

But seriously folks - I'm with Stv on this one - as long as you go one at a time, use the same exact gauge and are tuning it exactly how it was set up, seems kinda odd it wouldn't return pretty close if not dead on.

 

[Kam]

Re: Changing Strings on a Floyd

I do it like this:

1. polish floyd'd guitar and clean the fretboard
2. place it in a spot well-lit with natural light
3. use a dslr camera to take appealing pictures of guitar from multiple angles
4. log into ebay
5. post auction for insufferable floyd'd guitar (include description of how amazing it is)
6. wait several days
7. use resultant funds to purchase telecaster
8. ????
9. PROFIT

And you're done!

Fixed for old, redundant and unfunny meme.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Changing Strings on a Floyd

The ultimate level you can achieve is to be able to predict how sharper you have to tune the lower strings so when the higher strings will be in tune the lower ones will be too. I'm not that good. But sometimes by tuning the first ones shparper saves me time to get there.

What I've found is the D and G (3 and 4) will pull the trem more than the low E, so even minute adjustments to these two can shift the bridge angle, and throw the other 4 out of tune.

But yeah, it does take several string changes to get to the level of being able to know how much each string will tilt the trem. I'm getting closer after years of Floyd use (and not-so-frequent string changes).

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Changing Strings on a Floyd

Wow, some of you guys can complicate a cup of coffee.

If the guitar is already set where you like it, and you are not changing string size or tuning, there is no need to adjust anything.

I depress the trem, and slip a block under. I cut off all the strings, and then perform any maintenance needed.

I install the new strings, and stretch. I remove the block and tune.

The whole thing takes 10-15 minutes.

The knifes edges should be perpendicular to the stud or it will not return to pitch.

The edges should be lubed with a bit of Chapstick as well.

If the guitar is in tune, and the trem tilts to far back, then back off the claw screws, it the trem is too far forward, tighten the screws.

It really is quite simple, and Dankstar has seen me pull his tremolo completely off the studs while the guitar was in tune, and put it back on and still be in tune.

 

[DankStar]

Re: Changing Strings on a Floyd

Dankstar has seen me pull his tremolo completely off the studs while the guitar was in tune, and put it back on and still be in tune.

I had no idea that could be done til I saw it.