Dumb questions on Floyd Rose string gauges and tension

[PFDarkside]

I just finished up a guitar with an Original Floyd Rose, now I have a couple questions.

I've always used .009-.042 or .009-.046 on the Floyd, so pretty typical. This latest guitar I setup with .010-.052 intending to be at Eb but I ended up at standard. I started thinking....

-What is the max string gauge of an OFR?
-What is the max string tension across the set for an OFR?

 

[AlexR]

Re: Dumb questions on Floyd Rose string gauges and tension

I can't say I've ever though of any trem having a max tension or string gauge (unless you're fitting bass size strings). Vintage tuners like 6-inline strats I've had to drill out the low E once for a larger string.
All I can think of is that you just fit heavier springs or more of them if screwing the plate all the way in isn't doing it

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Dumb questions on Floyd Rose string gauges and tension

For the string gauge, I'm thinking about down-tuning and upgauging, would say, a .060 fit in the low E saddle and nut?

For string tension, I figure I'm nowhere near the max, but I knew a dude that put .013s in Eb on his licensed trem. That's got to start wearing on knife edges, right?

I'm pretty clear in the spring setup, especially after messing around with my Strat's 2-post trem and a bunch of different gauges and spring setups, thanks.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Dumb questions on Floyd Rose string gauges and tension

If you up-gauge and down-tune at the same time it might not increase the tension on the neck too much. It will probably require truss rod adjustment and intonation reset.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Dumb questions on Floyd Rose string gauges and tension

Yes, I fully understand how to do a setup to get the neck relief, action, intonation and bridge float to where I'd want them.

For example, an LSR roller nut maxes out at .013 - .056 (and I feel like old models were .011 - .052). Traditional nuts need to be widened to accommodate larger gauge strings. Is there a max gauge that a standard Floyd can accept?

Regarding tension, I rarely go above .011 - .052 in standard, but is there an upper limit before damage occurs to the knife edges?

 

[greekdude]

Re: Dumb questions on Floyd Rose string gauges and tension

11-52 in a bolt-on quitar with recessed floyd, and under full way pull ups, would severely harm its neck-joint stability if the design is flawed (such as in some AANJ MII RG's). Also it would put a lot of load to the neck. Generally IMHO 11-52 with floyd in standard tuning is too much for shred stick designs. Also much of the benefits of the floyd get neutralized by the heavier sets. It just doesn't feel natural.

 

[SrDeMaFp]

Re: Dumb questions on Floyd Rose string gauges and tension

I've had no issues using a .70 gauge string on a Floyded guitar so, you can use some serious strings on there.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Dumb questions on Floyd Rose string gauges and tension

Cool, thanks!

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Dumb questions on Floyd Rose string gauges and tension

Floyd makes a 7-string model, and those sets can go pretty thick, but I have also cracked an OFR saddle on a .052 before, back in '88. I'm going to assume they're a bit tougher these days, but I'm not willing to try it myself.

Ideally if you're going above 12s, I'd say get a fixed-bridge type to do the job if you can.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Dumb questions on Floyd Rose string gauges and tension

D'Addario XL in E standard:
9-42: ~85lbs
10-46: ~102lbs
10-52: ~119lbs
11-49: ~116lbs
11-52: ~127lbs
12-54: ~146lbs

10-52 is feeling really good, I don't think I'd go for more tension than that, no matter the tuning. Maybe 11-52/56 for a Tele doing rhythm stuff, but not on the Floyd. I guess 10's on a 7 string set are around 117lbs, nothing crazy in the big picture.

 

[Coma]

Re: Dumb questions on Floyd Rose string gauges and tension

I use 11 - 53 (GHS Boomers Low) on my floyded guitars. They're tuned to C, though.