Floyd Rose Guys - Newb Questions

[PoorMan]

Always been a Gibson guy. Never had a guitar with a Floyd but recently picked up a MIM Charvel San Dimas style 1. Very different animal, but very fun to play.

So being a Floyd virgin I have a few questions for the Floyd guys:

1. What tuning and string gauge do you run? I'm used to Gibsons with 10-46 tuned to Eb. The Charvel came with 9-42 in E. Even in E with the 25.5" scale length the lower strings feel loose and floppy to me. High strings feel fine.

2. What string brand do you run? String changes definitely take more effort with a Floyd. Would be nice to get something long-lasting.

3. Free-Float vs. Top Mount. Wondering what the benefits of each are. This guitar is free-float, but I believe there are trem stop products that make it do you can only dive bomb. Not sure what the consensus is on these.

Thanks!
Dave

 

[Sirion]

Re: Floyd Rose Guys - Newb Questions

To answer the string questions first, I use Fender 150XLs (.009-.040) when I can get them, and .009-.042 Elixirs otherwise. I like the thinner heavy strings for the ability to get more flexible bends, since the locking nut tightens up the string significantly. I prefer the pure nickel for tone, but that is another matter. For string longevity, Elixirs are probably your best choice.

A top mount Floyd will still be free floating unless you apply so much spring force that it is pulled all the way back (unless you add something like the coin EVH has fastened to some of his guitars). The main advantage of a dive-only guitar is increased tuning stability, in particular if you apply enough force to the springs that the bridge will only marginally (if at all) when doing things like octave bends. To me, however, it is too much of an impediment to self-expression; I want to have significant wiggle room both up and down.

I should add that I generally prefer Floyds with a recess route, for the simple reason that this means that you can fine-tune the action more thoroughly. A top-mounted Floyd sits somewhat higher over the strings than a normal tremolo, so if you want really low action you might have to shim the neck. (Note: I mostly play guitars from the 80s. With modern, CNC-built guitars, this problem might have disappeared.

 

[Thundermtn]

Re: Floyd Rose Guys - Newb Questions

Gibson size, .10-.46 should work fine in Eb. You may try a half turn in, on the trem screws.

D'Addario NYXL's are amazing for getting to final tune FAST and staying there regardless of bar whipping. I've run them a month+ longer than other stuff without much tone loss.

Whatever you do find some you like fast and set the guitar up with those and keep them on hand so you don't have to always be jacking with the balance of the setup & intonation.

 

[Thundermtn]

Re: Floyd Rose Guys - Newb Questions

I like the Elixir's on Floyds also and ran them for a bunch of years, I can get a brighter, fuller tone with NYXL's but that also depends on the guitar a little.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Floyd Rose Guys - Newb Questions

Floyding will tear up strings a lot quicker than you're used to, so I'd just use whatever you like on the Les Paul.

Go with 10s and see how they feel. If they're too slinky, go to 11s. Once it's setup, change the strings one at a time and it won't take much longer than the Gibson.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Floyd Rose Guys - Newb Questions

D'Addario 10-46 in both E and Eb.

I have both floating and flat mount guitars, so I have never used something like a Tremol-no

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Floyd Rose Guys - Newb Questions

Elixir Optiwebs, one with 9-46, one with 10-52. My Floyd equipped guitars aren’t used too often, so I like that the Elixirs keep the fresh feel and sound for a nice long time. I’d hate to have to change strings every third or fourth time I play them.

 

[greekdude]

Re: Floyd Rose Guys - Newb Questions

9-42, dadario, E-std on 25.5"
10-46, E-std on 24.75"

 

[metalchurch79]

Re: Floyd Rose Guys - Newb Questions

8-38's in E and Eb
full floating OFR with two trem springs like this / \

Some have 9-42's in Eb but still full floating with the same spring setup.

 

[dotsdad]

Re: Floyd Rose Guys - Newb Questions

Regarding question #3: YES to the trem-stopper. Floating tremolos go horribly out of tune when you break a string. If you ever plan on playing out live with it, you need a trem stop.

 

[6stringerguy]

Floyd Rose Guys - Newb Questions

In regards of string gauge for floyds
9-46 E standard
10-52 Drop D
10-52 D standard
10-56 Drop C
For non floyds I run the same gauges but tune lower on some
10-56 C standard
12-68 Drop B, B standard and Drop A

This is all regardless of scale length everything between 24.75 and 27.5
These are all elixir nano webs but have also used NYXLs and may go back to them

 

[metalspider]

Re: Floyd Rose Guys - Newb Questions

you can use whatever brand and gauge of strings you like,you do have to adjust the spring tension and intonation accordingly though and a fully floating floyd is much less forgiving then a hard tail to string brand changes let alone gauge changes.
so you need to pick a brand and gauge and stick with it unless you want to be performing guitar setups each time you change strings.

if you dont install some kind of stabilization system performing double stops is a little different since bending one string will cause the others to go out of tune.
you can block the floyd so it will be dive only or install a stabilizing spring like a tremsetter for example to solve this but then you wont be able to do the flutter trick where you quickly hit the bar and let the bridge vibrate for a short time.

unless the floyd is set to dive only mode you can also forget about tuning down or even drop tuning on the fly,it will takes much longer to do and require adjusting the spring tension.

personally i prefer DR black beauties for long lasting coated strings,Elixirs are a little too bright but i can live with them too.

i play 10s in standard tuning these days,year ago i played a half step down with 11s.