For owners of Floyd Rose/Licensed Rose RE:Tuning

[Meek]

Hi

I've a Jackson Rhoads Pro with a licensed Rose Tremolo system and its absolutely great at staying in tune. Even had a good 3 hour jamming with the band it still never goes out by even a semitone. On the flipside of this I want to experiment with several different tunings. I don't want to be continually switching between several tunings, maybe stick with each one for a few days whilst I try out different sounds for material. Does anyone have any good tips for changing the tunings on a Floyd Rose system? The last time I tried it refused to keep the tuning and always wanted to edge its way towards standard tunings. For the record, I dont want to go any lower than 2 semitones (or a whole step) lower for any particular string.

Cheers

 

[pinto79]

Re: For owners of Floyd Rose/Licensed Rose RE:Tuning

THe only real thing would be to block it while you play with other tunings. the setup procedure is annoying enough without changing the trem angle due to tuning...

Trevor

 

[Zerberus]

Re: For owners of Floyd Rose/Licensed Rose RE:Tuning

Multiple guitars (I´m not joking)

 

[SingleCutDude]

Re: For owners of Floyd Rose/Licensed Rose RE:Tuning

The other two guys were both onto something, but it is possible to solve your problem. It just isn't easy.

Essentially, your problem is that the floating bridge is set up to balance in standard tuning. Blocking it would fix the float issue, and you could de-tune like a normal guitar.
If you want the Floyd-action though, you have to re-tension the springs. We're talking a full setup. Restring with the (probably heavier gauge) strings for the low tuning, tune it to the low tuning (leaving it all unlocked, of course). Tune to your tuning, then adjust the screws that hold the springs in place in the back until the bridge sits flat. For big changes, you may even remove or add a spring. After it's in-tune and the bridge is tensioned right, that should be the end of your troubles. Lock up, and rock!

That's the way to do it, but as you can see, no way to switch tunings easily. As the other dude said, if you wanna switch fairly often, multiple guitars! (I know, as I have guitars for E, and Eb . . . That much of a difference counts with a Floyd!)

 

[Xeromus]

Re: For owners of Floyd Rose/Licensed Rose RE:Tuning

Zerb's suggestion is the best one. If you have a floyd equipped guitar it's best to set it up for one tuning.....and leave it that way.

 

[JimiHWannaBe]

Re: For owners of Floyd Rose/Licensed Rose RE:Tuning

If your low on cash check out agile guitars, they are good quality, play nice and with a pickup swap will sound great

 

[El Dorado]

Re: For owners of Floyd Rose/Licensed Rose RE:Tuning

Zerb's suggestion is the best one. If you have a floyd equipped guitar it's best to set it up for one tuning.....and leave it that way.

Exactly. I only use my wolfgang (which isn't even a floating floyd) for standard and drop d (thanks d-tuna). Get a hardtail for alternate tunings.

 

[Loserchief]

Re: For owners of Floyd Rose/Licensed Rose RE:Tuning

multiple guitars os the best way to solve the problem. I personally have my mane axe in standard tuning and to others that are downtuned so i can switch without interruptions.

 

[Ironjose]

Re: For owners of Floyd Rose/Licensed Rose RE:Tuning

i would also say multiple guitars... nowadays when i come to play with different tunings and i also have floyd`s on both of my guitars i use and standart and another one with a semitone down... but still its a pain in the a$$ coz retuning the new tuning is not cool but when it comes to change song on stage it comes in handy, while the other guitarrist change its tuning you change axe, how cool is that ???