How to Radius a Floyd?

[Top-L]

I have a new guitar that has a fast neck with low action, but I realized that as I lower the action, the high-E string starts to pinch before the B-string. it plays fine, but the e-string goes into the tone loss zone before the b-string.

It dawned on me that the Floyd Special is not at the same radius as the board. I know the concept for shimming a saddle, perhaps putting some aluminum tape on the underside, but wonder how I can measure the radius of the board? (I dont know the radius). This is a sub-$300 guitar so I'm not upset with the manufacturer - the neck is surprisingly good.

Or would it be better to just measure string height and experiement with shims til it feels balanced? Any tips?

This Floyd does not have a center shim installed.

 

[uOpt]

Re: How to Radius a Floyd?

Radius gauges are the way to go. You can print them yourself if you want but some ebay thing is more solid.

 

[Top-L]

Re: How to Radius a Floyd?

Radius gauges are the way to go. You can print them yourself if you want but some ebay thing is more solid.

OK, I see how they work. I suppose I could print something like this on cardstock as you suggest. Any idea where I could find the print file?

Found it.

 

[uOpt]

Re: How to Radius a Floyd?

OK, I see how they work. I suppose I could print something like this on cardstock as you suggest. Any idea where I could find the print file?

I once posted one I made. Trying to remember...

 

[Top-L]

Re: How to Radius a Floyd?

OK, it appears the neck is a 16" radius, and the Floyd is - i think - 14" radius. (Edit: Apparently it is either 10 or 12", depending on if the center shim is installed.)

Is there a set of shims that can be purchased, or a simple way to figure out how much to add to each string?

 

[Top-L]

Re: How to Radius a Floyd?

http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/pickups-electronics-general-tech/172037-tremolo-shimming.html

 

[Top-L]

Re: How to Radius a Floyd?

I also realize I need to radius the nut.

I could pay $40 for an R10, but it seems like it should be possible to file the nut. Anyone have experience with this?

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: How to Radius a Floyd?

I'd not obsess over measurements; they don't matter one bit. Just shim it until it feels right.