I hate licensed floyd trems

kramer

kramer

New member
So, I was changing strings tonight, and was tightening the string holder bolt on the high E string and the damn thing snapped. It snapped right at the point where the threads start, and now the threaded part is stuck in the bridge saddle......ridiculous. Anyone know of a way to remove this damn bolt?, i tried pliers to get it out, but they can't get a grip on the thing....I am so frustrated with this thing right now, I was five minutes away from playing with a fresh set of strings and this happens.......any help is appreciated.
cheers,
Matt
 
Re: I hate licensed floyd trems

Wish i could help ya man, but im not sure what to tell you. I used to own a nice ESP/LTD guitar with a floyd but got rid of it because it seemed like i was spending more time fiddling with tremolo than actually playin the guitar. The thing that pissed me off is id use the allen wrench to tighten the string into the bridge string clamp and the string would always slip out of the clamp causing the end of the string to flatten. So everytime it slipped out of the bridge string clamp i had to cut off the flattened end of the string and redo it. I eventually gave up and just took it to a music store and had them restring it for me because I was slowly losing my patients. Later i came to my senses and decided floyds were to much trouble so i sold the ESP and bought a guitar with a standard tremolo system. :smack:
 
Re: I hate licensed floyd trems

would you happen to have an old pickup lying around? good. use that to get those string remains out of there. just wave it over your tremolo and VIOLA!!! it should be picked up. :)
 
Re: I hate licensed floyd trems

I had that happen, ended up having to by a new saddle...
 
Re: I hate licensed floyd trems

DeadSkinSlayer3 said:
I had that happen, ended up having to by a new saddle...
Click to expand...
That's what I was afraid of.........anyone know someone selling an OFR?, or a good cheap source for an OFR?? I figure that a new saddle will set me back $20+ anyways, so I might as well spend the extra money and get rid of this licensed piece of crap rather than sinking money into it.
Matt
 
Re: I hate licensed floyd trems

So, I was changing strings tonight, and was tightening the string holder bolt on the high E string and the damn thing snapped. It snapped right at the point where the threads start, and now the threaded part is stuck in the bridge saddle......ridiculous.
Click to expand...
Jeez one day Zerb and I are going to write a handbook about how to both use and treat a Floyd;)
 
Re: I hate licensed floyd trems

Rid said:
Jeez one day Zerb and I are going to write a handbook about how to both use and treat a Floyd;)
Click to expand...
So because I overtightened the bolt a bit I don't know how to use/treat a (licensed) floyd??....bullsh!t.
 
Re: I hate licensed floyd trems

You can try a screw extractor set, or, if there is enough of the bolt above the trem, take a thin hacksaw to it and cut a small slot in it. Then take a flathead and see if you can screw it out. Good luck.
 
Re: I hate licensed floyd trems

So because I overtightened the bolt a bit I don't know how to use/treat a (licensed) floyd??....bullsh!t.
Click to expand...
Well you did overtighten it.....there is no need to tighten it hard....call that bull**** if you like, I have used Floyds for a very long time now, and due to good info from an old Floyd user I never tighten anything very hard, stays in tune nicely and I have parts from 87 that still works without any trouble.
But suit yourself if it just bull**** anyways;)
 
Re: I hate licensed floyd trems

For most licensed Floyd users, I suggest the aftermarket bar retrofit, which removes the screw in type bar, and replaces it with the sleeved type OFR version.

In your case, you broke a piece that may not be compatible with just ANY piece.
I'd suggest seeing if you can get a replacement part from wildberryskittles on Ebay, who sells Floyd parts, or ordering an original Floyd from Carvin, who sells them as cheap as I've seen.
 
Re: I hate licensed floyd trems

Thanks to all who posted constructively to try and help me out, I appreciate it.

KDX- I like the hacksaw idea, and think that just might work....if I'm lucky. I'll give it a try tomorrow. If that doesn't work, than a new OFR from Carvin may just be the ticket (thx Gearjoneser).
RID - In my original post I explained how frustrated I had become with this little problem, and let me tell you, your condescending post did nothing to improve my mood. I just came here asking for a bit of help with my unfortunate situation, not to be preached to from atop a soapbox. But hey, live and learn, right?, now I know not to tighten those fragile little bolts so forcefully, and it definitely won't happen again.
Matt
 
Re: I hate licensed floyd trems

Well I actually stripped the inside of my D from not having the allen key in far enough...

So...
Can someone post how to properly use one then?
In a new unflamed topic?
 
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Re: I hate licensed floyd trems

You may be able to salvage the saddle. The black, rectangular string vise "thingy" in the Floyds is actually fairly brittle and I have seen them shatter before from over tightening. Remove the bridge from the guitar or remove the saddle from the bridge if you can get it off. The set screw for the intonation should free the saddle from the bridge.

Get a center punch and a hammer and wack that black vise "thingy" until it shatters.
after you get the pieces out the inside portion of the lock screw will be exposed on the inside of the saddle. Once the pressure is released between the vise and the screw you should be ale to back it out of the hole with a pair of needle nose pliers, or you could try crazy glue and an allen wrench to the backside of the screw to ease it out.

A new saddle clamp (the thingy) costs about 6 cents I believe, and I have a few that will fit Shaller type (OFR) bridges here at the house. If you get the old screw out and did so by shattering the saddle clamp, I can send you one. If it doesn't fit your bridge, I'm sure you can order some from someone online that will fit.
 
Re: I hate licensed floyd trems

RID - In my original post I explained how frustrated I had become with this little problem, and let me tell you, your condescending post did nothing to improve my mood. I just came here asking for a bit of help with my unfortunate situation, not to be preached to from atop a soapbox. But hey, live and learn, right?, now I know not to tighten those fragile little bolts so forcefully, and it definitely won't happen again.
Matt
Click to expand...
Well it is your temper.....;)
And I was only trying to lighten the mood....and perhaps it would not be such a bad idea to give some info on Floyds.
 
Re: I hate licensed floyd trems

A set of screw extractors from Home Depot or any decent auto-parts store shoule help you get the bolt out in a jiffy.

kramer said:
So because I overtightened the bolt a bit I don't know how to use/treat a (licensed) floyd??....bullsh!t.
Click to expand...

Not to add insult to Injury, but merely to teach: Using the included allen wrenches properly (the SHORT end is for turning, the long end for the screw), this cannot happen, regardless of how strong you are ;)

BTW, The Floyd tutorial will be done soon. I know I´m 2 weeks over promise date, but we´re badly understaffed at work right now (3/4 of the team on vacation. Greeeat planning, Sir :rolleyes: ), so I´m pulling 12 hour shifts and glad to still have enough energy to cook and wash when I get home. But beginning of september nmost of the team is back ;)
 
Re: I hate licensed floyd trems

kdx man said:
You can try a screw extractor set, or, if there is enough of the bolt above the trem, take a thin hacksaw to it and cut a small slot in it. Then take a flathead and see if you can screw it out. Good luck.
Click to expand...

This is what I would do.

On a related topic... I've found over the years that anything other than an OFR or an Ibanez Edge is just not worth it for locking trems. Nothing else seems to stay in tune or sustain a tone. I used to have an Ibanez Jem 555 (go ahead and laugh) and a Jackson DX10D. Both guitars have pretty much the same trem, a lo-pro TRSII type and it NEVER stayed in tune. I spent about and hour of tuning and bridge maintenance for every 30min of playing.

My '92 MIA Floyd Rose classic strat stays in tune for loooong periods of time even under heavy abuse and sustains great. I wouldn't even consider using anything else now.
 
Re: I hate licensed floyd trems

another thing.. get a smaller allen wrench (should have gotten it with the guitar) and if you're not afraid to 'screw it up' put a bit of super glue on one end, leave for a second to dry and press it on the screw end, leave to dry and then screw it out. if that doesnt work, replace the whole saddle
 
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