Spring tension.

[alteredbeast]

i have a guitar that had a licensed floyd, i put a german one on it, i noticed a big difference, mainly in the fine tuners but the OFR springs feel like they are of a lighter feel, which feels perfect to me. My question is, how may other nutbagz are here that enjoy a certain tensioned spring, or look for a certain tension, is there even such a thing as different levels of tension for trem springs?

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: Spring tension.

Some springs are not as stiff as others. The lightest springs I've seen for sale are called Raw Vintage springs. Floyd Upgrades sell high tension springs which I have and used for a while but swapped them out. Also depending on the size of the block effects feel as well.

 

[80's_Metal]

Re: Spring tension.

also I think how sharp your knife edge is cut makes it float differently.

I personally like a lot of stiffness, I have a tendency to pound on the bridge.

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: Spring tension.

Block size makes the biggest difference.

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: Spring tension.

Thats one of the draw backs to using a big block since I like a soft, springy feel. Very lil to no flutter with a big block as well.

 

[J E C]

Re: Spring tension.

I've been curios about trying different springs. I'm currently using 3. 2 are the same and one isn't. At this point I don't know if any of them are the originals from when I got my Rose back in 82/83. I've been curios about a few things between fewer (2 to 3) heavier springs compared to more (3 to 4) lighter springs, and the same number (3) of heavier compared to lighter springs. How the arm feels, how the bridge flutters (quicker, slower, longer, shorter), and (oh boy hear we go) possible tone differences.
Any incites, observations, opinions anyone ?

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: Spring tension.

Only advice I can give is the fewer springs you have the longer they will be stretched from the claw and block and the more springs the shorter the stretch but it depends on the stiffness of the springs overall still. As for tonal difference springs that aren't coated can give a reverb effect if the guitar is bumped and at loud volumes it can be very noticeable but coated springs eliminate that problem but then you might end up with grounding issues since their is no metal on metal contact with the claw and springs. Other then the spring reverb effect their is little to no tone difference I hear.

 

[vinta9e]

Re: Spring tension.

Use fewer springs to increase flutter, more to decrease it. Cheap springs sound tinny to me, so I avoid them in general.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Spring tension.

In case you don't know, there is a major difference in feel at the same floating tremolo mount between these two situations:
- more springs but claw out
- less springs and claw in
... although they lead to the same resting position of the floating trem.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Spring tension.

Yeah, springs can make a big difference. Some springs are fatter, some are thinner and have diff tension. I recently started using the Raw Vintage springs mentioned above in my guitars that Ive upgraded with big blocks. In most cases, the Raw Vintage springs are thicker in diameter than the stock springs, but they have a softer action. (less springy if you will) With stock springs, I normally run 3, with the RV, I can run 4 and the spring action with the bar is smoother and less resistive.

 

[J E C]

Re: Spring tension.

I should have elaborated a little more. My question was about more weaker springs, (say 4 of them) compared to fewer stronger springs (say 3 of them) with the bridge fully floating and level / parallel to the plain of the strings, and the claw in pretty much the same position for both spring set ups.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Spring tension.

I should have elaborated a little more. My question was about more weaker springs, (say 4 of them) compared to fewer stronger springs (say 3 of them) with the bridge fully floating and level / parallel to the plain of the strings, and the claw in pretty much the same position for both spring set ups.

That's about the same thing as varying number of springs and compensating with the claw. It matters how much the springs are preloaded in the resting position before the force/movement ratio of such a spring is not constant.

As mentioned, spring quality matters.

 

[Jack_TriPpEr]

Re: Spring tension.

In case you don't know, there is a major difference in feel at the same floating tremolo mount between these two situations:
- more springs but claw out
- less springs and claw in
... although they lead to the same resting position of the floating trem.

What is meant by claw "in" or "out"?

 

[alteredbeast]

Re: Spring tension.

What is meant by claw "in" or "out"?

.

the screws that hold the claw are all the way screwed in or or let out a bit, is what im assuming.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Spring tension.

What is meant by claw "in" or "out"?

The screws that hold the claw in the body cavity are not meant to necessarily be screwed in all the way. Leo intended you to use it as an adjustment mechanism to balance the trem in the right position.

You can balance the trem in the same position two ways:
- more distance between claw and block and fewer springs
- less distance between claw and block and more springs

Both let the trem have the same resting position, but they will give you different feel when using the trem, when bending strings and even when playing the thing (playing is a bit of bending as you press down strings).

 

[Adieu]

Re: Spring tension.

What is meant by claw "in" or "out"?

Claw = the thing the springs hook onto with their loop ends

Claw in/out refers to claw screws driven further in a couple turns (adds tension) vs. brought out towards trem (less tension)

Screwing claw in can easily make the diff beteeen three springs in \|/ doing fine and all five springs & bridge still too high

Claw in CAN be tricky to get springs onto, but once theyre on theyre on. For g-d's sake dont use a screwdriver, use WIRE....Standard thin with the isolation on it like youd normally use to wire up guitar control cavities unless your name is Orville Gibson. Loop it through springs eyelet loop, get a few coils of wire on your fingers for grip, hook the spring into the trem block, hold down with other hand to keep spring from flying off (just in case), and pull on. With the wire. Which you just cut off after. Easy, clean, safe, no flying tools, no special st00pid gadgets from stewmac...and no problem doing springs ever again



PS unlock the toplocks on floyds for this adjustment

 

[J E C]

Re: Spring tension.

I just hook the spring at one end, pull up on the bar with one hand and grab the spring with the other and stretch it out and hook the other end. Boda Bing....