Upgrade or replace

[Hsb]

I have a Floyd Rose Special on my LTD and have noticed some tuning instability and been battling a weird undertone when playing. If I move the strings around in the saddle, that undertone goes away for a bit.

Am I better off upgrading the block and saddles or get a letgit FL. If I upgrade the saddles, are the blocks worth keeping or upgrade those as well?

 

[Top-L]

I have two frs guitars and they are rock solid.

The saddles may break eventually...that's the time to replace them. Get an ofr tone block for 20.


Any instability is setup. If the saddle is ringing, reseat the string. Could happen on any trem . Most likely the tone block will fix undertone. You may have to wrap springs in tape.

All these things happen to ofr guitars too.

 

[Mincer]

I think the first thing would be to try to find the source of the tuning issues. It could be the clamps, or some other reason. You might buy a new block, but it wouldn't solve the problem.

 

[Hsb]

I believe they strings are slipping in the saddle blocks, not much but a little bit. I also thing the springs are a little uneven, will try squaring them up. As far as the undertone Im hearing, there was a suggestion in one of Top-Ls posts yesterday that I may look at, the guitar's undertone may be the sitar'ing that was mentioned. The one suggestion for that was to adjust the string tree a bit. When I have messed with the strings in the saddles, I can hear a definite "ting"sound coming from the string moving in the saddle. I can hear it in several strings up and down the board, so Ill try the string tree a bit and mess with the strings in the saddles a little bit.

 

[Top-L]

I believe they strings are slipping in the saddle blocks, not much but a little bit. I also thing the springs are a little uneven, will try squaring them up. As far as the undertone Im hearing, there was a suggestion in one of Top-Ls posts yesterday that I may look at, the guitar's undertone may be the sitar'ing that was mentioned. The one suggestion for that was to adjust the string tree a bit. When I have messed with the strings in the saddles, I can hear a definite "ting"sound coming from the string moving in the saddle. I can hear it in several strings up and down the board, so Ill try the string tree a bit and mess with the strings in the saddles a little bit.

The OFR tone block may actually fix the resonance issue. The lower mass FRS sounds tinny.

If you plan to keep the trem, a 20 OFR block is a must.

If the strings are slipping, they should be tightened more. Make sure the inner block is not binding.

Sources of tuning instability on a cheap guitar... nut could be loose and shifting. Check and glue if necessary. Neck could be shifting. Tighten neck bolts. Strings not fully stretched or slipping in saddle. Tighten saddles. Stretch strings. FRS saddles will eventually break if you over tighten. Saddles could also be moving, check to make sure intonation screws are tight. I've encountered a couple bad springs over the years. Test other springs to see if its more stable. If its not returning to zero, may need to file down edges to a point. Use chapstick in groove. If posts are shifting, put teflon tape around post and screw it back in. Springs can make various resonance noises. Put a loop of electrical tape around each.

 

[Hsb]

Yeah I may end up replacing the block at least, pretty inexpensive and easy change. Ive tightened the saddles and nut blocks pretty tight, they are more than snug. I def think they are slipping in the saddles. Strings get stretched when I put them on until they no longer go out of tune while stretching them. It does return to zero when using the trem, just strings will be a bit out of tune, esp my higher strings. As I said above, gonna mess with the string tree also some to see if that helps.

What pickup did you settle on in your M-400? I like the C5 but like you, may not be the best pu for the guitar. Replacing the block will probably help a bit also with that issue some.

 

[Top-L]

Yeah I may end up replacing the block at least, pretty inexpensive and easy change. Ive tightened the saddles and nut blocks pretty tight, they are more than snug. I def think they are slipping in the saddles. Strings get stretched when I put them on until they no longer go out of tune while stretching them. It does return to zero when using the trem, just strings will be a bit out of tune, esp my higher strings. As I said above, gonna mess with the string tree also some to see if that helps.

What pickup did you settle on in your M-400? I like the C5 but like you, may not be the best pu for the guitar. Replacing the block will probably help a bit also with that issue some.

I replaced the block in the M400 with a 32mm OFR block.

I ended up with a D-Sonic / PAF Pro set, but it turns out the guitar needed a 250K pot to sound right. I need to put the C5/Jazz set back in to see if I like it with the 250K pot. Verdict is still out on those.

My advice for "return to zero" is to have sharp knife edges and new posts. Never adjust the action with the bridge mounted. Always pop the springs first. If you've adjusted action with the bridge under tension, the bridge and posts may have worn. You can sharpen the edges with a 1/4" round file.

Strings shouldn't be slipping in saddle if tightened enough. I would check the nut to make sure its not moving. Sometimes the nut screws aren't doing their job.

 

[Demanic]

Anyone know if I one can get a block made of cast iron?

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[Mincer]

Anyone know if I one can get a block made of cast iron?

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That had to have been tried before. It would probably rust in humid climates.

 

[Demanic]

You could maintain it just like a pan. I think that the density combined with the crystalline structure would make for a great sound. Lots of lows and low mids but more chime than brass.

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[GuitarStv]

You could maintain it just like a pan. I think that the density combined with the crystalline structure would make for a great sound. Lots of lows and low mids but more chime than brass.

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So . . . regularly cook bacon and other greasy stuff on it?

: P

 

[Demanic]

So . . . regularly cook bacon and other greasy stuff on it?

: P

Well, since it's for metal, maybe goat. But really, hit it with some Teflon spray lubricant or better yet, zinc plate it like a trash can.

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