When Restringing a Floyd - What are the BEST Ways to Keep String Tension Low?

Re: When Restringing a Floyd - What are the BEST Ways to Keep String Tension Low?

stick a 9v battery under the fine tuners, so it effectively blocks it for the duration of the string change. I think that's what you're going for?

Also, did you get the whole trem post shifting thing worked out?
 
Re: When Restringing a Floyd - What are the BEST Ways to Keep String Tension Low?

No, sorry... it's not. :)

I'm talking about actual string tension once all strings are in tune, baseplate's parallel to neck, everything's top notch, ya know? 'Cept certain strings (particularly my b and high e) are too stiff. Feel like I can't bend them up a full step without worrying about snapping the damn things.

Now, I thought I found a cure. I ran the strings right through the tuning peg without wrapping it, held em tight and tuned from there. That seemed to help. Maybe it's that I'm clamping the string in too tight... Who knows? Hopefully you guys do !!!!!!

Yeah, I got everything worked out a while ago. Thanks for the concern!

Peace and love, my children.
 
Re: When Restringing a Floyd - What are the BEST Ways to Keep String Tension Low?

Use lighter strings?
 
Re: When Restringing a Floyd - What are the BEST Ways to Keep String Tension Low?

Tom M said:
Use lighter strings?
that's the first thing that came to mind for me too...

I guess try not using so much torque on the back of the trem, maybe less springs or just don't tighten down so much.

Rock On :headbang:
 
Re: When Restringing a Floyd - What are the BEST Ways to Keep String Tension Low?

I play 9's, Morris. Maybe I should try 5's.
 
Re: When Restringing a Floyd - What are the BEST Ways to Keep String Tension Low?

Guitarist said:
I play 9's, Morris. Maybe I should try 5's.
Whoa, I wouldn't go from 9's to 5's... maybe 8's, but that'd be way to thin for me.
Anyway, if you're using a lot of springs or have them really tightened down on the trem block then that's probably causing you to have too much tension, try loosening it up back there a little bit.

Rock On ~!~
 
Re: When Restringing a Floyd - What are the BEST Ways to Keep String Tension Low?

Guitarist said:
I'm talking about actual string tension once all strings are in tune, baseplate's parallel to neck, everything's top notch, ya know? 'Cept certain strings (particularly my b and high e) are too stiff. Feel like I can't bend them up a full step without worrying about snapping the damn things.

The only solution is lighter strings. To get any string tuned to a particular pitch, you have to tune it to a particular tension. Change the tension and you change the pitch.

The only way to lower the tension and keep the same pitch is a thinner (lighter) string.
 
Re: When Restringing a Floyd - What are the BEST Ways to Keep String Tension Low?

Maybe a tremsetter or something.
 
Re: When Restringing a Floyd - What are the BEST Ways to Keep String Tension Low?

Kac said:
Whoa, I wouldn't go from 9's to 5's... maybe 8's, but that'd be way to thin for me.
Joke...
 
Re: When Restringing a Floyd - What are the BEST Ways to Keep String Tension Low?

Har ? Are there 5's ? I didn't know. I once tried .8s and the thinnest E snapped. I wonder what will happen to .5's.

What I did to restring my floyd rose was to change one string at a time. So the tension stays in shape
 
Re: When Restringing a Floyd - What are the BEST Ways to Keep String Tension Low?

since you're using 9's, this might do the trick...

Use 2 springs, hook the two outside slots on your sustain block, and hook the other end on the spring claw on the 2nd and 4th pegs. It'll look somthing like this:

----- <-- sustain block
\---/ <-- springs (edit: had to use the dashes in between to make it look right. Just ignore 'em)
----- <-- Claw

this'll make your tremolo very sensitive, and should give a certain "rubbery" feel when you bend a string.

Basically, springs are harder to pull on when they're all scrunched up, but when they're already stretched a bit they go a little easier. Less springs stretched out more = more senstive trem & more give when bending.

Hope that helps...
 
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Re: When Restringing a Floyd - What are the BEST Ways to Keep String Tension Low?

Naturally you can't make your strings any easier without making them lighter or having a lower tuning.

If it's your trem that's stopping bending, you could try to take a spring or another off.
 
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