Please help me and my floyd rose!!! - Guitars101

Sampson1 · 12-03-2005, 06:52 PM

i have a few floyd problems...I have the floyd set so it floats, and every now and then, whenever I push back on the floyd (to higher the pitch) a string will snap, and make my strings go way outta tune!...That hasnt happned in a while (whoo-hoo)...The other problem I have is whenever I push way down on the floyd, a few strings go slightly out of tune. If you could give me a few pointers or somthing...thank you.

Uncle Os · 12-04-2005, 01:58 AM

Hey there Sampson...

Floating Floyd... Gottit.

Issue number one... "... a string will snap, and make my strings go way outta tune!"

Yup... That's the nature of the 'floating' FR beast, right there. A floating floyd isn't miraculously secured in that floating position. It's actually a delicate balance of tension between the springs and the strings. In normal operating mode, the tension of the springs is supported by *6* strings. If a string breaks, the same tension that was previously distributed over *6* strings is now distributed over *5* strings so each string is carrying a heavier load, so to speak. That's why the remaining strings go sharp.

Issue number two... "... whenever I push way down on the floyd, a few strings go slightly out of tune. What brand of FR do you have? Is it an Original Floyd Rose? Anyway... The fulcrum of the trem is usually fairly sharp and rests upon the mounting posts. One or more of several t hings might be happening on this one... One... The bar has been used quite a bit and the part that was originally pointy has been pushed flat or mis-shaped in some way. This will result in the trem not returning to the exact balancing point as it should. You can a) order a new baseplate from FR or Stewmac... b) very carefully, file the edge back to 'true'. Not too sharp though. Or c)... My personal favorite because it's inexpensive and works GREAT!!!... Reduce the friction on the pivot point by applying a good coat of chapstick on the components that come into direct contact. That's right... chapstick. I got this from an interview with Satriani so it's gotta work!

If it doesn't, then you'll prolly need to do one of the other two things I mentioned. ;-)

Best of luck, Senor. If you have any questions, comments or criticisms for the good of the cause, feel free to senda PM.

Much Respect...

Uncle Os

Sampson1 · 12-04-2005, 07:04 AM

Thanks man, good tips too

Splonky · 12-04-2005, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Os

...Reduce the friction on the pivot point by applying a good coat of chapstick on the components that come into direct contact. That's right... chapstick. I got this from an interview with Satriani so it's gotta work!

.. .

I just did a google search for "tremolo chapstick"...The chapstick trick is listed right on Fender's website. Whaddayaknow?

That is cool, I have never heard of that. They say to use chapstick or vaseline for "smooth operation"...I may have to try it.

SuckaInA3Piece · 12-04-2005, 01:59 PM

I've been debating on wether I should grab a guitar with a floating trem. You can do many cool things with the bar, but I really don't think I want to deal with all the aggravation. All my Floyd's are blocked, so I can only dive, but I don't have to deal with all my strings going out of tune either. I was playin earlier and my B string broke and I was able to keep right on jammin without messin a beat.

Nice tips there Uncle O's.

**axeshredder** · 12-04-2005, 05:44 PM

good advise above and also you can change the saddle if the string is breaking there......... but also a loose locking nut and neck can cause tuning issues due to the strain a floating bridge can cause. During tuning i will consistantly pull and push on the bar to be sure there isnt any fluctuations ....i only own 2 floaters... one is my Ibanez js-100 and there havent been any issues from day 1....the othere is my jackson dinkie...the neck creaked when i pulled up on the bar so i tightend the neck...no change.....but then i looseened the neck and then tightened and it went away....maybe an assembly issue.....my homemade guitars locking nut was a little loose and that caused issue also...hope some of my experieces help ya

P.J. · 12-05-2005, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuckaInA3Piece

I've been debating on wether I should grab a guitar with a floating trem. You can do many cool things with the bar, but I really don't think I want to deal with all the aggravation. All my Floyd's are blocked, so I can only dive, but I don't have to deal with all my strings going out of tune either. I was playin earlier and my B string broke and I was able to keep right on jammin without messin a beat.

Nice tips there Uncle O's.

I float all my bridges - always have. Floyd's, Fenders, Charvel's. .

With experience you can do it without all the aggravation. With certain strings, if you pop one - the whole thing still stays in tune pretty close. There are a lot of little tricks to use but they work.