String changing on a floyd trem...

[chrisola]

ok so i broke my high e string... and the other strings are shitee now anyway..

been a while since i had to change strings on a floyd, and it was a NIGHTMARE last time to get it back in tune etc..


So, any advice?

Do i do the strings 1 after the other? (do i block the trem?)

or

Do i wedge the trem flat then take them all off?

Cheers :P[/b]

[PhilKing]

Wedge the trem and take all of them off.  Use a 9 volt battery to block off the trem.  You will be better off changing all the strings anyway (you said it was a while since you changed strings).  Set all the fine tuners to the middle of their range before you put the new strings on.

Once you have the new strings on, bring everything up to pitch and take out the battery (or whatever else you are using to wedge it), and then check the tuning and bridge angle.  If everything is looking good, lock down the nut, check the tuning and play for a while.  Depending how things are at this point, you might have to open the nut and adjust some strings.  Any that you need to do this with, set the fine tuner back to the middle before you tune using the machine heads.

The other problem you might have is that once you lock the strings at the nut, then you can't get them in tune at the fine tuners.  If this happens, open the nut, set the fine tune to the centre, and tune either high or low (depending on where you were after locking the nut, you will probably be too high, so need to tune down a bit).

I have one to set up this weekend, but mine is worse - I have to fit the neck and nut before I start!

[HJM]

When you find something to wedge the trem, make sure it wedges at its normal float height - if it's too high you'll go sharp when you remove the wedge, too low and it will go flat, and it's much easier to tune up than down!

[AxetoGrind]

I think 'wedge' may be too strong a word in this case,
assuming that your floyd is set to float as it should be, find a piece of tough flat material, i use an offcut of pickguard plastic with self adhesive neoprene on either side, to prevent any scuffing of your guitars finish,
this should be thick enough that it will block the trem without having to be forced into place.thin enough to allow the bridge to sit within a fraction of a degree of it's float point
as you loosen the strings the board that you inserted will take the pull of the trem springs and gently hold the bridge just a little farther back than the float point.

change the strings. observe the previous advice about the fine tuners

As the strings come up to tension a properly set floyd will return to it's float, and the bridge will lift away from the board that you inserted allowing you to remove it.

stretch those strings in then  lock the nut, tune and get yourself some subtle hank marvin vibrato action. ;)



or bomb your strings dead and pull some harmonics that only a dog can hear.  \m/

[TwilightOdyssey]

i use an offcut of pickguard plastic with self adhesive neoprene on either side

I've used everything from a screwdriver handle, to having my wife physically hold the bridge in place while I tuned up, to the folded up box the new strings came in.

One other thing to keep in mind when tuning up the Floyd:
You don't want to tune the strings low to high, or the balance of the bridge will be upset. To keep the bridge floating straight, tune it:
Low E ... G ... A ... B ... D ... High E

Usually when I put new strings on, I just let the bridge sit overnight, or at least a full day, without the locking nut on. The I restretch the strings, re-tune, and am all set.

OFRs are a little frustrating in the beginning, as all the parts are new and the springs want to close up. When a string breaks, it's total chaos. Don't worry, by your 2nd or 3rd string change you'll be a pro. I mean, if EVH can figure out how it works (the Grinning Idiot), then you should be fine.

[chrisola]

ok i did it!!!

took me about an hour and a half. and my high broke AGAIN once i'd put it on.. so i had to get another :P

by the time i hit the 4th string i had it sussed

Thats me done for another few months :lol:

[tewboss]

I use a piece of balsa wood so not to damage the paintwork. Apparently you should tune the outer strings first rather than low to high which causes them to go out of tune.

[Skybone]

So, any advice?

Erm.....yeah.....get a hard tail! ;)

 :P

[indysmith]

why not replace them one by one ? thats what i always do  :oops:

[jb_from_hell]

One other thing to keep in mind when tuning up the Floyd:
You don't want to tune the strings low to high, or the balance of the bridge will be upset. To keep the bridge floating straight, tune it:
Low E ... G ... A ... B ... D ... High E

Interesting... I didn't know this.  Thanks for the tip!

[tewboss]

Oh one more tip, don't lose the little metal blocks in the trem like what happened with mine (the dumb cat managed to knock it over and they fell out - it also broke the neck).

[Floyd Pepper]

....and don't over tighted the bolts on the bridge.  I did and broke one of the bridges.[/quote]