Floyd restringing

[Mike.L]

This is the way I re-string my Floyd's. Extra note, I clean them at the same time.

1, using the card from the new strings, block the trem so it can't pull-back into the rear-route.
2, undo locking nut.
3, put the micro-tunersso there's no tension on them.
4, undo the sting clamps on the bridge.
5, clean the guitar (I always do this when changing strings)
6, one string at a time, snip the ball-end off and clamp the string into the appropriate holder. NO need to go stupid with the tightness of the clamp, just nip it up.
7, tighten the string with the machine head ubtil almost correctly tensioned.
repeat 6 and 7 for all strings.
8, put the locking nut caps back into place loosly
9, tune aproximatly
10, I run my fingers from the bridge to the nut a couple of times to stretch the strings properly. Re-tuning a each time, but only approximately. When the strings stop dropping their tuning by a large amount is the time to stop.
11. Tune the guitar so you're slightly flat (2 cents on a tuner)
12, lock the nut down.
13, remove the card, the guitar should be aproximatly in tune.
14, use the micro tuners to fine tune the instrument.

I know it sounds long-winded, but after a couple af times it kinda becomes second nature.

Mike

MOds, this seems to come up occasionally, could this be made a sticky for anyone who needs it. Thanks

[Bidley]

Good idea Mike.

[MiloCroton]

You should mention the springs. I think a lot of people (especially teenage kids who got their first shredding axe) dont realise that if you change string gauge that you have to readjust the springs, and possibly even change them.

[Bidley]

A good point, but I think that would come more under setup.

[octatonic]

A good point, but I think that would come more under setup.

There can be about a percentage difference between sets of strings- I guess (and it is a guess) about 10% or so.
You can replace with the same gauge and still have to adjust the trem springs.

I did it recently restring my Suhr- replaced with the same gauge and the trem was no longer horizontal to the body, as it was before.

[citizen68]

A mate asked me at the wk end to restring his guitar, an Ibanez Rg-350 something with floyd type vibrato. It was strung with 9's and he wanted to change to 12's! He plays only rhythm, doesn't do any bending thankfully and is into metal - don't ask me what genre as my knowledge of metal more or less stopped at the start of the 90's..some of the cookie-mon stuff..

Said I'd give it a go but wasn't looking forward to it - told him it mightn't work. Pleasantly surprised that I only had to add one spring and tighten the spring claw considerably to get the bridge parallel to the body. Left it overnight and as predicted the truss rod needed a little tweak next day - job done! The unplugged sound from said guitar is unbelievably good! Seriously thinking of going from 10's to 11's on my own Ibanez now.

[Mike.L]

I deliberatly didn't want to go into setting up a Floyd.

But here it is

Change strings as outlined above.

If you've changed brand/gauge and the Floyd is not parrallel to the guitars body then

If the back of the bridge is pulled away from the body,
Turn the screws on the spring claw NO MORE than 1/4 turn, re tune approximately
checking how much the Floyd has adjusted. I alternate which screw I turn, Bass-side, then treble side, then bass etc.
If the Floyd has pulled a long way from the body then an extra spring may be needed. (again retune after adding extra spring(s).
Repeat until the Foyd is parrallel.

If the Floyd is pulled towards the body, then again turning NO MORE than 1/4 turn (and alternating the screw adjusted) slacken, retuning after each adjustment.

If there is 4/5 springs on the Floyd then you may need to remove 1 or 2 (personnal choice)

Personally, I like 3 springs.

[n3p]

I've seen pictures of guitars for sale a few times (with floyds), where they have been strung with the ball end at the machine head. Anyone know if there are pros and cons of doing this as it just looks odd to me. Maybe they didn't have anything to cut the ball off at hand.

[Bidley]

I've never seen that, it's a good idea though. Especially if you ever find yourself in the horrifying position of having to string a FR in the middle of a set.

[Mike.L]

Some companies (certainly used to) supply "reverse wound" strings for this.