How to String Floyd Rose
We are often asked about Floyd Rose in our store.
We would like to write about how to put strings on your Floyd Rose.
Floyd Rose has various specifications and functions depending on when it was manufactured. There are many different types of Floyd Roses, such as the TAKEUCHI style, the Ibanez LO-Pro Edge, and other Floyd Rose licensed models, but the basic concept is the same for all of them.
This time, I would like to take the current Floyd Rose original as an example.
What to prepare
Phillips screwdriver
Nippers
2.5mm or 3mm hexagonal wrench
Cross
New strings
Tuner
1. remove the string
First, use a 3mm hex wrench to remove all the lock nuts from the nut section. Then, loosen the strings enough to cut them.
After cutting the strings, remove the springs from the body back and the bridge. If there is a tension bar, remove it at this time.
Some people find it troublesome to remove the bridge one by one, so they cut the strings one by one and put them on. Personally, I think it is better to cut all the strings at once, because some of the work can only be done by removing all the strings.
2. cleaning
After all strings are removed, clean the fingerboard, frets, body, head, and other parts directly under the strings, as well as the bridge itself, with an electric dustcloth or cloth.
3. fixing the strings
This is where the real work begins. Insert each new string into the bridge.
Cut off the ball end of the string. It is a good idea to leave about 2 mm of the folded part of the string (the part that is a little thicker) for cutting.
Using a hexagonal wrench, insert the detached string into the saddle and tighten it up. Be careful not to over-tighten the string too strongly at this point, as it may cause the saddle or the block inside to crack.
4) Attach the bridge
After all six strings have been inserted into the bridge, attach the bridge to the body.
On the body back, there is a spring hanger and a sustain block on the bridge to fit each of the five springs. Most Floyd Rose bridges are supported by three springs, but the arrangement of the springs is a matter of personal preference.
You can make it a "C" shape, or you can make it a
You can decide by trying out various options and checking the feel of the arm, etc.
If you are not sure which one is best for you, you can hang three parallel arms on both sides and in the center.
5. winding the strings
There is no special way to wind the strings, but be careful when winding the strings.
Be careful that the end of the winding is not higher than the beginning.
6. tuning
First, those with tension bars should be installed when the strings are loose. Tighten the screws on the tension bar until the strings are in contact with the lock nut.
(*About the wood screws: these tension bar screws are installed and removed many times, so the screw heads and screw holes tend to get nipped. Be careful.)
Now, when installing the tension bar, make sure that the right and left sides of the bar are facing the same way.
When installing the screws, do not screw them in as they are, but turn them counterclockwise once to see where they "stomp" out. Screw the screws in from there.
Be careful not to over-tighten the screws, as they will pop out the back of the neck. Then, align the fine tuners in the middle position so that they can be turned in either direction.
The Floyd Rose floats on the body back by the balance between the spring and the tension of the strings, so as you tune it, the butt end of the bridge (body end side) will rise up.
Naturally, the tuning will not be right the first time. Please repeat the tuning process until the tuning becomes stable.
7. floating
Once the tuning is stable, check that the plate on which the bridge saddle rests is level.
If the butt is up, close the spring hanger screws on the body back with a screwdriver. In this case, it would be better to loosen the strings a little.
Conversely, if the butt is down, loosen the screw.
Again, do this until the tuning is stable and the bridge plate is level.
8. string height adjustment
String height is adjusted by turning the two posts on the front side of the bridge.
It is best to adjust the string height to a position that is appropriate for you and does not cause any chattering.
The basic string height is the length from the top of the 12th fret to the bottom of the string: 1.5 mm on the 1st string side and 1.5 to 2.0 mm on the 6th string side.
9. octave adjustment
Match the harmonics at the 12th fret with the actual sound when the 12th fret is held down.
It is easier to do this with a tuner.
If the harmonics are aligned and flat when the 12th fret is held down, loosen the strings, loosen the screw on the front side of the saddle with a 2.5 mm hex wrench, and move the saddle to the neck side.
Conversely, if it was sharp, move the saddle to the body end.
Adjust all six octaves.
10. lock nut
After all the steps are completed and the tuning is stable again, tighten the lock nut with a 3 mm hex wrench.
The fine tuner (a screw like a disk) is used to correct the slight tuning deviation caused by the tightening of the lock nut. If the tuning is flat, tighten the disk. If it is sharp, loosen it.
When all the strings have been tuned, the tuning is complete.
※If you have changed the make or gauge of the strings, the floating or octave will be out of tune, so it is recommended to redo the whole process.
※Nippers and string tips are sharp, so please be careful not to injure yourself.
Although the initial setup of the Floyd Rose is tedious, once you have completed the entire process, you will be amazed at how easy and stress-free the mechanism is to play.
If you change the strings a few times, you will be able to do it without difficulty and in less time. The secret is to persevere. We hope you will enjoy a comfortable Floyd Rose life.