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General => Musicians => Topic started by: 73109 on December 02, 2009, 05:05:31 AM
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I was wondering if I could, by myself, tune (no problem), intonate and re-tilt the bridge on my guitar. I always heard how hard it was, but this website https://www.floydrose.com/originaltremolo.html makes it seem simple enough. Just a bunch of loosening screws and moving the saddle cause my intonation is out of whack and the spring tension is too strong. Is it worth a shot or should I bring it to a tech?
Note that I kinda want to try it, because this would be like 80 bucks and if I want to change my gauge or anything a lot, my parents (and most definitely me) can not shell out the cash every time I want to try out a new thing. So, I thought if I fuck it up once, I'll take it to a tech but if I do well, then I am set for as long as I play guitar. So...what do you guys think?
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Trial and error. I'd go for it! As you said, if you do royally mess it up, just take it to a specialist and get it sorted.
There are thousands of tutorials online that will help you though.
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I've changed the gauge on my FR Ibanez guitars countless times. The only thing I needed to do was if I put a heavier gauge string on it I had to tighten the screws that hold the spring assembly (on the back of the guitar) in place. When putting heavier strings on, of course it raises the bridge.
(https://www.diyguitarist.com/Images/Mojo-Springs.JPG)
This shows the spring assembly on the back of a FR style guitar. The two big screws to the left of the assembly? Tightening them will bring the bridge down, loosening will raise it. So if you tighten it for heavier strings, remember to loosen it some when you put lighter strings on it later. Also, this is how I always tuned my FR guitars down a half step. Loosening these screws.
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It's really not that hard to do. Just work carefully and don't get frustrated.
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It's really not that hard to do. Just work carefully and don't get frustrated.
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What do I do when I can't move my saddle any further back but my intonation is still sharp...this is maddening!
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Not certain. Exactly how are you "checking" the intonation?
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Tuning the open string. Check the 12th fret. Detune. Move saddle back. Check again.
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Okay. Just wondering as it isn't something I'm particularly familiar with myself. I seem to recall being told to check the 12th fret harmonic, then check the 12 fret fretted and compare. Not certain how accurate that may be though. Is it really off or just a little? I have a FR Ibanez that I've played for almost 19 years. Never once have I done anything of the sort. I've changed strings and changed tunings. That's it. Still stays in tune great, somehow.
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It's gotten to a point where I have noticed it and it deters my playing. Its like 3/4 of a semi tone off and it just doesn't sound right.
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Is this:
https://www.ehow.com/how_4422042_adjust-intonation-floyd-rose-tremolo.html
Fairly in line with what you're doing? Sounds pretty straigtforward.
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Yeah, but I think my only problem was that I didn't detune it all the way...just a lot so that it was just buzz if I hit it, but maybe that is my problem. Now I have a question for you...If I wanted to play in like B or C, what strings would you say I should buy. And if I wanted to go back to E, would those strings be OK. I know the bridge would be off but all I have to do it loosen the tension which seems stupid easy.
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I think the most I ever tuned mine down was one whole step and it was rough. Had to let the screws in the back out quite a bit. For something that low, I would think you'd need at least .11 gauge strings. Definitely something heavier than standard. Playing .11 gauge strings in standard tuning would be worth a tip of the hat. The screws that hold the spring assembly in are fairly long, but not certain how far you can unscrew them, so that they remain stable, i.e. don't know how far you could safely detune it. People obviously do it, though. Just not my area of expertise, unfortunately.
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OK, Thank you for all your help.
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You might be interested in one of these: https://www.tremol-no.com/
Check it out.
I have one installed in my DC400, and would never own another Floyd Rose-equipped guitar without one. The device allows you to lock the Floyd or make it dive-only. Once locked, you can detune to whatever you want.
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I hardly ever use my guitar with a Floyd Rose just because I find it to be such a pain in the ass. I'm probably going to sell it at some point, actually. I wish you the best of luck, though. I'm just not patient enough to ever get mine set up properly, and I'm sure not paying someone else to do it.
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It's really not that hard to do. Just work carefully and don't get frustrated.
Pretty much.