Re-tuning a floyd

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chamelious

www.thesunexplodes.com
Quick q not done this in years!

Bought a new guitar with a floyd, its got 9's on in E standard, needs to go down to Eb with a dropped D in 10's, can i just stick the new strings on and tune up? Do i have to adjust anything else?
 
Minimally, you will robably have to adjust the sprng tension to get the bridge level again. You probably want to get the intonation checked and adjusted also.
 
The 10s will provide more tension on the bridge and will therefore pull the tailpiece forward (as if you'd pushed down on the tremolo bar). But the reduced tension from tuning down 1/2 step plus the slightly less tension from the lowest string being tuned to Db will bring it pretty close to equilibrium.

But I think that it's still going to need some adjustment as far as the tremolo screws under the backplate, and it'll almost definitely need to be re-intonated and it'd be best to have the truss rod adjusted as well.

So I'd suggest changing your strings, adjust the spring screws to get the bridge back level, and then take it in to a tech and ask for a setup. Or just take it to the tech as-is and explain what you want done. Or do like I did for years before I understood what all adjustments were necessary and play with terrible action and the tailpiece sticking way up in the air :)
 
Hmm thanks guys, the price you pay for having a floyd i guess! Think what i'll do is just stick on the 10's tomorrow have it set up in a month or so before our next gig.
 
chamelious said:
Hmm thanks guys, the price you pay for having a floyd i guess! Think what i'll do is just stick on the 10's tomorrow have it set up in a month or so before our next gig.
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Adjusting the spring tension is a no brainer. You can easily do that. Just adjust the springs so that the tailpiece is level with the body.
 
Farview said:
Adjusting the spring tension is a no brainer. You can easily do that. Just adjust the springs so that the tailpiece is level with the body.
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Right. Plus, it's a good candidate for something to do yourself since there isn't really any potential for damaging your instrument. You'd really have to do it wrong in some horrible way for anything to go wrong in adjusting the trem springs.
 
Cool, i restrung it and the trem was already in the perfect place, intonation doesn't sound too bad either. Win.
 
Tadpui said:
Right. Plus, it's a good candidate for something to do yourself since there isn't really any potential for damaging your instrument. You'd really have to do it wrong in some horrible way for anything to go wrong in adjusting the trem springs.
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To do a proper set-up, adjustment of the truss rod might be necessary, and that can EASILY damage the instrument if you don't know what you're doing. Trem springs, bridge height, and intonation should be cake!

chamelious said:
Cool, i restrung it and the trem was already in the perfect place, intonation doesn't sound too bad either. Win.
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Nice!
 
Cool- the only problem i have with it now is intonation, is it something i might be able to do myself?
 
chamelious said:
Cool- the only problem i have with it now is intonation, is it something i might be able to do myself?
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Yes, you can definitely do it yourself! Intonation isn't too difficult to adjust, although it can be considerably more annoying on certain types of Floyd Rose than on pretty much any other type of bridge.

In order to help you, it'd be easier if you gave us a make/model/year of the guitar, or even a nice picture of it. There have been many models of Floyd Rose and Floyd Rose knock-offs throughout the years, and each one is slightly different.


Some History: http://www.vintagekramer.com/parts6.htm

A decent guide to adjusting/adjusting the intonation on a Floyd Rose: http://www.fretnotguitarrepair.com/floydrosetremolo.htm
 
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