How to adjust the spring tension on a Tremolo

I'm only doing this video as a courtesy filling a request from some other people (I can't stand being on camera).

This is how I've been doing floating tremolos for years and it has worked about 90% of the time for me. This method is not like the other ones posted here on youtube...look at how they block the tremolo and how I do it and you will see the advantage of doing it this way pretty quickly.

Non-locking tremolos are a lot more complicated because the nut comes into play...with a locking floyd style tremolo its pretty easy if you know how to start off with a good reference point. This method will work on strats and similar guitars with vintage/non-locking nut tremolos. You just need to concentrate on getting the nut finished and watch how you wrap your strings on the tuners.

I've heard all kinds of silly stuff over the years:

-Buy an original Floyd Rose if you want it to work
-Install one string at a time or its screwed up
-You can't pull up on it
-Take it to a professional and have it done
-A lot of other stuff that I can't put here because children may read it

I haven't had any of those problems using this method. There are a few other videos on here that start out with a great theory, block the trem and then when it comes to adjusting the spring tension it becomes "you have to go back and forth and mess with it". I'm lazy and don't have time for that; this is the laziest, easiest way to do it IMHO.

Now I had to edit this for length so there are a few jumps, especially where the tremolo is miraculously blocked properly. There are also a few things missing like talking about stretching the strings a bit (these were already on there for a week), lubing and maintaining the tremolo (plenty of other good videos for that) and setting the action and intonation (too much for 10 minutes of time). This is just to show that you can rip all the strings off at once, start from no where and get it tuned up and working well within a few minutes with a good plan.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• floyd
• rose
• floating
• tremolo
• guitar
• setup
• string
• spring
• tension
• adjustment

[breakthebars]

HEY nice vid... bt i'v got a prob... I'm tuning mine from 2steps down to standard. when tuning the bottom 3 strings, the upper strings go sharp. plus, the springs become too tight. wen i remove the picks to open the dive, they shoot back. the nuts is almost full tight-in. wat 2 do?? pls help

[ashasha3]

@breakthebars How many springs do you have in the back? You may need to add another one or adjust the position of them to create more spring pull. If they're straight try putting them at an angle.

[ashasha3]

@breakthebars I'm not really into the whole drop tuning, but I would imagine that you had some pretty thick strings on there and they may be causing a lot more tension on there; perhaps trying some thinner strings would help. Also you may need to adjust the action and even the truss rod because the tension difference is so drastic. You're probably looking at a whole setup to be honest.

[jessejafrnd]

Okay, my EVH is not hulled behind the bridge for the pitch raising effect. So, can I still float mine?

[ashasha3]

@jessejafrnd Nope, I have the same problem with my Axis, it's flat against the body so it's dive only. Only thing I don't love about that guitar.

[BA1221]

So will I be able to go into drop c if I follow this video?

[AndresOficial]

You saved my guitar's life! Awesome vid.

Can you do a video on adjusting the fretboard's action? I need a good one of those.

[g0TdAmNiT]

Thanks thanks and thanks for this video! you saved my day :)

[Voddgreen]

Great video, man.

[dragonballdimebag4]

I have a dean ml floyd rose but I'm not sure how to jam the tremolo so that it doesn't dive etc. please help!

[Timorite]

Thanks man, it looks easy this way.

[Joshy471]

Just did it. took about 3 attempts to get it all right. took me about an hour and a half, but i got there :) thanks loads!

[Joshy471]

Thank you SO much, I was tuning my tremolo tonight and it dived into the body, this is my first flloyd rose and i had no idea what to do but panic... will definately be using thia technique to fix it all when i get home tomorow afternoon. Many thanks.

[tylerjamesmenard]

thanks man you kick ass



[Jagethemage]

i was sitting here watching this vid with my electric in my lap. had to watch it two more times because im stoned and getting too into little jams i was playing lol. sorry it couldnt be helped. good vid tho. the suggestion of putting a stopper (aka stack of picks) behind the trem was exactly what i needed to see. much thanks

[marsdenar]

Much appreciated. Fills a definite gap.