One key thing I'd like to say for those of you trying this for the first time. Stretching your new strings properly before tuning and locking down your tremolo system is especially important on guitars with floating bridges. If you don't, your guitar will constantly be going out of tune, and you'll lose that perfectly level bridge over time. After you install the strings, tune them properly. Then begin stretching and retuning each string one at a time. Stretch the string by pulling it straight up away from the fret board at the 12th fret, then check it's tuning and adjust accordingly. Do this until the strings do not change tuning after pulling up on them. Hope this helps.
I own several guitars, and I must say, this video is among the best I've ever seen. My Ibanez guitar constantly went out of tune within 10 seconds of stretching and tuning it, and this had been happening forever. Every time I came up with a great riff, trying to replicate it was a struggle because the guitar would be out of tune. It was incredibly discouraging, especially since it's my favorite guitar, but dealing with the tuning was a real hassle. I turned to UA-cam and stumbled upon your video. I followed the procedure you recommended, unsure of what the final result would be. Miraculously, it worked! I've been playing it for days now, and the tuning is perfect. Thank you so, so much for your help. Please keep these videos coming!
Stellar video. I have a kahler trem on an old guitar that I haven't touched since about 98... because I hate the trem. Set it up to this and now wish I had played it more!
I just tried these blocks for the very first time, and followed your video to a “T”. WOW!!!! AMAZING!!!! This method literally shaved hours off the time it usually takes.
I'm always tickled to hear other players who use this method for the first time. There would be a lot few Floyds in the trash can if everyone knew how to do this! :D
SkyScraper Guitars I totally understand! I’ve fought with setting them up for years. Always got tired of going back and forth for days waiting on it to settle, then adjust, then settle, etc. Again, you have my deepest thanks for creating such a cool device! I can’t wait to perform setups on a few other guitars in the collection now! :D
You saved my life! I was about to get someone else to set it up for me but your method worked flawlessly and my floyd never sat better in its life! Thank you so much!
It's funny how every video I watched doesn't use this technique, they block it on the other side of the brigde and all that does is stop it from sinking not lifting, this worked perfectly for me thanks my friend.
Haha! Dude ... I am a drummer with an audio interface and an amp sim. (Coming from edrums -> VST drumming) I just grabbed a used cheap Harley Benton, with the Floyd Rose Special trem system ... It's look so cool, and I WANT to try a Dive Bomb and Dimebag Squeals! I am also a physicist and I always need a plan for a special project. This is a masterplan. This makes so much sense. Just loosen the springs, but that block in, tune, tighten the springs back until everything is in a - kind of - equilibrium . Done! Great content!
Dozens of videos I have gone through to try and understand my floyd and this guy showed me and told me things no one els even bothered to mention let alone explain. THX
Just got a jackson V with floating bridge. My first time back to playing in 12 years. Was starting to get really frustrated last night with the back and forth to go down to D standard. Saw a comment on another UA-cam vid that mentioned a block. Then found this video. Looks like it will work great. I'd like to support you, but I have so many little wood scraps in the garage, that I'm just going to measure my gap and cut my own block, because I just want to get this done right away. Thank you for the great video and great tips however! We need good vids like this.
Hey SkyScraper! I wanted to say thank you for this video, I'm a sales employee at a music retailer and was hoping to gain some insight on how trem systems work and how they differ from other bridge systems. I can thankfully say I learned quite a bit from this, and after watching this video I decided to get the Luthier's Pack of trem wedges that you offer for the repair tech that works at my store. I surprised him with the set of wedges as a gift, and funnily enough, he had previously tried to make his own trem wedge out of wood that unfortunately didn't turn out as well as he'd hoped! He was immediately impressed by the quality of them, and I think he'll use them a lot! I was glad to get him something that will hopefully make his life a little easier when working on customers' guitars, and more importantly, the new custom shop Strat I ordered that he will also inevitably work on! 😅 Thanks again for the quality products and service. Rock on dude!
Right on! I'm glad the video helped and thank you for the order. I'm sort of a trem nerd, so if you run Into anything goofy that you can't sort out, drop me a line.
I do agree to the comment below. This is indeed the one of the most useful videos on this matter. I had a lot of tunning issues with my PRS Torero. Now my guitar stays perfect in tune. Thx!
this is funny, I just got a 2012 Torero SE a few days ago and it's my first floyd! Been eyeballing string length and spring tightness but I think I definitely gotta get one of those wedges haha.
This is the best Floating Trem tutorial I've seen! I've always done it a different way but figured that had to be better ways, then saw your tutorial. Subscribed!
I actually like a light forward pitch to my trem setup. But I'll have to try the string reverse loading with the string ball at the tuner. That looks interesting!
There's nothing wrong with adapting the "factory recommendations" to your liking. As you well know - as long as it's balanced, it will play just fine. When you get into a large forward lean, you can start to affect string radius and intonation because the contact point on the saddle becomes affected.
You should know that this isn't a full setup on a guitar just a bridge setup (no I don't work on guitars for a living). When you pay for a full setup they adjust more than just the bridge if they do the job properly. They adjust the neck bow, intonation, etc.
One thing that I rarely see in these Floyd Rose set up videos are the round tuning adjustments for each string. I backed them off all the way and then tighten 1/2 turn. Strings stretch over time but they never tighten up overtime. So by backing that round tuning adjustment all the way out gives you a lot more adjustment capability as the string stretches over time. I hope I'm making sense here.
Not long bought a Jackson DK3 and I have never previously owned a guitar with a Floyd Rose! A string change was imminent but I had been putting it off since due to fear of making a hash of it. Having breaking a string earlier today, I had to find my minerals and at least attempt to restring the guitar, as it played phenomenally since the day I got it. After searching for an in depth but to the point tutorial, I settled with this video. What a great step by step walkthrough! Could not have been simpler with the assistance of this video! Thank you!
I got my first guitar with a floyd on it, and I of course researched all kinds of videos on changing strings etc. People in music stores were telling me how complicated it is to set them up proper. I bought a set of these blocks and it worked perfectly my first try. Really stupid easy really. Thanks!!
I'm a total noob, owned my first ever guitar (Mitchell HD400) for 2 days now and following your general directions (I just cut a small triangle wood wedge out of some scrap wood) I managed to re-string and fully tune my guitar in about an hour. Not too bad for my first time ever re-stringing a guitar and with a Floyd Rose no less. It will definitely go much faster next time. Thanks for the video.
I just happened to purchase this on amazon months ago without realizing that it's a special block that makes tuning floyd rose guitars easier. Thanks for the items and this video. I went from being nervous that I was going to destroy my guitar to feeling like a floyd rose expert.
Thanks very much for sharing. Just changed the string gauge and tuning on my first Floyd. While I can’t say I was very fast, there wasn’t much headache using your method. Guitar is set up now much better than it came from the factory.
Wow this really helped me! I've been having problems with my PRS Floyd Rose always going out of tune with just moderate tremolo use. I followed your instructions to the letter and now I can divebomb flat and sharp and it stays in tune! You saved me a trip to the local tech. It's good to know how to maintenance it myself too.
This is the greatest video for the Floyd Rose I've ever seen. Especially if you wanted to do some repair work on the side. I've always stayed away from the FR because I had an Ibanez version that I wasn't sure how close they were. So I wrestled with it and hardly ever changed strings. I didn't play as much guitar until recently, I mostly played bass. They are easy to tune.
I've been stringing floyds this was since my first Kramer back in the mid 80's. I keep a bit more string as to reuse a string broken at the bridge several times. Well done.
Just ordered the luthier pack and neck work station. I've got two floyd rose trems and haven't bothered changing strings or tunings in so long because I always had to end up paying someone to do it for me. Watched this video (jumped ahead the first time and failed) after a while was able to fix my own problems! I did end up using electrical tape and a gopro battery as a temporary wedge but you've got a product that provides a permanent solution as well as instructions that make it less of a migraine than it usually ends up, so "shut up and take my money!" Thanks for the clear instructions and ready-made products guys!
I've looked for videos that include blocking the bridge and this is by far the best overall method, the most clearly explained, and the most concise, as well as being a great production that's well presented. Knocked it out the park here dude. 🤘
@@SkyscraperGuitars hey sorry for the noob question. But i’m kinda new floating bridges. Does doing all of these steps in the video affect the action and intonation?
I'm 18 and learned on an Epiphone Les Paul. Bought a used Strat copy a few days ago and felt like a god after I managed to fix the broken Trem system on it. The previous owner managed to completely strip one of the screws that hold the spring claw in place so I replaced it and set it up, and it stayed in tune after stretching in the strings and messing with the tension a bit. Nothing beats the feeling of completing something you found intimidating at first!
Skyscraper is a good company and you know your stuff, it was a pleasure talking with you today, and if I do run into any questions at all I won't hesitate to call or email you thanks again! Keep ROCKIN \M/
Thank you! If you run into any issues, just reach out. I'm posting a handful of set-up videos over the next few weeks and almost all the guitars have a floating trem, so you can see the process a few times on different guitars.
EXCELLENT VIDEO!!!!! In the ocean of you tube your video finally helped me with my Jackson dinky after spending money and over 5 high e string replacements your video saved me time and future set up know how thank you !
I recorded one a few weeks ago. I will have it edited and up on YT soon. While I was filming the steps, I was able to create an eBook to go along with the video. You can download a free copy here to get you by until the vid drops: bit.ly/TheSkyScraperMethodForFloydRoseSetup
Very useful advice. I have a JEM JR. which came supplied with the trem sat high at the back. I used your video to set it back in place and retune . The only problems I had were that the trem cavity wasn’t finished brilliantly (with wood particles sitting in the paint) so the block I used wouldn’t sit square until I had rubbed the cavity lightly with sanding paper. And also I had to use a block on the other side of the trem sustain block because the springs pulled it way too much in... I’ve since learned that I didn’t need the 3 springs. In all though a fantastic learning experience that I would have been wary of attempting had it not been for your video. Many thanks.
I tried setting up a Floyd with 10-52 gauge strings and for the life of me i couldn't get it to sit level with the spring claw all the way back. Only had 3 springs on, would adding more help put more tension onto the trem and bring it back some?
If you run out of tension range (i.e. the screws that hold the claw are all the way in) you'll need to add a spring. If you're screws are all the way out, you need to subtract a spring. I'm guessing you are moving from 9s to 10s?
I bought a secondhand Dinky and my best guess is the previous owner tried to do a string change with a different gauge and didn't bother trying to figure out how to set it back up. According to the Jackson website the original strings were 9s. Great channel, btw! Thanks for the response. As you may guess, Woodeso's Mods brought me here. Here to stay!
Floyd Rose makes springs with higher tension now and they are noiseless. I had springs that made noise through my Duncan JB pickup. You can get those springs from Stew Mac. You want the RED heavy duty springs (link)- www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Parts/Bridges_and_Tailpieces/Bridges_and_Tailpieces_for_Electric_Guitar/Floyd_Rose_Tremolos/Floyd_Rose_Noiseless_Tremolo_Springs.html
Imagine how Pat O'Brien has it. The man is tuned to Bb and Ab standard with a FR and was plagued with tuning problems for hours until he got his new Jacksons.
Great vid. Same principle as setting up a steniberger trem. I don't know if you've noticed this but your low e side trem stud is beginning to fall towards the nut. The wood is giving way. 6:59. It's a fairly simple fix. Beautiful Kramer btw.
Thanks man... I've actually never had the opportunity to work on a Steinberger. I have a "travel guitar" on my list of builds, so I'll be using a Steinberger style bridge. It will be interesting to see the similarities... Thanks for the heads up on the stud. I haven't had the whole thing apart in quite awhile, so I hadn't noticed.
I personally take off one string at a time and replace it and tune it, leaving the old strings on until I get to that string. That way you don't have to block the tremolo at all, and when you're done all you have to do is a slight compensation on the tremolo spring screws. Takes less than 10 minutes for sure.
Your method doesn't work if you're changing tunings. All new guitars come in standard E from the store. But what if you want it setup in drop C? So you have to use the block to save time.
I recently got my first floyd rose guitar. I put new strings on the day i got it and it was a "learning experience" getting the float even doing one string at a time. I will give your blocking technique a try next time.
Took a little time with your method. I used the back of a string winder as the block. So After it was blocked, I gradually tightened the claw screws, and bam. It worked. Took me some tries though.
Do you mean once the block is in place (perfectly level bridge) and you're first tuning her up to pitch? Another way to put it is: do you do all your stretching before you tighten up the springs to get the block to fall out?
Serious question: I've just purchased a new Jackson with FR which has to last me forever. I used the block technique to set it up initially with my preferred strings - worked very well but I had to unscrew quite a bit to level, which made me nervous. I tend to change strings every 2-4 weeks, depending upon how much I play. Is it safe to loosen and tighten those spring screws so often?
Once you pick a string gauge you shouldn't need to adjust from there out. If you use a trem block or some other item to block your trem, you can do a few things to avoid adjusting the claw. You can get your strings roughly to pitch, then remove a spring (or two if you want it to balance nice)... You can tape the block in place while you tune up... You can over tighten the E strings to provide a bit more tension... But to answer your original question... You should be able to back the screws off a 1/2 turn while you change strings... That should not hurt your guitar over time. I have never stripped on out, I have never broken one and I've never messed up a claw. I use the correct size screw driver and I never use power tools on this adjustment. Be sure to stretch your strings BEFORE you adjust your claw and you should only have to tune up once when you change your strings. Let me know if you have any other questions and I'll be happy to answer them.
Very helpful product and instruction video. I ordered the block from the website and received it today. Used it to set up my Jem 777 and it worked very well. I used to struggle and sometimes pay a local guitar setup guy to do the same thing.
@@nataandrichardflora7660 he's saying to first tune the lowest string aka the low E string then the G and keep alternating sides to make sure that it is faster with tuning so he is not saying to tune it literally with that tuning but in that order for a standard tuned floyd rose guitar. I wanted to make sure people understood cuz this is truly a lifesaver.
This video has really helped me out with setting up my floyd. I just use business cards and stack them up till my floyd is flush, then tape the cards together so i have the size for my guitar. But this method is great!! Saves a huge headache!!
dude, thank you so much! you're a genius.. - I just measured up my 2 floyd guitars and decided to order the Large model (1/2" - 5/8")... I can't wait to try it out, thank you!
I mastered it being that my dad got me a Randy Rhoads replica V in the 90s........through a lot of frustration, trial and error. Then one year I was shown how. I wish I had UA-cam growing up. Videos like this would have saved me so much time.
@@SkyscraperGuitars I do. I got two different usa Randy Rhoads. Ones a custom and I picked up a Demmelition v and I got a Charvel model one San Dimas. Love them all. I played a 59 Les Paul custom and I will say it's the best guitar I've ever laid my hands on.
There is now underwear at my feet - great video, especially putting the ball of the string in the machine heads instead of cutting, makes intonation in drop tunings so much easier.
Awesome it worked thanks i just bought my first FloyedRose and i didn't know what to do about tunning the guitar after i had to change the string your method sure work ill subscribe i might buy what ever you used in the video might come in handy
Cool! I watched the CNC build video for this on Greg's Garage and I see how easy this would make tuning a tremelo when you restring. I'm not sure who Floyd Rose was (or is), but if he sees this video, he'll be wishing he had one.
Life saver on the block. I made a makeshift one with two cm×cm sticks and used tape to fine tune the thickness and shoved it in the back till the bridge was perfectly parallel with the body. I'd have never thought to tune a floyd rise bridge this way. Perfect in tune and parallel bridge first try. It also made intonation soooooo much easier.
I don't know how much you loosened the claw screws by at 0:53 . For me, when I took all the strings off (to clean the fretboard), the springs pulled the bridge right off the posts so that it was held in the topside trem recess. I can see how the skyscraper might help later in the process if the string tension is greater than the spring tension, but when the strings come off the metal trem block moves in the other direction - towards the claw.
This video pretty much saved my life
That's exactly why I made it! I just put out a new one that shows neck adjustment and intonation as well. Rock on!
are string will break if we use whammy bar? im acoustic bro no money for electric guitar... but i think I'll do it in guitar store
@@yussxf3946 do strings break when u bend ?
@@alexxxender1258 not on acoustic, i use electric guitar string on acoustic so i can bend more.. But for whammy i don't know
@@SkyscraperGuitars basically this video refutes the claims of people saying Floyd Rose guitars are hard to set up, seems quite easy!
One key thing I'd like to say for those of you trying this for the first time. Stretching your new strings properly before tuning and locking down your tremolo system is especially important on guitars with floating bridges. If you don't, your guitar will constantly be going out of tune, and you'll lose that perfectly level bridge over time. After you install the strings, tune them properly. Then begin stretching and retuning each string one at a time. Stretch the string by pulling it straight up away from the fret board at the 12th fret, then check it's tuning and adjust accordingly. Do this until the strings do not change tuning after pulling up on them. Hope this helps.
How do you tune a floyd rose discovery series guitar that does not have tuning keys on top of neck
morbidangel47 I always wait to lock them down , play the fuck out them then lock them down .Stays in tune longer and have no issues
Bends work as well as pulling up
Kénôse THANK YOU
Thanks
My first guitar had a Floyd Rose, after going through that hell no Floyd can break me.
Same
Albee213 - Same haha
Try a 6 screw Strat
my fifth guitar has a floyd rose and it is the first time i felt broken after 17 years of playing
Idk man, that pink floyd breaks me down sometimes on Dark side
this is actually the most useful video of a floyd rose ive ever seen
agree
Right !
@@LuiyoSA musica Cristiana Paul Ochoa
You haven't looked hard enough.
true!
I own several guitars, and I must say, this video is among the best I've ever seen. My Ibanez guitar constantly went out of tune within 10 seconds of stretching and tuning it, and this had been happening forever. Every time I came up with a great riff, trying to replicate it was a struggle because the guitar would be out of tune. It was incredibly discouraging, especially since it's my favorite guitar, but dealing with the tuning was a real hassle. I turned to UA-cam and stumbled upon your video. I followed the procedure you recommended, unsure of what the final result would be. Miraculously, it worked! I've been playing it for days now, and the tuning is perfect. Thank you so, so much for your help. Please keep these videos coming!
Stellar video. I have a kahler trem on an old guitar that I haven't touched since about 98... because I hate the trem. Set it up to this and now wish I had played it more!
Worked for me 1st time.....Perfect .... Best Floyd Rose setup video ever.. Massive thank you!!!
I just tried these blocks for the very first time, and followed your video to a “T”. WOW!!!! AMAZING!!!! This method literally shaved hours off the time it usually takes.
I'm always tickled to hear other players who use this method for the first time. There would be a lot few Floyds in the trash can if everyone knew how to do this! :D
SkyScraper Guitars I totally understand! I’ve fought with setting them up for years. Always got tired of going back and forth for days waiting on it to settle, then adjust, then settle, etc. Again, you have my deepest thanks for creating such a cool device! I can’t wait to perform setups on a few other guitars in the collection now! :D
You saved my life! I was about to get someone else to set it up for me but your method worked flawlessly and my floyd never sat better in its life! Thank you so much!
This is the best way and best tutorial. I have watched 10 and they are not good enough. This is the way.
It's funny how every video I watched doesn't use this technique, they block it on the other side of the brigde and all that does is stop it from sinking not lifting, this worked perfectly for me thanks my friend.
If I never found this video my guitar would’ve became wood chips for a playground. Thx man!!
👊👊👊
Haha! Dude ... I am a drummer with an audio interface and an amp sim. (Coming from edrums -> VST drumming)
I just grabbed a used cheap Harley Benton, with the Floyd Rose Special trem system ... It's look so cool, and I WANT to try a Dive Bomb and Dimebag Squeals!
I am also a physicist and I always need a plan for a special project.
This is a masterplan. This makes so much sense.
Just loosen the springs, but that block in, tune, tighten the springs back until everything is in a - kind of - equilibrium . Done!
Great content!
Bought one for a vintage tremolo on a Strat. Took me 5 minutes with this method. Stoked.
Dozens of videos I have gone through to try and understand my floyd and this guy showed me and told me things no one els even bothered to mention let alone explain. THX
Thanks for the kind words! Good luck with your wiggle stick(s)!!!
I like setting up Floyd’s. It makes me feel like I’m working on a race car or something.
Great video. I bought a Trem Wedge yesterday from your site. Should make my life a lot easier. Many thanks.
Right on! I believe we got your order ready to ship this morning. It will be in the hands of the USPS tomorrow! Thank you.
@@SkyscraperGuitars Just got it and used it to set up the FR on my Charvel DK. Works perfectly. Great product. Thx.
@@guitarmemoir 🙏
Just got a jackson V with floating bridge. My first time back to playing in 12 years. Was starting to get really frustrated last night with the back and forth to go down to D standard. Saw a comment on another UA-cam vid that mentioned a block. Then found this video. Looks like it will work great. I'd like to support you, but I have so many little wood scraps in the garage, that I'm just going to measure my gap and cut my own block, because I just want to get this done right away. Thank you for the great video and great tips however! We need good vids like this.
Hey SkyScraper! I wanted to say thank you for this video, I'm a sales employee at a music retailer and was hoping to gain some insight on how trem systems work and how they differ from other bridge systems. I can thankfully say I learned quite a bit from this, and after watching this video I decided to get the Luthier's Pack of trem wedges that you offer for the repair tech that works at my store. I surprised him with the set of wedges as a gift, and funnily enough, he had previously tried to make his own trem wedge out of wood that unfortunately didn't turn out as well as he'd hoped! He was immediately impressed by the quality of them, and I think he'll use them a lot! I was glad to get him something that will hopefully make his life a little easier when working on customers' guitars, and more importantly, the new custom shop Strat I ordered that he will also inevitably work on! 😅 Thanks again for the quality products and service. Rock on dude!
Right on! I'm glad the video helped and thank you for the order. I'm sort of a trem nerd, so if you run Into anything goofy that you can't sort out, drop me a line.
I do agree to the comment below. This is indeed the one of the most useful videos on this matter. I had a lot of tunning issues with my PRS Torero. Now my guitar stays perfect in tune. Thx!
this is funny, I just got a 2012 Torero SE a few days ago and it's my first floyd! Been eyeballing string length and spring tightness but I think I definitely gotta get one of those wedges haha.
wow! never thought of stringing through the tuners first. the ball will hold the strings in place. super great tip
I know right?
Thats a kick ass looking Kramer.
This is the best Floating Trem tutorial I've seen! I've always done it a different way but figured that had to be better ways, then saw your tutorial. Subscribed!
I actually like a light forward pitch to my trem setup. But I'll have to try the string reverse loading with the string ball at the tuner. That looks interesting!
There's nothing wrong with adapting the "factory recommendations" to your liking. As you well know - as long as it's balanced, it will play just fine. When you get into a large forward lean, you can start to affect string radius and intonation because the contact point on the saddle becomes affected.
You probably saved me a good 30-40 dollars in setup fees.
@Broyo yo I was about to say the same thing!
You should know that this isn't a full setup on a guitar just a bridge setup (no I don't work on guitars for a living). When you pay for a full setup they adjust more than just the bridge if they do the job properly. They adjust the neck bow, intonation, etc.
One thing that I rarely see in these Floyd Rose set up videos are the round tuning adjustments for each string. I backed them off all the way and then tighten 1/2 turn. Strings stretch over time but they never tighten up overtime. So by backing that round tuning adjustment all the way out gives you a lot more adjustment capability as the string stretches over time. I hope I'm making sense here.
This may be the best video I have seen so far about how to set up a floyd rose, thank you so much man! Greetings from Mexico.
Not long bought a Jackson DK3 and I have never previously owned a guitar with a Floyd Rose! A string change was imminent but I had been putting it off since due to fear of making a hash of it. Having breaking a string earlier today, I had to find my minerals and at least attempt to restring the guitar, as it played phenomenally since the day I got it. After searching for an in depth but to the point tutorial, I settled with this video.
What a great step by step walkthrough! Could not have been simpler with the assistance of this video!
Thank you!
Right on! That's exactly why I make videos like this.
I got my first guitar with a floyd on it, and I of course researched all kinds of videos on changing strings etc. People in music stores were telling me how complicated it is to set them up proper. I bought a set of these blocks and it worked perfectly my first try. Really stupid easy really. Thanks!!
I was going to sell my Ibanez RG but when i seted it up right! nothing plays better than it! Thank you man you made my guitar staying with me
I'm a total noob, owned my first ever guitar (Mitchell HD400) for 2 days now and following your general directions (I just cut a small triangle wood wedge out of some scrap wood) I managed to re-string and fully tune my guitar in about an hour. Not too bad for my first time ever re-stringing a guitar and with a Floyd Rose no less. It will definitely go much faster next time. Thanks for the video.
I just happened to purchase this on amazon months ago without realizing that it's a special block that makes tuning floyd rose guitars easier. Thanks for the items and this video. I went from being nervous that I was going to destroy my guitar to feeling like a floyd rose expert.
Thanks very much for sharing. Just changed the string gauge and tuning on my first Floyd. While I can’t say I was very fast, there wasn’t much headache using your method. Guitar is set up now much better than it came from the factory.
Wow this really helped me! I've been having problems with my PRS Floyd Rose always going out of tune with just moderate tremolo use. I followed your instructions to the letter and now I can divebomb flat and sharp and it stays in tune! You saved me a trip to the local tech. It's good to know how to maintenance it myself too.
Right on! I'm glad it helped.
I just followed this step by step and BINGO! I've now got the fastest Jackson in the west.....Thanks.
Awesome! I'm glad it helped.
This is the greatest video for the Floyd Rose I've ever seen. Especially if you wanted to do some repair work on the side. I've always stayed away from the FR because I had an Ibanez version that I wasn't sure how close they were. So I wrestled with it and hardly ever changed strings. I didn't play as much guitar until recently, I mostly played bass. They are easy to tune.
After fiddling with my Ibanez for so long I gave up and switched to hard bridge and after seeing your video I decided to try again and yes! It works!
Well done, made that look easy and it sure isn't.
Thanks Jerry.
one of the best floyd restring tutorial
👊👊👊
Installing the strings backwards.... What a pro tip. Thank you
Doing that since 1983
New kids, I started in '85.
Old bastards.... I was born in 85. Ya'll suck at passing on knowledge.
I've been stringing floyds this was since my first Kramer back in the mid 80's. I keep a bit more string as to reuse a string broken at the bridge several times. Well done.
You saved my life honestly, I was ready to sell this thing, went through dozens of videos and dozens of guitar strings until this video ! Thanks
I'm glad you found it... Once you know the trick, it's a piece of cake!!! Have fun with your Floyd wiggle stick!!!
Just ordered the luthier pack and neck work station. I've got two floyd rose trems and haven't bothered changing strings or tunings in so long because I always had to end up paying someone to do it for me. Watched this video (jumped ahead the first time and failed) after a while was able to fix my own problems! I did end up using electrical tape and a gopro battery as a temporary wedge but you've got a product that provides a permanent solution as well as instructions that make it less of a migraine than it usually ends up, so "shut up and take my money!" Thanks for the clear instructions and ready-made products guys!
Right on! 🙏
If I had a dollar every time he said “dead on the money” 😂
You'd be dead on the money
You'd be able to afford that piece of wood he's selling! 🤣🤣
I've looked for videos that include blocking the bridge and this is by far the best overall method, the most clearly explained, and the most concise, as well as being a great production that's well presented. Knocked it out the park here dude. 🤘
Thank you! 🙏
@@SkyscraperGuitars hey sorry for the noob question. But i’m kinda new floating bridges. Does doing all of these steps in the video affect the action and intonation?
New to*
i thought i was the shit when i was 15 stringing it up the same way lol. saved me a lot of time
I'm 18 and learned on an Epiphone Les Paul. Bought a used Strat copy a few days ago and felt like a god after I managed to fix the broken Trem system on it. The previous owner managed to completely strip one of the screws that hold the spring claw in place so I replaced it and set it up, and it stayed in tune after stretching in the strings and messing with the tension a bit. Nothing beats the feeling of completing something you found intimidating at first!
Skyscraper is a good company and you know your stuff, it was a pleasure talking with you today, and if I do run into any questions at all I won't hesitate to call or email you thanks again!
Keep ROCKIN \M/
the trem wedgie fall trick is neat!!
Thanks for this video. After watching I ordered a set of your trem wedge tools off of Amazon. It seems like these will be a big help.
Thank you! If you run into any issues, just reach out. I'm posting a handful of set-up videos over the next few weeks and almost all the guitars have a floating trem, so you can see the process a few times on different guitars.
damn! this will make my tuning a lot easier.. thank you.
EXCELLENT VIDEO!!!!! In the ocean of you tube your video finally helped me with my Jackson dinky after spending money and over 5 high e string replacements your video saved me time and future set up know how thank you !
Can you do a video on adjusting intonation and string height
I recorded one a few weeks ago. I will have it edited and up on YT soon. While I was filming the steps, I was able to create an eBook to go along with the video. You can download a free copy here to get you by until the vid drops: bit.ly/TheSkyScraperMethodForFloydRoseSetup
For years I have tuned my Ibanez 350dx by going back and forth to tune it, you have saved me a lot of time, thank you!
Glad to hear it! 👊👊👊
I just bought the luthier's pack, and i have to say, they are an amazing time saver!
I'm glad you like them! Enjoy all your extra time with your wiggle stick!
Very useful advice. I have a JEM JR. which came supplied with the trem sat high at the back. I used your video to set it back in place and retune . The only problems I had were that the trem cavity wasn’t finished brilliantly (with wood particles sitting in the paint) so the block I used wouldn’t sit square until I had rubbed the cavity lightly with sanding paper. And also I had to use a block on the other side of the trem sustain block because the springs pulled it way too much in... I’ve since learned that I didn’t need the 3 springs. In all though a fantastic learning experience that I would have been wary of attempting had it not been for your video. Many thanks.
all the ibanez trem cavities are rough!
I tried setting up a Floyd with 10-52 gauge strings and for the life of me i couldn't get it to sit level with the spring claw all the way back. Only had 3 springs on, would adding more help put more tension onto the trem and bring it back some?
If you run out of tension range (i.e. the screws that hold the claw are all the way in) you'll need to add a spring. If you're screws are all the way out, you need to subtract a spring. I'm guessing you are moving from 9s to 10s?
I bought a secondhand Dinky and my best guess is the previous owner tried to do a string change with a different gauge and didn't bother trying to figure out how to set it back up. According to the Jackson website the original strings were 9s. Great channel, btw! Thanks for the response. As you may guess, Woodeso's Mods brought me here. Here to stay!
Floyd Rose makes springs with higher tension now and they are noiseless. I had springs that made noise through my Duncan JB pickup. You can get those springs from Stew Mac. You want the RED heavy duty springs (link)-
www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Parts/Bridges_and_Tailpieces/Bridges_and_Tailpieces_for_Electric_Guitar/Floyd_Rose_Tremolos/Floyd_Rose_Noiseless_Tremolo_Springs.html
Imagine how Pat O'Brien has it. The man is tuned to Bb and Ab standard with a FR and was plagued with tuning problems for hours until he got his new Jacksons.
Great vid. Same principle as setting up a steniberger trem. I don't know if you've noticed this but your low e side trem stud is beginning to fall towards the nut. The wood is giving way. 6:59. It's a fairly simple fix. Beautiful Kramer btw.
Thanks man... I've actually never had the opportunity to work on a Steinberger. I have a "travel guitar" on my list of builds, so I'll be using a Steinberger style bridge. It will be interesting to see the similarities... Thanks for the heads up on the stud. I haven't had the whole thing apart in quite awhile, so I hadn't noticed.
I personally take off one string at a time and replace it and tune it, leaving the old strings on until I get to that string. That way you don't have to block the tremolo at all, and when you're done all you have to do is a slight compensation on the tremolo spring screws. Takes less than 10 minutes for sure.
But then you can't really clean the fretboard.
Your method doesn't work if you're changing tunings. All new guitars come in standard E from the store. But what if you want it setup in drop C? So you have to use the block to save time.
I recently got my first floyd rose guitar. I put new strings on the day i got it and it was a "learning experience" getting the float even doing one string at a time. I will give your blocking technique a try next time.
Good luck! Reach out if you run into any issues and I'll try to help any way I can.
5 quarters and 1 dime does it
I bought these and they work really well. I had a disaster-piece to set up and that little piece of wood made it so much easier.
Just got mine. Let's see how it works
Took a little time with your method. I used the back of a string winder as the block. So After it was blocked, I gradually tightened the claw screws, and bam. It worked. Took me some tries though.
If you don't stretch the strings when on the guitar first you will always have tuning difficulties.
Do you mean once the block is in place (perfectly level bridge) and you're first tuning her up to pitch? Another way to put it is: do you do all your stretching before you tighten up the springs to get the block to fall out?
EXTREMELY HELPFUL! You are a great teacher.
Serious question: I've just purchased a new Jackson with FR which has to last me forever. I used the block technique to set it up initially with my preferred strings - worked very well but I had to unscrew quite a bit to level, which made me nervous. I tend to change strings every 2-4 weeks, depending upon how much I play. Is it safe to loosen and tighten those spring screws so often?
Once you pick a string gauge you shouldn't need to adjust from there out. If you use a trem block or some other item to block your trem, you can do a few things to avoid adjusting the claw. You can get your strings roughly to pitch, then remove a spring (or two if you want it to balance nice)... You can tape the block in place while you tune up... You can over tighten the E strings to provide a bit more tension... But to answer your original question... You should be able to back the screws off a 1/2 turn while you change strings... That should not hurt your guitar over time. I have never stripped on out, I have never broken one and I've never messed up a claw. I use the correct size screw driver and I never use power tools on this adjustment. Be sure to stretch your strings BEFORE you adjust your claw and you should only have to tune up once when you change your strings. Let me know if you have any other questions and I'll be happy to answer them.
Thanks for your detailed reply. It helped a lot. :)
David
Look up Tremedic reviews here on UA-cam and Facebook group 'The Tremedic'
Very helpful product and instruction video. I ordered the block from the website and received it today. Used it to set up my Jem 777 and it worked very well. I used to struggle and sometimes pay a local guitar setup guy to do the same thing.
Right on!!! Glad to hear it. Rock on!
Tune a Floyd in this order E,G,A,B,D,E and that's the secret your welcome.
LastDeparture which E is first?
What
E a d g b e , correct tune.440.
@@nataandrichardflora7660 he's saying to first tune the lowest string aka the low E string then the G and keep alternating sides to make sure that it is faster with tuning so he is not saying to tune it literally with that tuning but in that order for a standard tuned floyd rose guitar. I wanted to make sure people understood cuz this is truly a lifesaver.
VJ swims, after I wrote it I figured it out.
These are great! Perfect set up and easy. No longer need to spend $$ getting my guitars set up. Thank you!
This video has really helped me out with setting up my floyd. I just use business cards and stack them up till my floyd is flush, then tape the cards together so i have the size for my guitar. But this method is great!! Saves a huge headache!!
You have gained one new subscriber
dude, thank you so much! you're a genius.. - I just measured up my 2 floyd guitars and decided to order the Large model (1/2" - 5/8")... I can't wait to try it out, thank you!
Dude the lining up the tremelo before tuning up the strings is a game changer... thanks man.
Boom! Glad it helped you out! Rock on.
I mastered it being that my dad got me a Randy Rhoads replica V in the 90s........through a lot of frustration, trial and error. Then one year I was shown how. I wish I had UA-cam growing up. Videos like this would have saved me so much time.
Gotta love those old V's!
@@SkyscraperGuitars I do. I got two different usa Randy Rhoads. Ones a custom and I picked up a Demmelition v and I got a Charvel model one San Dimas. Love them all. I played a 59 Les Paul custom and I will say it's the best guitar I've ever laid my hands on.
Got the trem wedge you made for me last week man it works like a charm thank you. Highly recommend !!!
There is now underwear at my feet - great video, especially putting the ball of the string in the machine heads instead of cutting, makes intonation in drop tunings so much easier.
I just bought an Ibanez S670QM, the dragon eye one. THANK YOU for this!
9Volt Battery works in my Ibanez RS I got recently. Love this video!
Boy you make it look sooo easy!!! I guess that is when you know what you are talking about Thanks a lot Great Job
Awesome it worked thanks i just bought my first FloyedRose and i didn't know what to do about tunning the guitar after i had to change the string your method sure work ill subscribe i might buy what ever you used in the video might come in handy
Right on! I'm glad it helped you out.
The back plate is like reflectors on a kids' bike. It goes as soon as you get it home from the store.😁
Back plate and truss rod cover 😉😊
Im buying a Dean ML with a Floyd on it soon. I was scared to no end of not being able to do basic maintenance. I feel this will help a lot. Thank you
Cool! I watched the CNC build video for this on Greg's Garage and I see how easy this would make tuning a tremelo when you restring. I'm not sure who Floyd Rose was (or is), but if he sees this video, he'll be wishing he had one.
Thanks Tom!!! Floyd is still alive as far as I know. I'm guessing he has fought the setup a number of times. Would be cool if he saw this.
This is what a professional looks like!!
Just got my first guitar with a floyd rose, definitely gonna have to read up on them a bit more before changing anything
I have shared this video probably several 100 times, such an excellent, to the point set up video. About to help someone out and share it again.
Life saver on the block. I made a makeshift one with two cm×cm sticks and used tape to fine tune the thickness and shoved it in the back till the bridge was perfectly parallel with the body. I'd have never thought to tune a floyd rise bridge this way. Perfect in tune and parallel bridge first try. It also made intonation soooooo much easier.
👊
Thank you for this. I have a 91 yamaha rgz with a floyd licensed and just bought a real floyd for it. This is going to make my life a lot easier
This is a life saver, thank you for this video. Honestly it is the most easiesr and effortless way to setup FR.
Glad it helped! Once you know the recipe, Floyds are a dream!!!
Almost 4 years old and still relevant. I just ordered the Luthier's Package of the TremWedge! Thanks!
Thank you!!! I've been using this technique for several decades now. :D. Let me know if you have any questions when you get the Trem Wedges.
This video actually just changed everything for me thank you so much
👊👊👊
This is a life saver, why is not everyone getting this now?!?!
Best explanation of how to set these up I've found.
Thanks for this video. I am enlightened. Just got my first trem and I have a lot to learn.
You have no clue how helpful this was i just got a guitar with a Floyd and i knew nothing about them
Damn bro thanks for this video honestly. I just purchased my first Floyd rose in 15 years of playing and this is going help me out and other for sure
Best video on UA-cam I've seen yet.
👊🧡👊
Just got one! looking forward to much faster set ups!
Thanks for this. Had a short time to set up a guitar before a gig and this saved me so much time!
I don't know how much you loosened the claw screws by at 0:53 . For me, when I took all the strings off (to clean the fretboard), the springs pulled the bridge right off the posts so that it was held in the topside trem recess. I can see how the skyscraper might help later in the process if the string tension is greater than the spring tension, but when the strings come off the metal trem block moves in the other direction - towards the claw.
that tip about running the strings backwards.... wow