ESP Guitars: Restringing a guitar with a Floyd Rose
Вставка
- Опубліковано 23 чер 2016
- For years, guitarists have asked our advice on the proper way to restring a guitar equipped with a Floyd Rose locking tremolo. In this detailed Tech Corner video, ESP's vice-president of product development and chief tech Todd Binder shows you in extreme detail how to go about changing strings on a Floyd-equipped guitar the right way. NOTE: We will be featuring more videos about the complete setup of a Floyd-equipped guitar in upcoming videos. For more information, visit www.espguitars.com.
These are by far the best videos on how to setup a Floyd Rose. There is a whole series of them and anyone who owns a guitar with a Floyd Rose should watch all of them. The videos are: Restringing, Setting the Bridge angle, Setting the string action and Intonation. Every time I restring my guitar I follow these videos. Not only does it make it simple and easy to do, but afterwards my guitar will stay in tune for months. I certainly cannot complain about a guitar that stays in tune for months.
I just restrung my first Floyd and let me tell you, it is one rewarding feeling.
EDIT: thank you so much for this esp.
I just did the same and holy shit it took me like 2 hours, lost a string in the process but it worked!! Stayed in tune and plays great and seeing the f,r float was definitely rewarding. Guitar center wanted 70 bucks so that same job.
you find perfect inner balance
Guitar block dimensions I have used for my guitar: 2.5 in x 1.2 in x 0.5 in. Fits like a glove.
ESP, pin this so more people see. You're video doesn't specify the dimensions enough and I know a lot of people ask.
every guitar dimensions will be different for different cuts .....
Block should be provided with the guitar in my opinion
And here I thought ESP would be able to afford an ESP...
Lmao
The economy is rough right now.
@@cegant 6:50
It takes me about 2 to 3 hours(the whole procedure from restringing to adjusting the action)every time I change my strings on my ESP MH-50 and I have been doing this for the last 4-5 years. I'm saying this cuz this guy reallllly is an expert in his work, he's so good, nearly flawless with such a cool head!
Floyd rose is awesome to play with but when you break your G string while playing live, you are so fuked. Better bring a backup-guitar
@@roisingtommy yes, it has happened with me once, it was so bad that I thought the bridge broke
@@prateekgautam5514 I broke my G string while playing live too. I was at age 17 or 18 I think and had just went through the typical "Squier years". I only had a vague idea aboutbasic maintenance and intonation but still insisted on buying a floyd rose'd Carvin guitar. because it was cool.
I completely chocked under pressure on stage and spent 15-20 minutes trying to get it back in tune but gave it up once someone offered to lend me his guitar for the rest of the show. I never again did a concert without a backup guityar:) It's 22 years ago but I can still feel the embarrassment crawling up my back when thinking about it.
@@roisingtommy 22 years ago!! wow man, that's long time ago, I just turned 27 this year!!
@@prateekgautam5514 I'm 41 this year. Haven't played in a band since age 26, but I still have that floyd rose guitar and would probably have used it now and then if it hadn't been for the re-string nightmare.
Which got me thinking about how helpful it would have been to have access to all the youtube videos and guitar tutorials we have today. In the 1990's, just getting the notes for a Metallica song required you to buy a $10 "ride the lightning"-book and guitar tutorials was bouight on VHS cassettes via snail mail and you never knew what you'd get.. It wasn't that far off from the days of Paul McCartney who travelled across town to find a guy he had heard that knew the chord Emaj7
Just ordered an MH-203 and I'm sure I'll be referring back to this video a number of times after I get it, nice work.
I learned how to do all of this by trial and error. I wish I would have seen this video before I started experimenting with my guitar. it would have really shortened the learning curve.
Me too....back in the mid 90s. These would have been gold.
The ESP series on this subject (along with truss rod) is by far the best one I’ve found.
I just changed my gauge and tuning for the first time on a Floyd rather than having a shop do it (F standard... thanks Vektor), and it went perfectly well. Just understand the system first and you’ll be fine (ie how the tension works, what bolts or nuts do what, etc). I messed up only in that I should’ve cleaned my fretboard better and crowned my frets.
One recommendation I would make is: don’t just use some folded paper to block the bridge lol, actually craft a proper block for it like these guys do, which is the correct height to keep your bridge totally level. I did it with paper, and so I had to make sure I didn’t move the bridge at all while tuning, and I had to finish with the fine tuners more than I would’ve had to otherwise after locking it down.
Why am I watching this, I dont even own a floyd rose guitar
you need one to play a lot of metal and hard rock due to dive bombs otherwise won't sound right playing Slayer or Metallica
because you are THINKING about having a floyd rose...
You are Lucky
I don't even own a electric guitar smh
Just one tip:
Don't tune the strings from 6 to 1. Tune in the order below so the tension on the bridge is more evenly distributed and the process is faster.
6-1-5-2-3-4
+Remmy 315 how would you clean the fretboard then???
That's a complete myth
Jonathan Nelson no its definitely not lol
The order I use is 3-4-2-5-1-6.
What can happen to the truss rod?
Kote. thanks for the clarification on block size. I appreciate it.
That's a really great looking guitar. Great color, very simple 🎶🎸
Great video! Thank you!
I started playing in 85 and I've only had 4 guitars that didn't have a Floyd. I changed them one at a time. Low E first. Tune, stretch, and te-tune. A string next, then D and so on. Replacement strings must be exact ssme gauge. This method requires no block under the bridge. Super simple. Just like a fixed bridge as long as u stretch and tune before movinq to next string.
Did you never clean the fretboard?
Best Floyd Rose restringing vid. Once again, per usual - ESP delivers
Thank you guys so much, your video was much more helpful than Schecter's!
The one at a time prevents need to adjust spring tension. Steve
Gosh, S T E V E
And how do you clean your fretboard that way?
@@hltds a little bit at a time.😂
I typically just stick something under the bridge
@@hltds in this case you can take off ALL strings, Just remember to use the same Brand and gauge again, and probably won't need to adjust the springs
changing "one" string is for people who Don't know what they're doing.
Better video than most. Although I've never stacked my stings like that on the post.
Thank you!
I don't cut the ball ends off. I have a Peavey Wolfgang, and we simply seat the ball end through the tuning peg hole. Way easier than cutting and winding. If it's good enough for EVH, it's good enough for me. Great videos!
isnt the string too long that way? and the ends are goofy u would have to cut em anyway...
finally a video that shows restring and tuning the Floyd rose good video one question is how big is that block I tried a 9 volt battery and it raises the action to high maybe a AA battery I guess
getting my first floyd tmrw
Knaggs Severn XF
pretty siked
great lesson, looks easy, i just need to make a block
the most fun you're ever gonna have
Love locking system. I use an LTD Deluxe M-1000 in snow white it's the best guitar I've had. The quality esp produce in the ltd range is like having a jackson usa
Nice
I have a question for a espguitars twice since I bought my guitar from ESP I had professional to restring my guitar and when they both put whammy bar in to bend floyd rose to raise it up so put rubber/ wooden block underneath the bolt the whammy bar screws in has snapped forward and broke it in half the same way twice over 60 years they both said they have never had this issue before
ESP M1000 LTD DELUXE
is it necessary to leave a space for a number of windings around each string tree? less windings seems to make tuning and detuning easier.
How are you supposed to adjust the intonation? Loosen the string or not? Also what is the brand/model of that peg winder?
hey,i am in a problem, i have esp ltd M1000 with floyd rose and i recently re-string my guitar with 12-60 guage strings and when i started tuning everything was going fine until i got it tuned at D-standard and then i saw the whole bridge was coming out due to tension i made every possible adjustments but nothing worked,please suggest anything,is my springs done?
From where guitar spare parts purcharse.l have an esp guitar but ,volume controler,bridge full set, spring,inside,pieces,etc .help me.
The most important part of this is the block. He knows from experience that that block is the exact right size for that guitar. Getting right the process of blocking off the bridge makes restringing much easier. If you block the bridge in a way that is taking tension off of the strings and you tune the new strings with the bridge in that position they will go sharp when you remove the block. Be careful. You can break strings that way.
I think this happened to me and in kinda worried i left it like that for today because i suffered a lot changing strings, its my first time doing it. Now the strings are really detuned but the bridge is balanced, i dont know because if i tune them normally the bridge goes up a lot. And one string sometimes does a little crack noise. Im worried lol
@@MrCruelYT If the bridge is level but the strings are tuned too low you will need to tighten the claw that holds the springs to the body on the back of the guitar.
The strings and springs will always equal out in tension. They need to be equal when the bridge is level. This is determined by the string gauge and how far the spring claw is screwed in. This video assumes things were set correctly before the string change and the block he is using is the exact right size. It needs to be. I recommend a trem-block that mounts in the spring cavity.
Setting up a Floyd rose can be much harder than it is in this video. There are other videos out there with good info.
@@redhorsereincarnated5040 okay I get it now but, before I do anything, I haven't seen any video talking about it because maybe I did something I shouldn't have done but if I have to tighten the springs I have to tighten them to the max I think because yesterday I was tightening them and it was barely changing. Is it okay to screw it to the max or should I leave it like that and call someone that knows?
Edit: I just tuned more and less the strings and I added a lot of spring tension because im going up a step on the gauge of strings so thats why my bridge is up. Now its up a little less because i added spring tension but its still high and im so stressed right now I wanna return it 😂
@@MrCruelYT 9 or 10 gauge strings with three springs on the trem should have the claw about maybe half an inch to an inch from being all the way screwed in (on most guitars). Just make sure to loosen the strings before tightening the claw or the strings will go very sharp and could break.
@@redhorsereincarnated5040 I did it, but its still little high. Maybe I need another spring or something. I switched from 9 to 10 gauge and to me it seems the same but not for the guitar, I cant screw more the springs because im afraid i might break something. All I can think of is adding one spring more.
What a pretty guitar! Unfortunately its unavailable everywhere
Is there a certain oil type for certain types of wood types?
It's a good idea to always always, (did I say always LOL) take the end little blocks and make sure that the spaces of those blocks are clean !!!!!
I cut all strings at once and I restring from 1st string to 6th string and I have get to run into any problems.
My high e string keeps popping out , after I tune my axe , any tips.
Why is it my strings bust open every time I remove the block holding the floyd rose?
I know this may be a bit late but I would undertune while the block is in then when taken out tune up
Allen wrench? Mine uses Torx 15 and 9.
I tried changing strings for the first time. I didn't know you have to keep a block to stop the bridge from moving. I'm not sure of how much slack to give the strings. I seem to have many more windings around the tuning pegs than what is usual. My problem is the strings are way under tune (flat) but the strings feel so tight and close to the fretboard that I'm afraid they'll pop out or break if I tune them up any more (my G string popped out about 3 or 4 times while trying to get it on). Does anybody have any suggestions?
It's my major problem with Floyd Rose, too.
Once I went further and the high E string broke.
I have a 80's Kramer w/floyd rose system and I have never been able to keep it tuned. I swear over the yrs I have spent more time tuning it than playing it! I was just about to try to block it off/disable the tremolo system when i watched a video about how to adjust the tension on the springs. Well I tried and have it in tune but something tells me it is still going to have to be tuned every time I pick it up.
Can anyone tell me what's going on and how to fix it?
OMG. I have the same guitar and it needs tuning every time I play it. The string lock on the neck is kinda useless....
Hello ! What kind of piks seymour duncan is it ?? Thanks !
I have this guitar. Its a M1000SE.
Bridge is a Pearly Gates and the neck is a Jazz.
Body is mahogony with an actual flame maple top not a veneer.
Maple neck (thick profile not a normal thin U LTDs come with) and a birdseye fretboard.
What is the size of this little wooden block? There wasn't much explanation as to the proper height of the FR trem system. Recently trying to restring a guitar with the FR trem and having difficulties as to the height at tuning time. Anyone have any ideas as to the general thickness of this wooden block?
Tom Machell You must have your bridge positioned parallely to the bottom of a guitar. I have heard this in another video. So chosing a block is pretty much depended on that.
I made a small block for my guitar which has dimensions of 2.5 in x 1.2 in x 0.5 in. Fits like a glove.
I never really understood the "cutting" of the strings. It just adds an extra step. You have to unlock them at the bridge anyway. Whats the logic to this besides the fact you won't have the "L" bend when pulling the strings through the nut. I've had the floyd since '84 and never cut the strings. I'm not bashing, just need to be enlightened I guess.
jwalker1200 just got my first one today one a purple 80s bc rich i agree i don't see the point
do you have a video? please
None.
@@PiPArtemis old strings as back ups? if they are still good why change em? fresh strings sound better to me and they so cheap buy a couple packs and an extra high e lol
The most that I can say is player preference some guitarists cut their strings some dont
So if I stay in same tuning, same gauges etc I shouldnt need to adjust my springs and intonate again ?
That is true. Yes,it’s 9 months later but in case someone else reads this, there’s your answer! Heh😊
I need help with this. When I try to tune up the string just pops off from the lock on the bridge. The lock cant hold it. I really dont understand why. The guitar is not cheap either can someone help?
Sarge Mumar you might be using the wrong gauge of strings, if you use extra lights it shouldn’t do that, and also just because the guitar was expensive it can still have a $20 piece of crap Floyd rose
Can never find a video that focuses on the troubles people face with the back screws and when your trem is too far back/forward, especially for drop tuning.
Floyd Rose Heavy Duty Springs (the red ones); problem solved!
Ben Eller got a video on that: "This is why you suck at guitar: how to change tuning and string gauges floyd rose tremolo"
thats why you get a tremol-no, those worries go away.
@@ScoobWRX04 Tremel-no is great as it has 3 modes too.
The only thing i do differently is leave the ball on and run the whole string through the tuning machine. Headstock first, cut it down by the bridge and i find it locks on itself and theres absolutely no slippage. Even with a lockmut, string slippage is a pain in the ass.
I thought you guys used cleartone strings.
is that a jenga piece?
Whenever I tune up it keeps going past level. The block only keeps it from dropping. How do you keep it from going up and up and up when tuning, before you lock the nut???
216trixie adjust the springs from thr back
216trixie tighten the springs then tune down then back up
dang it
when i remove the block from under the bridge, it goes backward...
i followed each steps but still... dang it..
Rave The Legend You gotta tighten/loosen the springs in the back (there will be a panel on the back you can unscrew and open) and mess with those while tuning to keep your bridge level, floyd roses are a bitch to set up, but after a while you get used to it
he did it wrong anyway, look at the video he has his dipping down in front it's supposed to be level...this video is garbage....To not have this you should block the tremor and change 1 string at a time and alternate like say 6 4 5 3 1 2... there are many orders ppl swear by I just try to evenly replace them. unless it's been awhile and you need to clean and treat the fret board. If you do cut all 6 like this video, there are 2 screws in the back under the bigger plastic door. Screw even turns and count them in ward is to pull front down, out ward is to lower back down and you adjust the springs without the block
All my fr guitars have a locking tremolo device. Got the device from Floyd rose upgrade, trem stopper. You can dive like hell, tunning is just excellent, was about to trash my guitars cause fr are more like time spent setting up than playing. Use a trem stopper and be forever happy
How do you do this if your bridge keeps going up tho
I cant even keep it in tune because the bridge keeps rising
Good vid! Have you guys always used 9-42 on the LTD's? I have a 2001
Mark Hodder most Floyds use 9's out of the box.
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
For rosewood fingerboard you must use 01 dunlop cleaner and prep, then dunlop 02 deep conditioner. do not use lemon oil for rosewood.
This may be the only video on here without a single dislike!
What if the bridge is pulling up and you have the spring screws all the way in?
You need tougher/harder or more springs to handle higher gauge strings = balancing the pressure from both sides of the floyd, that's what it's about
your springs are shot.....or incorrect size...or need More springs......some guitars use 2, 3 or 4!
Remove the saddle block and put the ball end of the string in the space without cutting the ball. Screw the saddle bolt right into the string brad to hold it in the saddle. I've been doing this for years on my ESP, BC Rich, and Jackson all with Floyd.
If you wrap the string around the tuning keypost as you do, it will already be pre-contorted/twisted. I.e. strained, i.e. more rigid, i.e. less sustain.
So how should he have done it?
your comment makes no sense.
When I had this type of guitar, I changed the strings one at a time so I didn't have to block the bridge.
how do you clean the fretboard then?
Wipe it with cotton t-shirt bit by bit. It's still less trouble than taking all the strings off at once. Try for yourself and see what you prefer.
+pilgrimMj sounds good
It's not too bad honestly as long as you make sure you block off the trem, i still prefer changing them 1 at a time though for sure, saves a bit of hassle
@@kad0877 I block the tremendous and change 1 by one😂
Esp and Ltd are two completely different factories. Or I should say one is a factory and ones a handmade craftmanship facility
Do i need to lock the tremlo if i chage string one by one?
My whammy technique is so good that i need to use a breaker bar to do up the locking nuts tight
Touching my fine tuners throws everything out of whack! How is it so easy for him? Love the Floyd though, the tuning is ROCK SOLID.
Does the fine tuners have a lil bit of play in them? Thats what my issue was that over time the threads begin to wear out and become loose. Now this might be for specific floyd rose setups (floyd rose special) seems to be a softer material used on those
woah woah wait...I use that same lemon oil and while most of my guitars are all rosewood or ebony fingerboards, I have one thats maple.
Youre not supposed touse the lemon oil on maple?!
It is not better just to take off and put on strings one by one?
Kōji Kabuto yes! this way is foolishness
@@jefferylord3068 You don't need to keep any tension on the neck. You can cut all of the strings off at the same time while the guitar is still in tune and then clean your guitar and neck, then start changing strings. Think about it......if you use your whammy bar and push it all the way down, like everybody does, that takes 100% of the tension off of the neck. They play that way over and over and over again. If string tension harmed anything, there would not be a whammy in the whole world. The strong neck with a steel truss rod is PLENTY strong enough to handle over abusive whammy techniques, it will handle changing strings with no tension.
Guys I need help when changing strings three slipped out of the saddle and now the tremolo has dipped significantly. I've bought new string and need advice with what to do next. Shall I put in the three new ones then adjust the tremolo angle after? Plus how can I stop them from slipping?
I don't cut the ball end. Restring it reverse instead 🤣🤣🤣
Great job. That's when everything goes perfectly. 7:47 though is the reason you are here,. but its another video.
I thought that fine tuners are meant for tuning in the frets eg 12th fret and not for tuning the open string??
Man everytime I use my whammy bar on my Floyd Rose some of my strings go out of tune.... it’s getting kinda annoying....
Mine did that when I first got it, I would recommend tightening your nut a little bit more. At first I was afraid I was going to break a string but now I have no problems with going out of tune
My name is George and I am from Greece. I am a professional musician from 15 years old. my instrument is a bouzouki. now I have a shop with musical instruments in athens and a workshop of musical instruments for 2 years now and I make Greek musical instruments (bouzouki)
, but I also do repairs on guitars.
I am passionate about music but also about luther, your video is very good. BE GOOD SORRY FOR MY ENGLISH
KISSES FROM GREECE
for whatever reason my FR wouldnt stay in tune and i fixed it kinda and i bent the high E string and it broke i replaced it now i never go out of tune, was the string old? im really confused
If i change the strings one by one, do i still need a black under the bridge?
No
Just get a block, the tension is different even you do it one by one
H. H. Yes it the tension different but it also differs when you just use the Floyd Rose so if you change the strings one after another you don't need to block it. Anyways, blocking it doesn't hurt even if it's unecessary in this case.
My Horror FestEvil I personally keep the block under, because taking the risk of having to fix the alignment of the bridge makes me cringe
NOTE!!!! If you change "string gauge"...... you must re-adjust spring tension on the back of the guitar to counter it!.....not a big deal.....so if you go to different string gauge, tune up, and now your Floyd (rear) is sticking UP higher....Loosen your strings a bunch.........now Tighten the "spring screws" in the back a Couple turns, now "re-tune strings" again...and see how much the Floyd (rear) comes flat again.......and re-adjust again if necessary......Trial and Error.....No big deal. Remember, with Floyd, the Strings are Counter Balancing with the "springs" in the back of the guitar......actually pretty simple concept when you Think about it.....
I did this and my bridge went super high , the springs in the back don’t go any higher either
The springs in the back dont go any higher?? Im not sure what you mean by that. I do know what ya mean about the bridge. Is the bridge being lifted towards the neck board? If thats the case then you may need to tighten the two screws that holds your springs in the back. This will pull the bridge back in towards the body. Id recommend loosening your strings a bit so theres not a lot on tension on your springs. Once you tune your strings you may need to readjust the 2 screws again. Basically you want the bridge to line up parallel to the body with your strings in tune. And you may need to adjust the top and bottom post as well to adjust string height. And if you do this then you should also check the curve of your fret board. You may wanna look for a couple videos that will explain better than i
i don’t have a thing to tighten the tuner wtf am i supposed to fo
Dude, keep the ball-ends on! Keep em at the tuners and just trim at the other end!
yeah but i bet setting intonations or other maintenance is a bitch that way
Pro
I don't like his string wrapping technic at the tuners.
Also, isn't a problem to the neck to remove all the strings at once?
Alexandre Mundim not if he's only using 9-42's in E standard. If it was 10-52's In e standard then it'd cause some damage to the truss rod
Know what happens when you remove all the strings at once? NOTHING! Does your truss rod get damaged when you use the trem and change the tension? If it does, you must have a total piece of garbage guitar.
As David says.... what do you think happens when you use the trem,,, specially when pushing down on the bar.... you are letting all the strings go loose at once... also... how would you change pickups, replace frets, clean your fretboard and so on..... its complete bullshit.
I use D'Addario 9-42 myself. I cut the ball ends off individually as I'm inserting them so that there's no figuring out which string is which.
@metalgaming420 because Floyd Rose bridges don't take strings with the ball ends.
* ESP use 10's for fixed bridge guitars, they don't ALWAYS use 9s.
lemon oil??
Yes
Don't have a guitar with a Floyd rose but I know not to do that when re stringing... Start with Low E then high E and then A then B etc...
Lmao, that's just a myth that spread around. But if your bridge is weak then it might be true, but like this one, it doesn't matter.
I was always told to never take all strings off at same time. That a certain order had to be done.
that's for people who Don't know What they're doing!!.....so they try to "cheat" and do One string at a time....hoping the tension doesn't change.
Ive owned floyd rose double locking bridges for years, and honestly Im sick of all the required maintenance.
My high e string keeps popping out any tips
@@metalgaming420 9 gauge Jackson dinky
there is just one thing wrong in here, DON'T EVER CUT ALL THE STRINGS AT ONCE, always change one by one so you avoid losing tension
ok soo the esp tech is wrong?? one of the best guitar brands is wrong?
@@joaoguilhermenextlevel302 technically no. But it's much easier to do one string at a time so you don't have to adjust the tension
NO......doing one string, is for people who DON'T know what they're doing......you shouldn't have a Floyd Rose if you don't understand it!! Like riding a motorcycle and Paying someone to service it.......you'll go Broke Real fast!!
I just bought a new guitar and it has a floyd rose and i am having the hardest time restringing it. Im actually thinking about tking it to guitar center so tht they can do it for me. Im so over it!!!
That Only Works With ESP Guitars Guys!
😂😂😂😂
I’ll never own another FR equipped guitar!!!!
Hey, I got an idea. Let's make something very simple but in a different way that has tiny parts that are easy to drop and a huge pain to find. We'll make more money selling replacements.
Seriously, why do all these Floyd tutorial show the reinforcement windings being cut off. I cut my strings at the ball. Cutting the windings significantly reduces the life of your strings and risks slippage of the G, B, and E strings. Also get yourself some round ended wire cutters so you don't risk scratching your finish. The alternative is D'adario auto trim locking tuners.
DON'T cut the ball end off. Really? Pull the string through the tuning peg to where the ball end pulls tight on the tuning peg. Then cut the string just passed the back of the Floyd unit. Clip the string, insert into the saddle, tighten down and move on. Really?
What the fuck is that thing at 10:09
Taking 10-20 minutes out of my practice to change strings sucks. But I need my FR.
Cutting all 6 will make life miserable
Christ died for you choose him today he loves you
never use Alen key like that in a floyd rose. Always use it in the taller position, so you won't make too much pressure and there is no risk to damage the bridge or the neck locker