Schnozzalee Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 (edited) So my friend gave me his Guitar to set up, which has a Floyd Rose Bridge (German Original Model)... I've owned 4 Floyd Rose Guitars in the past, but this is the first time I've had to set one up from scratch. After reading all the hate on the forums etc, I prepared myself for the worst and after using the following methods: [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5W8GkhvZMp4"]https://www.youtube....h?v=5W8GkhvZMp4[/url] [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_nOYkRed3I"]https://www.youtube....h?v=V_nOYkRed3I[/url] [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uPvABrN7sA"]https://www.youtube....h?v=4uPvABrN7sA[/url] I was surprised to find that it set up like pretty much any other Tremolo Bridge and probably took me the same amount of time. The only inconvenience with Double Locking Tremolos is the need for Allen Keys (x2), although I have seen brackets to hold them on the back of the headstock. I've come to the conclusion that the main benefit is managing to get through a solo without the string binding at the nut. The extra tuning time cancels itself out, because you rarely have to fine tune thereafter. Can't help but wonder why they get such a bad reputation, it's a nice bit of kit! Bigsbys on the other hand... Edited April 26, 2016 by Schnozzalee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si600 Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 I find mine is a faff to tune, I have to do each string a few times before they all stay in tune, but I agree, it's not the evil invention it has the reputation for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roman_sub Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 A good floyd will stay in tune well, also. Trouble starts with poor licensed version that not only make the guitar sound horrible but also won't stay in tune no matter what Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 I used to thunk Floyd Rose terms were the pinnacle of guitar engineering. Then I saw a Kahler unit on a G&L. THAT is something special. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 Some of the Steinberger non headless units are superb - unfortunately they're not very easy to get hold of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Vader Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 I've got a double locker on my recently acquired Ibanez Roadstar, am fast wondering how on earth I used to get along without it. It's no harder to set up than my strat once you know how. (and I've got the allen keys on the back of the headstock) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leschirons Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 Had three original Floyds on guitars, two Kramer Barettas and a Hamer Steve Stevens. Absolutely love them. Stay in tune for ever if they're set up well. Considering all three guitars were already well used when I bought them, I never had any problems whatsoever after I set them up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted April 28, 2016 Share Posted April 28, 2016 [quote name='leschirons' timestamp='1461787968' post='3037710'] Had three original Floyds on guitars, two Kramer Barettas and a Hamer Steve Stevens.... [/quote] Ooh, Hamer Steve Stevens, lovely guitar. Was yours a mk 1 or 2 model? What colour was it? (they came in some great finishes!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimBobTTD Posted April 30, 2016 Share Posted April 30, 2016 I love Floyd Rose trems. I think the terrible reputation comes from people who do not know how to set them up. I sold an Epiphone Flying V with a Floyd because it would never - never, ever, ever - stay in tune. Now I know how to set them up, I kick myself for selling it! Now...a black Strat, rosewood board, chrome Floyd...yes please! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schnozzalee Posted April 30, 2016 Author Share Posted April 30, 2016 [quote name='JimBobTTD' timestamp='1462034362' post='3039842'] Now...a black Strat, rosewood board, chrome Floyd...yes please! [/quote] It is bizarre that you can't buy a Fender American Stratocaster w/ Floyd Rose Interested to hear about Kahlers, as that's another one that gets a bad rep... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted April 30, 2016 Share Posted April 30, 2016 Personally I've always preferred Kahlers, a lot of people don't like the feel of them though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimBobTTD Posted April 30, 2016 Share Posted April 30, 2016 [quote name='Schnozzalee' timestamp='1462034827' post='3039847'] It is bizarre that you can't buy a Fender American Stratocaster w/ Floyd Rose Interested to hear about Kahlers, as that's another one that gets a bad rep... [/quote] I'm thinking going the Warmoth route... I have never used a Kahler. Not sure I have even seen one in the flesh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaytonaRik Posted June 20, 2016 Share Posted June 20, 2016 A lot of folks seem t have trouble 'chasing' the tuning after they're set up. I've always found the best way is to tune from the middle outwards - seems to make a huge difference to the amount of time to bring the unit up to pitch both when tuning and also after it's locked up and fine tuning it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted June 20, 2016 Share Posted June 20, 2016 I had a Maverick with a licensed Floyd clone, and I could never get the top E up to pitch! Never had a problem with the Bigsby on my Gretsch: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoo Posted June 20, 2016 Share Posted June 20, 2016 [quote name='JimBobTTD' timestamp='1462041325' post='3039921'] I'm thinking going the Warmoth route... I have never used a Kahler. Not sure I have even seen one in the flesh. [/quote] I've got a kahler on my strat copy.. Never played a Floyd to compare but ... The roller bridge saddles are locked in place and are great for palm muting. The ball ends aren't clamped in place so heavy dive bombing can cause them to unseat and result in tuning issues. There's an Allen key bolt to lock the trem in place. Mine stays locked. No real tuning issues with it unlocked but I never use the arm. I'd replace it with a hardtail but its too much work for a guitar I rarely use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Vader Posted June 20, 2016 Share Posted June 20, 2016 [quote name='DaytonaRik' timestamp='1466414801' post='3075568'] A lot of folks seem t have trouble 'chasing' the tuning after they're set up. I've always found the best way is to tune from the middle outwards - seems to make a huge difference to the amount of time to bring the unit up to pitch both when tuning and also after it's locked up and fine tuning it. [/quote] Why has this never occurred to me before! Seems obvious now you mention it (especially on my non-floyd Strat, set to float) thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoonBassAlpha Posted June 20, 2016 Share Posted June 20, 2016 They're ok until you break a string Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted June 20, 2016 Share Posted June 20, 2016 [quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1466418126' post='3075595'] I had a Maverick with a licensed Floyd clone, and I could never get the top E up to pitch! Never had a problem with the Bigsby on my Gretsch: [/quote] Nice Matchless! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted June 20, 2016 Share Posted June 20, 2016 [quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1466436372' post='3075793'] Nice Matchless! [/quote] Cheers! My gigging amp for 7 years. Despite being 'only' 15 watts, it's always been loud enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leschirons Posted July 2, 2016 Share Posted July 2, 2016 [quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1461841285' post='3038047'] Ooh, Hamer Steve Stevens, lovely guitar. Was yours a mk 1 or 2 model? What colour was it? (they came in some great finishes!). [/quote] Sorry, just seen your question. It was a MK1 in the white pearlescent finish, stock Dimarzios HSS. Never went out of tune, even after serious dive-bombing. Harmonics to die for, and probably the biggest mistake ever in selling it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel Posted October 4, 2016 Share Posted October 4, 2016 No probs setting up if you know what you are doing. The tuning stability is amazing, but I do find them a bit clunky and OTT overall. I prefer a more stratty trem for feel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Posted October 4, 2016 Share Posted October 4, 2016 I have Floyd designed trems on my MSG's and I'm still struggling to see what the benefits are over a floating vintage trem and a teflon/tusq nut. I'm finding the string tension is a bit much though, maybe I need to go back to 9's rather than 10's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schnozzalee Posted October 5, 2016 Author Share Posted October 5, 2016 ^ Agree, 9's are always best with Floyd Rose Bridges IMO. I've never tried the bridge on the MSG (nice guitar btw!), but I tend to avoid custom innovations in case I need parts (the ESP Sinclair/Synclair was a nightmare). Trevor Wilkinson nails the reason why the Open G on Vintage Trems never stays in tune - I'll try and find the video. I have a T-O-M and Locking Tuners, but it still doesn't do what the Floyd Rose does, as I can do 10 bendy solos on the Floyd and it'll still be in tune. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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