Floyd Tuning Problems

danteXXI

I have a guitar (Ltd) with a Floyd.

The problem is that the guitar constantly goes out of tune.

This annoys me because I thought the Floyd was supposed to stop the guitar going out of tune.

Does anybody know whar this is a sign of?
Is it ****ed or would this be a common problem relating to incorrect set up or something?

Any advice is welcome.
Thanks

Voodu Child

A good Floyd (or similar locking trem), well set-up should stay in tune very well.

So your problem could be that it's not a good Floyd, or that it's not well set up. :pac:

Simple recommendations are:
-Make sure the knife-edges of the trem are at 90° to the trem posts, this is where the best equilibrium will be. How you visualise this will vary from model to model, but usually you are looking at having the trem at exactly right angles to the body, so it shouldn't be up at an angle or down. Sometimes you can actually see the side of the knife-edges at the side of the trem, this helps to visualise the angle.

-Make sure the strings are fully stretched. You really have to stretch the bejaysus out of the strings before finalising the setup, this is where most beginners go wrong, they just don't realise how much stretch is in the strings, especially the thicker wound ones.

-Put a bit of chapstick or vaseline on the trem post. The knife-edges sit in a little 'V' groove in the trem post, so turn the trem post around 180°, put a little dab of vaseline there, and then turn it back the way it was.

fincollins

I had a floyd on my guitar, and I was having similar issues. I've actually since stopped using it (took off the locks, removed the bar permanently) - twas pi$$ing me off tbh, but thats just personal taste...i never use trem usually.

When your tuning it will take a few goes before its fully intune. It makes sense when you think about it. The whole thing is floating, and each string significantly affects the other. :rolleyes: When you tune one string, then tune the next, your changing the tension of the first tuned one, and so putting it out of tune!!! :mad:

But it just takes a few cycles. Tune one by one as usual using the machineheads, the more times you go through them all, they will eventually settle to be fairly in tune (as voodu said, pull and stretch each string after to speed up the process). This is when you put on the locks at the nut, and finetune down at the bridge.

Another thing to take into consideration is the springs at the back, keeping the whole bridge in tension. If it wont tune, and you find the bridge saddle raising up higher and higher, counteract the tension with the springs at the back to bring it back down. If you change your string gauge, then these will usually have to change too. Try messing around with the spring setup (tighten/loosen the screws holding them on), and see if that helps keep it a bit more balanced tension wise, and in tune

Changing the strings on these bad boys is a pain in the ar$e too, and a whole new thread :pac::pac:

corpcleg

i have had probs with my trem on ibanez n its the only reason i bought the feckin thing! when i got it first it was great an even though i replaced 9s for 9s they were a different brand which i think is werer my probs began, i cannot get a block of wood that keeps the bridge at a agood angle, i got a dvd with sum yank dude n like all DIY vids his setup went swimmingly!!!!!!!
it looks like i will have to leave it in which im not happy about caz i also got a gibson setup by musician inc and i wasnt happy with it n was out of pocket to the tune of 80euro
i dont suppose u can buy theese blocks already made would any1 kno? its an Ibanez rg 350 so its quite a common axe
any advice WELCOME

demanufactured

search youtube for "floy rose setup"

Theres a good few vids that are fairly indepth and will help you a hell of a lot.

Once you get it right first time you will always get it right , it sorta becomes like riding a bike after a while and you will find yourself doing it in a step by step way.

fguihen

Like already advised, look up tutorials on youtube regarding floyd rose setup. there are heaps of articles on the topic online also.

If you have a cheap floyd rose copy, even a good setup wont help. I have an Ibanez RG that had a Low TRS II ibanez trem, which is a really crap version of the classic floyd rose. It wouldnt hold tune for more than a few songs, regardless of how well it was set up.

I ended up purchasing a schaller floyd rose as it fit into the trem cavity without modification. The new trem is solid as a rock and holds tuning unbelievably well. If you have a crap trem, this is the course of action i would take.