Heavy Gauges on a Floyd Rose Tremelo

[GothamCity]

I just installed a pair of 10-52 guages on my FR, and every time I dive bomb, the big E gets out of tune, also there is a little buzzing........ If anyone could give me some advise, please help!!!

It's a Ibanez rg320 FR TRS Trem2. When i first got it, it was set up with 9 gauge, all the inotation slots are set back, the neck is set up like a bow....

[Lordathestrings]

You "just installed" a new set of strings? Did you stretch them properly before you locked the nut?

[aschleman]

^^ Bingo!

If you didn't "install" the strings correctly... meaning... if you didn't stretch the strings... there's a good chance that's what is causing the detuning. It will continue to detune until the string has exhausted all of it's stored elastic energy......... so... basically until the strings are broken in, the strings will keep detuning.

[suicidalmoose]

this is an issue i encounter with my el.cheapo guitar that doubles as a downtuned fun machine. how do you accelerate the stretching process? is there any equipment that you use? I thought it was just that the tuners were too weak but i was told it mite also be the strings.

[aschleman]

What I do to stretch my strings is them up... and tune them so the strings aren't flopping around... they don't have to be tuned to standard tuning or anything... just tighten them up a little. Then lay the guitar on your lap so the strings are facing you....then hook a finger underneath one of the strings... I usually start with the low E string.... Next pull the string toward you as much as you can. You can pull pretty hard... the string may seem like it's going to break but it shouldn't. You should be able to pull on the string until the guitar lifts off your lap... Hold it there for a few seconds then let it down. With the same string in hand... Stretch it and pull it toward the treble strings and back across the guitar... do that back and forth a couple times... Then move to the next string and do the same thing. Obviously... wound strings will need more work than gut strings. I usually work the wound strings twice and the gut strings once... Once you're done stretching tune the guitar up and stretch them again... this time with less force... Then tune them up again... this should have elleviated most of the elastic energy in the strings.... allowing them to break in a lot faster and stay in tune a lot better.

[Grambo]

I was working on a floyd rose this evening, I had to screw in the bridge return springs as the springs had stretched, it had old strings on it, but I had to tune it a dozen times before it settled down

[Lordathestrings]

... I had to tune it a dozen times before it settled down
Only a dozen? You are so lucky! I think I'd rather sell my guitar than change the strings on it ever again! :p

[Grambo]

Does anyone know it's history - was Pink Floyd involved in its design - always wondered ???

[rockstarallstar]

dude i use to have the same problem in the past,just stretch the strings,and chill,you wil be cool,oh yeah i just try not to break any strings in a floyd rose,it sux to change,lol :D

[Lordathestrings]

Does anyone know it's history - was Pink Floyd involved in its design - always wondered ???

You're kidding, right? :confused:

I'm reminded of an early-20th century ceramics manufacturer named Thomas Crapper... :p

[Grambo]

Afraid not - i've never known for sure - must have happened during my ten year hibernation

[Cryptic Excretions]

Afraid not - i've never known for sure - must have happened during my ten year hibernation
You should be able to find your answer here.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floyd_Rose

[Grambo]

Thanks Cryptic - fascinating - the floyd rose I repaired today was the first one i'd ever seen - i was able to adjust it by reading info I've found on the GT forums

[aschleman]

Does anyone know it's history - was Pink Floyd involved in its design - always wondered ???

If I'm correct... may not be... Floyd Rose presented his patent pending design for a tremolo to many professional guitarists.... Very few found any interest in the need for a floating trem with double string locks. One that did find the tremolo specifically intriguing was Eddie Van Halen... I believe that is how the Floyd Rose double locking trem came to fame.

[speedpicker88]

the buzzing is the looseness of the strings hitting getting to near the pickups..and they're causing low end feedback and humming

[pogohead]

if i remember rightly floyd rose was a jewellry maker who put super glue on the nut of his strat to stop the strings slipping when he used the bar. using his skills he came up with a different type of bridge that would lock the strings up.

think thats what it said on the floyd rose page anyway

[lifeis@song]

i hate floyd rose soooooo much! i was so happy the day i got my stratocaster

[Vegas Wierdo]

A Strat trem can't do all the same things a Floyd can?

I have an HSS Mex-Strat with a Floyd Rose instead of the regular Fender trem. I've never gotten a chance to mess with the Fender trem because most stores (e.g. Guitar Center) apparently leave out the tremolo arms on the floor models.

I've heard that the Fender trems don't suck away as much tone.

I think I want to get a guitar with a Kahler on it.