Floyd Rose Whamy


SLY
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SLY
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12/07/2002 6:32 pm
I've played on several guitars equipped with Floyd Rose, I've noticed that some of these have an entirely loose (free to move) bars (like Van Halen's) , and others are tight. i.e. don't move unless you move them yourself (like Vai's).

Unfortunately mine is Van Halen's loose kind, which I realy hate .

I was wondering if this phenomenon has a name , so that I can search for a model with a tight whamy bar for my guitar.

Thanks !
# 1
Dr_simon
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Dr_simon
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12/07/2002 7:22 pm
If you want to stiffen it up put a couple of extra spring in the back cavity
S

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# 2
SLY
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SLY
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12/07/2002 7:26 pm
:D

That's not what I meant..

I said that the Arm itself is loose, not the bridge.
# 3
trendkillah
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trendkillah
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12/07/2002 11:56 pm
Do you mean the rotation of the trem-arm?

I think there should be a way to adjust it to your preference, but I have no clue how. Maybe check out http://www.jemsite.com, they have some information on how to set up a floyd rose.
# 4
u10ajf
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u10ajf
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12/08/2002 4:36 pm
I think sly is referring to the difference between a floating trem and a non-floating (fixed?) trem. Floating trems can bend a note up as well as down. Personally I love
my floating trem and wouldn't swap if for a fixed type. What's wrong with it? Is it that you're used to resting your palm on the bridge and end up distuning it? It's not that hard a habit to get out of you know.
If I couldn't laugh at myself how could I laugh at someone less ridiculous?
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trendkillah
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trendkillah
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12/08/2002 4:43 pm
Originally posted by u10ajf
I think sly is referring to the difference between a floating trem and a non-floating (fixed?) trem. Floating trems can bend a note up as well as down.


I don't think he meant that. Because Eddie's bridge is non-floating, which I wouldn't exactly call 'free to move', and Steve's IS floating.

# 6
SLY
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SLY
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12/09/2002 5:45 pm
I meant the rotation of the arm is loose as "trendkillah" said.

I've been to the jemsite you mentioned, quite helfull but there ain't any adjustment to make the arm's rotation stiffer ... they suggested using a nail polish and painting a layer of the polish on the arm holder and the arm itself to make more friction between them.

Quite funny but I'll try it and hope this solve the problem, at least periodically till the polish layer is gone , then I'll have to do this process again.

But I believe some arms were manufactured to be stiff in their rotation on purpose (I can't believe that Vai uses this cheap nail polish trick , do you?!), I hope that any of the guitar freaks here knows a name or a model for a stiff trem-arm.


Thanks for all replies dudes :D

# 7
trendkillah
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trendkillah
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12/09/2002 6:41 pm
I'm pretty sure Dr. Vai doesn't use the exact some bridges that come on the production models.

I think the reason some bridges have free moving arms is because they "pop" into the bridge, and don't get "screwed" in. When you pop in the arm, there's not much left you can do about the way it moves. But bridges with arms that need to be screwed in can be tightened to stay in place very easily.

A better solution than the nail pollish thing might be to put some permanent paint on it.
# 8
SLY
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SLY
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12/09/2002 6:46 pm
But any paint (permanent or not) will be removed by time from the friction.
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trendkillah
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trendkillah
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12/09/2002 7:12 pm
Originally posted by SLY
But any paint (permanent or not) will be removed by time from the friction.


True, it'll last longer than nail pollish though. ;)


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u10ajf
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u10ajf
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12/09/2002 7:17 pm
I've seen tremolo arms with little hand-operated tightener/looseners at the base of the arms. Pretty neat huh?
If I couldn't laugh at myself how could I laugh at someone less ridiculous?
# 11
SLY
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SLY
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12/09/2002 7:24 pm
Originally posted by u10ajf
I've seen tremolo arms with little hand-operated tightener/looseners at the base of the arms. Pretty neat huh?


Yeah, what was their brand/model?


# 12
Dr_simon
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Dr_simon
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12/09/2002 11:35 pm
For a pop in arm, you could try wrapping a bit of paper tightly around the arm. Self adhesive paper is probably the best bet.

With the screw in type you might try putting a spring (underneath the arm) in the whole the arm is mounted in. This is a fender trick and allows you to have any arm mobility / lack of mobility you desire.


[Edited by Dr_simon on 12-09-2002 at 05:40 PM]
My instructors page and www.studiotrax.net for all things recording.
my toons Brought to you by Dr BadGAS
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