Trem fiddle - I have a trem question

[Big Job]

I was hoping that you dudes could help me out, I am the owner of a RG guitar with a low-pro trem. When I change strings the bridge seems to raise a bit, I change the strings one by one to get the relative tension etc like the set up on this site tells me to, I was wondering. Is this a problem with my guitar or me? I change them by having the axe in tune taking one string off and replacing it etc..
can you help me?

[Vaibanez]

Absolutely!!!! You came to the right place.

Changing strings on a floating trem is one of the trickiest parts of regular maintanence.

The best way, imo, to do it is by blocking the trem. I slide a pop bottle cap under the trem and change them all at once. When the string tension is released, the trem sits back on the cap slightly and stays put in a "floating" position. When installing the strings, I wind them just enough to get the slack out of them and then a little more. Remove the cap from under the trem and tune to pitch.

This method was learned from Rich Harris in a thread from the old board I read a while back. One of those "slap-yourself-in-the-head" things because it made so much sence.

The cap keeps the trem in a relative position and allows the strings to be changed all at once. I also allows you to get a tooth brush after the saddles and clean the dirt and gunk that builds up over time.

J>

[kirk]

Big Job, I change my strings the same way, but I don't have a problem with maintaining the same trem angle. *Maybe I am just lucky, maybe your springs need replacing - I don't know! *

[Big Job]

Thank you so much for your help dudes, its one of those strange things that has always been shrouded in mystique and an enigmatic aura. All I need to do is wait untill me strings are nackered!

[julio]

I have found that even if you use the same string gauge, a change if brand will make a difference. Stick to the same brand (daddario .9 in my case)

If same gauge and same brand the angle should not change.

Good luck

Julio

[YaYoGakk]

I change my strings the same way as Jim, 'cept I use a couple of Lego blocks :biggrin: Like he says it is an awesome time to clean the blocks and so on and maybe get a little polish between the pups hehe. This method works great for me.

Alden

[Rich]

And I still do them this way Exceptions are on *pricey* guitars and Jems, the bottle cap doesn't work too well in the claw. After having a trem poped off the posts on a DNA (no damage except to my life expectancy) when I'm doing expensive guitars I'll use a bar clamp now, the kind with the pistol grip you tighten by pulling the 'trigger'. Insert bar, put a folded cloth around the body where the clamp will be, and clamp the bar in the fully lowered position. It takes slightly longer for the springs to memorize their tension when done, but also decreases the risk of heart attack!! :biggrin: It's also very easy to work on a single or multiple problem fret this way without pulling the bridge and as soon as you release the clamp you can easily check the results. It's very fast and *safe*.

[Devo]

just to add my bit,

I change them the same way as everyone else here but would be too afraid to use somthing hard under the trem to take the force of the springs, I fold my guitar strap in half three times keeping the plastic bits to one end and stick the cloth bit under the trem works perfect every time as the trem cant go nowhere wedged up by the strap in its floating position

Steve