Idiot's guide for using a Floyd Rose...anyone?????

Sid Vai · #1 07-23-2003, 08:56 PM

ok, i just bought and RG350DX and im having trouble tuning. i dont have experience with floating tremolos so please help me out as to what process u normally take, and if u can let me know how to change strings too. I have an idea but id like to know some do's and dont's that dont neccessarily come on the instruction mannual. anybody imput at all is encouraged.

Thank you very much.

Jason Stone · #2 07-23-2003, 09:06 PM

Um, try looking here first: http://jemsite.com/tech/index.htm

Sid Vai · #3 07-24-2003, 12:33 AM

i need tips for tuning?
whats like the best way for tuning, u tune them in pairs of twos, when theyre tuned u lock them and then go on to the other two pairs. is that the way it works? please help. treat me like i know nothing of floyd rose guitars.

Rich · #4 07-24-2003, 01:10 AM

Try this

http://www.ibanezrules.com/tech.htm#Tuning

Sid Vai · #5 07-24-2003, 01:18 AM

i dont get it...
ok first u tighten them up...right? until their not wobbly...(?)
then u start sort of tuning. then u lock them and use the knobs on the tremolo.

god this guitar makes me feel stupid.

Rich · #6 07-24-2003, 01:38 AM

If you're changing all the strings at once slowly wind each string a little at a time until you get them in tune [is what it's says]. then strtch the crap out of them until they won't stretch anymore. Retune, then lock down. Whammy the crap out of it stopping on a rise to neutral. Unlock the nut and re-fine tune [with the tuners]. Lock down the nut. The only time you use the fine tuners on the trem are when the nut is locked.

Sid Vai · #7 07-24-2003, 04:25 PM

no, im not changing the strings at all.
theyre the same strings (still the factory ones), except it just got untuned.
Everytime i try to tune heres my procedure
a) i tune E and A and then lock it, the same with the D and G and with B and E

the problem is by the time i get to the high E the low E is already out of tune, i suppose bc the tension it used to have due to the tension i changed on the other strings...do u know what im saying?

my problem is i was never taught how to tune these guitars. and i dont know anybody here that owns one, who could help me....i do appreaciate taking ur time to explain.

really, all i need to know is the process u take to tune ur guitar. but any help at all is more than welcome.

Rich · #8 07-24-2003, 08:29 PM

Nothing get's locked down until the whole bridge is in tune. Otherwise follow the directions.

Sid Vai · #9 07-25-2003, 02:47 AM

there are parts when it says to slacken the strings.
Theyre already tight. Theyre just out of tune with each other.
Am i suppossed to loosen them up? if so, to what extent? just let the tremolo hit the limit and completely loosen up the strings???

Rich · #10 07-25-2003, 04:33 PM

Then tweak them around until they are in tune, and don't stop till they are.

agquake · #11 07-25-2003, 04:50 PM

Rich you're a saint. :P

Sid Vai · #12 07-26-2003, 03:14 AM

ok, so to begin retuning, i have to loosen them up entirely???
but wont that mess up the springs???
please answer soon...

agquake · #13 07-26-2003, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich

If you're changing all the strings at once slowly wind each string a little at a time until you get them in tune [is what it's says]. then strtch the crap out of them until they won't stretch anymore. Retune, then lock down. Whammy the crap out of it stopping on a rise to neutral. Unlock the nut and re-fine tune [with the tuners]. Lock down the nut. The only time you use the fine tuners on the trem are when the nut is locked.

It's really just that simple my friend.

Rich · #14 07-26-2003, 03:11 PM

Tune all the flat strings up to pitch, detune all the sharp strings to pitch, repeat, repeat, repeat until finished.

Sid Vai · #15 07-27-2003, 01:47 AM

ok..
what i did was this:
to begin i detuned every single string until the tremolo hit the limit of looseness. then starting with E (6th string) i tuned until in tune, and then A, D, G, B, and E. then i repeated the exact same process until it sounded alright.
now the problem is now the tremolo is lifted upwards....i know that isnt right. so...how do u prevent that? id really rather not mess with the springs in the back of the guitar cuz i dont think im qualified for it.
IM NOT CHANGING THE STRINGS JUST YET (that'll be another thread

) but please help
thank u for ur time....
i really appreciate anyones help.