This normal for Floating Bridge tuning?

[IRA]

I recently bought a Ibanez RG1550 which comes with a floating bridge (their Edge Zero). I tuned it with the locking nuts off. Then when they were roughly all in tune I locked the nut screws down and began doing finishing touches with tuning on the fine tuning knobs down at the bridge.

As I tune I go from the low E to the high E. It seems every time I check the lower strings again they all get shifted sharp. So then I have to retune them (loosening the string on the fine tuners), and I swear it just keeps repeating itself (tune E -> e... recheck, need to loosen strings so tune E -> e... recheck, loosen strings tuning.. etc etc).

Is this a common problem?

[Squidy]

Unfortunately it is a common problem. Before you lock down the nut make sure the fine tuners are in their middle position and tune it a few times with the machineheads only. You cant just do it once, you've got to do it a few times til it settles, then lock it down. An old trick I used to use was I used to tune very slightly flat then when I locked down it was easier to tune up and they'd stay, this doesn't work for all guitars though.

Also, I found my friend's nut wasn't set properly so when he would lock it it would gain pitch due to pushing strings down further into the nut.

[IRA]

Ah damn, thanks for the tip though. I will give it a try.

[Squidy]

No problems. Floyds are good if you're going to use them, but in the end I found the headache too much and went back to set bridge guitars.

[jruberto]

Once you get a Floyd stabilized it's rock solid (as in, tune your guitar once a week solid) but getting it there is definitely a process.

If you make a big tuning change on one string, all the other strings will move slightly in that same direction since the overall tension of "strings vs. springs" changes, so the floating bridge tilts a little more. Then re-tuning all those other strings will affect.. all the other strings. It's slightly maddening, but with some diligence you eventually get there.

I recently changed from 0.09 to 0.10 gauge strings on my old Ibanez Jem, and had to add a spring to accommodate the increased string tension. It took two 45 minute sessions a day apart to get it stabilized at 440 with the bridge perfectly level. Haven't had to touch the setup since, even with a couple string changes, and it's as stable as ever -- abuse the hell out of the whammy bar & it just comes right back every time.

[jimcroisdale]

When changing string on a Floyd equipped guitar you absolutely must stretch them in before you even attempt to tune the thing up.

I can emphasise this enough. It will go out of tune every time you use the bar otherwise.

Put the strings on but leave the locking nuts off. Tune roughly to tension. Then, carefully pull the low E string away from the body to stretch it. Start by the pickups and work towards the nut. Now play the string - it will be massively flat. Retune it and repeat. Do this until it won't go flat anymore. Then, do this for all the strings, and be careful with the high E or you can snap it real easy.

On the headstock, after the locking nuts is the string retainer bar. This should be tightened down so that the the strings are pushed onto the face of the nut, from front to back. If this is correct, tightening the locking nuts in place will not push the string down any further and cause it to go sharp.

Ok, string stretched and locking nut on. Fine tune and away you go!

Other things to note is how the Floyd is set at the body, but as long as it is pretty flat (ie not angled to the body) the knife edges will be at 90 degrees to the posts, which is optimum.

Springs are a matter of taste, and a discussion for another day!

Job's a carrot!

Jim

[biggator6]

Originally Posted by Squidy

No problems. Floyds are good if you're going to use them, but in the end I found the headache too much and went back to set bridge guitars.

HA! Same deal here. I haven't used one since my Kramer Baretta that I sold in '87. Of course, I've also never even put the bar in my PRS or Strat.. they just get treated like a fixed bridge. I have one ancient pointy guitar with a Kahler, and a Bigsby on a gretsch.. that's it for tremolo.

I do remember having those tuning issues with the Floyd.. you get the hang of it after a while, but it's a pain. I also remember breaking a LOT of strings with it.
"-)