How to Set Up a Floating Tremolo
A floating tremolo is one that sits on an inertia block in a guitar body's cavity instead of being fixed in place on the body itself. Floyd Rose pioneered the floating tremolo in 1983. Such tremolos offer greater tuning stability and more tremolo arm range. While the strings slip out of tune less often and can withstand aggressive tremolo arm use, the tremolo systems are slightly more complex to set up. But by investing a little time you can configure it to suit your playing style.
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Instructions
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Use a 2.5-mm hex key to unlock the nut-lock bolts on the top of the fretboard. These apply force to the strings, preventing the strings from moving when you're turning the tuning machines. This improves tuning stability. You can't tune with the tuning machines while the nut-lock is fastened.
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Turn the thumb screws on the top of the bridge so that they sit at their halfway point. You use these for fine-tuning while the nut-lock is fastened. In their halfway position, they offer equal tuning range in both directions.
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Plug into an electronic tuner or attach a clip-on tuner to the headstock. Tune in the normal way, adjusting the tuning machines. Tighten flat strings and loosen sharp ones. The string tension influences the position of the bridge, so it pays to make adjustments with a correctly tuned guitar.
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Put a 3-mm hex key in the nut on the tremolo arm side of the bridge. Turn it clockwise to raise the bridge or counterclockwise to lower the bridge. Make the same adjustment to the bolt on the opposite side of the bridge. The position of the bridge governs the clearance between the strings and the fretboard. If the strings are too high, the guitar can be difficult to play. If they are too low, the strings will rattle against the fretboard. Find a height in between these two extremes that suits your playing style. For example, if you use a slide, set the strings on the high side so that the slide doesn't bash against the frets. Whatever height you choose, the bridge must be level.
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Test the tuning of each string at fret 12. It should be identical to the tuning of the open string. If it isn't, the intonation is out. The accuracy of the intonation is dictated by the length of the string between the saddle and the nut. This is called vibration length. Adjust a string that's flat at fret 12 by fitting the 2.5-mm hex key to the intonation bolt, just behind the saddle. Tighten the bolt to move the string forward. Do the reverse for a sharp string.
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Fasten the nut-locks. Check the tuning once more. If the tension of the nut-locks has made the strings slightly out of tune, use the thumb-screws to correct this.
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Tips & Warnings
If the bridge tilts, adjust the screws holding the tremolo springs in place. These are in the tremolo cavity on the rear. Tighten to correct a forward tilt.
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Resources
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