How To Setup a Guitar With a Floyd Rose Tremolo

In this episode of "Gibson's Guide to Guitar Setup and Maintenance," Gibson Master Luthier Jim DeCola demonstrates the correct way to set up a Floyd Rose tremolo system. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned professional, Jim will give you pro tips on how to set up your Floyd Rose to ensure maximum expression as well as tuning stability.

The Floyd Rose tremolo system can be found on most production model Kramer Guitars and select Gibson and Epiphone models. It is well known for being the most popular locking tremolo system in the world and is loved by players of many different genres for its tuning stability and the wild effects it can create. Jim will demystify the Floyd Rose and help you get yours perfectly set up.

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[BrandonNorton]

I use a block I made from some Legos to hold the bridge in place when I change strings on my FR. It works perfect. This whole process just takes practice and gets easier each time.

[rareform]

After 50 years of playing and setting up guitars, Love Locking Tuners on Strats, Game Changer !

[dangolguitartech]

The key to mastering a Floyd is patience and repetition, at least in my opinion. Take your time at first and before you know it, it’s really not that much different than anything else. I feel like a traditional Bigsby is harder as far as regular string changes goes. And remember this: no matter what type of bridge it is, stretch your strings. Stretch them, retune them and stretch them some more.
Good luck, everybody!🤠

[EvansFanily]

Don’t know why, but it is very pleasing to me to see a Gibson video featuring a Kramer guitar. Respect.

[orangecrush]

Jim is a great teacher but the cameraman may as well have used a tripod and gone to lunch for all the closeups he missed

[synonyx]

Best FR vid out there! Thanks, Gibson for doing this even though I know you don't sell many FR's!!! I finally got my FR in tune.

[brucek]

I have a Kramer 610 that I bought new back in 1989.. Same Color with Middle and Neck single coil pups and a 3 way split toggle (Hum/Reverse Pol/Single) for the humbucker .. it has been a fantastic guitar !! ... Your Tips were very helpful and I greatly enjoy this series !

[justinfletcher]

The efficiency of running the strings backwards through the headstock blew my mind.

[ckaras]

Love these videos!!! Did the virtual guitar setup, and I’m pretty happy that I can perform setups on my guitars

[larryseel]

Great tip about loading the strings backward, Jim. Thank you.

[Haetni]

I have a GIBSON M-III Standard AND Stealth! I like the Schaller FL very much. Never had a problem with it.

[DRChevalier]

A fine video, thank you. Would have preferred more close up shots of the guitar, perhaps fewer headshots of Mr Decola. The tip about tuning adjustment while the guitar is in playing position was very helpful. Makes sense but had not thought of it. Will improve my setups on my ales Paul Axcess. I like the use of the rifle rest to hold the neck.

[irf]

Hi. Didn't you miss a crucial element on how to setup the string action height with a Floyd Rose? Without damaging the knife edges? Regards.

[nalukeko]

FASTEST FLOYD FINE TUNE:
In this string sequence g - D - b - A - e - E; tune each string, but OVERCORRECT by the amount it is out of tune. If it is sharp, overtune by the same (or sometimes almost same) amount to flat. If flat, overtune to sharp. after about 2 rounds they all come out tuned when you finish with E to pitch.

[rubenminguezmusic]

Great video, my FR on my Ibanez is a mess. I've always changed the strings and did the "setup" very intuitief and finally is the FR unplayble. Even is not my maine guitar (i play most with my lovely Les Paul :-D) thanks to this video i'll do a proper setup, thanks!

[joeyskar]

I really want Christopher Walken to show us how to restring and adjust a Floyd Rose. I don't care if it takes an hour.

[vig]

If you use fine tuning on pair of strings: e and E, b and A ect. Rather then usial way e, b, G ect. It will get in tune quicker.

[Daniel-cocx]

thank you Jim!! Another fantastic lesson.

[nickofzo]

I remember back in the day gigging a lot when suddenly a guitarplayer from another band showed up backstage and asked me and the other guitar player from my band to maintain/fix one of the guitars while they were soundchecking. We responded with, "it depends on what guitar it is" .. it was a Floyd Rose thing.. we both responded simoultanious with "I don't touch that thing"
(There wasn't much time to do so either)

Most of the guitarplayers I met over the years that used a Floyd Rose system moved to hardtail guitars.

I am not against Floyds but the cheapo's are definitly a hell to set up correctly.

[jimwguitar]

Great tips! Once setup correctly they work great. Love the reverse string thing.