Floyd Rose problems; help!

[kiff]

So, I've recently learned that some floyd systems have an issue returning to center; after dives it's flat and sharp after pulling up. I've had a jackson for almost 20yrs and have -never- had this issue at all. I've used many different gauge strings and tunings and never once an issue... which is why I was surprised to find this out.

I recently resurrected an ibanez rg270 that's been sitting around collecting dust and had it set up for a metal band I'm going to be playing with (again/re-union) using drop-c tuning but it just won't return to center properly. The luthier that set it up was adamant that the strings were too light (light top, heavy bottom 10's - 11's). But hell, my jackson never had that problem even with just straight 10's. And, as a matter of fact, the very first time I jammed with that band I had 9's on it, and despite the strings flapping in the breeze, it didn't have an issue returning to center.

I've done a little googling and some say it's the knife edge wearing causing this. If that's true then why isn't my jackson doing it after almost 20yrs of serious abuse?

My luth also suggested that maybe a heavier block could help it, but my jackson's looks to be the same size.

Suggestions and knowledge, please!

 

[shgshg]

The problem is "bridge not returning properly to the rest position". Assuming that the nut is solid (make sure it is) the first things that come to mind are:

1. the springs in the rear cavity have lost their elasticity
2. your knife edges on the bridge are worn and thus the bridge is sliding up and down on the bridge posts rather than pivoting against them

What sort of bridge is it on the Ibanez? If it's an Edge I'd be very surprised if the knife edges were worn (those things are tough) but if it's one of those TRS pieces of crap anything's possible.

 

[NaturalBornBoy]

No surprise there. The RG270 had the craptastic Lo-TRS IIRC or one of the cheapo trems on it.

 

[glpg80]

I think you've just got lucky in the past with a guitar that was already setup for you. Anytime you have a floating trem the tremolo has to be balanced with regards to whatever string gauge you're using against the string tension/tuning by using the rear springs.

You can check to see if the knife edges are wearing against the posts by looking for severe scarring on the knives themselves. I believe on those trems the knife edge is removable material and is a metal bar.

Otherwise it sounds like you just need to setup the tremolo properly.

If the trem is not a floating trem then just tighten the spring claw until the trem returns to normal. Not a big deal

 

[kiff]

The problem is "bridge not returning properly to the rest position". Assuming that the nut is solid (make sure it is) the first things that come to mind are:

1. the springs in the rear cavity have lost their elasticity
2. your knife edges on the bridge are worn and thus the bridge is sliding up and down on the bridge posts rather than pivoting against them

What sort of bridge is it on the Ibanez? If it's an Edge I'd be very surprised if the knife edges were worn (those things are tough) but if it's one of those TRS pieces of crap anything's possible.

Locking nut is fine.

1) We tried many different springs. Didn't help
2) We (ok, he) changed out the posts (originals weren't even worn besides the paint) and visually inspected the "new" bridge (see below)

No surprise there. The RG270 had the craptastic Lo-TRS IIRC or one of the cheapo trems on it.

Yea, sorry, forgot to mention that the original bridge was a single locking type so I traded him for a double locking type he had laying around, which seems fine. Not sure what brand it is though...

What still bugs me is, again, my jackson has been beaten to death over the last couple of decades. My luth mentioned something about jackson using forged steel for theirs?

I don't mind throwing some cash down on a new bridge but I need to be confident it'll solve the problem and will last. I've seen the zero point system, but that seems like overkill

 

[NaturalBornBoy]

So if your tech has swapped out the crap old trem for a newer, supposedly better trem (what brand???), then I don't see the problem being hardware.

It needs to be setup right. I've setup crappy trems before. They will stay in tune if set up properly. The question is for how long. The good trems like OFR's, Gotoh's and Ibanez Edge and Lo-Pro Edge will last you for many, many years.

 

[rcm78]

Your Jackson most likely has a real Original Floyd Rose or maybe a Schaller Built Licensed bridge on it depending on the model.

The knife edges on those are hardened steel and almost never wear out.

I have an '87 Kramer Stagemaster with a real deal floyd. That guitar was my workhorse for a very long time. The bridge still returnes to pitch perfectly. Same deal on my old Hamer Chaperall's. They were from '86 & '87 never a problem with the bridges on them.

It's hard to beat a Real Floyd from the 80's to early 90's. They're not the same anymore.

The licensed bridge on your RG probably has worn knife edges. The metal just isnt as hard as the old school floyds were.

 

[kiff]

So if your tech has swapped out the crap old trem for a newer, supposedly better trem (what brand???), then I don't see the problem being hardware.

It needs to be setup right. I've setup crappy trems before. They will stay in tune if set up properly. The question is for how long. The good trems like OFR's, Gotoh's and Ibanez Edge and Lo-Pro Edge will last you for many, many years.

Pretty sure it's setup right, he's pretty good. But yea, but question mark on the one he replaced it with...

Your Jackson most likely has a real Original Floyd Rose or maybe a Schaller Built Licensed bridge on it depending on the model.

The knife edges on those are hardened steel and almost never wear out.

I have an '87 Kramer Stagemaster with a real deal floyd. That guitar was my workhorse for a very long time. The bridge still returnes to pitch perfectly. Same deal on my old Hamer Chaperall's. They were from '86 & '87 never a problem with the bridges on them.

It's hard to beat a Real Floyd from the 80's to early 90's. They're not the same anymore.

The licensed bridge on your RG probably has worn knife edges. The metal just isnt as hard as the old school floyds were.

makes sense


So... this seem like a good replacement, price, etc.. ?

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... ink:top:en

 

[rcm78]

Yes, The Gotoh bridge is very good quality. You have to make sure it will fit your guitar though. Not all floyds have the same dimensions...

 

[kiff]

Yes, The Gotoh bridge is very good quality. You have to make sure it will fit your guitar though. Not all floyds have the same dimensions...

did a little googling and it seems it might (never saw any follow up posts) need the post holes to be rerouted, but string spacing (relative to neck) should be fine.