Tips and Tricks/Treats for setting up string tension on a Floyd/2 point/6 point guitar 🎸

[The~Kid]

So messing with my Charvel to get it just right.


Man some minor adjustments to the trem claw and this thing sounds like the sound in your head vibes.

Really kind of an overlooked thing sometimes even after a set up and tuning stability, this is kind of like the last step to dial in the guitar.


What do you do or look for when doing this, is it a one size fits all approach or do you use discretion and is it different depending on axe. Is there a secret or a science you use or is it mainly by feel and touch or both feel and science for some?


What do you do, how does it work, what's your methodology and do you find it matters or is beneficial.


iMO there is a benefit to tightening or loosening the spring claw slightly one way or another. I sure quarter turns, go extremes on both tight and loose and then find a balance. It sucks and it's hard to find the balance but once you do it's great. Loose is great because it enhances bass reaponse but can get dull. Tight is good because it brings up presence and highs but you lose lows and sometimes it can be too tight and stiff feeling/sounding.


Its hard to find the balance again but once you do it's sort of like that last 5% that really makes a guitar come alive sometimes I feel

 

[Uzi Nein Millimetah]

You can experiment with different springs at length before tackling the claw as the final step for sure. I sometimes use 4 springs (Callaham) or even experiment with springs of different strengths or use 5 Raw Vintage (equivalent to about 3 modern Floyd springs). But typically 4 Callahams if I'm using 10-46 and only 3 if using lighter.

I don't mess with the claw much after setting it, although I have used upgraded brass or titanium claws with good results (it's real, although not as dramatic as changing the block material, which can be yuge). Going in deep on the bass side of the claw helps give the solid feel I like on the lower strings, while leaving the treble side of the claw further out makes bends easier for soloing.

Another secret weapon is NYXL strings. They simply do everything well and don't lose it much with age for a looong time.

Just get some coffee or other powerful drink, turn off distractions, and make it an adventure. I'm not prone to modify every guitar I have, but I always spend time making sure the setup is 100%.

 

[The~Kid]

You can experiment with different springs at length before tackling the claw as the final step for sure. I sometimes use 4 springs (Callaham) or even experiment with springs of different strengths or use 5 Raw Vintage (equivalent to about 3 modern Floyd springs). But typically 4 Callahams if I'm using 10-46 and only 3 if using lighter.

I don't mess with the claw much after setting it, although I have used upgraded brass or titanium claws with good results (it's real, although not as dramatic as changing the block material, which can be yuge). Going in deep on the bass side of the claw helps give the solid feel I like on the lower strings, while leaving the treble side of the claw further out makes bends easier for soloing.

Another secret weapon is NYXL strings. They simply do everything well and don't lose it much with age for a looong time.

Just get some coffee or other powerful drink, turn off distractions, and make it an adventure. I'm not prone to modify every guitar I have, but I always spend time making sure the setup is 100%.

Yes NYXL.......


Im thinking of getting these when I need to change strings out on the Floyd but yes. The regular XL ain't bad though and using the Dunlop string cleaner to keep them fresh as long as I can. Plus that cleaner makes things glide like butter.

I mean I know people talk about captures/modeling/profiling and this and that or whatever and upgrading and modding stuff and thats all fine but sometimes with all the new stuff and on the brink of all the advancements, and they are great, we forget the fundamentals and basics.


And versus a new amp or new pedal or new guitar or pups or whatever to get that tone people chase..... Sometimes you can find that tone in your head by simply going back to the fundamentals/basics you know and it's pretty nuts but something I forget about too

 

[The~Kid]

Best thing about it is it's free.....


And it really helps unlock the speaker and amp too *_*