Changing Strings - Floyd Rose Style (Guitar Lesson)

Chapter 1: (00:58) Introduction Welcome to Kris Norris' Phase 2 set of guitar lessons! Kris kicks off this series by explaining the proper method of changing strings on a guitar equipped with a double locking tremolo.

Floyd Rose Overview

Floyd D. Rose invented the double locking tremolo system in the late seventies to meet the whammy bar needs of heavy metal players. The Floyd Rose system allows maximum flexibility with the whammy bar while maintaining tuning consistency. It provides players with the ability to raise and lower the pitch of a string through a wide interval range without the risk of breaking a string or knocking it out of tune. Floyd's system gained overnight success through the approval of guitarists such as Eddie Van Halen and Steve Vai.

The design of the original Floyd Rose system added several new features to the popular Fender synchronized tremolo. A locking plate replaced the standard nut that joins the neck and the headstock. The locking nut provides much needed tuning stability when the whammy bar is employed. However, this advantage comes with a price. The tuning machines cannot be adjusted when the nut is locked. Fine tuners were added to the bridge system to compensate for this disadvantage. However, the fine tuners only allow for a tuning adjustment of a half step interval without unlocking the nut. To increase tuning stability, a second locking device was added to the bridge system to create a "double locking" tremolo. Unfortunately, this addition also complicates the overall guitar set-up.

Necessary Tools

The items listed below are necessary when changing strings on a guitar equipped with a Floyd Rose.

-Allen wrench
-String winder
-Phillips head screwdriver
-New strings
-Needle nose pliers
-A magazine or some other thin, flat object
-A polishing cloth
-Fretboard cleaner Chapter 2: (05:23) Removing the Strings Step 1

First, the nut must be unlocked to remove the old set of strings. Simply remove the three locking hex keys by turning them in a counterclockwise direction with your Allen wrench. Set them aside in a safe location. Since they are very small, the hex key locks are quite easy to lose or misplace.

Step 2

The Floyd Rose bridge system floats in a cavity carved into the body of the guitar. The bridge is held in place by the tension supplied by the strings and a set of three or four springs stored in a panel on the back of the guitar. Once the strings are removed, the tremolo system will sink into the body of the guitar. To prevent this from happening, lift up the tremolo and insert a piece of cardboard or a magazine between the body and the polls extending from the back of the tremolo.

Step 3

Using a string winder, de-tune all six strings so that they are completely loose.

Step 4

Using needle nose pliers, cut each of the strings in half.

Note: Many players remove and change one string at a time. This method is slightly more efficient. By changing one string at a time, the tension provided by the strings remains relatively stable. Consequently, it is much easier to get the guitar in tune once a new string is installed.

However, this method will not allow you to clean built-up grime from the fretboard. This dirt will potentially slow your left hand down and result in some fingering inaccuracies. It also harms your tone. The strings will not vibrate as much due to the built-up dirt. Dirt can also push the frets upward over a long period of time. Washing your hands prior to each practice session will prolong the life of your strings and minimize fretboard build up.

Step 5

Loosen each of the locking bridge polls by turning the Allen wrench in a counterclockwise direction. This frees the string from the small metal block that holds it tightly against the bridge saddle.

Step 6

Remove the piece of string that is attached to the bridge. Be very careful not to loose the small block that holds the string in place!

Step 7

Remove the piece of string attached to each of the tuning keys. Be careful not to poke yourself with the ends of the strings. They are very sharp! It will hurt, and you will bleed!

Step 8

Clean the fretboard. Use a small amount of the appropriate fretboard cleaner. Ask a professional luthier or repairman which cleaner is best for your fretboard type. Use a polishing rag to rub the cleaner across the grain of the wood. Work the polish into the fretboard in this manner. Make sure that all excess is removed by the polishing cloth. Chapter 3: (06:42) Putting the Strings on Install each of the strings in a sequential order beginning with either of the E strings.

Step 1

Using needle nose pliers, cut the ball end and winding from the first string to be installed.

Step 2

Insert the end of the string between the back of the bridge saddle and the small block within the saddle. Using an Allen wrench, tighten the poll extending from the bridge. This will tighten the block against the back of the saddle and secure the string in place. Be careful that you do not turn the poll too much. Otherwise, you may crack the small block.

Step 3

Pull the string underneath the string tree located on the headstock. Pull the string through the hole in the tuning peg. Make sure that the string is pulled taught across the length of the fretboard. Turn the tuning key in a clockwise direction to tighten the string. If you have a reverse headstock, the tuning peg must be turned in the opposite direction. This step can be shortened with the help of a string winder.

Step 4

Repeat Steps 1 and 2 with the remaining strings.

Step 5

Using an electronic tuner, tune the guitar to the tuning that it is setup for. Kris' guitar is set-up for Drop C tuning (C, G, C, F, A, D).

Step 6

Stretch out the strings to remove any extra slack. Do not pull too hard on the strings or they will break.

Step 7

Lift up the bridge and remove the piece of cardboard that you have lodged underneath it.

Step 8

Set the bridge system so that it is flush with the body of the guitar. If the bridge is floating higher than the body, tighten the springs located on the back of the guitar to bring the bridge lower. If the bridge is lower than the body, lighten the tension of the springs by turning the screws in a counterclockwise direction.

Step 9

Using your tuner, tune each of the strings several times.

Step 10

Lock the nut by re-installing the hex keys that were removed earlier. Tighten them securely with the Allen wrench.

Step 11

After locking the nut, the pitch of each string will go slightly sharp. Use the fine tuners located on the back of the bridge to re-tune each string.

Step 12

Re-install the back plate to cover the cavity that encloses the tremolo springs.

Step 13

Cut off any excess string extending from the tuning pegs. You don't want to put a bandmate's eye out. Chapter 4: (00:37) Final Touches Feel free to leave a comment in this lesson or on Kris' forum page if you have any questions concerning the material presented in this lesson. Also, write in if you use a Floyd Rose string changing method that you think is more effective.

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