An LTD with a Floyd Rose came in set up for standard tuning on 10s and left set up for C# standard on 9s. Strings changed, truss rod set for the new relief, trem springs, trem height and intonation all adjusted to balance the floating bridge at the lower tuning. An hour and a quarter.
- Instrument
- LTD with a Floyd Rose tremolo
- Tech
- Dave Eastwood
- Customer complaint
- Setup in C# standard with 9s
- String gauge
- 10s to 9s; standard tuning to C# standard
- Diagnosis
- Arrived on 10s in standard tuning; the Floyd needed its springs, height and intonation adjusted for the new setup, and the truss rod needed adjusting
- Work performed
- Strings changed to 9s and tuned to C# standard; truss rod adjusted for relief; tremolo springs and height adjusted; intonation set
- Parts
- None
- Bench time
- 1 hour 15 minutes
- Outcome
- Played very light with 9s in C# tuning
What Came In
An LTD with a Floyd Rose. It came in set up for standard tuning on 10s; the owner wanted it in C# standard on 9s.
What We Found
Everything about the setup was for a different tuning and gauge. The Floyd needed its trem springs, trem height and intonation redone, and the truss rod needed adjusting for the new tension.
What We Did
Changed the strings from 10s to 9s and tuned to C# standard. Adjusted the truss rod for neck relief. Adjusted the tremolo springs and the trem height, then set the intonation, until everything sat right at the new tuning. About an hour and a quarter on the bench.
Result
Played very light with the 9s in C# tuning, in Dave's words.
Why does a tuning change on a Floyd Rose take a full setup?
A Floyd floats: the strings pull one way and the springs pull the other, and the bridge sits level only when they balance. Drop the tuning and the strings pull less, so the bridge sinks until the springs are loosened to match. Then the height and the intonation move, and the neck relaxes under the lower tension. Change gauge at the same time and every one of those has to be found again.
Related
- The Repair Vault
- Guitar Setups at Paul's Guitar Hideout
- Why Won't My Guitar Stay in Tune
- LTD EC-1000 (Purple): Setup for the Move from 11s to 10s
- Ibanez Roadstar II: Corroded Electronics and a Jump from 8s to 10s
Bring It In
Want a Floyd-equipped guitar in a different tuning? It is a setup, not a retune. Setups at the Hideout.
Paul's Guitar Hideout is located at The Shirt Factory in Glens Falls, NY. Use the Cooper Street entrance and take the stairs up. If stairs are difficult or you're bringing in something you don't want to carry up, call or text us and we'll arrange access.
The Shirt Factory
71 Lawrence St., Suite 201B, 2nd Floor
Glens Falls, NY 12801
Wednesday–Sunday, 12–5 PM
(518) 217-8695 · info@paulsguitarhideout.com