Floyd Rose Install: Installing a Floyd Rose Tremolo on Your Guitar
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- Опубликовано: 20 ноя 2024
- Floyd Rose Install Video
In this video, you’ll see me doing the following using a Kramer Baretta Special. Same process for any Strat type guitar::
Routing the nut shelf for the locking nut
Marking the centerlines and stud hole locations for the Floyd Rose (74mm spacing)
Setting the scale length to 25.5"
Drilling 10mm holes for the Floyd Rose studs without a drill press, using a drill guide for parallel holes
Mounting the nut and using self-centering drill bits
Enlarging the tremolo cavity with a router to create space for the new tremolo
Modifying the original humbucker with an Alnico II magnet swap and wax potting
Soldering the electronics
Setting up the guitar for optimal playability
This would have been a great video had you spoken to us and let us know what router bits and show us what you’re doing from above. Also, why and what you were soaking the pickup in, etc…
Too many things left unsaid
Thanks for watching and your feedback! I understand it would be more helpful with explanations. Since I need to focus during the work, I intentionally let the images speak for themselves. The video isn’t meant to be a step-by-step guide, but I’ll keep your suggestion in mind for future tutorials.
Nice video
Thanks, very appreciated! :)
Hey man i have the stewmac jig for this i wast just wondering what bits i need for my router?
Use a top-bearing flush trim bit. But don’t rely just on the jig-know your scale length, establish a clear centerline, and use accurate measuring tools. Slow, precise work pays off: measure twice, cut once. Good luck!
Hey man, I really want to do this and I have all the parts at my disposal. I can't find a good template for the holes on the Floyd rose. Could you provide a pdf of some sort?
Trust me, you don't need a template. What's crucial is that you know the scale length, which is 25.5 inches on the Kramer . Measure precisely 25 inches from the saddle and mark the line there; that's where the Floyd Rose studs will go. Find the exact center; the distance from bolt to bolt is 74mm. Drill two 10mm holes, and you're essentially done. Take a closer look at the video, paying attention to the masking tape. On it, you can see my markings for the scale length. The only thing left to do is to enlarge the Tremolo Cavity towards the saddle so that the Floyd Rose can move freely.
@@floydhalen78 Thank you so much. Out of all the videos I've watched you've been the most helpful so I had to subscribe. I really hated the idea of having to buy a goddam template. I just had two more questions because I wanted to be sure before drilling.
Are the measurements the same with a cheap Kramer Barretta?
How much exactly did you enlarge the tremolo cavity and from what directions? (relative to the original tremolo borders if the guitar neck is pointing north)
Again thanks so much for the help and the quick reply.
@@suffeesingh4231 I understand exactly what you mean. I didn't want to spend money on a template either, and it's really unnecessary. And believe me, I've learned it the hard way - even with templates, things can go wrong. The method I showed is the safest one, fitting all different Floyd Rose variants because it always considers the scale length of 25.5".
Regarding your questions: I'm not sure where you're from or whether you measure in the metric system or inches. I've milled away about 20mm from the tremolo cavity towards the nut, roughly oriented just before the six holes of the original tremolo mounting screws. I recommend approaching it in small steps and frequently placing the tremolo to check if there's enough space for "diving." So, for directional orientation, always look towards the nut or headstock. If you're looking from the lower strap button towards the nut, you have the correct direction for milling. Also, take another look at the video, where you can see how I made a small jig from three pieces of wood and milled towards the nut.
But feel free to ask more questions; I'll always try to answer them. Sometimes it may take a little while for me to respond, but I will. Just go for it, and in the end, even if you make a mistake, that's where you learn the most. Just dare to try. Good luck, and rock on! Best regards, Floyd.
what bit did you use on that router for the locking nut?
8mm bearing bit
Help me figure it out. I want to upgrade my Kramer Baretta Special. The fingerboard on my kramer baretta special has a 12" radius. How to choose a locking nut if shaller has only 10 inches, and gotoh has 14 (or 16) inches. And they simply don’t have other radii.
It’s still unclear about the shape of the locknut. The neck width at the neck is 42 mm (1.62 in), the distance between the E and e strings is 34 mm (1.33 in). The locking nut, both long and goto, is either 41 mm or 43 mm wide. How then to choose support?
Rest assured, this is a common occurrence with locking nuts, even on guitars equipped with Floyd Rose systems straight from the factory. They never match the fretboard radius. Newer Guitars also have compund radius 10"-16" for example. For the Baretta Special i recommend the Schaller locking nut (R3 = 43mm). Additionally, it's worth noting that the radius at the string saddles differs (12") from that of the locking nut (10" Schaller) with Floyd Rose systems. While there are small shims available for the string saddles to adjust this, they are typically unnecessary. The only adjustment required is a neck shim in the neck pocket. So buy a Schaller R3 nut. Shim the Neck in the pocket with a thin wooden shim and you're good to go. A little bit trial and error with the Neck shimm hight will be necessary to get best action. My Neck shim is about 1,5mm (0,059in) but it may differ, depending on the Floyd Rose Stud adjustment and how you like your Floyd to sit on the Body, or not.. Take it as a starting point. Have fun. :)
@@floydhalen78 Thanks for the clear answer. After installing the locking nut, is it convenient to adjust the Truss rod?
@@DethMash In most cases, installing a locking nut does not directly affect the adjustment of the truss rod. However, when installing a new Floyd Rose tremolo and locking nut, significant alterations to the guitar are made, which may necessitate adjustments. This is not specifically related to the locking nut but rather to the overall playability. Adjusting the truss rod is generally straightforward. You'll need a capo and feeler gauges. Place the capo on the 1st fret and press the low E string down at the 17th fret (where the neck meets the body). Then, measure the gap under the string at the 7th or 8th fret using a 0.10 feeler gauge. It should fit snugly without touching the string. Once adjusted, the truss rod and "relief" are set correctly. If unsure, you can find instructional videos on RUclips on how to adjust the truss rod. Good luck!
would have been even better if your played the guitar when you were done the install
And no need to shim the neck?
Of course you need to shim it.
@@floydhalen78 that's what I thought. I installed the floyd rose special on my baretta. I routed it so I would not have to shim the neck. OK thanks
@@jmtbuilds175 The design of the Floyd Rose system compared to a Vintage Tremolo makes it necessary to make adjustments to the neck pocket if the Floyd Rose is mounted floating and not recessed. You can either insert a shim into the neck pocket or modify the pocket itself. I always glue in a wedge that tapers from 0.25mm to 0mm. This eliminates any gap and ensures the optimal neck angle.
@@floydhalen78 I think I'll go the shim method on my blue baretta. Thanks
What pickup is that?
It's my own modified special "Brown Sound" pickup