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Post subject: Re: Floating Tremolo
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2018 7:13 pm
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The floating tremolo thing is not too hard to figure out. I am totally inept at anything requiring tools or measurements. Yet I was able to follow the instructions and get it set up properly. I don't dive bomb and go crazy. I also prefer 5 springs like it was originally designed. Save your money.


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Post subject: Re: Floating Tremolo
Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2018 5:25 am
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if you do any palm muting at all, good luck making that work with the "float"...

I just deck em, and leave them there.

get a tube of Big Bends Nut Sauce, and check the youtube vids for applying (all common sense where ever the string comes in contact.. [ aka witness points ])


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Post subject: Re: Floating Tremolo
Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2018 11:18 am
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KidBlast wrote:
if you do any palm muting at all, good luck making that work with the "float"...

I just deck em, and leave them there.

get a tube of Big Bends Nut Sauce, and check the youtube vids for applying (all common sense where ever the string comes in contact.. [ aka witness points ])

My bridge floats and I palm mute all the time with no issues, but than again maybe my sloppy habits helped with that, i just touch palm and strings lightly, just enough to mute
mud


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Post subject: Re: Floating Tremolo
Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2018 4:53 pm
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mud wrote:
My bridge floats and I palm mute all the time with no issues, but than again maybe my sloppy habits helped with that, i just touch palm and strings lightly, just enough to mute
mud

Ditto.
Played nothing but floating trem guitars for years and never had a problem.
Pretty much all of the HM bands from the 80s ran floating Floyds, and pretty much all of them palm muted.

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Post subject: Re: Floating Tremolo
Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 5:58 am
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BMW-KTM wrote:


Are there any other videos that show the steps involved to setting up the trem like his? Like how many springs to use,, where they're placed and how you bend the claw? Is the claw what holds the springs?

I've always had my trem decked and don't believe I've ever even opened the back panel, let alone adjusted the springs.

Thanks to everyone for all the help.


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Post subject: Re: Floating Tremolo
Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 9:13 am
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How did you deck your trem without opening the rear panel?


That’s the only video I’ve ever seen on the subject.

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Post subject: Re: Floating Tremolo
Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 4:16 pm
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BMW-KTM wrote:
How did you deck your trem without opening the rear panel?


That’s the only video I’ve ever seen on the subject.


Haha. Guess I still don't understand what a decked trem means. I thought it ment that the trem/bridge (whatever it's called) is flush against the body.


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Post subject: Re: Floating Tremolo
Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 8:37 pm
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Floating= two way motion sharp/flat
Decked= one way motion flat
Blocked= fixed w/ wood/shims/etc., no motion


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Post subject: Re: Floating Tremolo
Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 9:10 pm
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sfceric64 wrote:
Floating= two way motion sharp/flat
Decked= one way motion flat
Blocked= fixed w/ wood/shims/etc., no motion


I guess the previous owner decked the trem if Strats dont come that way off the shelf.

I must have not been paying close attention the first time I watched the video cuz he does show the spring setup, as well as the claw's position.

All the suggested links are people showing how to setup the floating trem. I've always been really lazy about doing guitar 6setups, even changing the strings for me is like, "guh...already!?" Think it's about time I get off my lazy $@! and try this myself, before bringing it to the shop for a setup.


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Post subject: Re: Floating Tremolo
Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 11:44 pm
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On the other hand, it might be good to let a pro do the setup once - if you were willing to invest in a Tremsetter, a setup isn't that much more expensive.
It's a lot easier to maintain a good setup than to create one. And you can learn easier, too: adjust something, make a note on what you do so you can revert to previous if needed.

But as said before, a setup can be learned DIY if you want to. (And since you asked, three springs is usually OK.)
Fender's Strat Setup Guide
My additional hints:
Think about the balance; strings pull one way, the trem springs counteract that pull (not very different from the strings/truss rod balance).
Before you begin the setup, check first that all screws (neck joint...) and nuts (tuning machines...) are properly (= snug but no Hulk force) tightened.
Follow the order of procedures in the setup guide (truss rod; action; intonation) so you don't have to go back and forth.
Check every string/other contact point (no nicks/burrs, nut slots as they should), and lube them. Lip balm applied with a toothpick works just as well as commercial products - and BTW, it's been recommended by both Fender and Gibson. :wink:


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Post subject: Re: Floating Tremolo
Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2018 1:04 pm
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Location: Cambridge UK
Quote:
it might be good to let a pro do the setup once
Spot on, JM! If not more than once! I've always done my own setups, but a couple of years ago I had a top class tech/luthier do me a refret, and I've had him set up all my Strats since. They play like butter - worth every penny I've paid him.

The only problem is finding a good tech, so many flakes out there!

Cheers - Peter.


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Post subject: Re: Floating Tremolo
Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2018 4:13 am
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Location: Iowa, USA
Peter S wrote:
The only problem is finding a good tech, so many flakes out there!

You're right about that. There's literally NOBODY in my area that is any better than me (and I don't charge myself). If I wanted to use someone well known for good reputation and/or highly recommended, I'd have to travel nearly 2 hours one way.

In 2009, I bought a $99.00 Squire, and just used it as a practice tool for everything you can think of other than a 're-fret' (to this day I would not attempt a re-fret, I would make the drive) I can condition, crown, and dress frets, just not replace them. Anything else, I would watch or read DIY videos and literature, and do the work myself.
I have gotten pretty good (if I do say so myself), and have been trusted with friend's guitars as well...but I don't consider myself a tech or luthier...just a guy that enjoys the instrument in every way.


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Post subject: Re: Floating Tremolo
Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2018 3:15 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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Location: Cambridge UK
Quote:
If I wanted to use someone well known for good reputation and/or highly recommended, I'd have to travel nearly 2 hours one way.
Yes, my bloke is 70 miles away on the Suffolk coast, and that's in sleepy little England! At least in the States (in my experience) a couple of hundred miles is virtually next door! I just combine a visit to him with a day out, nice lunch, walk on the seafront - you know the sort of thing!

Seriously though, if you find a good 'un, he/she's worth hanging on to. Fortunately my bloke's at least 20 years younger than I am, so should outlast me...

Cheers - Peter.


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Post subject: Re: Floating Tremolo
Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2018 11:30 am
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My 1989 Strat Plus came with the tremsetter installed. The tremsetter along with the roller nut and locking tuners have kept my guitar in tune for more that 28 years. The tremsetter allows you to either pull up or push down on the tremolo arm. The tremsetter works well if you are using it for either pulling up or pushing down on the tremolo arm but it has a funny feel if you want to wobble the arm between pulling up and pushing down. However the tremsetter is a little difficult to set up and hence I have had two technicians suggest that I remove it which I did not do. The only reason I was looking to have it adjusted was because I had changed string gauges and thought I might need a setup. in more than 28 years that was the only time I had to setup this guitar.


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