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Topic starter
30/03/2010 7:35 pm
Hey everyone,
I was wondering if someone could point me in the direction of how to adjust the tension (?) of the bridge on my original floyd rose guitar, a Kramer Baretta II.
It's a bit confusing - but the end result is that I want the tremelo to be EASIER to press down; in practical terms, to set it so that less force would be required to dive bomb with the whammy. As it is now with 3 springs and 10 gauge strings, it requires my full forearm to press down. I play with a light touch and I've played on guitars where it was much easier to depress than my own, so I know it can be done but could you share any tips or guidance?
So far I've tried with 2 springs and 9 gauge strings but the end result is that I've had to crank the claw arm in to reach equilibrium with the strings to pull the bridge flat. I've been told you can get different strength springs as well, but I assume this would lead to the same problem just mentioned.
Any help?
PS: my floyd is free floating, not blocked down so I can pull up and down on it, could this be the problem?
31/03/2010 11:09 pm
You did an interesting thing with 2 of your springs already, and tightened the claw in.
I suggest that you keep your total of 3 springs, and loosen the claw evenly until you're satisfied with tension.
Two springs on the outside, and one dead center will be easiest to work with, and applies less tension, so you will do less loosening or backing-out compared to hooking the springs up as above, but to the 3 middle claws - that becomes tighter.
Here's a lengthy link with many instructions, but you don't necessarily have to be an expert, or know it all right away.
It contains many tips to fine tune, but not the simple procedure that you are looking for, to adjust dive bomb motion.
http://audiozone.dk/index-filer/floyd-tremolo-tips.htm
This way makes it tighter, and you would have to back out more if using that triangular placement, referred to above.
So, you have to use your judgement and keep enough of the screw threads in to maintian overall strength and stability.
Here's the other critical view; not a Floyd but it is my floating-est with pennies stacked up as a reference to height.
Like a bird on the wire,
like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free.
Topic starter
01/04/2010 12:19 am
Thanks for the response and photos.
I just went back to three springs, loosened the claw back so the bridge is flush and I'm pretty much back at square 1. It feels like my guitar before I started this mission. The tension (perhaps i should use the term "resistance"?) is definitly more now that I have three springs and I have to muscle the bar down with greater effort. I tried both the 'arrow' and 'straight' spring configuration as well. I'm going to have to disagree with your idea, at least I didn't see any improvement.
It could be that my springs are just not stretched out enough, or I've read about different weight springs, but the problem is I've never seen them anywhere.
Great site btw, thanks for the feedback.
Any other ideas or comments?