Change string gauge and setup your Floyd Rose like a pro - Full tutorial 

Please take note that some adjustments (mainly neck relief and intonation) are more accurate if performed with the guitar in playing position rather than laying on a bench due to some potential neck bending produced by gravity. In practice this is infinitesimal and I've seen countless reputable luthiers setting up guitars on a bench with perfect results but, if you want the maximum precision possible, thats the way to go.

Dude. thank you. You probably wont notice this comment. But you literally changed my life with this video. I no longer have to pester my brother to do it for me. Also he never did it this thoroughly. It makes me so proud that I can do this myself now. It took me a good while to find that fine sweet spot and get it perfect but my float is perfect and my guitar is a fine piece of work now. Blessings to you brother for this upload. I liked and now subscribed. You are my first subscription ever on you tube. Word. Keep it metal.

Definitely needed this. I have an Ibanez RG series Floyd rose bridge guitar and honestly I have not restringed the poor thing in 3 years due to the fact I’ve been avoiding learning to do it and not wanting to just pay to get it restrung and adjusted. Finally have the guts to give it a shot now thanks to this video! Bought new strings and they are a new gauges. Perfect video

I messed up the.... everything... on my Schecter with a Floyd Rose when I changed the string gauge. This video was a huge help in getting it back into top shape and sounding great. Best guide I found by far. Thanks for sharing it!

I bought a guitar with a Floyd Rose a few years ago. Your video helped me dial it in perfectly. It sat neglected for the last year and the damn thing was still in tune when I finally started playing it again last week. Cleaning it up and putting new strings on and found your video again. A million thank you's from me!

I have been a Floyd user for 25+ years and have seen a lot of Floyd setup vids - without question this is one of the "best", most complete ones out there. A few things and comments: - THANK YOU for reminding me about properly adjusting the retainer bar....honestly, this is one thing that I have often been omitting when setting up my own Floyds. Indeed, properly setting up the break angle on Floyd's with locking nuts can be crucial to consistently staying in tune. I also will run a pencil along the grooves of the locking nut itself - likely not needed as the locking nut is the whole point, but still it's something I do anyway; :) - I am one of the "ball end on the tuner" Floyd guy's....I always have been and have never ever encountered any issues with damaging the tuning peg or other string issues. For me, on the rare occasions I break a string, like most Floyd's it will happen at the bridge/saddles. So I make sure I do have extra length on the bridge string end - I run them to the end of the fine tuner mechanism and then another inch or so. But since going to NYXLs [10s or 9.5] I have yet to break any strings though I am not a severe whammy abuser like Vai - just a touch of Satch/Lifeson style whammy :) - Excellent tip about oiling the pivot points - I use WD40 and a toothpick as well; I would also suggest people to do the same lubrication on the fine tuning screws. Add a tiny bit on each fine tuner and just work it back and forth; - Really useful stuff on intonation and truss rod adjustment! Well-done! Maybe stress that people need NOT OVERTIGHTEN the locking nuts! Just tighten until they are secure and a hair more only. - I think you only forgot a couple small things - to properly stretch out the new strings at some point before clamping everything down for good and also to set the fine tuner adjustments to about halfway on each string to allow for maximum range of fine tuning when needed. Neck's will and always move, at least slightly. And doing the intonation while in a playing position. - Your use of a towel and a wooden block to support the Floyd bridge is great....try to google a product called TremoLok. It's crazy to me that that appears to not be made anymore. I still have mine from 25 years ago and it is a godsend to support Floyd bridges during string changes. Just a simple piece of strong "L" shaped hard plastic with dense soft foam underneath to protect the guitar finish. Honestly, IMO a brilliant invention that needs to come back on the market! - Great original music! But maybe upload a version with voiceover? Terrific work again! Cheers and SUBBED! Stay safe! TREMOLOK images and link on gearpage: www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/to-the-floyd-rose-folks-here-are-a-couple-old-gadgets-i-managed-to-track-down.1351452/ Looks like someone has resurrected the idea of the original Tremolok! www.shredneck.com/shredneck-tremblock/ www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Parts/All_Hardware_and_Parts_by_Instrument/Electric_Guitar_Parts/Electric_Guitar_Bridges_and_Tailpieces/Electric_Guitar_Tremolo_Parts/ShredNeck_TremBlock.html

That backing track is very reminiscent of Bad Horsie! Great video, btw!

I just wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I always been a Les Paul guy and switch to a 7 string Schecter with a Floyd Rose. I decided to change the strings and do some conditioning maintenance only to discover that they sent it to me with the strangest string gauge combination. I was going to have to buy individual stings in order to match. I should have learned this long time ago, but some of us avoid the technical stuff. Shame on me. Kind of like learning to change a tire. You rock and save the day! Regardless of your other content I am you #1 fan and subscriber! LOL Cheers!

I was going from stock strings to 10s, but with the earnie ball skinny top heavy bottom, so the low e is 52. I was tuning and retuning and readjusting the springs for 2 hours before my new high e snapped so here i am crying myself to sleep. Thanks for the tutorial btw its pretty easy to follow

Finally, can't thank you enough bro. This video was PERFECT, absolute best setup video, all the other vids I've seen make it so complicated and over explain everything. Nice, simple, straight to the point. 👌

Best FLoyd Rose setup video i have ever watched. Excellent work!

This is the only video taught me how to tune floyd rose setup, all other ones are just stuff everyone knows.. thumbs up

Thank you for this video! I changed from 10's to 9's on my Ibanez JEM555-BK and I've always had trouble adjusting things with the Floyd Rose. This video made it so much easier!

This video belongs in the guitar RU-vid hall of fame. Thanks so much man.

HUGE UP for the string bar adjustment so many forget how important that is!

I've seen many many of videos of topic like this, this is so far the one I was finally not getting lost while watching! lol. Great video and million thanks!

Just spent alot of today setting up my Jackson with the help of this. Only thing I didn't have to adjust was the intonation, which was perfect since I got it last year. It was worth saving this video in my 'need to know' playlist.

So glad I found this, my Jackson has 12 gauge tuned for c standard and I’ve been wanting to switch it back to 9-42 for standard tuning for a while now

Thanks for the seminar. I set up my floyd rose tremolo on my new ESP LTD H-1001 for the 1st time & your help allowed me to dial it in with little trouble. Don't get me wrong, it took about an hour or so but your step by step video showed me exactly how to do it & what to watch out for. It sounds great & stays in tune. Yaowza!!!

I've been considering buying a guitar that has a floyd rose (and have kinda been discouraged as well upon seeing all the work that would be needed to change string gauge and tuning) and ended up on this video while looking for a tutorial on adjusting string gauge. I have to say it is a superbly made piece of content and covered just about ANY question I would ever need while being succinct and showing every step of the way. Truly an amazing video, a big thank you for sharing your knowledge with us :D

As I was examining how to restring my first Floyd Rose guitar, this video was most helpful. Mine didn't come with a tremolo and while that seems obvious, yes it was my problem, so I couldn't get the bridge lifted properly. With that indentation designed into the guitar, it's critical to be able to do that. Ran to Guitar Center, they had none in stock, but lent me one. So great! Thank you!

Finally get it!! You re the best man! perfect video with awesome backtrack for this work . Thank you . take care bro ;)

By far the best video ever on Floyd Rose.Thanks! SO nicely and easily explained straight to the point.

Thank you for this! I picked up a second hand ESP from a charity shop and this is my first guitar with a Floyd Rose system, so this is new ground for me. Very helpful!

Thanks! 👍🏻 I have a Floyd Rose on a late 80’s - early 90’s Fender HM Strat. A friend of mine had a late 80’s Kramer with a Floyd Rose so when I picked up that guitar I have with a Floyd Rose I knew the basics but you’re video should help me to dial everything in. A few years ago I bought some kind of kit that amounts to attaching some parts to the Floyd Rose tremolo to make it easier to adjust.

I just got my Floyd set up for drop d and had issues with it staying in tune and not being fully floating, and this is my first Floyd, and the guy working on it is great but he did forget to do the bar on the headstock so I’m gonna take it back and see what difference it makes, thank you

This might be the best Floyd Rose tutorial I've seen so far on uTube. 👍 Thanks for the video & effort! 😃

Looking at this, I'm glad I bought a fixed bridge electric guitar, and changing all the strings is much easier. But this is an excellent tutorial in case I need it in the future.

Dude you’re amazing! Thank you for ALL the details so many tutorials pass by. Thank you

Wow you really did a thorough job showing how to adjust, good job!

Hands down the best guitar setup videos on the internet. Thank you.

Best non verbal set up I've seen so far.. Thanks!!!! Lot of useful, easy to understand information.

Thank you so much i really need this, getting tomorrow my first Edge Bridge Ibanez

I messed up my new guitar. This video helped me fix it. Thanks for posting!

Congratulations! Thank you very much for the video! I have a 1987 Ibanez RG 550 with Floyd Rose. I used all the instructions in the video and the guitar is fantastic! Now I will make the adjustments myself when necessary! Again Thank you very much!

Just got my first Floyd guitar, actually ended up with 3 in one day so being my first Floyd guitars this was definitely needed knowledge. Very helpful thanks!

Just bought my first Jackson USA, I have not gone for FR guitars because it was intimidating but it this video was so thorough. Thank you for this

I always check my final intonation with the guitar hanging from the strap in playing position, not laying on a table. Do the table first, then dial it in hanging off the strap. And if you're doing a lefty guitar, check it as a lefty would play it. Doing it hanging for righty will actually be different!!!! Most techs don't know that!

Hi there. your tutorial saved my Ibanez JS100 which has a really tricky double locking trem system. Thanks very much for sharing such great knowledge. Subscribed! !

So good, so precise and to the point. Thanks for this!

Best video so far you explained everything I needed to know

thankyou your video is older than the music nomad tutorial video for FR, but that string retainer thing is an addition to my knowledge, cheers..

I do mine similar but kinda different. I start my blocking the trem in the proper angle and tighten the claw a tad to ensue no matter what gauge im changing to, the trem won't move. I keep the trem blocked at the proper angle for the entire setup and when I'm done I'll back it off until the blocker easily slips out. Trem at perfect angle and tuning is perfect at well. This saves time with that tune-detune stuff I'll use a special trem bar clamp I designed for saddle adjustment.

Great Video ! I'm new to this setup and I found most of the questions I had in mind. Many thanks for sharing. RnR

Best floyd setup video ive seen on youtube thanks man helped alot.

Excellent tracks here to jam with while I intonated my Jackson. Just set up and love the jam in your videos. Keep it up my friend. Love it!

On the point. You made understand why I need to do this and that. I’ll now do something radical. Change from 10 to 8 gauge on my Jem. Wish me luck. I’ll need it...

Thank you for this! The instructions were well layed out and fluid/easy to follow. Took away any confusion I had :)

I was stuck tuning my Floyd Rose for about an hour lmfao then I finally understood one of the major steps on tuning it from your video preciate it man 🙏🙏

Just bought some thicker strings to downtune my Ibanez prestige to Dadgad (but down to C#). This was awesome to follow along! Great video man!

I have decided not to pay someone to change out the strings on my PRS SE Floyd this time. As a matter of fact, I had even decided to go from 9s to 10s before I went online and found this channel. I couldn't believe that you were doing that same thing!! I'm sure that I'm not the only one who feels intimidated by the Floyd Rose tremolo system the first time around,lol. But after watching this video and taking my time, it's really not so hard. Thank You, Good Sir for walking me through this Labor of love!!!

thank you so much. floyd rose set up was always a nightmare for me but now i finally can do it. thumbs up

I was thinking of buying the Synyster Gates Strings that just came out but they’re 10-52 and my strings now are 9-42 so I was a little panicky about that but now with this tutorial I feel more confident if I do buy those strings. Thanks!

Great tutorial mate. Love the Seiko tuner. I had one of those 30 years ago.

Thanks a lot bro! I didn't know what I was doing wrong, any other video I watched didn't explained the steps as well as you did

Really helpful. Thanks!

Good ol Blackie Ibanez RG with shark fin inlays and a floatee. That was my first good decent guitar after the wal-mart Washburn in a box 😸🤙🤌 Thanks for the video man! I just finally got a floating bridge on a Jackson and all these tips are coming back to me!

Best tutorial video for floyd rose adjustments there is ! Thanks a lot

You’re my hero THANKSSSSSSS did my own set up after being afraid for years thanks to this vid

You have saved me!! Was getting in a right state after stripping, cleaning and restringing my RG. Would not tune properly and I was losing the plot with it. Thanks a bunch :-)

I just did this on my Schecter Hell Raiser before I saw this video. I pretty much did all of the things in the video, but was not near as smooth sailing. I had seen a couple of videos, but not anything as good as this one. With a few simple tools and this video I think anyone can get this done. After finishing, my guitar plays so much better with the new strings, same size as video, and the adjustments. What a difference. Thanks so much!

great tutorial , dude !!

Thank you. Nicely done. I watched someone adjust the bridge at a shop once and they placed a block in the back that kept the bridge parellel to the body. Then they tuned the guitar and tightened the springs slowly and evenly. When the block fell out the bridge was set. A minor tuning and all was good. Seems a lot less tedious than going back and forth tuning and adjusting. I don't know if they sell the blocks or it has to be made. Much faster your way if you don't have one. Thanks again. I enjoyed your video. Now I need to learn how to file a fret without over doing it. I'm not looking forward to that on my guitar that needs it.

What a fantastic tutorial 👏

Awesome video and very well done with the setup. It was around the truss rod adjustment that I lost faith in my abilities on this one lol. I'll be taking it to someone who can do this much easier than me, as I finally have a really good quality guitar and want to keep it that way

Thank you for pointers I got a used guitar and I play with 11-50 Guage strings and the new guitar with a floyd rose had 9 Guage on it with your help I successfully changed to 11 guage

Thank you for doing this. Your tutorial has been super helpful for me!

Thanks man, really awesome guide, clear and well explained. And the first song sounds evil! Great video

dang. I wasn't aware of all thise gotchas. this video probably saved my time and frustration. thanks!

I go back to this every time I forget/feel like Im not gonna be able to do this perfectly. Great tutorial!

Will be using the toothpick trick to put chapstick in the pivot point between the knife edge and the "cone" of the bridge post. Great idea.

Great video. Thanks a lot!

Thanks I’ll check my string tree. That explains why I have to fine tune after locking the strings.

Very nice tutorial....thanks!

Thanks for posting.

Great, great video!! I just bought a new Charvel with a Floyd Rose that came with .009’s and I wanted to put .010’s on it. I wouldn’t have known how to do it, but This video guided me through the process really well!!! THANK YOU!! BTW, your original background music was fantastic!!👍

hands down best video out there on the topic \m/

It's really a great tutorial, brilliant and useful 🤘🏻

This is a very cool tutorial and it really hits my taste! If you want to be a real friendly guy to your knife edges, you would remove the string tension by taking each time the tremolo springs off before adjusting the posts. As shown you do this after you adjusted the strings - springs balance and the neck adjustment.

You are a life saver! Thanks 🍻

Excellent tutorial!! I saved it, and subscribed, thanks!

VERY helpful!

Man...is the best video aboud floyd/edge tremolos, thanks for sharing...

such a great help! Thank you so much!

that's a nice and comprehensive tutorial

Thank you soooo much! Master class! A true expert don't have to cloak knowledge in obscure arcane cryptic "BS"....amazing video! You changed my Floyd Rose nightmare into a fun change of strings!!

Lots of guitar techs don't have a clue how to properly setup Floyd's. I love the term 'sweet spot' you use as that's what happens. The springs and strings will just all of a sudden 'balance'. You can get some of the worst Floyd's to work well if you can find this spot.

Dude, awesome video! really useful to learn how to properly setup these types of guitar. In the beginning, a bit of Vai´s "horsie" action going... :)

I started with a very complicated way but damn ur presenting way made it so so simple wow thanks bro

Great tutorial, thanks!

what a perfect video thank you so much

Excellent video!

Afyer the set uo the saddle was nit parallel. How to get it parallel. Do you start with rhe springs on the back tighten and then lossing them ?

Wish I'd watched this when I first bought my Ibanez, best video on this for sure 👍

Best explanation ever seen. Thanks

Thanks brother. Easy to understand. Very straight forward video tutorial.

That’s a very clear video. Just picked up a guitar and it had a floyd rose on it and thought to myself how the hell do I adjust this. Now I know. Cheers.

Great video brother! Just what I need!

The best tutorial i have seen!

Well done! Thank you