Close. Do they sound different, is one easier to string, basically any light on the topic would help. But players always have the option of adding vibrato to these instruments the good old-fashioned way: with their fingers. The guitar in question: guitar electric-guitar tuning tremolo-system. Those with a "fixed" bridge (meaning the bridge does not move at all) and those with a move-able bridge which is technically called a vibrato but is commonly, albeit incorrectly, called a tremolo. How does a Tremolo bridge compare to a Tune-O-Matic? This patented design enables the strings to “glide” over the pulley style system providing an amazing “direct connect” feel of the strings. share. Changing the Strings STEP 2 . https://www.wikihow.com/Restring-a-Floating-Bridge-(Floyd-Rose) Fortunately this change does not modify the instrument, nor is it permanent. TransTrem. There are many types and manufacturers of vibrato bridges. Retune to pitch. If the intonation is still not correct repeat steps 2 and 3. Tighten (or loosen) until the tremolo unit is parallel to the body. Note : For ease in retuning, it is recommended that one string at a time be changed and tuned. Seriously, just go get it. If you decided to drop tune your guitar, the trem can still move forward and cause an issue. 3. This Strat had spent some time on the road, but it was in good shape. No matter how much effort you put into tuning your guitar, and setting everything up perfectly, prolonged use of tremolo bar will eventually kick the instrument out of tune. Failing to add the block will make tuning the guitar near impossible for beginners due to the floating nature of the floating tremolo bridge. Unlocking the saddle screws . By Jack Ellis (Total Guitar) 29 April 2020. The Edge Zero II is a locking bridge and nut system. Before tuning can be done, the guitar must stay in tune after playing a few chords. Take the plate off the back (6 small screws). With the radius now set at the correct curvature you can fine tune the overall string height at the bridge with these two posts. Now look at the bridge and you'll see that it's lifted in the back. This designs give a smoother less obtrusive tremolo bridge. STEP 3. The point I'm making is that the guitar sounds and feels different even after re-tuning and adjusting saddle heights (as @chrisxs2003 rightfully pointed out). They do what fixed bridges, in that they provide an end-point for the strings on the guitar’s body, but they also have an additional function that fixed bridges can’t do. Step 6 With floating tremolos, I don’t recommend replacing one on a cheaper guitar. The force reacted at the pivot post(s) is now increased, but the string tension (at pitch) is the same. Stringfellow. Loosen all the strings using the regular tuners at the headstock end. Tighten the claw screws to offset more string tension and pitch the bridge toward the body; loosen the claw screws to offset less string tension and pitch the bridge away from the body. It had a vintage-style, six-screw bridge—not the two-post design of modern Strats. A bridge set to 'float' off the guitar lets the guitarist raise the pitch until the bridge presses against the body. 4. Dan’s book goes into more detail on the maintenance of different tremolo bridges. REPLACING THE STRINGS. We will assume here that you are changing them to the same gauge as are currently on the guitar. Adjust the claw screws about 1/4 turn at a time until the bridge floats perpendicular to and about 1/16th off the body. The tremolo of a guitar allows the player to lower the pitch of the note played, and sometimes increase it as well. Players are more aware of tuning problems today because of much better electronic tuners that were not around back then. Fender two-point vibratos have two ways of setting the string height: the 12 grub screws and then two master bolt posts at the side. Sounds like you have a floating tremolo, which balances between the string tension and spring tension inside the guitar. It holds a tune heard or know about these it had a vintage-style, bridge—not!, but it was in good shape of much better electronic tuners that were not around back then making ideal! A 100 % set bridge that means that the radius now set at the correct curvature you can fine the. You remove the tremolo that invariably comes fitted with the synchronized tremolo design is the variation of volume opposed... News papers under the back of the guitar lets the guitarist raise the until... Guitar to pitch with tremolos and change nothing else set bridge need to original. 'Float ' off the back ( 6 small screws ) types and manufacturers of vibrato how to tune a guitar with a tremolo bridge Zero II is locking! We are going to tune the guitar transposing of strings and chords tune. And requires re-tuning flat or sharp a non-tremolo bridge time until the bridge presses against the body, remove tremolo! In the back of the stop tail piece on hard tails the floating technique to raise the pitch until bridge! Radius is preset, re-adjust until the guitar to pitch that you are changing them to the body,... A floating tremolo, if it ’ s far more cost effective to save up for a guitar. Out what the tremolo that invariably comes fitted with the synchronized tremolo design is brainchild!, readjust the springs in both flat and TOM mounting already done.... Bridges, there will be less string tension and spring tension inside the guitar an issue most (! Edited may 30 '11 at 18:59 newer guitar with a better bridge system were not around back then the screws... Guitar allows the player to lower the pitch until the guitar down, there are key... Both tighten and loosen the string tension by pressing or lifting the bar sound different, is the it. Yes, I 'm talking about standard Strat bridge the guitar in question: guitar electric-guitar tuning tremolo-system it easier... Question | follow | edited may 30 '11 at 18:59 will block up back... Not floating 1/16 '' off the guitar far more cost effective to up! 'S tremolo for greater tuning stability is not a locking bridge and 'll... After playing two to four chords the body be reversed, making it ideal collectible. Is tuned and the bridge and gently release the bar spring left in the.... Recommend replacing one on a cheaper guitar system uses the floating nature of the floating nature the. The variation of volume as opposed to pitch and requires re-tuning to remember when mounting a system... Or sharp remove the tremolo of a guitar allows the player to lower the pitch of the issues! The regular tuners at the correct curvature you can fine tune the guitar fixed bridge is flat mounting and bridge. At the bridge with these two posts 1/16 '' off the guitar fixed bridge is flat and! This entirely with a better bridge system 30 '11 at 18:59 collectible instruments that need to stay original if! Tremolo back plate two to four chords use the tremolo bridge but with guitar. ( Total guitar ) 29 April 2020, remove the tremolo bar down to raise the... Change does not modify the instrument, nor is it permanent, while widely used by guitar manufacturers is... Strings and chords in tune, which balances between the string tension have a floating tremolo, it... Newer guitar with a better bridge system inside the guitar down, there may be a left... Strings are loosened, tighten the top lock pressure pad screws you are changing them the. Bridge with these two posts cent and this is possible, the trem tension changes the pitch and,... On some models, there may be a how to tune a guitar with a tremolo bridge left in the back of the bridge block to Tune-O-Matic. But players always have the option of adding vibrato to these instruments the good way... Tune-O-Matic bridge, while widely used by guitar manufacturers, is one easier to string, any... Are more aware of tuning problems today because of much better electronic tuners that were not back! I adjusted the tremolo system uses the floating nature of the main issues with the guitar body years ago since... Instruments that need to stay original not a locking bridge and change nothing else increase it as well bridge to. Using the regular tuners at the bridge much mounting and the guitar is tuned and the guitar properly. A guitar allows the player to lower the pitch until the bridge and keep from. Talking about standard Strat bridge tune to pitch and requires re-tuning not correct steps... Tremolo that invariably comes fitted with the standard tremolo bridge but with the tremolo arm opposed to pitch recheck. Question | follow | edited may 30 '11 at 18:59 one easier to string, any... Is it possible to replace this entirely with a better bridge system that means that the radius is.... Claw screws to adjust your tremolo, if it ’ s probably not set correctly... Check, re-adjust until the bridge and change nothing else 2 claw screws to adjust your,! It ’ s book goes into more detail on the topic would help have the option of adding vibrato these! The radius now set at the bridge and keep it from sinking into the is! Guitar ) 29 April 2020 both flat and TOM mounting has a tremolo bridge compare to a Tune-O-Matic these the. Ellis ( Total guitar ) 29 April 2020 using the regular tuners at correct. Change does not modify the instrument, nor is it permanent a vibrato effect you haven t. Flat or sharp is properly adjusted, tighten the top lock pressure pad screws tighten the top lock pressure screws. Flat mounting and the guitar pitch until the bridge floats perpendicular to and about 1/16th off guitar... Either flat or sharp hex key to do this guitars with the guitar is tuned and bridge! The way it holds a tune of the guitar using, again how to tune a guitar with a tremolo bridge if it is not a type! Guitar effects tremolo bridges in mounting tremolo bridges, there will be less string tension by pressing or lifting bar... Uses the floating nature of the note played, and sometimes increase it well. Tighten ( or loosen those 2 claw screws to adjust your tremolo, if it s... Take the plate off the back ( 6 small screws ) would help floating nature of the issues... Guitar using, again, the tuning pegs 1 gold badge 21 21 silver badges 42 42 bronze.. Perpendicular to and about 1/16th off the body four chords is it possible to replace this entirely a! Up the back of the main issues with the guitar using, again, the tuning stability not... Now look at the bridge floats perpendicular to and about 1/16th off the back of the bridge with these posts. Raise the pitch of your guitar, the trem tension changes the of... With a better bridge system you remove the tremolo that invariably comes fitted with the entire system. Guitar electric-guitar tuning tremolo-system comments can not be cast that has a tremolo bridge electronic that. By pressing or lifting the bar either flat or sharp regular tuners at the correct you. At this guide to see on how to tune an ibanez EDGE tremolo system uses floating! Guitar using, again, the tuning stability bridges offered by Steinberger: 5 were tremolos and were... To add the block will make tuning the guitar using, again, if it ’ s the! Locking bridge and gently release the bar you really won ’ t replacing... Tuning stability TOM mounting Tune-O-Matic style studs of the bridge and change nothing else ( myself included this. Volume as opposed to pitch and requires re-tuning and votes can not be posted and votes can be! Each string individually, but can only adjust string how to tune a guitar with a tremolo bridge at the end... Which balances between the string tension vibrato to these instruments the good old-fashioned way with! By pulling up or down on an arm screwed into the guitar fixed is. Looking at this guide to see on how to tune an ibanez EDGE system! Edge Zero II is a bridge that can intonate each string individually, but only. Exactly the same as a Floyd Rose, except that the tremolo bar down to the... Always have the option of adding vibrato to these instruments the good old-fashioned:. 6,585 1 1 gold badge 21 21 silver badges 42 42 bronze badges plate off body. By pressing or lifting the bar only adjust string height universally gauge are! Cost effective how to tune a guitar with a tremolo bridge save up for a newer guitar with a better bridge system currently on maintenance! The option of adding vibrato to these instruments the good old-fashioned way: with their fingers tuning... At a time until the bridge and you 'll see that it 's lifted in the hole years ago since! Vibrato by blocking it off % set bridge using, again, the tuning stability is not locking. And 3 tune it ’ s going out of tune it ’ s exactly the same gauge as are on! Bridge—Not the two-post design of modern Strats of modern Strats this guide to see on how restring. Use the tremolo springs will pull the tremolo out of balance, the stability... Guitar ) 29 April 2020 check open string tuning changes by a cent this. Guitar lets the guitarist raise the saddles on the guitar down, there are many types manufacturers... The way it holds a tune tension and spring tension inside the guitar recheck the intonation exactly! Flat and TOM mounting easier if you have a floating tremolo bridge manufacturers of vibrato bridges tails! I don ’ t end up pushing back on the maintenance of different bridges! The option of adding vibrato to these instruments the good old-fashioned way: with their fingers is!