Floyd Rose | Removing and Replacing Fine Tuners

Just a quick video on how I remove and replace Floyd Rose fine tuners.
Hope this is helpful and let me know if you have any thoughts or questions.
Thanks for watching

[@guitarzan2979]

No one has mentioned a method of preventing the replacement fine tuners from backing all the way out and falling out. I have never replaced fine tuners but now I’m going to do it thanks to this video. I was going to disassemble the the bridge to where I could get to the tip of the screws and grind off whatever is on the tip that keeps the screw from backing out. The best I could tell was it was perhaps a tiny rivet or a crimp at the tip of the screw but I couldn’t really tell while it was fully assembled. Anyway, maybe a dash of Loctite on the tip of the fine tuner screw would prevent it from backing all the way out and of course the bridge would have to be disassembled to do this. Anyone reading this, I would recommend to keep in mind the position of the saddles before disassembly to better maintain the intonation. I am starting with a brand new Floyd Rose Original, straight out of the box so the saddle position’s are irrelevant. I am also going to replace the sustain block with a bigger one while it is disassembled. Thanks for the video!

[@DEADITEDAN]

Forcing the fine tuners out like this will potentially damage the threads in the baseplate. The factory purposely deformed the ends to prevent them from falling out. The correct way to do this it to screw them all in, flip the bridge over and then cut the deformed ends off with a dremel to allow them to be unscrewed without damaging the threads in the baseplate. When new fine tuners are installed, screw them all the way in and then deform the last thread with a pair of pliers so they cannot fall out either, like the factory ones.

[@jeando_guitar]

This is the most useful comment right here. I was guessing the same thing while looking the video.

[@nickpollard4034]

I was wondering about that….

[@Echoes-]

The screws are much softer than the base plate so you won't damage the threads on the base plate.

[@wilhelmklieschnikov7185]

Thank you!! I just got Brass fine tuners and frustrated at the " stuck" screw as I unscrewed it. Now I know!! Ok, back to it!!!!

[@gregcalvert1604]

Repleced mine whith titanium ones this video was helpful

[@JonsterTheBondster]

Titanium all the way if possible 👌

[@mavrim7]

I have one fine tuner that will not thread down all the way like the others. So now thanks to you I now know the trick to removing them. I thought it had a set screw or something else.

[@JonsterTheBondster]

Thanks for the Video 👌⚙ With FR Special you eventually need to do this too. (probably saddles strip first after enough times of string changes). Just remember to grease /lube the fine tuners. Same way you grease the studs and knife edges if you ever take off the tremolo -for lower friction n wear. (taking off tremolo = remove strings & remove springs and the whole trem will just drop off (eezy peezy)). I use the same lemon oil for fine tuners i oil the fretboard. Few rolls max and min and voilá, you get smoothly rolling fine tuners, even if it's zinc alloy Licensed stuff 👍 I've had some probs with FRT-1000 too. (fine tuner strips n gets stuck halfway). (whole trem doesn't return to pitch). It's Ok trem 1000 usually, just utilizes softer Flow steel instead of hardest hardened german Schaller steel. OFR & 1000 claims to be same stuff, but it ends for same dimensions. Steel, yes, just a bit different. Otherwise we wouldn't need OFR for guitars over 2k. Its just that we get FRS with guitars costing 500-1000. 1k- 1500+ FR1000. 2k and over, =OFR. There's reason for that. I have 350$ guitar from Thomann which has FRT1000. (HB SC-Custom). The Floyd is made in China because of these newer patenting rules. Basically, things are changing, FR1000 from 2013 isn't the FR1000 from 2023. Same with FRS. Those are even more cheap than they use to be. You can find FRS from guitars priced 199. Anyway, even today, the guitar made in Korea (whatever the brand, it might be made by WMIC with high %) and costs around 2k, if it has FR1000, its better than that cheappo guitar with FR1000. Yeah, I'm working in Finnish Guitar factory 🏭 ⚒... Seen alot and own over 25 FR-Guitars.. (honestly, i don't remember how many i own or semi-own haha 😂) Both

[@Ben-ld1qi]

Hello and greeting to you over there in Filand, brother. I'm completely new and I could use some assistance, recently I just purchased my first guitar Harley Benton Fusion III HH with FR1000. Regarding the FR tuning screws, the bottom 4 screws stop spinning at a certain height, but the top two for E and A string can come off completely loose and I didn't even do anything to mess with it. Is that normal to happen? I may have played with the tunings the past week since I got the guitar but I never tried to force anything.

[@JonsterTheBondster]

Hi. Sounds like a traditional problem when the metal is soft and the fine tuner threads wear. Also, lack of finalizing the threads will cause all sorts of probs vs OFR. Usually baseplate threads won't wear out so easily, but the lack of QC and care that high end trems will get cause cheaper fine tuners to either get stuck or even completely rolling loose. This might happen fast to even new guitars. One thing you can try is to drop a lemon oil to tuners which are stuck, and roll them up n down as much as you can. It might solve the prob if they have dirt or has badly made threads. If you cannot even use the tuners much at all because they wont roll enough, it might be useful to just roll em out with brute force and change them. No need to fear fine tuner thread-end to bend so it can be rolled off the trem. Its better than tuner being stuck and unusable. Worse case scenario is that baseplate threads are bad, -baseplate is steel and cannot be easily fixed, so i would just use the force if the tuner wont even work anyway. If the tuner is loose, - opposite problem, -you can use thin foil which makes loose threads work more accurately. In this case, you also have to remove the fine tuners first. Just wrap the fine tuner with foil and roll it back, -kinda hard to explain in English haha, not my first language :) Sometimes we use thin foil also to fix Push-in-Style and rollable trem arms which have a lot of loose ground otherwise. Anyway there's very little you can permanently damage or worsen since the problem is already there. Maximum is that you end up not fixing the problem but fine tuner area isn't something you can easily ruin completely. Yes, fine tuner threads are important to work because of the Locking nut system, but also its easily fixable area. There's good video in here YT also which shows a little bit closer whats going on in fine tuner area and what you can do, either using foil or oil as well. It was named something like "how to make your floyd rose special feel like original floyd rose". Or how to make your floyd rose special fine tuners feel like an original floyd rose.

[@JonsterTheBondster]

"How to make a Floyd Rose Special feel like an OFR". S7 Custom Guitars was the channels name.

[@johnbrixpomoy5220]

thank you man, I already remove it and installed new fine tuner for my floyd rose special

[@mavrim7]

I figured it would remove like this, but was worried that threads would get chewed up.

[@samhainlimon]

I did it the way he demonstrated. No problems whatsoever. I am experienced with tools and was careful. YMMV. I watched a few other videos to make sure I understood the risks. It was fine. I haven't redented the last thread because. I can see and feel when the fine tuner is about out of travel. At that point I unlock tune and reset the fine tuners. There is also another video where if you have a Floyd 1000 you might have to clean the threads with a tap. As with anything you need to know the correct size and be careful. Some of the comments on here are very cautionary. If your that worried about a disastrous outcome take it to a professional. Be stress free. If you want to learn but your not super experienced then you can research each concept and tool first. Once you do that you gain skills. The folks who put this stuff up help us learn much faster. They already have the experience. If you have a better way do it your way. Thank you for this video.

[@ryoung8499]

Thanks for the information /video!! Getting ready to do an overhaul on my Floyd. My concern was when backing out the "crimped" fine tuners, will that "crimp" damage the threads? I would hope it wasn't designed like that, but ya never know. Thanks much! ✌️

[@LarryMar]

I just ordered a full set of stainless screws for the whole shabang, and also a beefy brass block. I didn't know whether to force out the old fine tuner screws with pliers or if I had to file down the screw edge. I guess they crimp the edge to keep them from backing out. PIA if you have to change them. Thanks!

[@RicochetTinman]

Extremely informative video! I am curious if it's possible to replace frx fine tuners with Floyd rose special fine tuners to get a solid gold look to my frx

[@tonlarj37]

Thanks! Yes. I'm working with a FR Special in this video. It's just softer metal than the OFR

[@gbferrell]

Could you please elaborate on the actual physics of how tightening and untightening the fine tuners changes the pitch? When you screw them down, they press on the long screws, which in turn, press on those silver levers below them. Is it the fact that it changes the angle of the long screw that changes the tuning or does the silver lever below have to be engaged to change the pitch? I'm interested because I am thinking about modifying my Floyd Rose so that instead of the strings being locked in by the long screw pressing on them, I would remove the long screw and instead, run the string through the hole the long screw was in, leaving the ball end on the string so that they would not need to be clamped. The only drawback to this that I see would be that the fine tuners would no longer work because the thumbscrews probably wouldn't reach the silver levers without the long screw being in place.

[@craiglist4244]

Thanks. After you install the brass fine tuners, do you have to be careful when you're flattening the pitch of the string so that the brass screw doesn't accidentally come out and drop on the floor?

[@tonlarj37]

There’s still a little resistance, but I’m always careful, though.

[@torpote]

I had a question, I got a floyd rose with my bridge blocked, I can only dive bomb. If I want to switch between Standar to drop D (my E going to D), can I do that with my fine tuning ? If I put the screw all the way down (E) then all the way up (D) ? Or I might break something over time by doing so ?

[@tonlarj37]

torpote kido that works.. should be fine. Or, unlock at the nut. you can also get a D-tuna

[@blkjakk]

How you fo crimp the new fine tuners to keep them from coming out? What tool are they using?

[@tonlarj37]

Blkjakk not sure I understand... I’m using middle nose pliers.

[@craigjones5945]

@@tonlarj37 I think what he's asking is whether when you put in the replacement brass fine tuners you can do something so that they, like the originals, don't easily back all the way out.

[@tonlarj37]

@@craigjones5945 Ahh... okay. I don't think you can do that. I wouldn't be backing them out that far anyway. Just set them midway and fine-tune as needed. If it gets that extreme, I unlock the nut and retune so that it stays around the midway point.

[@blkjakk]

@Dawn R good idea

[@Ben-ld1qi]

​@@craigjones5945 I'm completely new and I could use some assistance, recently I just purchased my first guitar Harley Benton Fusion III HH with FR1000. Regarding the FR tuning screws, the bottom 4 screws stop spinning at a certain height, but the top two for E and A string can come off completely loose and I didn't even do anything to mess with it. Is that normal to happen? I may have played with the tunings the past week since I got the guitar but I never tried to force anything.

[@gtdcoder]

Does this damage the threads on the bridge? Not the screw, but the bridge?

[@tonlarj37]

gtdcoder not that I’ve ever experienced. Of course, I’ve always been as careful as Possible. The folks at Floyd Rose are the ones who gave me the info on doing this.

[@dougdirt]

@@tonlarj37 How many times have you done it? Mine are on tight as hell. Not very confidence inspiring just forcing them off. Tempted after seeing this though. I have a set of brass tuners sitting here...

[@tonlarj37]

Doug is say around 20-30 time in the last 5 years. Just get a good clamp on the fine tuner and carefully steadily turn. May have to use a little muscle. It will come off. It was nerve racking the first time I did it. But I trusted the guys at Floyd and it’s turned out just right 100% of the time.

[@dougdirt]

@@tonlarj37 Thanks dude I'll give it a shot at the next string change.

[@tonlarj37]

@@dougdirt Cool! Yeah.... let me know who it goes!

[@ChrisStAubin-oo1iz]

i have a flyod rose special. i was just wondering. if you have ever remove the fine tuners from a special.. i know the special has a less quality of metal. worried about stripping the threads while removing. i have a dremel cut off wheel. to try and cut the end of the thread. were its mushroomed. but i would rather not have to disassemble the whole unit. to do so. and thanks alot on your video. yours is only one of two that ive found. the other guy said to disassemble and cut the ends with a cutoff wheel on the dremmel. thanks. have a great day

[@tonlarj37]

I have and have had good luck with the ones I did.

[@rolfwahl7132]

Great video! What is the reason why fine tuners can't be turned all the way with your hands? Does the thread of the screw splinter when using pliers?

[@tonlarj37]

Thanks. Not sure why? As long as I’m careful, it all works out.

[@dreamTmiRRor]

Thank you so much for this video.

[@ChristopherMeinck]

I followed your directions and no issue removing the stock fine tuners. However, with the FR brass tuners, they won't screw in. Did you use pliers on the way back in with the brass tuners? For me, they won't turn by fingers.

[@tonlarj37]

I sometimes have resistance on a Floyd special. I’ll just put the old one back in and out several times. Then the brass ones go in better. I never had to use pliers putting them in.

[@JonsterTheBondster]

A bit Fretboard oil helps. Just dip the threads with oil and it helps also when you are rolling the fine tuners later. Even cheap licensed stuff starts to roll better. Basically, i would grease the stud posts and knife edges and trem arm threads. Fretboard oil (white mineral oil in other words) for fine tuners. 😊 Fretboard oil for also string block screws so the saddles stay better for longer. Minimize the wear friction metal to metal everywhere where possible. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@JonsterTheBondster]

And Btw, Forgot to say : "Play Loud, Play Fast and Dive Hell and Back". ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@garthhulings7846]

Is it possible to replace the fine tuners on a Gotoh GE1996T with Floyd Rose original brass fine tuners?

[@tonlarj37]

I'm not familiar with those versions of the Floyd. Sorry about that.

[@commanderwilliamtriker7449]

I did that but now the new ones don't lock after, is that the way their supposed to be?

[@tonlarj37]

Yes. They won’t lock after.

[@paultaylor846]

How do you fix the tuner screws if they are loose?

[@tonlarj37]

Are they the higher quality brass ones from FR or cheaper ones? You may need to get a the higher quality ones, if not. That's all I can think of. Unless perhaps someone else has other experience.

[@SABBY495867]

Much appreciated.

[@isaiahjackson3130]

Could I possibly do this with the strings still on or do I need to remove the bridge?

[@tonlarj37]

Isaiah Jackson yes. You can do this with the strings still on.

[@BrandonEht]

I tried out some stainless steel screws, but they were super tight and wouldn’t turn by hand. Just ended up putting back the factory screws. Anyone else have this issue?

[@samhainlimon]

You might have to use a tap (tap and die set). I had to on a FR 1000 to clean the threads.

[@samhainlimon]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6OvZHZsnLOMac0si=2EuYHbWlsUDowHiA

[@gregoryvanhalen]

Thank tou

[@metallitech]

Doing this will damage the threads of the plate, because the fine-tuners are held on by a crimped thread (not sure of a better word than crimped). I haven't done this; but you should first file off those crimped threads instead of brute-forcing like you show here.

[@tonlarj37]

Thanks for the comment. Totally makes since. However, this is what the guys at FR advised. I’ve done this countless times over the years, since.... no issues. ✌️

[@metallitech]

@@tonlarj37 Interesting that FR suggests this. It must be because the tuners are only brass whereas the plate is steel.

[@tonlarj37]

@@metallitech yes

[@ErikAnders]

@@metallitech I just did this on an aluminum jackson brand schaller floyd and that will not hold up. That file trick is key.

[@barryengle12666]

I’m gonna have to say nope, I don’t believe it does. I’ve done this with mine as well, the new brass ones turn perfectly fine. I would think if any of the threads had been damaged I would have trouble somewhere in the “screwing it in” part. No trouble though. Functions flawlessly. Maybe the way the fine tuners are made is different than the plate, I bet they are a little softer and can be the one to take any bending and damage. Just a thought

[@MichaelGuy]

um ..... I can not believe he did not address -----how to fix a loose fine tuner------or why they would need replacing in the first place (loose loose loose..... has this guy even played or toured with a floyd?) Floyd has HORRIBLE craftsmanship and a lot of the fine tuners are loose in position (and I mean new out of the box) which can cause them to need constant adjustment (kind of defeating the whole damn purpose of a floyd in the first place) they should be nice and snug.... not loose in the holes.... (might as well fire up the non lockin g systems and grab a pencil and some 3 and 1) a better title would have been (How to fix what is BROKEN with a floyd fine tuner and WHY you would want to fix it in the first place) what does this procedure fix? What is solved?

[@tonlarj37]

Dude! I've toured, played, and setup Floyd's for over 35 yrs. The purpose of vid is just a quickie to show how I replace the fine tuners with the better brass ones. NOT to fix anything broken. However, common sense would tell you that if your fine tuners are loose, REPLACE them. You seem to be a know it all on this topic... perhaps you should do a vid on it instead of trolling.

[@solidsnakesleftnut]

Will that mess up the inner threads?

[@tonlarj37]

It never has