How To Restring A Floyd Rose & Other Locking Tremolos! - (It's Not Actually That Hard!)

Dagan shows you just how easy it is to restring and set up your Floyd Rose or double locking tremolo equipped guitar! It's not as hard or as difficult as people make out, its just a bit fiddly and takes a little longer!
If you want to add any tips & tricks you know yourself, feel free to comment them down bellow!
Watch "9 Guitar Tuning Hacks For Electric Guitar, Bass & Acoustic Guitars You Might Not Know" here - • 9 Guitar Tuning Hacks ...
0:00 Intro & Whats Coming Up!
2:04 The Gear Used
2:54 Do You Have To Change The Setup?
3:32 Removing The Old Strings
4:54 Locking Nut Tip
5:06 Removing Strings From The Saddles Themselves & What NOT To Do!
6:18 The D'Addario XL Strings That Are Going On
6:55 Installing The New Strings - Dagan's Way
8:49 DON'T Over-Tighten The Screws!
9:25 Stringing The Guitar Up & Why To Leave Some Slack
10:00 Non-Floating Tremolo Info
10:55 Why You Should NEVER Cut Your Excess Strings Off Until The Very End!
11:45 Removing The Floyd Rose Block From Route & The First Tune Up
13:08 How To Balance Your Floyd Rose System
15:51 Stretching The Strings! (Don't Be Scared!)
17:29 Adjusting The Action (String Height) & Intonating It
19:08 Locking Everything In Place & Fun Floyd Rose Eddie Van Halen Fact!
20:44 First Notes, Final Thoughts & Summary!
Shop all the gear Dagan uses at PMT Online here:
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D'Addario Strings: bit.ly/2U2pVN9
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#guitartuning #guitarhacks #FloydRose #daganstips
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[@robtech341]

Great general tips. I learned way back in the 80's Not to cut the ball end off at all. Run the string through the tuning peg to where the ball pulls tight at the hole. Pull the other end just past the string lock screws, cut the string, insert in saddle block, tighten down and tune up. With a power winder it takes 5-10 minutes. It leaves no finger stabbing string ends on the tuning pegs. Nice and clean.

[@jamied4486]

Well thats actually fucking genius

[@metal_helm]

doesn't work. will slip out of saddle blocks.

[@robtech341]

@@metal_helm Not in 30+ years ever.

[@metal_helm]

@@robtech341 do you have an original fly bros? I've got a licensed on, I think? And that could be it

[@robtech341]

@@metal_helm I've had every Floyd from genuine to knock off, works the same.

[@martinclayton7260]

The first time I restrung my RG550, it took me and a friend over 2 and a half hours? Now I change one string at a time. I'd love to own that PRS!

[@sjs793]

lol

[@dragongamer4753]

The neck profile is really weird on it. Its a v and it borderline feels like a strandberg but without shifting as you go along the neck. I played it and it does sound great though.

[@naegleriafowleri2230]

you fucked up my one removing all the strings and not putting something under the bridge to hold it

[@Bobcatspiritdude]

@@naegleriafowleri2230 I've made that mistake before !!

[@Bobcatspiritdude]

Thats what I figured is a Safer and easier, yes !

[@Alex-sx8uz]

Fantastic - after 35 years I can finally restring a floyd rose - thank you!

[@chris-rb7bm]

lol ) me too

[@TheVersionController]

This guy makes changing strings on a Floyd Rose entertaining AF!

[@lima1087am]

The simplest explanation I’ve ever seen, feel confident restringing my Jackson now thanks

[@Maple93Syrup]

First time giving this a go on my own and feeling like a wizard after getting it all in tune in one go. Out of all the videos out there this one is prime time. Big ups!

[@kirkhunter6868]

First time? AND you were successful? Save some for the rest of us, Jesus H. Christ, bro...

[@darthdurf9611]

As soon as I lay a guitar on a towel and prop the neck, all3 cats are there 🤣🤣

[@TheRealxVincent]

New bed, sick!

[@FriendGaugeShotgun]

just finished my Floyd Rose Courses here at KZbin university!! after you get it balanced, the stability and intonation is epic!! it took a while, but was worth it!!

[@muzerino]

Great video. Followed it precisely. It just made me confident to restring my first double locking bridge over and over which I’ve always avoided buying them for the whole setup and restring headache. 👍

[@luisbarillas7768]

Love your vibe and talent man. Keep up w ur awesome videos!!

[@Grung20]

Every single video this man has made has been the most useful information I’ve ever heard. THANK YOU

[@aaroncicanese]

Locking tuners on a Floyd equipped guitar are a god send when restringing imo, just makes it super convenient,

[@MarkSmith-vy3tq]

Commenting here cause I guess he turned off comments. So much for the "& other tremolos" part of this. He (obviously) did the Floyd--and I did take something useful from it--but what about the other trems??? I've got several other guitars with trems not-Floyd. This is misleading & minimally helpful if you have/use Floyd's already.

[@stephenghudson6179]

This was easy to understand and helpful. Took me ages to find a suitable video about the Floyd rose system set up.

[@everlymurdoc2327]

Amazing!! An up to date video on a floyd rose!.. and its in-depth too!! Bought a fender hm last year as my first Flotyd Rose guitar and most of the videos were dated and useless. Nice one Dagan!

[@battalionproductions9036]

Thank you, this video helped me out so much, personally use a dried out wine quark to rest the trem on. I ran into the issue with different string gauges and the trem not sitting flush (always too high) and I never thought to tighten the spring screws. But this also helped me realize that maybe 2 guitars with a Floyd rose is enough for me lol.

[@KonorDraven]

I loved the fact that you took all the strings out actually, it shows the whole process.

[@donsimon63]

One of the best how to videos on the net. Congratulations

[@blazes8n]

One of the best videos on the FR set up I have seen. Top geezer as well, very likeable and engaging. Thank you 🤘

[@BetterCallJamie]

In 2022, I’ve just changed my strings by myself for the first time on my PRS SE Custom 24 Floyd Rose, it took an hour for a first attempt and it worked a treat. Thank you

[@jefferycarter1791]

Loved this video man....very helpful for I am just learning about my Floyd rose. Appreciate this...

[@bnastali]

SO great in detail. THANKS.

[@hookian2010]

this instructional video has been alot of help ... I own a Kramer SM1 with a floyd rose trem.. thanks for your help... keep rockin.. your guitar sounds awesome

[@TheWindstorm2012]

Dagan, I owe you big time.

[@larryfranklin3305]

I have a Ibanez with a double lock tremelo ,I changed strings for first time,it took two days and a lot of patience,all cleaned strung and tuned sounds great 👍 hardest part was tuning it after the new strings were on before locking at nut after that it was smooth sailing 🎵🎶🎧

[@squeelerjakeaxcradle7095]

Mate you made me chuckle because our cat loves it when I'm restringing my guitars,play time hence why she loves my strimming wire lol.Also l purchased the Frankenstein from your Oxford branch and l have to say your PMTcompany is a great music shop and customer service is top notch. Keep rocking these channels my friend. Anyone wanting to buy anything from pmt won't be dissapointed because this company in my opinion is superb ☺☺

[@efallgren1]

I've always enjoyed your reviews and presentations. Thank you! With your video presentation, I now can restring an Ibanez RG420FB. You made it sound a lot less like Wizardry.

[@lungloogie]

Nice! Thanks Bruther! Great Info!

[@rickylaflour9294]

I know people who have returned guitars because of "how hard it is" to restring a floyd rose. Just restrung my first floyd rose and it wasn't that hard. Took about a hour but my guitar is perfectly setup and will be until I'm ready for new strings. Absolutely love the setup, guitar, and most of all this video.

[@adamcampbell001]

Fantastic video just restrung my Floyd rose for the first time ever and went really well thanks for this video

[@jordanjozwiak4]

I refer to this video everytime I change my FR’s. You explain so well thanks so much for making this video. I’ve gotten really good changing my strings thanks to you!

[@ixxionmetal]

Thanks. I followed this and had no problems. Now I finally know how to do it haha

[@braveDigger]

Dagan you glorious Man!!!! Thank you.

[@tylergarcia1781]

This guys seems so nice. Thanks for the video I got a gig in two days and now I can change my strings and not mess up!!

[@rockpodd]

I´ve played guitar for almost 25 years on and off. But never owned or tinkered with a Floyd Rose. Got myself a Jackson Dinky and had to restring as i bought it used. Holy crap that was tricky without any info before hand. Thx for this. :)

[@MinuteRiffs]

HAPPY B DAY DAGAN !!

[@SketchEtcher]

Thanks Dagan!

[@guitarhobbywithdannythemedic]

I have never seen Dagan work SO HARD!!!!!

[@mikemichniak9964]

BEAUTIFUL guitar!!

[@mikekopmanis2099]

Thank you, well done!👍

[@RJW14]

Now for Spring adjustment I've never been able to do that in 1 go, however for intonation, I seem to have a golden eye since every time I eyeball a saddle adjustment it's spot on. Also, the tension bars on the headstock help keeping the guitar in tune when you lock the nut. You set the bar up so that the string makes 1 angle flush over the nut from the fretboard end of the nut to the bottom of the bar.

[@tvv911]

Great video!

[@sticendice1517]

I love watching your videos :)

[@kidda74]

Dimebag and Russel Brands love child 😂 Thanks for the tutorial! 🤘

[@blitzedST]

I’ve been playing floyd rose guitars since late 80’s and I do the same all strings at once. Agreed it’s not hard just fiddly. Like anything in life it’s easy when you know how. Great tutorial .

[@totallyawesome80s55]

I've been messing with FR bridges for years and I've never seen that battery trick before. Nice!

[@workingmissionary]

thanks for the pointers

[@scribeofsolace]

i did my tension turn on 1 go as well :) awesome video mate

[@terryodonnell5739]

Awesome presentation on how to do this. Great personality and natural born teacher. Thanks for the video. And I a cover off guy.

[@welern2liv815]

I like to see what differences the YTers and myself have on this topic. This is one of the better vids I've seen. Please do not turn your bridge posts while string/spring tension is pushing against them. By turning with tension there's a risk of waring/grinding the knife edge fulcrum point causing tuning instabilities. Not to say this will be your experience. I share this from personally having turned my action up & down anytime I felt like changing it and then noticed a flat spot or dead zone. If I push down and release it would go flat. Pull up and it goes sharp and stays until you push bar down, tap it, or bend a string pulling it back to resting flat. Also the bar won't flutter, warble or vibrate since the fine sensitive knife edge has worn away. I suggest leave the strings locked in and remove the springs so there's no tension against the posts. Quarter or half turn posts, reassemble and check action. Repeat if necessary. Love the two camps of "ball end though the tuning peg" and "throw it in the trash", lol!

[@davidaltizer]

Dude! This is huge for me! Thank you! Lol

[@randybautista6061]

Thanks so much... So informative i like your vedio.

[@mccartney2]

Hey Dagan..... great video...... .... I purchased a Brendan Small Ghost horse Explorer..with a FR 1000... Im a Gibson LP guy....never owned a gtr with a bar..so seemed a bit daunting....and after watching your vid....it didnt seem so bad........... really well explained......... did mine in about 15 mins so thank you

[@NewGoldStandard]

Thank you VERY much.

[@SPW1981]

Thanks! Beginner Floyd Rose user here and thanks to your great instructions, I managed to change the strings and everything went like a charm. I stayed with the same gauge of strings and my Floyd Rose was perfectly level after being tuned correctly. I was a little bit scared of too high tension after releasing the eraser, so I leaned toward the safer side. I wonder if it’s not easier to release the eraser as soon as the strings are attached and tune immediately with the eraser taken out? I also fixed the locking nut only at the very end - when cutting excess string length - so after a few re-tunings. Thank you so much.

[@NWTMasterWolf]

Have a JS32 Dinky Orange coming today. Thank you for teaching me the basics of the Floyd Rose (Yes I am a newb) LOL.

[@APK-pn4qh]

First time I changed strings on my old Ibanez RG with the Edge III trem I cut all six off and it took motherf*cking HOURS to rebalance that trem lol. So I got in the habit of doing one high then one low string at a time working in from the outside E strings. Now I have a 5150 with the Floyd, doing all six at once is a lot easier than the Edge trem. Great video dude. Loved your Jackson 7 facts video too. Subscribed!

[@JSGuitar80]

Yeah, I think most of us learned that the hard way.

[@wettoguitar4265]

Does that make it really hard to clean the fretboard? Wanna get a floyd but fearful of all this graft haha

[@JSGuitar80]

@@wettoguitar4265 No, not at all. You just have to loosen them. Loosening the strings takes a bit longer than a regular stop tailpiece, but otherwise it's the same process.

[@APK-pn4qh]

@@wettoguitar4265 no not really. The Floyd is definitely easier to take all strings off for a deep clean of the neck and restring and balance as opposed to say the Edge trems.

[@naegleriafowleri2230]

even with edge is better to do one by one to prevent any setup changes and block the bridge with something

[@MT_800]

Great video! I'm planning to get a Jackson X Soloist with a Floyd Rose Special, and something I wanna do is block it off and change string gauge to an 11-56 set for Drop B. However, I dunno how much set up work I'll need to do for the nut.

[@andymcmillan9260]

Nut should be fine because they're normally not traditional nuts. They are a special "Floyd Rose" nut that pretty much allows any string gauge to sit in it because it's a locking nut. The major work is the blocking of the bridge. That's going to be troublesome if you're doing that alone. And kinda eliminates the whole point of a Floyd. But I suppose if Mick Thompson does it (his sig model has a blocked off Floyd because he prefers the feel of a Floyd bridge) then it shouldn't be an issue. You can buy actual locks for them that screw into the body. That way you don't lose sustain.

[@kruse8888]

Sounds like you’ll be better of with the hard tail model. Getting a FR just to block it is(not to be a dick) a rookie mistake. A hard tail is much better for drop tunings and can be easily modded with a brass block for some added sustain.

[@kruse8888]

@@andymcmillan9260 You don’t lose sustain by blocking your trem. You actually gain some. Two pieces of wood does the trick, no screws or glue needed. But as I mentioned in my comment to Heidi, buying a guitar with a floating trem just to block it makes no sense when a hard tail model is available.

[@PaleCaretaker]

Yesss, that i was looking for. I want to buy my first guitar and I'm afraid to buy guitar with trem. Too but this guitar has locking blocks. No affordable guitar have it.

[@kevmey6]

Thank you so much for this. Some of these other videos have had me practically scared to fuck with it talking about how "difficult" it is.

[@72Z15SS]

I always loosen the fine tuners on the bridge first. Owning 4 different guitars with Floyd Rose type bridges I learned this the hard way...

[@joecalabrese5296]

yup

[@hamzaismail9901]

15:37 IS A LITERAL VIBE !!! 🤘🎸⚡

[@williamwilson4424]

I love this guys videos. He reminds of what Jack Sparro would be as a guitar tech.

[@briietsai1997]

Literally about to get my first electric guitar with a Floyd Rose delivered to my house today so this came just in time lolll

[@mccartney2]

same for me..mine arrived yesterday

[@snextime]

Thank you.

[@bustercrack788]

Put the ball ends of the string at the tuners. That way you don’t end up cutting the string twice 👍

[@SketchEtcher]

Wouldn't help much with those strings because they are unwound at the end.

[@commentfreely5443]

when you cut the ball off, there is a thick piece of string for 1cm or so which stick well at bridge end when tightened

[@TomJoad832]

i do it like this too

[@blacklavatv]

10 out of 10

[@KelticKabukiGirl]

Since its not going to effect tuning stability, I always add a few wraps around the tuning post so I DO have enough to reset the string in the locking saddle. Very important as a poor kid with a slightly expensive 1989 Ibanez S Series custom with lo pro II and wizard II and USA DiMarzios in a Blueburst flamed maple top and back. I only had tapes and 7" as new music in the 90s so I could a afford decent gear

[@mikewithers299]

Same here. I couldn't always buy new strings when i was younger, so extra wraps on the post saved my butt a few times.

[@KelticKabukiGirl]

@@mikewithers299 if you aren't recording or getting paid to gig, it was just kinda standard I the 90s for most guitarists to do. We just did what we thought worked and didn't have all the answers at our fingertips. And somehow POEPLE STILL fuck shit up.

[@TezTezTezTezTez]

Omg thus has put me off ever getting a FR system 😂

[@dellwilson]

I’ve played guitar all my life and never had a Floyd. I just bought a Wolfie on eBay so I was happy to find Floyd 101 at Dagen U.

[@paulyoung4781]

Pmt online great place,always get my guitars here,just got my jem last week here and is brilliant guitar cant wait to order my Marshall code 50 next month PMT best place for guitars always helpful and friendly,just wondering if I can change my strings from 9s to 11s on the jem? Will i have to set the intonation and will I have to tighten the claw or loosen it I'm new to the floating tremelo system thanks

[@forbiddenyoungones]

At the beginning of the year I finally plucked up the courage to change the strings on my Ibanez S670qm bought from PMT. However like you I’m a bit of a nerd who loves to know how things work especially guitars. I blocked the top of the bridge then took all the strings off, restrung. I removed the block and balanced the strings with the springs with a lot of string stretching which was the satisfying part for me and did not take very long. Finishing with a general set up. Pleased to see that I did it the way you demonstrated. It just seemed the right way to do it.

[@a-mb9373]

i have seen many tutorials about this and some say to loosen the screws in the back before you start the entire procedure. Kind of makes sense if you keep tightening it every time, you will run out of room at some point. What are your thoughts?

[@tommya5957]

The best method I found was to place a wooden paint stir stick under the bridge, then remove all the strings, re-string and then final tuning. Very easy and quick way to keep the bridge in almost the exact position as before removing strings. Takes very little effort to replace the strings this way.

[@sjs793]

The only aggravation I ever run into is adjusting those claw screws. Its a back and forth fight between turning and tuning and the bridge ending up like this _/ So I learned to jam a pen under the back of the bridge (like the battery) to keep it level during the string change. Change strings, tune, pull the pen out and the bridge is usually level. Only time that I have to touch those screws now is if I change string gauges or go lower tunings. But I've also learned to avoid that to by just buying different guitars for all that biz ; )..

[@BirnieMac1]

Absolute champion I hadn't changed the strings on my floyd guitar in a loooong time and completely forgot how to do it Though I'm definitely not brave enough to use a battery for a wedge

[@plisskenationbackfromthede3657]

Ive started doing 1 string at a time leaving the other 5 on. Cleanings a lil harder but its worth the time saved retuning. The new ones should stay pretty in tune if you stretch them as soon as you put them on. Takes like 10 minutes now. A quick retune an hour later and its good for months

[@sjs793]

If you jam something under the bridge to keep it in place while changing you can take them all off and the bridge won't move. I shim a pen under it. Works perfect

[@wizrom3046]

I change one at a time to on Floyd Rose guitars. It is much quicker because the tune (of each new string) will be instant. Also, I dont like totally taking tension off the neck and putting it back on unless really necessary. Every now and then its worth it for a good neck clean or fret dressing

[@Ultra-Collector]

I string all mine in reverse! Ball end at the tuners! No more poking your fingers or snagging a clothe when cleaning the stock! The strings break less too! Cut the first 6” off the straight end before locking it into the Floyd Rose trem. Give it a try! Use a tuning key winder!

[@dinkeredwards5187]

LOVE THE POSITIVE VIBES!!!!👍

[@tjayw03]

Can you do how to properly clean them

[@vinceguitar3832]

I prefer the spring cover on

[@Phillospillo777]

I always over tighten the low e when tuning up I found it balanced the rest of the strings in half the time. So if I’m tuning to standard I start by putting the low e in f# then when all the other strings are in tune the low e usually levels out back to E

[@padawan9127]

Hi, I'm considering my first FR guitar but worried about bends. if you use a floyd rose 90% of thr time for gigs, how do uou get over this, say for unison bends, without the other stringd going out of tune. Cheers

[@redberry3852]

I've seen some folks resting a Floyd Rose with ball ends up top at the tuning machines so how you do that ??? Thanks ... GOD BLESS !!!

[@JoshyyJay]

I use a term blocker you buy on Amazon then I have wood block I got off Amazon fu tone tool for intation it’s easy if you change string gauge black the claw out tune up with the bridge block then back the claw back into the guitar til block falls out

[@kennyschulte8650]

This might be a stupid question, but did the spring screws get tightened back up? I never seen you go back there after the second time you had to adjust them, nor did I hear you talk about them again. Or did I just miss that part of the video? Also, I really enjoy the enthusiasm during your videos. It's obvious that you really enjoy doing them, and you are really good at it. Thanks.

[@caileanhunt8679]

Im here for the Vernon Reid sig 😍

[@Homer4417]

@PMTVUK, can you put an EVH D-Tuna on floating trem system ?

[@jonathanvales7857]

How many times should the strings wrap around the top part? Does th at matter too much?

[@tomfoolery8015]

Cover off 🤟✌

[@jacelii]

Are you going to visit Nottingham PMT store for a Vlog?

[@century2077]

What do want for Xmas ralphy? A new set of strings for my guitar mom. Sorry you'all put your eye out with those. Lol

[@randall9000]

Ohhhhhhh fuuuuuuuddddgggggeeeeeee

[@g4joe]

String up your "Red Ryder" Ralphy.

[@Eagle01ph]

a little tip from someone who is lazy and hates balancing the bridge to be flat with the body... Put a shim, any shim (a battery, an eraser, etc) to keep the bridge in place falt with the body... tighten the screws at the back. Not much, maybe just a half turn each. Stretch and tune strings to pitch. Then remove the shim. Chances are the bridge would sink into the body. Just loosen the screws until its back to pitch and it should be back at the position you shimed it at.

[@zoomzoom3950]

I like playing a FR, I don't like working with a FR during string changes. I have 4 guitars with FR. I still haven't played a better trem though the Hipshot headless comes close.

[@workingorder2189]

How do you restring a Kahler trem?

[@thegoobinator6619]

I was trying to get my bridge flush and I was loosening the screws and I loosened a little to far and boom it blew up in my face and now I have to wait until tomorrow and go to my guitar store have them repair it… fun

[@TheRockinDonkey]

I prefer to leave the backplate off, depending on what the back route looks like without it. I didn't really like the looks of the inside of my EVH 5150, so I put the backplate back on, and I haven't had a reason to remove the backplate from a couple of my guitars so they still have them, but if I take the backplate off and the route looks nice (it's painted the same color as the rest of the guitar) I leave them off, becuase 1. I think they look better that way and 2. it makes getting in there easier if I need to.

[@zikkicharade]

So no need to put something under the bridge if you have a down only floyd?i have a kramer baretta vintage

[@thomassmith1840]

Great video I'm never having a floyed 🤣

[@highrise4588]

How do you tune your Floyd rose!!! I really need to know because it always goes out of tune when you do a different string!!!

[@psubond]

A fatwrench might be useful for torquing saddles (i have one for gun stuff)