How to change strings on Floyd Rose | Guitar Tech Tips | Ep. 15 | Thomann

Changing strings on guitars with a Floyd Rose style tremolo can be scary. Don't worry, it's not that bad though. Just follow the steps in this episode of Guitar Tech Tips and take your time.
Changing strings on acoustic guitars: • How to change strings ...
Changing strings on basses: • How to Change Strings ...
Gear used: tho.mn/cernv
We use Triad-Orbit stands for our cameras, lights and mics: tho.mn/triad
Recorded and mixed with Universal Audio: tho.mn/xuad
Interesting bits and pieces:
0:00 Introduction
0:38 Floating tremolos are sensitive
0:59 First step
2:04 Don't forget to clean the fretboard
2:14 Cut off the ball end
2:39 The machine heads
3:41 Fine tuners
4:21 Stretch the strings
5:09 Time for a test ride
5:37 Outtakes
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[@dereke4233]

You know that feeling you get when you've been playing guitar for 25 years and you see someone do something that you've done a million times? Only they do it better, faster, and in the simplest most efficient way possible and it makes you feel like a 1st year guitarist? I got that feeling right now.

[@txpatriot7038]

I had the same experience. Back in the day we just did it, without any knowledge lol

[@davidgaston7334]

Felt similar discovering there's guitars where you gotta cut the ring off the bottom of the strings D:

[@scottchilds5726]

Old school is the foundation of it all my friend. Don't rush perfect. Rock on

[@lubormrazek5545]

me - buys a floyd rose me a week later - WTF have I done?...

[@robertamaya8597]

Me

[@rukhsah]

Same... Haha

[@jhooper5548]

I got one yesterday... I’m gonna work with it because I think it’s worth it but holy shit what a pain

[@lubormrazek5545]

@Dark One it's possible...it's just two to four hours of turning screws...😂😂😂

[@zamek4744]

I got my guitar for my 16th birthday, and at first I was like "holy fuck it has a floyd rose" and then I realized what a pain it is. Got a fresh pack of strings today and that's why I'm here. Wish me luck haha

[@barrydillon584]

Just gonna leave it in the corner for just a little longer.

[@arcanagardens7977]

lol. I bought a Dean Custom 350 for $100 just to see what all the floyd rose fuss is about. Time to experiment. Only catch was it had a broken string lol.

[@greygods9824]

@@arcanagardens7977 you cant really expect much for that price

[@beefnacos6258]

Sell it

[@shanetobias291]

C'mon,just do it!! You'll be proud of yourself 🙂!!

[@JohnnnyGash]

God I feel that comment.

[@guillaumealmyre2634]

Ok... this... is the absolute best floyd rose tutorial I have ever seen on the internet. The backplate thing is amazing (even if it doesn't work on some of the Ibanez bridges, as I sadly learned today). The "2 machine heads" distance to cut the string also works like a charm. Very well explained, give that man a raise !

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

I'm in for the raise! Haha! Thanks so much Guillaume, glad to hear it helped you! //Kris

[@guillaumealmyre2634]

@@anniedarkhorse6791 I ended up folding a piece of cloth enough time for it to be solid enough. And stuffed it under the bridge. Not the best solution I think, but it worked.

[@Fraggr92]

Will definitely use the machine head tip. My previous method was to pull the string taut through the head, and then pull back two frets worth of slack on the fret board before winding.

[@killval849]

I'm sure in place of the backplate thing you could use one of those wood blocks underneath, no?

[@balgus82]

I saw a video of Steve Vai's tech where he placed a AA battery under the bridge to keep it in place. lol

[@pedrosilvamusician]

I've been a musician for over 11 years, changed maybe thousands of strings in my life. And I NEVER thought to put just the end of the string and winding it. I always cutted what I needed and put the string all the way through the tuning peg and then wound. I always ended up cutting a bit more and I probably didnt need to. You learn something new every day my friends!

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Thanks so nice to hear! Yeah, there are so many ways of doing this and everyone ends up using a different method. Glad you enjoyed the video! Cheers //Kris

[@user-yt4pp3hx5u]

And it makes a loud scratching noise when the string squeezes through

[@MarioHernandez-zc7dv]

Getting a Floyd Rose guitar was the best desicion I've made during my progession.

[@BFHPET]

how long you been playing is it to difficult to start whit floyd rose guitar?

[@MarioHernandez-zc7dv]

@@BFHPET almost 2 years. Floyds aren't too difficult to learn on as long you know how to tune it right and use it while knowing how it works

[@austintaylor7117]

i have one on the way right now

[@vadoksam9235]

for me its just a total pain in the arse

[@BFHPET]

@@vadoksam9235 why

[@NoobOnATele]

Honestly, just wait untill a day you have freetime. Usually saturdays. Put on some sweet music that you love, grab a beer or six and change those strings. Maybe clean the neck and body since the strings are gone anyways and have yourself a chill "you-time". We all need it from time to time, and for me personally, this is the time i really feel free and like myself. Enjoy the string shifts! Enjoy life

[@evelynstenberg]

I love the way you think

[@LucasSantos-wp7ji]

Thank you for this! I just bought my first Floyd rose and im losing my mind trying to change strings. Guess I’ll just wait the weekend and do it chilling

[@mikelawless7426]

I've been playing on Floyd for 40 years. This is the BEST tutorial I have EVER seen. YOU have just saved me at least one hour !! Thank You !!!!!!

[@ArturBrzozowski444]

I did it! String change and setup took me two days of work and almost a week of procrastination but here I am after successful battle with a Floyd Rose Thanks for help Kris! 10/10 I will be back next time

[@beefnacos6258]

Looks pretty straight forward. *Guitar explodes

[@yodada2858]

Very solid and simple to follow. Tip: When winding the strings, make sure to use pressure on the part of the string you're holding, so it doesn't come loose, or wind in a weird way.

[@boomerbassmeme]

Cool! Takes the fear out of a Floyd, have been avoiding one because I have heard horror stories about string changes. Those out takes ...😂🤣

[@slavoverlord1517]

I was like that at first until i got my jackson. Use it blocked and for B standard stuff and oh boy, its comfortable and hold its tuning perfectly.

[@boomerbassmeme]

@@kimhoffmannandersen5477 I am a bassist that dabbles in guitar. I play mostly rhythm guitar to work out better bass parts and never played anything with a trem. Starting to play a little lead and a trem seems handy LOL

[@boomerbassmeme]

@@kimhoffmannandersen5477 Those are pretty good and pack a punch, especially for low end. If you want more growl recommend doing it through preamp pedals. Sansamp and Dark Glass are killer. The Sonicake Boom Ave works good too for around $100. The octaver and fuzz are meh but the pre and compression are nice. I use one of those and a YYZ and can make the Rumble sound like my Ampeg. Thinking about putting Fishman Fluence pups in my 004. Those things are amazing and are more balanced and growly.

[@boomerbassmeme]

@@kimhoffmannandersen5477 For VST definitely try and get a hold of a nice preamp pedal/DI box. I have always been a Tech 21 fan, DG also make really killer ones. Saving up for a Two Notes Cab M which will be a game changer for both guitar and bass VST recording for me with the amp and cab sims. My "wooly thumper" is a MIM P I have had since 85. (Steve Harris flats so it is a little bit limited to that role.) Jazz basses are way more versatile, my main is a Hamer Cruise which is essentially a j bass. (also have Schecters and others) The keys are pickup selection and tone knob setting/EQ. Where you pluck on the bass and how you attack the strings alter the tone as well. (Watch a Jaco video and you can really see this in action)

[@boomerbassmeme]

@@kimhoffmannandersen5477 Sounds like you are primarily on the bridge pickup, blend in a bit more of the neck pickup, slightly increase your mids, and pluck towards the middle of the bass. Should balance it out a bit more and keep the growl. In 89 I was in an all original metal band and almost every song was in Eb or F# so I know what you mean. LOLOLOLOL The main difference in approach is looking at it as rhythmic foundation. You do not have to stick to just the root notes, you can change chord voicings by creating inversions, create movement with passing notes that step up to the next chord etc. Think like playing a 7th chord on guitar, it needs to be resolved by the next chord. As long as you are having fun is all that counts in the end! 😁

[@joeybootsify]

This video was AWESOME and super helpful!!! I tried changing strings before and was VERY frustrated. I went to my local guitar store and sat and watched him change. (Thanks Pete!) This was my first attempt since then and this video was a great refresher!!!

[@jamestsai7427]

Great tutorial! I've been playing for 30 years and never knew the "2 machine heads" measuring trick for string windings...thank you so much for this tip!

[@liampitcher]

“The guitar is a miniature orchestra in itself.” ― Ludwig van Beethoven

[@burtonkephart6239]

Did he really say this??

[@chickencurry1033]

@@burtonkephart6239 I hope you’re joking

[@leventebardossy5962]

@@burtonkephart6239 "Never automatically believe everything you read on the internet." ― William Shakespeare

[@burtonkephart6239]

@@leventebardossy5962 😅😅😂 I see what you did there ! “ internet ‘ in Shakespeare’s time lol

[@tacob.jhomson]

Doesn't guitar **mean** mini orchestra?

[@mfmishere]

For the first time in 20 years of playing guitar, I was able to change my own strings on a Floyd Rose guitar thanks to this video. I had avoided owning a Floyd Rose after not being able to do this early in my guitar journey. Thank you so much for helping many of us out with this video!

[@leethal6570]

I followed this video after many videos I have watched on Floyd and it was the most successful attempt I have had. When I tuned the strings and pulled the plate out from under the Floyd everything went up sharp, then I didn’t have enough fine tune remaining to bring it down. I’ll have to take the locking nuts off, set the fine tuners back up, turn them down 2 or 3 times and then go again. Almost got it!

[@unamjay3529]

Even though i dont play floating bridge for years, this is the best tutorial i've seen on YB to changing strings of a floyd rose system. Nice vids man

[@JayMeDee]

This was super helpful. I got my nephew a guitar with a Floyd Rose and being a more traditional bridge guitarist, had no idea what to do. Many thanks!

[@PlayEngage]

This is helpful! First time working on a Floyd Rose on a 7-string and it wasn't easy when it comes to seven strings. Tuning was a painful process because it took a while before I am able to put everything in tune before locking the nut. Thank you for this amazing tutorial!

[@humanperson3779]

Used this to change my floyd rose for the first time, had no issues whatsoever. Thank you Thomann!

[@omardamian6792]

Just bought the GH600 and it’s my first guitar with a Floyd rose. I’m terrified of the whole setup and maintenance, but also excited. These videos are super helpful

[@gilwood7530]

I have 30 plus guitars and only have standard "Fender " ...today i just built an Ibanez JEM ...So I'm about to learn a whole new thing ...glad i found this ...I'll be checking back

[@Widderic]

Just got back into playing after hanging up my fender 15 years ago and have only been playing acoustic. Just got a Jackson Floyd Rose and needed some help! Thanks! Didn't even realize those dials on the body were for fine tuning. Cool.

[@TheMetalmachine467]

I'm new to playing guitars and this helped me out restringing my fender strat the other videos tried to sell blocks and such to keep it aligned but I had no problems using your technique thank you

[@bazzadonkey]

Thanks soooo much. I've been avoiding a string change for a whole month! You have relieved me of my fear instantly 🙃

[@stuartmacg]

Excellent. Just what I needed. Thanks. Haven't had a floating trem for 30 years...great refresher.

[@ericwelling1102]

Thanks so much for making this easy to understand. Some of your tips really saved me some aggravation. I was going to change one string at a time to keep the tension, but your method of using the back plate was genius. Thank you!

[@Gearhead_47]

Awesome to the point tutorial. Only two things i might add is when you put on new strings you dont have to clip the ball end, just feed the strings through the tuning key bolts and leave the ball ends on wrapped around the key bolts. 2nd when you tune a floyd rose to save some headache retuning twice or even three time just tune from outside in IE 6-1-5-2-4-3 or reverse. This way you only need to fine tune a second time and each adjustment you make balances the bridge along the way. Rose bridges are definitely worth it once you get used to them. Ill admit i havent changed my strings in over a year 😮 hence why i had to refresh myself a bit. Hope this helps and great video again nice work

[@mylogify]

Bought guitar from thomann, I searched how to change strings on Floyd Rose guitar and clicked on the first video popped up without seeing which video it is, and it is Kris’s video! And I ordered strings from thomann too! Nice to be with thomann and Kris always :D

[@gramuel581]

This helped me so much after my strings popped when trying to do it!!! Thank you so much

[@romskiempire]

It would be helpful to see what happens and how to fix/align if the bridge is not aligned (straight).When changing guitar gauge or tuning it will most likely happen and should be elaborated. Thanks in advance!

[@markusszelbracikowski956]

Definitely the best tutorial on changing floating bridge strings ever! Thanks!

[@taildragger53]

Wow, this is an excellent explanation of what I thought was a tedious procedure. It STILL is a tedious procedure (LOL) but somehow you've approached it with great patience and clarity. Thank you so much.

[@Burnt_Gerbil]

I like stringing it backwards with the ball end at the headstock. 😬👍

[@daytonwilson4504]

Yo are you for real? That sounds pretty cool ngl

[@hunmblebashir3584]

w8 u can do that?😐

[@Burnt_Gerbil]

@@hunmblebashir3584 - That’s the “old school” way of doing it. No need to cut off the ball end. 😄

[@electricpants8194]

@PROD. SHINIKXMI ik ur joking but tom doesent even do that

[@SounDiZLife]

He's not joking.... just don't cut the end off... simple!!!

[@maxmoves64]

i had nightmares setting up strings because of the tension change but it helped a bit when i tuned string 1 then 6 then 2 and 5 and finally 3 and 4. The tension seemed to balance a little more. Still a nightmare and patience required but once in tune they stay in tune even after a divebomb or two lol

[@jaahreed]

Try tuning from the g-d outward, one of my guitar teachers taught me this

[@ookookook]

@@jaahreed This is the way!

[@cooperhamilton6141]

block the trem like he said

[@flazuki5288]

After playing fixed bridge guitar for 14 years I finally got my first floyd rose guitar! An old 1980's Wahsburn KC 70V. This video was exactly what I needed, thank you so much!!!

[@nealdoran6474]

I watched this video to find out how to change the strings on my KC70, for the first time since buying it new in the 80s!

[@flazuki5288]

haha thats awesome, rock on bro @@nealdoran6474

[@Lex10999]

Great job. You actually gave awesome directions. No other video I've seen talked about everything like you did. Well Done. :)

[@NickiTedesco]

hell yes! That riff at the end was epic! Thank you!!!!

[@heathskrabak5214]

My first sting change on a Floyd Rose thanks for the excellent tutorial . One trick I already learned before the string change was how to get a standard tuning , and drop within the range of the fine tuners . I couldn’t get there as it came from the factory so I unlocked it , put the fine tuners close to the bottom , and the fat E only two turns from it . Tuned the guitar carefully , locked it , fine tuned , and was able to get to drop D with the fine tuner range .

[@bigcarl6655]

There is strength in simplicity, great video, many thanks for a great explanation even for absolute beginners...🤟🤟

[@joshuasinghofficial1148]

very useful tips. i just completed my first floyd rose strings change since I bought it.

[@charlieriffs478]

Hands down the best tutorial! Thank you so much for your knowledge, i've been avoiding FR's for years. Today i got my first shredding guitar with an FR and this video helped me save all the struggle!!

[@shapeshifter6316]

That backing plate trick is exactly what I needed, thanks!

[@cdnit]

I find it helps after the first tuning to let the guitar sit overnight before locking it at the nut. The strings have time to stretch out and way less micro tuning after locking. (After owning many Floyd Rose setups over the years this seems to be the least painful lol).

[@naegleriafowleri2230]

ill try this

[@scriptkiddy1492]

Don't you stretch the strings a few times after putting them on?

[@marcoabyss]

this reminds me, i need to change the strings on some of my guitars. thanks, thomann!

[@MYKEGUITARPLAY]

Nice and easy tutorial. Thanks for sharing

[@Metaldad87]

Another thing you can do with Floyd's is actually to thread the string through the tuning peg first because then the ball end acts as kind of a lock for the string. I learned that from Henning on his KZbin channel and I believe he called it poor man's locking tuners 😂

[@supay6537]

I just did this for the very first time on my very first guitar. New Ibanez S770 installed D’addario XT strings and man what a F pain to start the winding on the pegs. I think it came out alright. I’m leaving the tuning for tomorrow. Thanks for your video it sure was helpful!

[@borocamo]

Life goal is to have a Floyd rose equipped guitar in every tuning option

[@elsalves]

Best Floyd rose tutorial I’ve seen thank you for this 🩷

[@nuttagerbeef1577]

This tutorial is GOLD

[@itsmartinvivek]

That is one gorgeous guitar.

[@julianbazanaguirre8439]

Awesome video!! Super funny as well, which makes it even more enjoyable, keep it up!

[@MulletJump]

That was absolutely awesome and very helpful thank you 🙏

[@eliseiulrich-oltean7504]

This video was so perfect, really helpful and informative, and I could listen to this guy talk about anything - I'm convinced he could make a talk about washing machine paint jobs sound soothing and engaging😂Love it :)

[@rasheedattarpage]

This the easy and very helpful, thank you!

[@indapamod]

Brilliant, this one helped me lot!

[@Adam-qj6fe]

Great video man!

[@atomicelectric845]

Thank you Sir. This was very helpful. I appreciate you.

[@irfannotgay2852]

thank you so much for this i just bought new floyd rose guitar and its different than my old floyd rose so i have to figure it out again and i found this video!

[@heathfinnie]

Another method I’ve seen is to put the string in so the ball is at the tuning peg. Then, you only need to cut the string one time down by the bridge.

[@missdyess]

I know how to do this but I still like to watch this just for the outtakes🤣

[@rayroberts7915]

Thanks for the clear explanation

[@iutchube]

Looking forward to a video with tips on intonation for guitars with Floyds

[@burdenedwithgloriouspurpose]

Really helpful!!! Thanks man.

[@Mission2Transition641]

im neweto floyd rose. This helped me a lot in changing and setting it up. Thumbs up!

[@robertnewman1499]

Holy hell. I've been playing a long time and did my own setups/minor repairs to my guitars. Never thought to use my back plate. Always used random stuff laying around. Also, never heard of the two tuning post measuring method. Great stuff

[@PochoNieves]

Very nice video and format. I am about to restring my EVH WG for first time. I watched a Premier Guitar tutorial first because it was the shortest and now this one. I like both method and you taught the process very different. I'm taking from both but the one thing I'll do like the other video is to do one string at the time instead of taking them all out. I don't like putting a plate under the tremolo nor taking all strings all at once whenever doing restringing. Thank you for this video.

[@surfwriter8795]

So helpful thank you so much! This was truly helpful! You are a legend!

[@gwoody4003]

Man that hack with the back plate under the bridge... life changing. I don't know why I never thought of that. I always just do one string at a time and end up fixing a crooked bridge for 2 hours.

[@backtothe80s97]

Great video!

[@JemHawkes]

Thank you! I finally feel confident enough to tackle my Jems myself ...

[@valeroharold]

Best tutorial on KZbin

[@themadhatter8791]

Simple and effective. Brilliant

[@PooNinja]

I keep thinking of getting a tremel no to lock the bridge during string changes. Restring, stretch, tune Lock nut , stretch, tune Stretch, tune ... good until ya gotta change strings again 🤘🏽

[@cryptoninjaz]

Man this was not so bad I got it after my 2nd try. The 2nd time was so easy thanks man !! I had went to local guitar shop in town for my JACKON and they said it is too difficult and that they only string acoustic guitars lol. Anyways your guide was a lifesaver and now back to shredding again :)

[@LooSeR1987]

Thank you so much for this helpful video mate! I'm so grateful for it! ^^

[@user-fp3yf8is4c]

Finally decided to change my strings after 6-7 months thinking "Surely it can't be that bad." after hearing a few things about the Floyd Rose. Let me just say that... Yes. Yes it can be that bad. Changed out the strings no problem, except now my bridge rests at a 45° angle and no amount of decreasing or increasing the tension of the springs at the back changes anything. I'm now currently debating throwing it as far as a can into my backyard and leaving it there. What a nightmare. At least it was still playable with the old strings omg.

[@motleyford]

This terrorfies me. I gotta change them on my Rhoads

[@bobbysmith9380]

Just bought a Kramer Beretta Vintage. Thanks so much for this video

[@catzndolz61]

Great (and very entertaining) tutorial! Thank you!

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Thanks so much! //Kris

[@magmanaz]

well done, sir

[@briancoyne6700]

Thank you! Very helpful!

[@subrotomandal7173]

Wow that was super easy thanks a million

[@jeffazi]

Great video. I have an EVH Wolfgang Special coming and it has a FR. I'm confident that I can string it now. Thanks.

[@rozhkovmusic]

Best explanation ever!) thank you!)

[@jkeating7906]

I wish KZbin existed when I got my first Floyd Rose guitar, it would have saved me a lot of grief. Great video!

[@80is54]

Thanks! Very helpful 👌

[@alfredcucci8533]

Thanks for this video. Just bought my first locking nut Ibanez guitar. I was wondering if I would have trouble changing strings, but you tutorial explained it perfectly. My guitar has a thin bar between the nut and the tuners with two screws holding it down on each side. Do I unscrew and remove it before changing the strings? If so, when do I reinstall it? After I'm finished the final tuning or sometime before? Thanks again for a great video, I'm looking forward to watching all of them!

[@brandonhadley1104]

I've owned many guitars but finally decided to bump it up a notch with my second jackson but first with a floating bridge. Had no idea how to tune and you made it possible. Just restrung it and AM learning bleed the freak by A.I.C. N I wanted to say thanks. Happy turkey day!

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Thanks Brandon, that's awesome to hear! Have fun with it dude! //Kris

[@syfman6]

I love the instant "guitar face"!.... 💚🎸

[@nacionnyc]

Hi. Great video. I have a question, my new guitar has a roasted maple neck and I would like to clean it. Since roasted maple has a brown color, would it be fine to use the same rosewood and ebony fretboard cleaners that I use for my other guitars? Thank you in advance

[@ramaynard77]

Beautiful guitar

[@vinnyjohnson2530]

I recommend really throttling on the whammy a ton after you have screwed in the locking mechanism on the headstock. New strings, even really well stretched, have a tendency to adjust while using any tremolo system. You can readjust using the fine tuning adjustment knobs on the bridge.

[@valentijn8658]

Man seeing this video makes me so excited for buying my first actual good electric guitar. Going to buy it at Thomann ofcourse because of the incredible service!

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Thanks so much! Have fun choosing your guitar! Cheers //Kris

[@bryanwchambers9734]

I personally change and stretch each string one at a time instead of removing all six. I don't have to block the bridge either. This will save a huge amount of time. I don't feel the need to clean and oil my fingerboard every time I change strings.

[@all_invite_0hm]

That is such a good idea...............

[@antonioangelone8429]

I ve always done the same!

[@rockman49er]

This is a great idea I'm going to try this thanks

[@schmitty1769]

Gross

[@1972Georges]

Thanks! Just got my first guitar with the Floyd.

[@dominiqueguegandomsongs5014]

Thanks ! Very good tutorial ;-)

[@BlueArpeggio.PoDoDan]

That's a fine looking Jackson guitar. Strangely these days it's really hard to find decent Jackson guitars in the market. Thank you for the video!!

[@Jimmyd_Rocktalk]

Awesome video! Thanks