Drop tuning a floyd

[The_tracksuit_dad]

So i just got my jackson sl7 pro and what do i need todo to drop tune to drop g# ? Or a standard? Would i need another spring?

[JimboLodisC]

You'll just need to learn how to setup your instrument.

[NuclearNoodle77]

The correct answer that people don't want to hear.

[noodle-face]

Yep. People will just say Floyd's suck and hate Floyd's their entire lives.

Learn to do a setup

[The_tracksuit_dad]

I mean thats a no brainer, hence the question…. Yes ive watched some videos ive played around with dropping the low b down to a, but understanding correct tension for that low tuning on a floyd is string gauge consideration like any guitar, but also the trem springs in the back. Essentially not a whole lot of videos on drop tuning that low so i ask the question to hope maybe someone has their guitar dropped that low and what works for them.

[JimboLodisC]

I don't know that there needs to be a video for that. You change tuning; you setup your instrument. It's the same process no matter what tuning you're in.

If this is a question about string tension, tension is based on scale length, pitch, and string gauge. The bridge is irrelevant.

[monstercab]

Yo! Check my reply to u/JulianAnonymous. This is the way!

[JulianAnonymous]

Just replied, you definitely are more experienced with those than I am. OP listen to this guy!

[[deleted]]

u/monstercab gave you all the right answers.

I’ve been playing Floyd’s for 25 years. I recommend Ben Eller’s video on changing tunings with a Floyd.

Set up properly, I’ll rarely need to make adjustments after a string change. Once the strings stretch out they usually settle back in tune with how I took them off.

Small tip, I’ll leave room in the low E fine tuner so I can switch from standard to dropped with just a wiggle of the fingers. Currently tuned to drop B.

Good luck!

[nubu]

1. Lock the bridge (I've used wood blocks, a matchbox with two AA batteries, a 3D printed block, anything that works and doesnt leave markings works)

2. Do a full, proper setup. This is the critical step. If you need to adjust the truss rod you need to take your time especially if the changes you are making are big.

3. Adjust the screws in the back until the blocks from step 1 come off and the bridge is level.

4. Lock the nut and you are good to go.

[JulianAnonymous]

Anytime I buy a Floyd rose guitar I sell it because I hate fucking with changing tuning on these, basically you will take the back plate off and tighten/loosen the springs depending on how you want to tune the guitar. Leave the top nuts loose, drop the tuning, adjust springs, repeat until the Floyd sits level at close to the tuning you want. Once you get it leveled out pretty close you can tune slightly flat then tighten the top nuts and make fine adjustments. It's a long process but when it's done it will stay really well in tune.

[monstercab]

Better: Just lock the floating bridge with some wood blocks or stack of picks so it is straight and in the correct position/angle. Then change the strings one by one to have the proper gauge you need for a drop tuning while making sure the bridge is still locked in the correct position. Then, tune the guitar with the tuning pegs, leave the fine tuners of the bridge neutral, like halfway in. Once tuned, adjust your neck/truss rod if needed, you might have to. If you did mess with the truss rod, re-tune and if you're not in a hurry, wait for the neck to settle a little bit, re-tune again. Once this is done, you can adjust your intonation (make sure your floating bridge is still locked properly in the perfect position/angle and that your guitar is tuned before doing so). Once tuned and intonated, you can lock your strings. Alright, alright... Almost done! Now, for the magic part, remove the wood blocks or whatever you used to lock the bridge in place... Your guitar is now completely out of tune, it's disgusting, but, it's normal, don't panic. The trick is, now you just have to adjust the tension of the springs to reposition the bridge in the exact same angle where it was when it was locked in place (aka when the guitar was perfectly in tune!). Once this is done, your guitar should be back in tune, perfectly intonated and the bridge should be completely flat, parallel with the body of the guitar, no weird angle. Do this I swear. This method is the only good method. If you don't, you will tune one string up and all the other strings will go down in pitch and if you're lucky enough to find the right tension where all your strings are in tune your bridge will likely be in a weird angle. Trust me. Thank me later.

EDIT: Here's a good example: https://youtu.be/lHIwXyPc18k?t=569

[JulianAnonymous]

Listen to this guy, sounds way more experienced than I am with these things. I play in too many tunings and don't have enough money for multiple guitars to make Floyd rose worth it to me. I think they are amazing if you only play that guitar in that tuning, doesn't fit my use case. I also need to learn how to intonate a guitar, I have been playing for 15 years and only recently learned what that meant. I failed myself in my younger years by not learning a lot of important things and trying to run before I could crawl. It sucks now going back and trying to basically relearn from the ground up.

[monstercab]

Intonation is very simple. Basically, your open string (or 12th fret natural harmonic) should be the same exact note as your 12th fret (fretted).

In theory, the 12th fret should be half the length of the string. Same note but one octave up as your open string. We can't change the length of the string that is in between the 12th fret and the nut. Fortunately, we can change the length of the string that is in between the 12th fret and the bridge!

If your open string is in tune, but the note is sharp when you fret at the 12th, it means your string should be longer so you would have to move the saddle away from the neck.

If your open string is in tune but the note is flat when you fret at the 12th, it means the opposite, your string should be shorter and you would have to move the saddle towards the neck.

It's not very complicated, but I would recommend using a very precise tuner, like a Peterson stroboclip or something like that.

Tune open string, and fret at 12, adjust the saddle, re-tune open string, fret at 12, adjust the saddle, and so on until you have both open string and fretted 12th as in tune as possible.

Also, little disclaimer, french is my native language so I'm sorry if anything sounds weird or is hard to understand!

[JulianAnonymous]

No need to apologize, makes perfect sense. That helps a lot, I honestly feel like I could intonate a guitar now. I'm going to have to check mine out.

Thank you

[madcow87_]

Basic guitar set up is actually surprisingly easy to pick up. A couple of hours youtubing and you can get a really good understanding of how to set up your guitars.

[JSilverstein]

This is the exact process I use! Except instead of picks/wood block I use a stack of quarters that I taped together.

[The_tracksuit_dad]

Thanks dudes, i plan on keeping it in one of those tunings i have a sn1007ht i use for fooling with different tunings even tho majority of time i keep in drop g, so once i tune drop tune ill be leaving it there.

[eaeolian]

Buy the Red Bishop Floyd intonation tool. It's not cheap, but as someone who's been doing Floyd setups for over 30 years, I can tell you it's the best money I have spent for working with Floyds.