#1940255 - 05/10/08 12:36 PM
Changing Strings, Setup on Floyd Rose Bridge
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Dave da Dude
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Okay, here's the... whole... story. 
I thought I broke a string trying to set the intonation on the (hi) E string. I couldn't see how to restring with new strings so I was considering going to a luthier for a complete setup. But I also posted at the Ibanez User Forum site and asked how to install new strings. One helpful (newbie) guy gave me a link to a site that showed how to do it on all the current tremolo bridges... one of which appears to be the same as on my "new" 1986 Ibanez RG530.
After finally getting the time to read through most of the procedure, I discovered that I didn't really break a string after all. The strings have to have the end cut off on the "Ball End" to insert into the locking mechanism in the bridge. Upon inspecting the string that I thought was broken... I can see the flatted area on the bridge end of the string. I just removed the bridge end of the (lo) E string to confirm.
Yes, I know that's a problem (loosening two strings at the same time, but I had already loosened all the tuning keys when all this first happened, so I've already made more work for myself. Here's a picture from the Ibanez site about cutting the strings. 
Now... my tremolo is non-locking (I believe). Ibanez says that the "Edge" Tremolo Bridge is locking by inference. They infer the TS505 is non-locking. But my bridge looks like what they call the "Edge" and not the TS505.
About changing strings, they say:
Lo-Pro Edge / Edge / Lo-TRS / TRS101: In the case of locking tremolos, replace the strings one by one. Removing all the old strings at once will release the tension on the tremolo and change the tremolo angle “up-pull.”
Loosen the Pressure pad screw on the locking nut and loosen the string to be replaced. Loosen the String stopper screw (F) and remove the string from the saddle.
In the case of TRS505 tremolo, replace the strings one by one. Removing all the old strings at once will release the tension on the tremolo and change the tremolo angle “up-pull.”
Loosen the Pressure pad screw (D) on the locking nut and loosen the string to be replaced. Remove the string through the String holder hook (G).
The pictures for the above description:
 
[Edge] Cut off the ball end of new string as shown on the illustration and insert the cut side of new string between the saddle and the String holder block. Tighten the String stopper screw (F) and tune the string.
After checking the intonation, tighten the Pressure pad screw (D) on the locking nut.
Tighten the String stopper screw (F) and tune the string.
After checking the intonation, tighten the Pressure pad screw (D) on the locking nut.
[TS505] Thread new string through the String holder hook (G) and tune it. After checking the intonation, tighten the Pressure pad screw (D) on the locking nut.
So, from what I can see, the bridge I have is the "Edge". Is that considered a "Locking Bridge"?
Now that I can see how it works, I think I'm perfectly capable of restringing, tuning and setting the intonation. I had found a guy who sounds like he might be capable and "fair" in his pricing (not cheap... fair). But now I think I'll run out and get a set of new strings so I can do this at my leisure tomorrow.
My main question is... am I correct in my assumptions above?
If so, I think I'm perfectly capable of this whole deal... I hope. 
Edited by Dave da Dude (05/13/08 05:01 PM)
Edit Reason: corrected spelling of Floyd Rose
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Gotta' geetar... need an amp.
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#1940259 - 05/10/08 12:46 PM
Re: Changing Strings, Setup on Flloyd Rose Bridge
[Re: Dave da Dude]
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guitarzan
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Dave from the pics you posted on your guitar i can assure you that you have a locking edge trem. the blocks on the saddles hold the strings in place after removing the ball ends.
the allen bolts at the back of the trem are to lock the string in the saddle.
don't loosen them unless you want to take the string out or put one in, to adjust intonation you need to detune and loosen the screw at the front of the saddle which allows you to move the saddle back an forth.
oh i just realized you figured it out. you are right, it is an Edge and yes it is locking.
Edited by guitarzan (05/10/08 12:46 PM)
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#1940263 - 05/10/08 12:51 PM
Re: Changing Strings, Setup on Flloyd Rose Bridge
[Re: guitarzan]
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guitarzan
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if you run into problems Dave i may be able to post a pic or two of my floyd.
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#1940426 - 05/10/08 08:48 PM
Re: Changing Strings, Setup on Flloyd Rose Bridge
[Re: Dave da Dude]
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guitarzan
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if you slightly loosen it then you can pull on the bolt from the rear and move the saddle and quickly tighten the screw and relock the saddle down. it is a bit of a pain but not really hard unless you loosen it too much then it wants to lift up.
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#1940442 - 05/10/08 09:43 PM
Re: Changing Strings, Setup on Flloyd Rose Bridge
[Re: guitarzan]
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Rhino Madness
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And Dave, since you're new at this, I'll just offer a bit of wisdom for Floyd Rose bridges: most new FR owners tend to over-tighten the screws that push the string holder blocks at the bridge (I sure was guilty of this way back when and it took me a while to figure it out). If you find you break a lot of strings (especially the wound ones) right at the saddles, it's either because of a burr in the saddle or because the blocks are too tight.
And make sure you stretch the strings properly before setting the intonation or you'll lose your sanity in the process. 
Good luck with your first setup and enjoy your new guitar!
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#1940481 - 05/11/08 02:36 AM
Re: Changing Strings, Setup on Flloyd Rose Bridge
[Re: Rhino Madness]
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Trucks
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Oh yeah Rhino! Good points! I snapped one of the string holding screws clean off by over tightening it! I sure learned from that one! :-)
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#1940726 - 05/11/08 02:57 PM
Re: Changing Strings, Setup on Flloyd Rose Bridge
[Re: Trucks]
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caprae
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Oh yeah Rhino! Good points! I snapped one of the string holding screws clean off by over tightening it! I sure learned from that one! :-)
Ouch. I always tightened my son's up pretty good because the strings would pop out of we didn't. I guess you have to learn each one's nuances.
If you have mistakingly taken off more than one string then stick a credit card under the back to hold the trem in position and work from there.
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#1940936 - 05/12/08 06:12 AM
Re: Changing Strings, Setup on Flloyd Rose Bridge
[Re: Dave da Dude]
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Trucks
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One thing Dave. First time you restring a Floyd/Edge trem... Make sure you are in a calm and collected mood, with plenty of time to kill... It can be frustrating to get the hang of. Took me ages to get it right the first time. (plus I ended up overtightening that screw and snapping it off by trying to do it in a rush)
_________________________
"do I see a vacuum there, or am I b-goin' blind.."
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#1941746 - 05/13/08 04:59 PM
Re: Changing Strings, Setup on Flloyd Rose Bridge
[Re: Trucks]
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Dave da Dude
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Registered: 05/15/02
Posts: 3584
Loc: Charlotte, NC
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One thing Dave. First time you restring a Floyd/Edge trem... Make sure you are in a calm and collected mood, with plenty of time to kill... It can be frustrating to get the hang of. Took me ages to get it right the first time. (plus I ended up overtightening that screw and snapping it off by trying to do it in a rush)
Thanks for the advice Trucks, unfortunately, I didn't see it until AFTER I had finished. BUT...
I DID IT~!!! 
But, I have been through similar things (with guitars and machines both) and knew enough to do that. It... only... took me about four or five hours. But... I also took each saddle off, sprayed it with "Liquid Wrench" and then cleaned the now open string path thoroughly and used WD40 on the saddle seating surface of the bridge (to allow easy and consistent sliding). Then I thoroughly cleaned the saddle and made sure the pivot was working smoothly.
My only "incident" was the high "E" pulling out when I had it tuned an octave high.  I used an extra string I had since the one that pulled out somehow wound up with a kink in it that I thought would be a bad thing.
But it was all successful including leveling out the trem plate.
Oh, and I found this link I had bookmarked, and forgotten about, just before I started. Maybe somebody else following this thread might be interested.
Floyd Rose Site Instructions
_________________________
Gotta' geetar... need an amp.
One step at a time... burp... GAS... burp... GAS...
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