The COMPLETE DIY guide to installing a FLOYD ROSE Tremolo in a Stratocaster
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ก.ย. 2024
- This is a full step by step tutorial showing how to install a Floyd Rose style double locking tremolo in a Strat style guitar. This process is NOT the same as installing one in another guitar, the strat design has some challenges that need to be overcome in order to get a solid reliable installation.
*Prices mentioned in this video are subject to change without notice. Please check the links below for current pricing.
Here are the parts and tools I used in this video (FULL DISCLOSURE - These are affiliate links):
Chrome Floyd Rose knockoff:
ships from china:
amzn.to/2C7cjHg
USA free prime shipping
amzn.to/2LJVbXi
String retainers for locking nut on strat:
amzn.to/2NFt39X
Sawtooth hangers (for reinforcing the tremolo/pickup cavity):
amzn.to/2N4t1Lr
Black and Decker rotary tool (This is what I use, I like this better than the dremel and it’s actually cheaper):
www.amazon.com...
rotary tool remote line kit (flex shaft):
www.amazon.com...
sanding belts:
www.amazon.com...
Router (This is the cheaper one I showed in the video, obviously I ended up using a plunge router I bought off Facebook Marketplace):
amzn.to/2t95Cg8
Mechanix M-Pact work gloves:
www.amazon.com...
drill/driver (this isn’t the one that I have, but it’s cheap and got good reviews):
www.amazon.com...
titebond wood glue:
www.amazon.com...
Full disclosure: I am an Amazon Associate, and the links in this description are affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, it doesn't cost you any more money, but I will earn a commission.
The summary of this tutorial:
-install locking nut (must remove wood from top of the fretboard)
-reinforce the tremolo and pickup cavities for the bridge mounting posts (so you don't crack or blow thru the wood into the pickup cavity)
-drill and set your post holes
-route for tremolo body
-install string retainer on the headstock
That's all there is to it!
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Great video, and can you show us how to do it on other types of guitars
It’s literally the same except easier because you don’t have to reinforce the pickup cavity or install the string retainer. It the guitar didn’t have a strat style tremolo before I guess you would need to route underneath for the spring claw cavity as well, but that is super easy and doesn’t have to be perfect.
Is it possible for Les Paul Vintage Edition?
@@MrLennonson Yes it does work with a Les Paul.
There's pictures of Floyd Roses on Les Pauls when you look for them on Google or TH-cam.
How do you it on a PRS SE Custom 24?
Is it possible for a warlock bronze series
Im doing this on a really cheap strat and so far it's gone well. I don't get the hate, he's used the wrong nut because that's what he had to hand and wanted to show everyone how to do it. Thanks for the vid Dan, it's all worked out for me so far.
Dan, quick question. Should I be getting the saddles into the 'middle' of their intonation range on the bridge before rechecking the scale length and final tracing? Or should I be making the saddles as far back as they go? Or as far forward as the saddles go?
thank you SOOO much. I am actually putting a Flod Rose on a Stratocaster right now, and your video has been super helpful thank you!😃😀
Just a tip to anyone installing a FR or even working on one. Block the trem so it is flat and tighten the springs super tight so the string tension doesn't lift it at all. String and tune the guitar, then remove whatever you used to hold the trem level (I use a thin metal ruler) , at this point you adjust (loosten) the springs until it is back in tune and viola!!! you are laying perfectly flat and in tune!!
or just dont be lazy and tune them without blocking it its not hard
@@austinnicolsonmusic711 yea well I block mine now and its way cooler tuning a guitar using the spring tension of the trem lol
I put a string on my guitar to make it even.
This post is not about tuning, it is about initial set-up. Try reading the whole post word for word, not just the ones you want to see....
@@austinnicolsonmusic711 or you could work smarter and not harder?
I've done this more times than I can count I do use a router on the nut but I do wood work for a living, I also found once I get a top-mounted screw FR nut where I want it,I will pull it back off and a couple dabs of epoxy so it doesn't move I'm pretty violent on my trim
i have to say, this video lost all cred when he said the nut was too wide, showed where the Truss rod was sanded into, and then showed the gap between the wrong locking nut and the fretboard. Anyone who watches this video needs to know they make locking nuts from R1 to R10 and maybe more. measure and order accordingly. Not all TH-cam videos are helpful. Guns and Guitars still makes good videos, this isn't one of them.
not to mention that shelf was crudely cut and not flat
I just read the comments to see if I was the only one thinking that 😅 and trimmed with a cutter, I was crying inside. He needs a japanese saw, a little bit helter-skelter on this one.
@@gary_luthery
You said it... I cried when he took the box cutter out. I know it’s a Squire, but I would use a fine tooth cabinet maker’s saw or a Japanese pull saw on that neck.
this was a horrible build lol :D routing 3 times still doesnt bother to clamp a straight edge to route against :DD
@@kbuss10 i can't watch his builds after this one
To put the tight pegs in… roll up a piece of sand paper place it in and twist it a bit and try again until it’s fits nicely
I would've liked to see a support piece going from the body where the trem is across near pickup cavity .
Great video !!!! love modifying my guitars, one of my custom strats has a floyd rose made in germany built in 85
My guy! Loved this! I'm thinking about doing the same thing on my 2005 squier stratocaster and also add some Dimarzio pickups to it and all other parts. I'm also thinking about drilling a monkey grip and change the orientation of the output jack, I hate that it gets in the way of the tremolo 😒
By the way, the best instument there is the Dremel 🤣
I have some questions if u get this I'm putting a gamer neck don't know what year but fits pocket perfect do u think any tremolo nut will fit that hamer neck any help would be very much appreciated I also need some tuners for a reversestock hamer is my first build any help is appreciated
Should read, How to Butcher a guitar in every way possible! SMFH
Whenever screwing into a drilled hole, add a tiny bit of soap to the screw thread tips. Not liquid soap, bar soap. Or wax will do. Trust me, you will be suprised how much easier it is the tighten the screws
I had a real deal German Floyd Rose installed on a Squier Strat that I really like. The install wasn't cheap and now I know why. That guy did it right. This was painful to watch.
Floyd Rose is not German or nazi, they are KOREAN
Prick
@@RFXCasey they did not exist when the nazis did, Floyd showed up in the early 1980s
@@RFXCasey yes..all nazis, they pay homage to nazis still!
Did you watch the other guy install it
Now I want to see the video of you installing the humbucker after you "reinforced" that area....
Pro tip: when installing the nut, go ahead and completely string up the guitar (loosely) with the nut UNBOLTED, then LOOSEN THE NECK SCREWS and let the strings find the dead center. Drill and screw the nut when the strings are perfectly aligned.
Should rename How NOT to Install Floyd Rose...
im trying to install a floyd rose on my strat, does this video shows the correct way on how to install a floyd rose?
J no not really 😬
Fly by night away from here
Okay, then what video does
The whole procedure is completely wrong!!! This guy have no clue all about this!
Joseph Tamar worked for me...
why don't you make a video of the "Correct" way so we can all benefit from your comments?
@@Echo3_ Cuz I don't have a camera!
Joseph Tamar you have a device clearly
At everyone saying original comment is wrong, none of you realize there are different locking nut sizes. He could have ordered the right size, but no he wanted to be dumb about it
This guitar will end up in a meme about hack jobs on a guitar repair page. It looks like something i would've done in middle school because i had no tools or money or experience or ear training or options or sense.
I was going to say the same thing.
It will be Dave's WOF and children's ears will bleed in a 5 mile radius when he gets going about it.
or end up on Reverb as a vintage Fender Strat for $2500 ; )
I know nothing (and I mean nada. niente. zilch.) about guitar building but I did not continue watching the video beyond around the 6 minute mark, after the butchery of the neck to install the screw nut. Hacking away at the wood with a box cutter already had me go "WTF". I would have used a fine toothed hand saw or at least a sharp chisel, but I still thought at that point "Okay, lets hang in there... tools don't matter as long as the end result is good" and was ready to let it slide. But in my view the result wasn't that good.
I am pretty sure that there are better ways to get a nut installed - like getting one that actually fits. It's not like they are hella expensive and have to be forged from unobtanium by a virgin on a full moon or something. Also, the gap between the nut and the fretboard looks wide enough to walk through - which does not exactly instill confidence in the rest of the build. Not sure about it, but maybe that gap is not supposed to be there. So yeah - this did not spark joy.
I think the term "hack job" is appropriate in this case, and I have not even seen a quarter of it.
I am sure there are many great videos on this channel, but I am afraid this is not one of them. Sorry.
But hey - if the guitar plays and handles well for this gentleman, then all the power to him.
Yeah when I saw the nut was too wide for the neck I thought "the E strings are gonna be on the edge of the neck now"
Why not simply buy the Correct Size Locking Not??
why not do it all
right?
First thing I thought when I first watched this.
is that a meme? seen it elsewhere. please help.
exactly what I was thinking...they make different size nuts exactly for that reason
@Josh S Totally agree. What's the deal with using a stanley knife to remove wood? Doesn't the guy own a chisel set? Crazy.
There should be a floyd nut available that matches the nut width on that guitar. They are made in various widths
Yeah, but this one came with the trem kit and since I got the alignment correct it plays just fine. I actually like the slight wider string spacing.
@@GunsandGuitars yeah afterwards I thought. that's probably the one that came with the kit. I like wider string spacing as well. The overhang may bother some people. But again, as I've said in a couple of my other comments. I really love the way you go at it. You have some excellent ideas
You can buy just the nut and it's an R2. Squire necks are about 1 5/8" at the nut.
Yup... I just put a FR Special (R2) on a Squier JagMaster and it fit perfectly. Still, this is all good practice for working on a real (expensive) guitar.
I'm in the middle of doing this install on a beat up Stagg X400 that a friend gave me for free. Great info and this is my exact issue with the nut. The two E strings actually do hang off at the neck. Its really narrow for the nut that comes in this kit. I found the correct width nut on Amazon for $6. Great video Dan. Thanks!!!!!
You can actually order the correct locking nut for a strat from FR thet won't overlap, they have a nut width guide on the web page that will tell you the correct nut you need based on width and string spacing i.e. R4, R2, R3, and so on. Just for future reference if anyone wants a nut that will fit correctly. Cool video though. It's also helpful to know the radius of the fingerboard as well before ordering so you can match that some are designed for 10 -16" radii.
What I'm hearing here is: the less you spend on a Floyd Rose, the more trouble you're going to have installing it. Seems like it would be worth it to just spend more on an actual Floyd and not have to route so much. Js😉
Really glad this got posted. I learned a couple new things while doing this.
- The drill bit for the Floyd stud mounts should be 25/64". That is big enough to gently hammer the stud in whithout any extra drilling. Be warned though that you won't be able to get the stud mounts back out so be sure you're done everything else you need to do before you hammer it in. (How DID you get those stud mounts back out?)
- If you screw up your initial stud mount drilling somehow, you can get plugs that fit. I got 3/8" "hardwood screwhole plug flat head" plugs from Home Depot and they fit the 25/64" inch holes perfectly, although I'd add wood glue to be sure. You could also use one to plug a stud hole if you want to protect the hole while painting. Once again it's snug so you'd need to drill a hole and put a screw in it so you can grab on something to pull it back out.
- One last big one. Since I didn't want to hammer/wedge the stud mounts into the body without being able to test the accuracy of the drill holes, I wrapped the studs in masking tape (starting at the top of the thread) until I was able to fit the stud into the holes without the stud mounts in place. That way I was able to double check the accuracy of my measurements without commiting to a step I could not reverse.
Cool tip! To pull the stud mounts out, I screwed the studs in about half way, then use the claw end of a hammer to pry them out (like a nail). I just used a towel to protect the body from damage from the hammer. I do this all the time, it works great as long as you’re careful
A point of advice...use a template for floyd routes. I hate setting up templates too but it makes everything much more uniform lol
Templates are always a great idea, I work with Jim Donahue who used to work for ibanez and hoe many templates are in his shop is ridiculous
I think the floyd i did for my mexi strat came with a template because i did use one. The only thing i didnt do was the locking nut because it wouldn't fit. Instead i used locking tuners. I know it's not the same but i worked with what i had
@Tessmage Tessera - HAHAHA - You said "Stewmac" and "Reasonable Price" in the same sentence.
You don't do anything right and you should not be advising anyone on how to do this job. Astonished that this video has so many likes against so few dislikes and anyone that says this is good work does not know what they are talking about...
He's not a pro ..he never said he was ..why be a dick ?
Fret Friend UK can you explain further?
@@philbobaggins336 Because he gives real bad advice! I own a guitar repair shop...
@@lxaccaxl I should not need to. Most of what the guy does on this video is bad. If you do not know that, you should also maybe not attempt this kind of modification...
That's cool you own a shop . Most of us don't . But the trem worked .. Regardless of what he does we're all gonna do it in our own way . It's for us building 100$ kit guitars in our garage on the weekends. If it's 5000$ obv were gonna take into a guitar shop . My trem works just fine
some people should stick with cigar box guitar making for bar decor
Jesus christ is coming repent choose him today he loves you
How about highly recommending the right size nut
I usually enjoy your videos, but this is BRUTAL. STOP already. the nut is the wrong width !!! Video should be over until proper parts are available!!
Can someone explain why it’s bad he hit the truss rod, I’m just curious
I've just started a similar project! Not a Strat, but the same style bridge. As for placement, should I measure the nut to the center of the 12th, then center of the 12th to the saddles?
I happened across a clearance deal on a FR special and the saddles are already all staggered as, I'm guessing, a starting point to intonating. Would I be better off centering all of them (or at least the end two) before the final measurement?
As a well versed guitar repairer and builder I watched this video and cringed my way through it. It's called an 'instrument' for a reason, you need to be accurate in its build and set up, 'eyeballing' routs and avoiding using any form of straight edge compromises the instrument. I honestly encourage you to redo this video again and show people how to work accurately to get a good result. While this guitar will 'play' the methods you used are really poor and don't teach people how to install a FRT correctly. Please, 1) Buy the correct fitting locking nut, 2) measure everything twice 3) make a template and use it for all your points of drilling and cutting it's less clean up, more accurate and a better finish in one go.
and wear bigger work gloves!
Thanks for doing this, Dan. I’ve watched your videos for years but haven’t watched this because I never had a guitar with a Floyd. Now I have an EVH Wolfgang Standard and am looking to upgrade the Floyd Special to a Gotoh 1996 or Floyd Rose 1000 trem.
Thanks for your tutorial video. Is the Floyd Rose locking nut needed if you already have locking tuners installed? Thanks Andy
Hello Dan and all,
I just got a genuine Floyd Rose Original to replace the Jackson Licensed Floyd in my JS32. Just out of curiosity, I dropped the FRO into a Strat I've been modifying. I found that the intonation screw holes line up perfectly, with a bit of play, with the 6 screw holes for the vintage style tremolo that was originally on the guitar. Measuring the scale length to the saddles on the FRO does in fact coincide with the 25 3/4 inches you mention early on in the video. This makes me happy and I look forward to adding a Floyd Rose to my Strat.
Cheers to you all.
Hey dude, have you thought about a Floyd with locking tuners instead of a locking nut?
Everyone knows the pickguard holds the guitar together and gives it strength.
I knew this was going to be rough when the work gloves came on and then said he's going to shim the nut with an aluminum can. 🤦♂️
Another trick to reinforce the wood in the post area is to flood the end grain wood with water-thin super glue. Once it hardens in the wood, it's very very solid.
That sounds like a cool trick, I might try that next time.
Guitar Jack, explain about the superglue trick? Like Dan did in the video, you want to get rid of the paint on the front wall of the pickup cavity. This exposes the end grain. That's the most absorptive part of the wood. Once you've done that, apply as much THIN superglue as the wood will take. It will soak in, and once it hardens in the wood, the resulting wood/superglue composite is ridiculously hard. You can do the same thin in the post holes too. Put as much superglue in there as it will drink up. Let it dry, then redrill if you have to. With those two glue mods, the posts shouldn't pull out. Fwiw, they use superglue to harden things like sparked tops. That's wood that's had a fungal infection, so it's very very soft. Hope this helps. The hardest part is finding the thin superglue. Glu boost, stew mac, Bob Smith industries all offer a water thin CA.
Spalted. Hate spell check sometimes.
When in doubt....superglue...lol...i use it for everything and mainly finish cause you can go from a guitar from unfilled grain to a buffed and polished one...in a couple of days.....not months.
Could use a tiny bit of bees wax or candle wax seating those bushings.
Also works for the screw-in Floyd posts (OFR.) Prevents tearing the wood and allows a snug fit.
Great tip! I’ll remember that next time
Don't like the non-recessed method of Floyd installation, that's crazy. I dislike recessed Floyds, and after watching this hatchet job on this Floyd cavity, my opinion only gets stronger. Installing the wrong nut? Not to mention, it sure looks like the bottom of the locking nut plate will be resting on that truss rod nut. Good luck adjusting that truss rod. I like a lot of your videos, but this one was hard to watch.
Omg
You mean sanding off the top of the truss-rod nut then screwing the locking not down onto it is a bad idea ?
Me with $3 on my pocket, a Chinese strat and absolutely zero knowledge of how guitars work on a structural level: WOOOW INTERESTING!
Thanks to you, Crimsom, Texas Toast and the GGBO I have just built my first kit guitar. I did a TH-cam search for putting a Floyd in a strat and lo and behold your video popped up! Thanks dude!
Thanks, bro~ Your nut installing really succeeded in preventing me from cutting my strat. Really saved a fine guitar.
Really want to thank you for this video. Because of the level of detail, I am confident in installing a FR trem in my Memphis Strat. It will be here next week!
A flying V build next? Personally I really love watching these
The „Tuning things“ are all uneaven cause theyre attached to the saddles. So if you intonate your guitar the „tuning things“ will move with the saddle position.
I've been looking at mine and i feel like i could cut the bolts because the are set back for the intonation. If i wanted to reverse the procedure: just buy new bolts. Wrong?
I don't think wood glue sticks to metal , kind of janky .
I've only been wondering about this very thing for over 10 years! Terrific tutorial. I'm all in. Thank you so much.
I don't see how putting more holes and adding this would help at all.
I have a 2 point trem that I was installing on a partscaster. When drilling for the posts, one of the walls by the control cavity blew out, so I’m trying out the metal reinforcement/wood glue after the fact to see if I can patch it enough for it to still work 🤞
Would a been cool if you played for us. Thank you very much though. I am installing a FR and looking for a list of tools i need. Thinking about doing it with a drill bit and a carving knife. Or a flat head screwdriver and a hammer. Definitely considering a dremel tool.
Have you ever heard of a Mag Lock? Its a product from Super Vee tremlos that allows you to do pedal steel bends with a Flyod and keeps your bottom string in perfect tune as you do it. Awesome video btw 👍👍
I have a Harley Benton st 62 cc i want to do a bit of frankie replica on it.
Bought a floyd rose frts 1000 incl R2 locking nut, It appears to be the same they used for theirr fusion II fr model.
Depth of the St 62 cc spring cavity appears to be 1,65 cm deep 6 cm wide. Pocket is about 2.9 cm wide and 8 cm long
Trem block is 34 mm on the vintage trem. Is 37 mm too much or should i size down or up?
So far today i have reinforced the upper part. added this and that to prop up the pickup height.
I plan on level sanding the entire body and then paint it heavily inspired by the frankenstrat.
The neck i bought is an R2 floyd cut baretta style
Excellent video my man! Will be attempting my first go at this with an Ibanez tomorrow, which will be easier to route like you said in the video. You explained every detail really well that this video helped me understand everything that needs to be done. I'm a carpenter but this looked like calculus in the beginning then 30+ mins later it seems like I've already done it before. Thanks a lot for taking the time to make this for everyone and myself to learn!
Seriously: do not use this guys method! I would not dare release a video this bad! Do the job properly...
Could you do a video showing the “proper” way so that this comment has a purpose besides just taking up space?
It's not just taking up space though is it butt munch? It's valid !!!
Great video as always, Dan! I'm playing around with upgrades to my old Squier Strat, so looking forward to the full affinity build.
Looks like a gap between nut and fingerboard. Intonation will be off.
No worries, since he apparently doesn't know about saddle adjustment anyway.
@@Hawcer71 Agreed. I appreciate the effort and generosity to share but fear this is not a good guide and I hate to see novices encouraged to try this.
You guys lay off I promise the guys building these DIY kits are not worried about “Annotation?” 😂
I’m a novice but I have decent experience with wood working and this video helped me tremendously! Mine came out sounding great but I did splurge on expensive pickups and components.
TheKiwiSage pretty sure he was joking
why 25.75" when scale length is 25.5"?
There are several other things to cobsider to have good intonation, like adding shrims of wood under the tremolo, so the base sits perfectly flat to the body when the guitar is in tune...then you just screw the two bolts on the springs claw, until the shrims gets loose.
I only played this video so it would finally leave my recommended list. Don't do anything this guy says. Clueless...
My husband used these plans from woodprix and he's very satisfied.
Shut the hell up
I keep seeing woodprix ads everywhere
damn man can't believe you would sully your union with god by gay marrying and being a spambot
you twerk for your husband too?
AcceleratingUniverse homophobe
Does it work the same on my acoustic?🧐
I'm not ragging on you, because I'm no luthier, but it amazes me when people who are "guitar people", to the point of having their own channel on YT with how-to's etc for guitar, don't seem to understand or even know half of what they're talking about. Yes, there were some great tips in this: marking out, measuring, reinforcing etc. But your understanding of that bridge, how it works, or what it's parts even are, is atrocious. Especially for someone that's already done a FR style bridge retrofit before. The whole cavity routing was terrible (and I'm not talking skill and fit'n'finish - I'm talking the back end cavity "step" is awful, as you simply don't seem to understand what or how the bridge works and what space under it is needed (or why it's needed)
Make a better video then.
Matt let it go, the video is great, in encourage everyone to make a video, this topic needs as much help as possible.
Actually, you are ragging on him..... I see alot of GREAT original content on your channel. Be a part of the solution and not the problem. Constructive criticism is always welcomed by all. Do a video on your own or keep scrolling dude.
That was cool. I may have missed it if you mentioned it, but the problem I have with a Floyd Rose tremelo and locking nut is that they both have a 14 inch radius. Maybe they are also available in a 12" string radius. Most Strats have a 9-1/2" fretboard radius. The old vintage ones have a 7-1/4" radius. Just something to consider. If the string radius doesn't match on all three points, it just ain't right. It's okay, but it's not ideal.
That floyd rose is a copy of the ibanez's Lo Pro Edge which is located on Steve Vai's JEM which is also used by expensive ibanez premium guitars and is known for its stability and is much nicer for the right hand because it is low profile. That overlord of music is the best low budget copy of double locking trem. The best part is that you can remove those knife edges and make your own from high quality hardened steel (even better than original floyd knifes) and insert them back in tremolo and it will work perfectly. Do not forget that Schaller doing the same thing (die-cast pot metal) body and steel knife inserts. The great advantage of this system is that the knives can be replaced when they lose their sharpness and tuning stability problem starts. My advice to you is to put some lube on knife edges and post (lip balm works great) and tremolo must sit on perfect angle (sides of knife edges must be parallel to guitar body) look at the photo i.imgur.com/D5LkxA0.jpg
I used an overlord trem on a PRS SE guitar. The knife edges are definitely a week point and I had a couple of screws strip. Low profile trems look great but be prepared to route the heck out of the body.
Those are garbage. Stay away from cheap cast mystery metal parts. The cheapest you should go is a Floyd Rose Special.
I do not see the reason why a company like a schaller would do the same thing if it was not worth it and if it is a garbage. The most important thing is from which material the screw-post and knife edge are made off because they are important for tuning stability. When they are made from hardened steel they will not wear out and they will remain sharp and tremolo can return to its original position when you use it. I have the original Lo Pro Edge and i also have this cheap tremolo with replaced knifes on the other guitar and it works same as the original.
Schaller is doing it to tap into the budget market for profits. Those pot metal ones are so soft that they tend to strip out the threads where you lock the strings and where you lock the saddles intonation down. Get the real, all-steel Schaller and you wont be sorry.
Bro, you had me with "Guns & Guitars". Every other video of yours I've enjoyed. You might want to consider taking this one down or atleast retitled it "what NOT to do". This is not a good one. This is a Bubba job. I'd hate to see someone take their prize guitar and butcher it like this. You do good work and as I said, I like your other videos. Just not this one.
I've been working on guitars for 30 years
and I really find some of your ideas to be brilliantly intuitive. I love your philosophy
Great Video! I was looking to do the same build. Unfortunately or maybe fortunately, you just inspired me to buy an Ibanez!
I would really like to see you do a Gibson SG build.
How big is your arsenal of guns?
Sick vid, Dan! Are there any plans to do a wiring tutorial that you did for the strat? or a diagram we could find?
Yes I plan to do some wiring hack tutorials on these mods for sure
awesome! Thanks Dan. Im an idiot with wiring and would appreciate a solid tutorial!
Yeah!
You are our prophet, Jake Guitar Guy!
Jake Guitar Guy wiring pots and pickups are all over TH-cam. Where I learned on my Frankenstrat
When you reinforce the pickup cavity, can you still install a humbucker there????
Yes you can
If you used the wood shim to reinforce it
Just sand it until the pickup sets well
But its always gonna depend on your bodys pickup route
But I dont think it should be a problem whats ever
If you did the same process as dan did
FINALLY!!!
Very informative. I would have moved the pickup cavity. This method looks really good. Awesome.
Good idea. So you’re saying add a block of wood to the pickup cavity and route away some more wood from the opposite side, therefore moving the bridge pickup forward? Not a bad plan.
Guns and Guitars exactly.
your videos are doing the guitar world a great service
.
@@jadedsoul1 !
Had a strat with a Floyd Rose and hated it. Now have strat deluxe .Love it.
I'm living with Floyd Rose guitars for twelve years. And what I could say, typically, this type of bridge isn't meant to be dive-only by design. It was invented to be floating two-direction bridge. Yes, this could be done for original system (just go look official website) but many copies of it could not be so forgiving. Also, good FR-like bridge doesn't mess with tuning at all. So, in my opinion, either you want two-direction action and use Floyd Rose style or one-direction and instead of double-locking system use roller saddles/nut and locking tuning machines - all for tuning stability. All other options could be pain in the ass.
There is this semi famous guitar player known as Eddie Van Halen who used flat mount Floyd Rose tremolo systems throughout his career. The bridge itself was designed as a Stratocaster replacement and thus flush mount. Obviously over time people learned that a full floating setup afforded you some pretty cool sounds and thus it became popular. It was popularized by another semi famous guitar player named Steve Vai. He was looking for something different and asked that Ibanez cut out the wood underneath on his very first Jem prototype guitar. Obviously it made it to the production models cause that is what Steve wanted. But again early on in the 80s, Floyds were strictly flush mount. That changed in the 90's and remains popular today.
Carlos Lamus thanks for the history lesson. Seriously. And I blame myself. Should’ve known that. But the point is that you can mount original Floyd Rose tremolo flat (I’ve never seen any IRL but as I said, there’s a photo on the FR website). But nowadays there’s plenty of Floyd-like bridges that aren’t designed to be flat mount. Like Ibanez systems or one in this video. And in my opinion, now there’s no other point of having original Floyd Rose system completely flat except one: no fucking balancing every time you change strings. It could be frustrating (as for me, I find it relaxing 😅), but 80’s are gone and now we have gear to improve tuning stability without any necessity to use double-locking system at all. Using FR only for this particular reason could be much more expensive and complex than rolling saddles and/or locking tuners. And, thanks to Steve Vai, now double function is a feature of Floyd Rose bridge.
@@lnlnd
There's another reason why Eddie still doesn't use a floating Floyd. It simply sounds much better.
With a floating one, you don't have the attack and the guitar is much louder.
Today the reason to keep a non floating, top mounted Floyd is to be able to use the drop d tuner key.
My Floyd Rose systems are the old school non flush mount type that are a pain in the ass to get the neck angle right to be able to adjust the string height. I’ve yet to find a luthier who knows what the hell they are doing in trying that job. Most are too lazy and leave an unacceptable string height and give me every excuse of their incompetence. If someone knows luthiers who have the patience and understanding, please let me know.
@@edwardmonsariste4050 Yes the luthier's name is you man. The only way it will be perfect is if you do it yourself. I to prefer the top mount Floyd since the string height over the picking area ends up being the same as my Gibsons so transitions are easier. Just either make shims from Coke can boxes or buy neck shims from Stew-Mac and start doing it yourself. No one will get it right except you.
Where is the video?
Would still love to see you do a Flying V build Dan! I'm gonna be building one soon and I'd love to see the master do one first. Also I'd love to get your opinion on the stetsbar floating tremolo. Seems like an easier alternative to a floyd with the same results.
oh no, way man you need to rout the backrout for a full float! I was entertained
It is strange. I have no desire to build my own guitars... And yet, I am here watching every video you put out. You are like the Bob Ross of guitar making.
Christopher Wheeler what do you think Dan's version of happy trees / birds is?
It would have to be a happy little neck re-enforcement screw.
you just made me laugh out loud, literally
Guns and Guitars www.amazon.com/Short-Brown-Costume-Richard-Simmons/dp/B07D9SK2RN/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1535762142&sr=8-2-spons&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=bob+ross+wig&psc=1
I know it's not Bob Ross but close enough.
This is the best guide on Internet! Thanks a lot!
You should do DIY pickups!
I've been waiting for this tutorial for ages....Thanks a lot Dan!
I did it for you!
This is about as fascinating as watching “Hee-Haw” reruns. WTF ?!
Those reinforcement pieces, shouldn't they be non magnetic material like stainless or aluminum? If not, wouldn't steel affect the bridge pick up?
this is a great tutorial on how to screw up a perfectly good guitar.
Trigger Warning - in the 80s people put floyds in 60s fenders :)
Floyd rose is way cooler dude!
You lost a viewer when you installed a nut that don't fit the guitar. Sorry It's just amature.
Eric Denton how about the picture hangers made from metal and used wood glue ..
Cool I'm doing this to my 1967 Stratocaster
:0
No don’t do it
It will ruin the value and you will live in regret man, trust me I did it to a 1968 strat and broke the neck because the old strats are not made for the tension of a Floyd and it will snap
I was only joking man I dont like the idea of a Floyd rose at all (not saying its bad, just not my type). I saw one on a beautiful Les Paul and it kinda killed me
Haha nice joke! Got me. I was about to say “no don’t do it!!!”
I've got a real strange japan fender with a Kahler, floyd rose-like trem, from the factory. Fender sure did strange things in the late 80s
Kahler spyder? I have the same one. Sucks big time. I’m thinking of replacing it with another cheap Floyd knockoff until I have the money for a original..
Great video Dan, really informative. Quick question have you ever considered doing anything with a Fernandes sustainer kit? It is a cool mod so would make for a good video.
Thanks for the video. You mentioned the tuning of the strings pulling the bridge forward, it's supposed to. It's about a balance between the springs and the adjustments of the tremolo. I would never deface a strat with the damn floyd. I've had several floyd guitars in my life and know it's a love - hate relationship. But, 4 thumbs up for the creativity and ingenuity you possess and it's a good job.
Show us all the back after the Floyd Rose is installed. I bet you can't put that cover back on after huh?
In case anyone is wondering why I said that. It is because the Squire Affinity series body thickness is 1.50 inches thick, a standard strat is 1.75 inches thick. He also recessed the Floyd and the block is probably hanging out the back preventing the cover from ever being installed and will have to leave an open back.
Also you should probably add glue to the pivot peg before driving it because that would have added reinforcement glue that is hidden a lot better. Ever wonder why you have to remove those posts on other guitars by putting a soldering iron inside and heating it up before pulling them out? Thats why they glue them in and you need to melt the glue.
Also brush up on your terminology that is NOT a flush mount Floyd Rose, that is a recessed Floyd Rose. When you have a flush mount the body of the trem is resting on the top of the guitar like the strats original trem does, it does NOT recess into the body.
I applaud the effort but for future reference those are some tips for ya.
Oh and never 'eye ball' installation of any trem let alone a Floyd Rose.
One final tip, install the neck like you did and measure the neck in several places then half the values and put a mark at the halfway point, then do it to the body, if done correctly you should now have a bunch of marks that you connect with a line to make a CENTER LINE. You always have to find that center line and mark it out. It makes the install easier because you now know where the center is and can position the Floyd in the right spot so the line meets directly between the G and D saddles. And next time order a different nut so you get the right width and it doesn't over lap, I can guarantee if you measured the angle the strings sit at in relation to the nut and saddles it probably looks off because it is off.
Keep learning and good luck.
the tuning screws are set screws for the strings and theyre all over the place because of intonation
OH MY STARS....... Dude...... you saved me my guy.... I'm working on an alexi laiho knock off guitar and you saved me. Thank you so much my guy. I owe you an axe... I mean it. Or a gun... LOL
"about 9/16th" ... that's why we Europeans use millimeters :) And why the Hubble mirror was bent out of shape LOL. Great vid - just joking about the 'imperial / metric' thing... but yea, mm is just easier to get exact and no fractions involved.
I have an old squier strat that I'm planning to turn into an Eddie Van Halen frankenstrat replica but i know that i need a Floyd Rose tremolo i already have the locking nut installed on the headstock but i want to change the neck to either a 22 fretted neck or a 24 fretted neck with the locking nut and i tried chiseling the tremolo cavity but it didn't work as i thought it would and some of the pieces of the Floyd bridge are missing so I'm gonna have to order another Floyd Rose tremolo bridge but this time a real original Floyd Rose hopefully this time it will work but I'm gonna have to fill the existing post holes from the fender 2 points bridge and then drill the new bridge post holes for the new Floyd Rose tremolo bridge posts and I'll definitely have to get a router or I'll just use some chisels to route for the Floyd Rose tremolo bridge i already have the router bits but i don't know where i put them last time so I'll have to look for them or I'll have to order new router bits but the goal for me is to route for the floyd rose tremolo bridge so it fits
i have been watching Dan from about the start. and i do not think a lot of you understand his videos from the comments. he has been doing his videos to show the people who are not pros that you can do these thing without professional tools. he has helped a lot of people understand and fix a lot of stuff at home. yes by now he could buy a bunch of tools from stew mac but that is not what his videos is about he makes it work and for what he has he does a great job. i mean he has been in build of videos with some of the best builders and he has done really good. and to do a Floyd rose without templets or anything is really good. i know this is a old video but even though i have watched this before i still go back to his videos and watch them several times.
I’m about to start this project tomorrow I’ve got all the parts after watching this. DAN FROM GUNS N GUITAR as this video is a over 5 years old looking back at your work would you do anything differently now an if so could you please let me no or should I just follow the video thanks