From dive-bombing to subtle shimmer with great tuning stability
In this episode of “Gibson’s Guide to Guitar Setup and Maintenance,” Gibson Master Luthier Jim DeCola demonstrates the correct way to set up a Floyd Rose® vibrato system. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned professional, Jim will give you pro tips on how to set up your Floyd Rose to ensure maximum expression and tuning stability.
The Floyd Rose system can be found on most production Kramer Guitars and select Gibson and Epiphone models. It is well known for being the most popular locking vibrato system in the world and is loved by players of many different genres for its tuning stability and the wild effects it can create. Jim will demystify the Floyd Rose and help you get yours perfectly set up to unleash the dive bomber within.
What makes the Floyd Rose system unique?
The Floyd Rose Vibrato System, often simply referred to as a Floyd Rose or Floyd Rose tremolo, is a locking vibrato arm for a guitar. It was developed in the late 1970s by inventor and guitarist Floyd D. Rose. This revolutionary system allows guitarists to use the vibrato bar (whammy bar) to create dramatic pitch bends and vibrato effects with great precision and stability without the common problem of the guitar going out of tune, which plagues many traditional vibrato systems.
The key innovation of the Floyd Rose system is its double-locking design. The strings are locked in place at both the nut and the bridge, minimizing string slippage and stretching, which are frequent causes of tuning instability. The strings are clamped down with a locking nut, which replaces the standard nut found on most guitars. Each string is individually locked at the bridge with a clamp at the saddle.
Can I fine-tune a string while playing with a Floyd Rose?
When a guitarist uses the vibrato arm, the bridge moves, altering the tension of the strings and thus changing their pitch. The locking mechanisms ensure that once the strings are tuned and locked down, they remain in tune, even after aggressive use of the vibrato arm. This stability has made the Floyd Rose system highly popular among rock and metal guitarists, who often employ extensive vibrato and dive bomb effects in their playing.
In addition to its tuning stability, the Floyd Rose system offers fine tuners at the bridge, allowing for precise adjustments even with the strings locked at the nut. This system has become a standard feature on many high-end electric guitars and is highly regarded for its functionality and reliability in live performance and recording settings.
Explore the Kramer collections and find your ideal whammy bar expressions, and if you need advice or support, connect with our Virtual Guitar Techs.
