E
Econ
Well-known member
Do you have the Floyd set up with 2 springs or 3 springs? Are there any advantages of going one way or the other?
XSSIVE
Well-known member
For a floating Floyd string tension needs to match spring tension for it to balance evenly and return to the zero point (level). So it's based on gauge of strings and tuning you're using really. You can set up a guitar with 9-42 strings tuned to E (random example) with 2 or 3 or 4 springs and it will work fine with any number of springs chosen since it all then depends on how far you screw the claw in based on the amount of springs you decide to use. Two springs stretched real far with the claw screwed down close to the end of its travel equals the tension of three springs stretched less with the claw closer to the block.
Some will say it feels different but in reality it's a bit of a placebo effect since it can't feel different due to the tension needing to match that of the strings pulling the opposite direction on the trem or it would never balance evenly in the middle and return to level when let go of after a dive or pull up.
And the simple answer... I always use 3 in a classic \l/ pattern, just because.
For dive only resting on the body Floyds it's a slightly different story but I assume you were talking about full floating Floyds.
Some will say it feels different but in reality it's a bit of a placebo effect since it can't feel different due to the tension needing to match that of the strings pulling the opposite direction on the trem or it would never balance evenly in the middle and return to level when let go of after a dive or pull up.
And the simple answer... I always use 3 in a classic \l/ pattern, just because.
For dive only resting on the body Floyds it's a slightly different story but I assume you were talking about full floating Floyds.
E
Econ
Well-known member
Thanks for the info!!!!
J
jkkkjkhk
Member
I don't know about 2 vs 3 springs but I've messed with 3 vs 4 and 3 vs 5 and there definitely is a noticeable difference in feel when messing with the bar. If the bridge is setup correctly it should float just the same no matter the amount of springs but when working the bar with more springs it feels much tighter, like to divebomb with 5 springs you need to really push on the bar. With 3 springs I can use a single finger just fine. If you want it to be more stable with less flutter (strings going out of tune when you bend other strings) then add more springs. If you want a looser bar that you can go all Dime and Vai with then use 3.
This is just my experience
This is just my experience
chunktone
Active member
If you want the Brad Gillis style flutter, a shorter block and 2 springs works best imo.
rcm78
New member
There is absolutely a difference. I've never actually measured the spring rate of a floyd rose spring but for arguments sake lets say they're all equal straight rate springs. Lets say each spring has a rate of 1lb per inch. That means you need to exert 1lb of pressure on the spring for it to move 1 inch of distance.
The amount of distance the spring is streched to equal the string tension can be called preload.
As you add springs less preload is needed to match string tension. It's important to note that the amount of preload does not change the spring rate. No matter how much the spring in streched it will still move 1inch for every 1lb of force exerted on it.
A tremolo uses springs in parallel. Spring rates used in parallel are additive so adding springs will increase the force needed to move the tremolo. If the spring rate is 1lb per inch then 3 springs have a rate of 3lbs per inch.
The amount of preload needed decreases as you add springs...
Adding springs will make the bridge more stable in the floating position and will have less of a tendancy to make the guitar go flat when you bend a string...
Full Disclosure. I'm not an engineer in any way shape or form. What I know about spring rates come from practical knowledge of setting up suspension systems on Cars and Motorcycles. If I'm wrong or someone with the proper knowledge knows more about this I'm all ears!!!
The amount of distance the spring is streched to equal the string tension can be called preload.
As you add springs less preload is needed to match string tension. It's important to note that the amount of preload does not change the spring rate. No matter how much the spring in streched it will still move 1inch for every 1lb of force exerted on it.
A tremolo uses springs in parallel. Spring rates used in parallel are additive so adding springs will increase the force needed to move the tremolo. If the spring rate is 1lb per inch then 3 springs have a rate of 3lbs per inch.
The amount of preload needed decreases as you add springs...
Adding springs will make the bridge more stable in the floating position and will have less of a tendancy to make the guitar go flat when you bend a string...
Full Disclosure. I'm not an engineer in any way shape or form. What I know about spring rates come from practical knowledge of setting up suspension systems on Cars and Motorcycles. If I'm wrong or someone with the proper knowledge knows more about this I'm all ears!!!
stratotone
Active member
Agree with Chunktone. If you want the Brad Gillis/Vai flutter thing, go with fewer springs. Less flutter, more springs. I kinda like the flutter, the guitar I have that does it the most is a Brad Gillis Fernandes I have with a non fine tuner old school floyd. I think it works well because it doesn't have the fine tuners hanging off the back - I can bang the guitar body like Brad does and the guitar does this freakout flutter thing. Not that you asked specifically about flutter, but another flutter helper is a tight trem arm as a loose one dampens the flutter considerably.
D
Dingleberries
New member
Agree with most everything, more springs will improve stability, but wil be stiffer on dives. I'm very abusive with trems & use two springs in a \ / pattern for ease of use.