Tremolo Setup (Classic)

[Rhys]

I've had my tremolo set up tight on my classic so that the trem block basically rests on the top of the guitar. If I were to pull up on the arm up I wouldn't get any pitch change because the trem is already as far against the wood as it'll go.

I don't use trem a whole lot; certainly no diving (although sometimes I try to pretend that I'm Nels Cline). I do use is when playing washy sorts of chord parts though.

Anyway, I wouldn't mind having a little UP movement in the trem; probably 1/2 step at the most. I'm a little worried about the stability though. Will it make the trem noticeably less stable? How do you guys have your trem set up?

[guitarzan]

I can do abut a 1/2 step up on mine, and I feel like it helps keep the guitar in tune a little better. I'm not just putting forward pressure on the string/nut relationship, I'm pulling back too. It takes some getting used to, though, if you're heavy handed and tend to put a lot of palm pressure on the bridge while you're playing.

[bruce]

Here's an easy way to try it out:

Loosen the two Phillips screws that hold the spring claw. You'll probably have to give them about three whole turns or more each before the trem starts to lift up in the rear... *important*.. retune the guitar to pitch and check/adjust to taste the amount of lift or "float" you would like.

Now, the action will be slightly higher at the bridge and your intonation will be off slightly, but at least you can always put it back to where it was by screwing the Phillips screws back to where they were if you don't like the change in the trem set up... On the other hand, if you want to keep the trem floating, you may want to get it re-set up (action height and intonation) by a tech for it's new position.

[dannopelli]

There was a thread a while back about folks who float and folks who don't. I remember it was about 50-50, and was more a function of guys who rest their hand on the bridge when playing.

I do also remember that the floaters did not report issues with staying in tune. Like you most of them also were using the bar sparingly.

As always Bruce is correct. If you go with float you will need a good set up and intonation. It is kind of a tricky balance, and might be worth the $50 or so to have it done at an authorized Andy dealer.

[pipedwho]

I keep my Floyd Rose in float mode, but all others I leave dive only. This keeps the double stop bends in tune, makes tuning easier, and stops the guitar from going wildly out of tune when a string breaks.

The Drop Top with the Floyd Rose is my crazy whammy guitar. I put in a Tremol-no, but find I really like to keep that one floating. It just seems wrong to half-block a Floyd. :)