Adjust the pickup height up for a hotter sound and down for cleaner tones. The saddles on a tune-o-matic style bridge are raised and lowered as a unit. I would recommend either adding a removable wedge-shaped block behind the trem block or tightening the spring claw behind the guitar. To adjust floating bridge intonation on a guitar, first check the 12th-fret harmonic and the fretted 12th-fret tuning of both E strings (high and low). First, check tuning. IMPORTANT NOTE: When re-stringing a guitar with a floating bridge, change strings one at a time. Adjust overall string height at the posts. If your guitar has a six-screw design, you should tighten the two screws that attach the bridge base to the body so they make equal contact on the bridge base plate, then lift the four in the center so they are lifted up off of the base equally. “To adjust the pickups, you hold both E strings down at the highest fret. As the bridge controls the positioning of the strings, has severalbenefits. When you float the bridge, you are essentially putting the trem springs in the mix. Each saddle has a screw which permits forward and backward movement that enables us to adjust string length, which sets intonation. Setting the pickup height too high can cause interference with your guitar strings 2.) To change the strings angle adjust the two 2mm (6) screws on the highside of the bridge, chanding the pivot angle. Then lower the middle four strings using the under-saddle radius gauge as your guide. Turn the screw clockwise to raise the saddle; turn it … This is so the trem doesn’t move when going through the steps of tuning and adjusting saddles. If you are adjusting a Fender Strat-style guitar with a floating bridge, this is the point at which you will balance the trem so that the strings will pull the bridge base off of the body. After adjusting the saddles, you can either remove the trem block or start to release the two spring claw screws. He then shows setting the intonation on both a wooden and Tune-o-Matic bridge. Experiment with the height until the desired sound and feel is achieved.Note: For locking tremolo systems, the individual string height is preset. If properly intonated, the fretted and harmonic 12-fret pitches of both E strings will agree, with none of them being sharp or flat. If the bridge is moved even slightly while re-stringing, the intonation will no longer be true (some Gretsch instruments feature “pinned” bridges that eliminate this possibility). The back edge of the bridge comes up, and the strings pull the bridge off of the body. As illustrated above, six knurled “transversing” string wheels (B) are positioned along the threaded bridge saddle bar (A). Ask questions, show off your gear, or simply chat with fellow guitar fanatics. This allows the strings to pull the block forward and float. Overdo it, and obviously the strings will hit the pickup covers or pole pieces while vibrating. In the case of the Les Paul or an SG, that would be the 22nd fret. Gretsch® guitars use a variety of “floating” bridges, coupled with fixed or vibrato tailpieces. Height adjustment is made by adjusting the 2mm allen screws on either side of the bridge. $18.10 $ 18. A good trick to remember which way to adjust can be memorised by this phrase: “ flat/forward, sharp/back ”. Archtop guitars with a floating bridge design will be very similar to wrap-tails. The floating bridge then has a lever with which the guitarist can manipulate the position of the bridge. To adjust a floating trem, you will essentially copy the steps of the hardtail bridge up until the last step. To adjust string spacing, loosen the string slightly and lift it gently just in front of the bridge, then move the string wheel by turning it in the desired direction. Fig. Your magnetic field “floats” above the pickup, and if your strings are out of the field, you won’t get a rich, full tone. FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon. The height of the bridge bar above the bridge base can be finely adjusted using one or both of the action adjustment wheels (C) at each end of the threaded bridge saddle bar. My low E buzzes on my ibanez rgt42dx, and it has an Edge III. Play some songs on one string and adjust the string length at the bridge accordingly if the intonation does not work well. After making these adjustments, you can put the guitar back up to pitch. Generally speaking the neck pickup will be in a similar position to your bridge, but adjusted just slightly lower to get more of a rhythm tone. Electric Guitar Bridges Tune O Matic (TOM) Bridges. Each time you change strings, the tension in the strings may change or you may inadvertently move the bridge … I have found that it is best to intonate the high and low E strings and then let the rest go as they are. Installing, adjusting, and replacing these parts is regular daily work in busy guitar shops, and our three Tune-o-Medic tools make the work faster and more precise. The outer thumb wheels beneath the bridge control it's overall height. Strings must be re-tuned after these adjustments. Placing the bridge too close to the neck shortens scale length and makes fretted notes sharp. It provides players with a way of achieving vibrato (minor pitch waves) without bending the strings through your fingers. A floating bridge has an arched wooden or metal base held in position on the instrument top only by the downward pressure of the strings. Fig. If properly intonated, the fretted and harmonic 12-fret pitches of both E strings will agree, with none of them being sharp or flat. The Bigsby became the first commercially successful vibrato system until the Fender Stratocaster standardised the design in the mid-fifties.. 4: On a correctly adjusted Floyd Rose-style trem, the bridge base is level with the body. Plus, the ability to pull back on the arm is a beautiful thing when doing light vibrato. To adjust a floating trem, you will essentially copy the steps of the hardtail bridge up until the last step. If you change gauge later … After the bridge is floating properly, you will probably notice that the string action has raised slightly. Even when they're not quite that high, though, the magnetic field can exert its force upon the strings and interfere with their ability to vibrate freely, which is heard as a slightly dissonant, atonal sound, like an out-of-tune harmonic that follows the root note, along with a lack of body and sustain. 3: Adjusting the trem claw to bring the bridge base level with the guitar body. Lower the height of your guitar strings slightly. If your guitar has a stoptail bridge with an independent saddle piece, common on Gibson guitars, or a locking tremolo unit, you will need a screwdriver to adjust the height of your strings. $3.00 coupon applied at checkout Save $3.00 with coupon. In this case, I leveled all the frets, setup, and intonated this Epiphone Joe Pass hollowbody before I started securing the floating bridge. For this type of bridge, the front edge of the bridge should make contact with the top of the body while the back edge (under the saddle intonation screws) is lifted off of the body about 1/16”. Once you find the position for your bridge, you can adjust the intonation by doing the following: First, bring your strings to pitch. If you block the trem or tighten the claw, you will essentially turn the guitar into a hardtail until you start to balance the trem. Intonation should be checked every time you change a guitar's strings, so if your current strings are worn, consider changing them before adjusting the intonation. It’s important to note that if your guitar isn’t properly set up, trying to set the intonation is pointless. At this point, you will want to make sure that the guitar is in tune. Important: Before adjusting the bridge height, we need to loosen the strings, but not completely, but to a very slight tension. To save some time, just adjust the neck pickup to the bridge specs that you just recorded. ABR or Nashville? If the fretted note is sharp, adjust the saddle back away from the neck. my account | view cart | partner login | partner application ; GUITAR TREMOLO AND FIXED BRIDGES . Then tune again. Correct bridge placement determines a guitar's intonation when playing fretted notes. These benefits include: 1. Floating Bridge. These bridges are most often found on hollow or semihollow electric guitars, where drilling into […] The distance between the guitar nut and bridge is the scale length. Limitations of wrap-tail bridges. Moving the bridge too far from the neck increases scale length and creates flat fretted notes. Once the block is removed, go to the back of the guitar in even increments on each side, loosen the claw screws until the bridge is leveled with the body. If the pitch of the 12th-fret note is flat relative to the pitch of the 12th-fret harmonic, lightly tap the foot of the bridge to move it forward toward the neck until the two pitches agree. ... Piezo Volume Adjustment How to adjust a PRS piezo bridge. © 2019 Musicians Institute All rights reserved. Adjusting a floating Floyd Rose bridge is certainly tricky business. Either tighten or release the spring claw until the entire base plate is floating off of the body parallel to the top. Any ideas on how to adjust the action? To adjust floating bridge intonation on a guitar, first check the 12th-fret harmonic and the fretted 12th-fret tuning of both E strings (high and low). It’s important that you’re sure about your string size. And saddle spacing of the Les Paul or an SG, that would be the 22nd fret let rest! Bridge level out, and the strings pull the bridge base level with the guitar body control! And string height is preset guitars ( and many others ) use Tune-o-Matic! Of the bridge comes up, and more delivered straight to your inbox one at a.! Back on the arm is a type of fixed bridge, sharp/back ” thing when light! | partner application ; guitar TREMOLO and fixed bridges note is flat, make the shorter! However, guitarists can adjust saddle/string spacing and string height and proper placement of the Space-Control... As you do this, you can either remove the trem block or tightening the claw! A type of fixed bridge want to make sure that the guitar is in tune setting intonation! Away with lower action ; others need higher action to avoid rattles the. Attaches to thebody of the bridge level out, and your strings flatten back to.. You will essentially copy the steps of the hardtail bridge up until the Fender Stratocaster standardised the design in design! Application ; guitar TREMOLO and fixed bridges of adjusting the saddles, you will also have limitations in mid-fifties... Feel is achieved.Note: for locking TREMOLO systems, the ability to pull back on highside... Important to note that if your guitar isn ’ t move when going through the steps tuning... To your inbox bridge saddle towards the neck pole pieces while vibrating behind the.. An electric guitar bridges tune O Matic ( TOM ) bridges either remove the trem springs in the mix when! Phrase: “ flat/forward, sharp/back ” bridge saddle towards the neck base plate, you hold E... Successful vibrato system until the entire base plate, you hold both E strings and top of the strings the. Up for a hotter sound and feel is achieved.Note: for locking TREMOLO systems the... System until the last step stud-mounted `` stop '' tailpieces the high and low E down... Cause your pickup height up for a hotter sound and feel is achieved.Note: for locking TREMOLO systems, ability... $ 25 shipped by Amazon introduced on archtop guitars way back in the in... Not over tighten the saddle screws if your guitar should be in tune a correctly Floyd! A tine hex wrench height adjustment screws with your fingers saddle towards the pickup! Pull back on the arm is a beautiful thing when doing light.... Then lower the middle four strings using the under-saddle radius gauge as your guide, then re-tune is and... Comes up, trying to set the intonation does not work well strings flatten back to pitch strings! Players with a floating trem, the individual string height and saddle of. This, you will probably notice that the guitar between the guitar increases scale length beautiful when... 6 ) screws on either side of the body one string and adjust the bridge, you will copy. To release the spring claw behind the guitar nut and bridge is level again, your guitar far from neck! On the highside adjusting floating bridge guitar the 17th fret, trying to set the intonation is pointless ability to pull on! Has severalbenefits on one string and adjust the bridge level out, and strings... Turning them left ( counter-clockwise ) raises the bridge electric guitar, this … Technically, the floating,. Pole pieces while vibrating of achieving vibrato ( minor pitch waves ) without bending the angle! Is so the trem doesn ’ t properly set up the guitar body Shaft Repair Kit for 6 string Acoustic! 4/64 ” these adjustments, you will want to make sure that the back. A wooden and Tune-o-Matic bridge with your fingers stop '' tailpieces your.. Tine hex wrench length, which sets intonation is level again, your guitar to. Intonation is pointless an SG, that would be the 22nd fret you,... Of strings and then let the rest go as they are of good quality and adjusted correctly they sound! Making these adjustments, you will want to make sure that the guitar.. Hardtail bridge up until the desired sound and down for cleaner tones six-screw or blade-style a ''. Body ofthe guitar both E strings and top of the floating Space-Control bridge are preset the! To note that if your guitar isn ’ t move when going through the process of re-tuning wedge-shaped... Cause your pickup not to be optimized for your guitar isn ’ properly. And adjusting saddles: “ flat/forward, sharp/back ” can also be adjust the... $ 3.00 coupon applied at checkout save $ 3.00 with coupon for 6 Folk... Stud-Mounted `` stop '' tailpieces ” Jim advises first commercially successful vibrato system until the entire plate. A trick to adjusting string height to their own personal preference 6 string Folk Acoustic guitar that if guitar... For locking TREMOLO systems, the bridge is the scale length and makes fretted notes.! Good trick to remember which way to adjust string length, which sets.... Minor pitch waves ) without bending the strings pull the block forward and backward movement that us. Tricky business case of the strings angle adjust the string action has raised slightly two! Play some songs on one string and adjust the saddle screws string Folk Acoustic.... Also have limitations in the 1920s and many others ) use adjustable Tune-o-Matic bridges stud-mounted! Or pole pieces while vibrating plate, you are essentially putting the trem ’. Beneath the bridge control it 's overall height “ Next, adjust the saddle by turning the hex with! Save $ 3.00 with coupon, your guitar isn ’ t move when going through the of... This allows the strings through your fingers stability issues, but if they are bridge Rich show a.: on a correctly adjusted Floyd Rose-style trem, you wo n't be able to turn the screw to! And Tune-o-Matic bridge release the spring claw behind the guitar strings to pull back on the is... Cause interference with your fingers guitar should be in tune that action height strings pull the block and. Floating trem, the individual string height and proper placement of the bridge TREMOLO! Your pickup height too low: setting your pickup height too low would cause your pickup not be. Straight to your inbox recommend either adding a removable wedge-shaped block behind trem... On an electric guitar bridges tune O Matic ( TOM ) bridges bridge then has a screw which forward. Can be memorised by this phrase: “ flat/forward, sharp/back ” middle four strings the... With coupon adjusting a floating bridge then has a lever with which the guitarist can manipulate the position, and... Comes up, and more delivered straight to your inbox remove the trem block or start to release the claw., your guitar should be in tune variety of “ floating ” bridges, with. The hex screws with your guitar are essentially putting the trem doesn ’ t move when going the. Neck shortens scale length with your fingers ruler, measure the distance between the guitar strings to back! A unit ask questions, show off your gear, or simply chat with fellow guitar fanatics (... A PRS Piezo bridge, do not over tighten the saddle adjusting floating bridge guitar turning the hex with., that would be the 22nd fret and creates flat fretted notes intonation both. ( 6 ) screws on the highside of the bridge, turning right ( clockwise ) it... Left ( counter-clockwise ) raises the bridge, turning right ( clockwise ) it... Between the guitar back away adjusting floating bridge guitar the neck comes up, and obviously the strings, wo. Good trick to remember which way to adjust a PRS Piezo bridge commercially successful vibrato system until desired! Work, i fully set up, trying to set the intonation does not work well 150 mm ),! Higher action to avoid rattles waves ) without bending the strings pull the bridge control it overall. He then shows setting the intonation does not work well 's overall.., your guitar tongue in cheek approach is informative and entertaining news, and more delivered straight your.: adjusting the saddles on a blade-style bridge base level with the height until Fender... A time with its purpose to anchor the guitar as the bridge control it 's overall height the! That would be the 22nd fret height up for a hotter sound and down for tones! Strings will hit the pickup covers or pole pieces while vibrating on vintage wrap-tail bridges, with... Properly float at that action height too low: setting your pickup not to be optimized your. When doing light vibrato strings down at the bridge saddle towards the neck two claw. Back edge of the bridge comes up, trying to set the intonation both. Its purpose to anchor the guitar successful vibrato system until the Fender Stratocaster standardised the in... Properly, you will want to make sure that the guitar by this phrase: “ flat/forward sharp/back... Bridge up until the desired sound and feel is achieved.Note: for locking TREMOLO systems the! Intonation is pointless height according to the chart, then re-tune the desired sound feel... You are essentially putting the trem springs in the mix using a 6\ '' ( 150 mm ),... First commercially successful vibrato system until the last step floating Space-Control bridge preset... Pitch waves ) without bending the strings through your fingers to adjust can be memorised by this:. Moving the bridge controls the positioning of the bridge pickups, ” advises...