Petrucci Bridge

[GMAN85]

Yo just a quick question. Can I replace all the strings at once on my petrucci without easing up on the springs (like my axis) or do I need to do them one at a time?

 

[Larry]

You should always leave some tension on the bridge whether changing the strings on a Axis with Floyd, or a JP6.


For the Axis

The reason being with the axis if there is no tension from the strings pulling the bridge off the body. The trem gets pulled by the full force of the springs and can leave a nasty dent/imprint in the body under the trem.

For the JP6

The JP6 is a floating style tremolo if you remove all the strings at once there is a good chance that the trem will be pulled towards the bottom of the trem cavity and come off its posts causing damage to the finish.

Moral of the story?

Leave at least a few strings on when changing unless you block the trem with something.

When I had my Axis, I would dive the trem and stick the polish cloth under the part that touches the body and then change strings 2 by 2. Take two off replace, take two off replace ect.

 

[Nik_Left_RG]

When I had my Axis, I would dive the trem and stick the polish cloth under the part that touches the body and then change strings 2 by 2. Take two off replace, take two off replace ect.

This is a good practice with any Floating trem aka Floyd Rose Trems.. Personally,i do it string by string..

Sticking a piece of cloth or cotton or a small block of wood(risky this one.. Gotta watch the finish) will block the trem temporarily..

 

[fatoni]

so...how do you guys clean your fretboard? i like to do it between every set of strings.

 

[ShaneV]

so...how do you guys clean your fretboard? i like to do it between every set of strings.

Q tips, they have a thousand and one uses

 

[Nik_Left_RG]

Not everytime I change strings.. but i do usually once in a couple of months..

 

[eudaimonia]

I clean my fretboard by playing so fast that the heat from my fingers burns off excess dirt and oil.

 

[D.K.]

I know about all the risks of damaging the finish and all ... but still take the strings compeltely off every time, thoroughly clean the fretboard, the neck, the bridge and the body (like 20-30 minutes), than put a completely new set of strings on.

Till now, I have never had a problem with spring tension or whatever afterwards.

 

[deadtotheworld]

I usually dive the trem and put white rubber pencil eraser underneath the bridge - its exactly the right size to keep the bridge level with the body and wont scratch the finish. Then remove all strings and give the fretboard some love! Then replace the strings... ta da!

 

[dannymusic]

I know about all the risks of damaging the finish and all ... but still take the strings compeltely off every time, thoroughly clean the fretboard, the neck, the bridge and the body (like 20-30 minutes), than put a completely new set of strings on.

Till now, I have never had a problem with spring tension or whatever afterwards.

woah....


string change on a JP6 I have done in 4 minutes. Unreal. can't imagine investing that kind of time into a string change. I usually get 2 nights / set.

 

[eudaimonia]

2 nights per set of strings? Is that 2 nights of 3 hour gigs or is it for casual home play? If the latter, do you have really nasty hands or just very sensitive ears? I might replace strings every few months, but not every two days.

 

[D.K.]

I replace the strings once in two weeks, or once a month if a guitar is used only lightly. I play 6-7 gigs a month, and at least a couple of hours a day. My view is, only taking time to care for the instrument makes it last. It works for me for more than 10 years, and I can't see how all this can be done in 4 minutes. Nor can I see (except in a live situation) how I can not find half an hour to do it that way .

Last time I had any problem with stickiness of the neck or whatever was in the extremely hot summer of 2004. Last time I broke a string was 3 or 4 years ago on my Morse while playing at home. I've never broken a string on an EBMM live (thank God!).

 

[Bierschinken]

Hi there,

removing all strings on a floating trem is no problem, just put a cloth under the bridge, so it can´t be drawn into the cavity due to the spring tension.

Edit; Oh, seen that Larry mentioned that already

 

[fbecir]

If you gig, you'd better change your strings often, otherwise you risk to break a string during the show ... not good.
I remove all the strings and I clean the fretboard with lemon oil every month. If I have a show, I will change the strings 2 days before.
I imagine that a pro who plays every night will have to change the string at least once a week.

OOps my number of posts is quite interesting

2 nights per set of strings? Is that 2 nights of 3 hour gigs or is it for casual home play? If the latter, do you have really nasty hands or just very sensitive ears? I might replace strings every few months, but not every two days.

 

[lenny]

again different strokes for different folks...i also used a eraser when i had my Axis......my guitars are used daily and gigged 14 hours a month and people ask if i play them...they are always clean.....its because i take care and yes it takes me 20 min to do a string change degunking of the neck, body polish and restring....its the dirt and grime on the under side of the strings that will cause premature fret wear and damage to the board...i call it maintenance and never break strings or have guitar problems you know what they say ...an ounce of maintenance is a pound of cure ...and plus i like to pamper my guitars i have 8 in the herd and they all get a monthly TLC scrubdown