Axis - factory FR setup

[atomheart]

So the floyd is supposed to go one way only on this one, right? Years ago I bought a pre-owned Axis, previous owner had it set up to float so that It can also raise the pitch by a semitone. I'd like to reset it to the original state and I'm wondering what that looks like. On the official product page (Axis | Guitars | Ernie Ball Music Man) it looks like the base plate is not parallel with the body, is this correct? I just don't see how this would allow only lowering, on mine (with the older FR model) it seems to me that the back of the base plate would need to touch the body to achieve that. I'll have an experienced luthier set it up for me, but before that I'd like to understand every detail of the desired, original state, would appreciate some input.

 

[dibart77]

It IS flat on the body. That photo is wacky or maybe there's something under there, but it's definitely zero ability to pull up on the bar. Just tighten the trem claw in the back or add an additional spring (if needed) to pull the bridge back. Then re-tune to pitch. Then, if you want, you can adjust the trem claw so that there's not TOO MUCH back pull (which would make it harder to push down on the trem). I like to keep mine so that when I'm bending with my left hand, the bridge slightly pulls forward; other folks like it so that if you bend 1.5 steps with left hand the bridge still stays put (which is necessary for doing double-stops and stuff). (Make sure to do this stuff with strings on the guitar, otherwise the Floyd can pop off the studs and ruin your top.)

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[atomheart]

Ahhuh. Currently on mine the base plate is parallel with body and there is a gap of ~0.11", so I suppose the pivots too must be lowered. (And I also suspect that the neck was shimmed to adjust the angle and lower action, that too must be undone. I'm definintely leaving all this to a qualified luthier, lol, considering I also want a refret...)

One last question, once the trem is in the original setup, resting on the body, do I need to put something under the base plate before taking off all strings (to clean the fretboard) or in that position there is no way it can pop off?

 

[xjbebop]

I'd recommend googling / youtube search - FR setup -and- FR string change.
There's lot's of good info out there that would take way too long to describe here.

 

[atomheart]

I'd recommend googling / youtube search - FR setup -and- FR string change.
There's lot's of good info out there that would take way too long to describe here.

You're right, I should do my own research, probably all this basic stuff has already been described many times. I assumed that with the peculiarities of the Axis (no routing for the FR), most generic FR advice would not be helpful. But I'll probably find my answer somewhere, I just have to dig deep...

Thanks for the replies, guys, especially dibart77, your answer helped me a lot!

 

[dibart77]

One last question, once the trem is in the original setup, resting on the body, do I need to put something under the base plate before taking off all strings (to clean the fretboard) or in that position there is no way it can pop off?

I have a piece of cardboard in my tool pouch that is folded over and taped so it's about 3/8" thick. I then wrap that in a polishing cloth. And then dive-bomb the trem and slide the cardboard/cloth under.

The key is this: without the strings pulling the Floyd toward the posts, the front of the Floyd will pop UP and off the posts and the back of the Floyd will ruin your top. I find that by divebombing it and sticking the cardboard/cloth underneath to keep it divebombed, you're stretching the springs and aiming the Floyd down so it won't pull up. But it's still risky business. You need to be real careful to not dislodge the cardboard. It happened to me once and I ruined a one-off guitar. Bad stuff. But as you can see the metal fins underneath the press up on the hex screws tend to grab the polishing cloth

A safer bet is to leave the low-E and high-E on the guitar when cleaning the fretboard. Then put the middle 4 strings on and THEN replace the high-E and low-E.

Having said that, I do this ALL THE TIME. Just need to be careful.

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[spychocyco]

A safer bet is to leave the low-E and high-E on the guitar when cleaning the fretboard. Then put the middle 4 strings on and THEN replace the high-E and low-E.
[/QUOTE]

This. That's your best bet. In the 12 years that I've had my Floyd Axis, I think I've taken all the strings off at once maybe two or three times, and one of those times, the Floyd popped off. I got extremely lucky, and it didn't do any major damage to the finish, but I don't play with it. :eek:

 

[atomheart]

Thanks, guys, very helpful!