Floyd arm and 'give'

[steveh]

Hi - I have an Axis that I have set up so that the Floyd floats. I prefer my trems like that since I like to give notes a bit of a wiggle up and down, a la Gilmour and Beck. Nothing too dive-bomby, just a little wiggle but in the upwards direction as well.

Anyway, works fine but I am getting annoyed by the tiny but noticable amount of 'give' in the Floyd arm. What I mean is that the arm isn't gripped tightly all along its shaft in the trem block - I like a feel like the Super Sport trem or the PRS trem, i.e. when you move the arm the motion is immediately transmitted to the block- the PRS trem arm is gripped by plastic along its length in the block. This give isn't a problem when performing various guitar histrionics but does annoy me when trying to be subtle. I've tightened up the plastic collar etc but don't want to strip the thread etc.

Has anyone experience of the Floyd arms with the knurled collar with which you can adjust the tension on the arm? Do they grip the arm better and are they retrofittable to the MM licensed Floyd?

Any help appreciated. I may be getting a bit anal about this but the tiny amount of give really gets to me...

Cheers, Steve

 

[TonyEVH5150]

From what I've read, they were initially set up like that. Why, I don't know. But it can be fixed.

I had a similar concern with the trem on my Axis. A little loc tite on the nut on the underside of the trem, and no more wiggle.

I think you can retrofit the collar-type floyd arm, but it requires a bit of surgery.

Here's a couple of threads about the same problem.

http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-guitars/12982-music-man-trem-question.html

http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-guitars/1803-moving-trem-bolt-question.html

 

[steveh]

Thanks Tony - I really appreciate you taking the time to direct me to those threads. I'll get the trem off this weekend and try and find some loctite.

Cheers, Steve

 

[ibanez2005]

PTFE tape is the answer, it doesnt matter what you do to it, it will always develop some amount of give, my edge pro has.
Believe me, the OFR is a pain in the arse with the actual arm it self, DIY job is the best way to go.

 

[jongitarz]

PTFE tape is the answer, it doesnt matter what you do to it, it will always develop some amount of give, my edge pro has.
Believe me, the OFR is a pain in the arse with the actual arm it self, DIY job is the best way to go.

PTFE OFR DIY....WTF???

 

[TonyEVH5150]

Teflon tape for a Floyd? I guess it would work, but maybe only if it sprung a water leak.

 

[ibanez2005]

It does work mate, i use it, have done for years. Its good on threads but it works on the trem arm on the Floyd as it pads out the hole a little so it doesnt rattle.
You cant adjust the tension of the arm itself, but putting some PTFE round it makes it fairly stiff and is better for lighter trem use.