Floyd Rose surface mounted -> conversion into free floating?

[Fontanz]

Hallo everybody!

I recently bought a Morse with Trem. It was built in 2006 and has a surface mounted Floyd Rose Trem.

Question:
Is it possible to modify the body in order to get a free floating bridge?
If yes, does it require another version of the Floyd Rose?

All thoughts and ideas are greatly appreciated.

 

[Razzle]

I think you could use the same trem after routing out the body, but that's a significant mod. I had a morse and got another one just to get the floating trem, I didn't think it was worth the mod.

 

[Bob123]

To go free float, you must route the body to accommodate.

Im seriously debating converting my axis to a floating trem, I'll let you know.

 

[Tollywood]

I've had this done to an Axis, but my tech used a template for a larger sized Floyd Rose body, thus resulting in a hole that was perfectly functional, but larger than necessary. I wasn't happy with it. Had he used the proper sized template, I'm sure I'd still have the guitar today. So, be aware of that.

http://forums.ernieball.com/music-man-guitars/57730-how-make-your-axis-floyd-rose-floating-tremolo.html

 

[Metlupass2]

Why the need for floating? You planning on pulling up on it? I wouldn't bother routing out your guitar.

 

[beej]

I'll put out the usual answer ... you can totally route the body to float, but you'll hurt the resale value and you may not like the result.

It may be easier and more cost effective to sell it and get a newer one with the body route. Unless you love it and it's a keeper, and you don't care.

 

[Tollywood]

My apologies, guys. I just learned that my thread's pics are no longer visible. I forgot that I deleted them from my photobucket so I could put this mod behind me. I'm trying to forget about the money I lost on this one.

 

[DrKev]

I'm trying to forget about the money I lost on this one.

Aww. It's OK. Come here, buddy. *hug*

 

[Tollywood]

Aww. It's OK. Come here, buddy. *hug*

haha - thanks!

 

[Pott]

Try shimming the neck first. Free, and reversible. It will allow you to pull-up on the trem, though it won't be quite as drastic in both mod-extent and trem movements as a floating Floyd with a back-route.

 

[Fontanz]

Hey guys, thanks a lot for your awnsers.

I think all in all I should really face the fact that routing the body is a drastic thing. If there wasn't any other chance to get a floating bridge it might be something to think of, but now buying another one seems to be the better choice. First I'll wait and see if I get used to the surface mounted bridge.

Thanks again for your thoughts and hints!

 

[Bob123]

Hey, just to add my fresh input... just routed my axis to full floating. Im personally excited I did it, but with a nice, shiny new finish on top, and lots of variables on doing this kind of job, you are running a very very high risk of having something bad happen. Since they DO make models that are floating, your best option is to try a trade or sale/resale type thing in my opinion.

 

[kestrou]

I don't know what everybody's so scaredy-pants about? Just hand me that there gee-tar and watch while I fire up the Dremel and fix to do some routin'!

Kevin