Question Removing / Installing Tremolo Springs

[spkirby]

Guys,

what is the best and safest way of removing and installing trem springs? They carry so much tension it makes the job difficult using bare hands alone and using pliers and screwdrivers to stretch the springs brings risks to your guitar...

Just wondering what the best techniques are....

Thanks
Steve

 

[INMT]

Loosen the strings........really.

 

[Ripper]

Yup, remove the strings first, and if you have something like that, its the best:

Using the smaller hook (of cos..) to pull out the spring ring end from the spring claw, like what they do to dismantle exhaust automobile/dirtbikes' exhaust pipe!

 

[starsky]

It can also help to unscrew the trem claw a bit, that helps to take some of the required tension off the springs needed to get them in place. Then after getting the springs on you can screw the claw back to the required position.

That and loosening the strings first works best for me.

 

[Lou]

Use needle nose pliers. Grab the spring firmly on the straight part near where it enters the block and pull out. Keep your other hand over the spring so it doesnt fly out if you lose your grip.

 

[candid_x]

Use needle nose pliers. Grab the spring firmly on the straight part near where it enters the block and pull out. Keep your other hand over the spring so it doesnt fly out if you lose your grip.

That's all I do, being careful not to handle it like a gorilla would and scratching the finish.

 

[grumpyoldman]

It can also help to unscrew the trem claw a bit, that helps to take some of the required tension off the springs needed to get them in place. Then after getting the springs on you can screw the claw back to the required position.

That and loosening the strings first works best for me.

I agree.

If doing this on a Floyd equipped Axis, I secure the bridge against it flopping loosely, and loosen off the strings, then the trem claw before adding or removing springs. Nothing sickens quicker than that scratch across the back of the guitar when the pliers/screwdriver/crochet hook slips off.....

 

[Jack FFR1846]

I've been able to do removals and installations by only loosening the claw. I loosen until the springs are almost untensioned and then just remove them with my fingers. Typically, I'm not removing them all.....just going from 5 to 3 (or the other way around) and if going to 3, repositioning them from straight to diagonol for the 2 outers. Done this on EBMM vintage trems and floyds. With the floyd (full floating), I've removed tension on the springs using the bar pulling tone up on the strings.

jack

 

[TNT]

Since I do it quite often, I try and do mine the simplest and easiest.

I'm speaking of an Axis guitar as well, and the springs have only enough tension to bring the trem plate snuggly on the body.

My "main" concern is not to damage the guitar, and secondly keep "all" my adj spec's the same so I don't have to do a set up again.

I loosen the strings only a little bit ( I do not want all that pressure on the body of the guitar where the trem plate rests.)

Then I take a "thick" wash cloth (gives a nice comfy grip, doesn't allow the spring to fly, doesn't allow my hand to get cut, protects the guitar, etc. . . ) and remove one of the springs.

Then I loosen the springs once again, and remove the last spring. If it's going to remain in this state for any significant amount of time, I loosen the truss rod.

I reverse the process going back. Makes it quick, simple and no need for any re-adjustments.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Ouch - I've seen a lot of guitars with dings because of slippages - bad news!

I always wedge some cloth behind the trem mas and secure with some masking tape - so if ya do slip you have a good chance of not damaging the guitar
"Failure to Prepare - prepare to fail!"

Good advice from ripper - if ya want a good tool for ya balls - go here-

Tremolo Spring Installer at Stewart-MacDonald

 

[Spudmurphy]

I would add that if you have set up ya guitar with a floating bridge - it's a pain in the 4rse to mess about with the claw to remove the springs as it will upset the fine balance that a floating trem has to have.

 

[Astrofreq]

Just close yer eyes and yank like there's no tomorrow!

Seriously, loosen the claw ALOT, but try to remember where it was. Also, I always insert the right angle part first, then stretch the spring toward the loop.

 

[Stevie]

Stewart Mcdonald have a tremolo tool that looks like a screwdriver but with hook on the end to grab the spring. It works like a treat.

 

[Ripper]

"Failure to Prepare - prepare to fail!"

Quote of the day, indeed.

 

[MusicManJP6]

I may be on my own here but I just press on the trem bar backwards to loosen the spring tension and pull straight up with pliers at the block side.

 

[Volt]

I have removed and added the middle spring (of three) on both of my EBMM guitars using only my bare hand. It takes a bit of strength, but it's not all that difficult. I would recommend TNT's "thick" wash cloth method though, if you're worried about possible cuts.

 

[Jack FFR1846]

I would add that if you have set up ya guitar with a floating bridge - it's a pain in the 4rse to mess about with the claw to remove the springs as it will upset the fine balance that a floating trem has to have.

If you're changing the number of springs, you'll have to re-level anyways....so I figure it just goes with the floyd.....

jack