Question Setting trem flush.

[Random Hero]

Hey guys,

On the Axis with the flush-mount floyd or the standard vintage tremolo on the Luke/AL etc, is there anything in particular to know about setting the trem flush down onto the body or is it just a case of finding the right balance between the strings and springs at the angle where it sits on the body? Or do you pull it back until it clamps down?

How about damage to the top, anything to consider there, especially during string changes, what with the springs pulling down hard on the trem?

Thanks!

 

[cm_17]

There are two steps for the Floyd Rose:

1.: Adjust the trem base plate so it is exactly parallel to the top. You do so by adjusting the two screws that hold the trem spring claw in the trem cavity on the back (screwing them into the body = more tilt backwards as the springs pull more; opposite = more pull forward by the string tension).

2.: Lower the whole trem by carefully turning down the trem posts/studs till the trem touches the body.

That's the easiest way. Mind that for step 1, you might have to raise the trem first so it has some room to adjust. Also, after step 2 you can slightly increase or decrease the pressure of the trem to the body using the spring claw from step 1. It's all inter-dependent.

I have mine set flush and can't see any damage to the body. You could put a piece of insulation tape, rubber, etc. underneath the trem if you are worried. When I do a dive and slowly release the trem back, my trem gently returns to zero via body contact. Ultra-stable Floyd setup and great sustain that way .

When changing strings, you can dive the trem and put some folded layers of kitchen paper or similar underneath the base plate to protect the top, such as described here. But the finish is very sturdy.

 

[douglasspears]

My EVH is flush (by design) and has taken abuse for 15 years from me with no damage to the body. My Axis SS, same thing for 1.5 years, no damage

 

[Random Hero]

Gotcha. Shouldn't expect any damage then? Perhaps if you try the flutter thing and it smacks back on the body eh?

 

[Slingy]

cm_17 made an excellent guide for setting up and maintaining floyd rose tremelos and shows you how to keep from wrecking the finish.

http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-guitars/42841-simple-axis-maintenance-attn-many-pix.html

 

[John C]

Gotcha. Shouldn't expect any damage then? Perhaps if you try the flutter thing and it smacks back on the body eh?

Not sure about the Floyd on the Axis, but the vintage trem has a little cloth strip on the back of the trem plate to keep it from smacking down on the body too hard.

Also the Vintage Trem is set flush from the factory on all guitar models except the Luke (and it is even set flush on Luke's with a piezo trem).

 

[Random Hero]

Interesting guys, thanks. I'm only really concerned with it smacking back by mistake or something as I don't use it that much anyway.

 

[cm_17]

Yea I would not do a dive and let go of the trem arm on an Axis . Seriously, if you anyway are a gentle Floyd user, it's no problem. You can't to Steve Vai style acrobatics, but it has it's functions.

You could also set it up as a floater. Mind you however that will not gain a lot of pullup range, and you might have to shim the neck pocket or remove the trems shim plate to compensate for the action loss. Also, pullups might indeed be bad for the finish, as I would think the edge of the trem plate or the teeth undeneath the fine tuners might make contact.