How to Restring a Floyd Rose Guitar in 10 Steps

Just like every job, you’re going to need some tools. Here are the absolute essentials when it comes to restringing a Floyd Rose:

• Strings the same gauge as what you are swapping
• Allen Key Wrench Set
• Wire Cutters
• Guitar Tuner
• Magazine/Popsicle stick/thin board – just something thin and rigid (you’ll see)
• Safety Glasses
• Work Mat (or towel, blanket, etc.)
• Neck Cradle

Since the strings will be off for a while, a string change is the perfect time to do some much-needed deep cleaning on your guitar, too. Here are some “nice to have” cleaning supplies to make your guitar sparkle with its new set of strings:

• Fretboard Cleaner/Conditioner
• Guitar Polish
• Polish Cloth
• Utility Cloth
• Soft Bristle toothbrush
• Soft detail brush

You might call them nonessential for a Floyd Rose string change, but these cleaning supplies really help your guitar last and sound its best.

Press the tremolo bar down a little and slide the spine of the magazine under the back of the bridge. This will gently hold the bridge in position when the tension on the strings is removed. If you skip this step, your bridge will shoot down into the body cavity from the spring tension or maybe even fall off completely. I told you it was important!

At the headstock, unlock and remove the three nut locks using your Allen key set. Note the position and orientation of each clamp. Loosen the strings to slack. Loosen the clamps on the bridge (again with your Allen key) and remove the strings from the bridge and headstock.

Your strings are off, so take advantage of the free-and-clear fretboard. Apply fretboard cleaner/conditioner to fretboard, and let it soak in.

The conditioner will float out a lot of the grime from the fretboard. But if needed, use a toothbrush to scrub around the frets.

After a few minutes, wipe down the fretboard with a utility cloth. Use the detail brush to remove any dust and crud from the bridge and pickups. Note the six metal pinion blocks sitting down in the bridge. These pieces are loose, so don’t lose them. Note the position and orientation of each block.

Polish the pickguard, face, and headstock. Then check for any loose knobs — and don’t forget to check the tightness of the output jacks.

Get your new strings out and make sure you got a complete set. Cut the ball end off of each string — around an inch. Floyd Rose systems don’t need a ball end like a typical electric guitar bridge. It’s all about clamping power!

Insert each string into the appropriate pinion block. Tighten the corresponding Allen screw to anchor each string to the bridge.

Note: Do not overtighten. It is possible to fracture the pinion block if you torque it hard enough.

Bring each string to its respective tuner and cut off about 1.5” past the tuner. Hold each string in tuner shaft with about ¼” peeking out the other side.

Wind the string over the cut off one time and under for the rest going downward on the tune shaft. You should get about 3-4 winds.

Re-Install the nut clamps in the correct order. Leave them loose for now.

Using your tuner, bring the guitar to pitch. As you raise the pitch, the magazine/board/whatever you used will start to loosen under the bridge. Remove it when most of the tension has been removed.

Each string has a fine tuner in the bridge. This is a good time to put these all at about half.

Once the guitar is tuned up, tighten the nut clamps with your Allen key. Again, this should be firm but not torqued.

With guitar in playing position, use the fine tuners to bring the guitar into tune. You’re now ready for all the whammys, dive bombs, tremolos, or whatever else you like to do with your Floyd Rose!