Tuning and keeping a floating bridge guitar in tune can be extremely difficult. In this article you will learn how to manage and tweak your floating guitar bridge.
It is important first to understand the major components and parts of a floating guitar bridge. A floating guitar bridge offsets the tension of the strings with springs in the back of the guitar. There are normally two or three springs. These springs connect to the bridge and a mounting bracket on the body of the guitar.
To tune a floating bridge guitar, tune the strings from the outside in. That is, start with the low E string then tune the high E string. Next, tune the A string then the B string and so on. After each new string you add, retune the previous strings as they tend to be loosened because there are more strings pulling tension against the springs in the back of the guitar. This will ensure that equal tension is maintained on the bridge and that the guitar is completely in tune with itself.
The top of the floating bridge should remain level with the body of the guitar. If the bridge is leaning too far forward or too far backward, try loosening the strings and restart. If the bridge is still not level, you will need to adjust the spring tension by removing the cover in the back of the guitar to get access to the springs.
To adjust the springs, do the following:
01Remove the cover that is normally over the springs.
02Locate the mounting plate and fastening screws that the springs connect to.
03If the bridge is leaning forward, you will need to tighten the springs. If the bridge is leaning back you should loosen the springs.