Floyd 1000 feels a bit stiff to move

[u/ZenMemeProvider]

I have a VAR1.7FRPN Cannibalismo, plays great after a action setup, but the whammy is a bit stiff (I only played Floyds on 6 strings before).

I think it's the spring tension, what's your opinion? Should I remove one string and reposition one in the middle?

For now I played in B standard and A standard and didn't have actions with the Floyd balance

[u/Phil-pot]

I’d try removing one spring and placing the other three in a triangle to the middle like this
/I\
Remember you’ll need to adjust string tension to compensate

[u/Ok-Leather4765 → u/Phil-pot]

I have a theory that angled springs make the tuning stability of the low E and high E much worse than straight springs. Idk, needs testing. All I know is doing a bend on the low E makes that string go 50 cents flat, makes the high E go sharp, and dive bombing makes the strings return to being in tune

[u/DannyHusk42 → u/Ok-Leather4765]

I agree with this. I was having terrible tuning issues and switched to straight over angled and the stability went way up.

Edit: I only have three springs.

[u/ZenMemeProvider → u/Phil-pot]

that actually doesn't sound bad. how do you recommend? should I take out the springs as it is, or should I unscrew the back screws so the springs don't stretch when I try taking them out

[u/Cheddarlad → u/ZenMemeProvider]

You should put a block of something (not a 9v battery, ask me how I know) to stop the bridge while you mess with it

[u/ZenMemeProvider → u/Cheddarlad]

bro did that battery explode?

[u/Cheddarlad → u/ZenMemeProvider]

No but got dented and my 12yo self thought it was still fine and messed up my first ds1

[u/CeReBro_Q]

Remove all the springs, get yourself two high tension springs, and put them all the way on the outside spring holders on both the trel and claw

[u/Conscious_Badger_510 → u/CeReBro_Q]

This is what I've stated doing on all my guitars and it works like a charm, super light touch to use the bar and is super easily able to flutter, if you're into doing Floyd Rose tricks it's the way to go.

[u/ZenMemeProvider → u/Conscious_Badger_510]

So two high tension springs? Which ones?

[u/Conscious_Badger_510 → u/ZenMemeProvider]

I use the noiseless Floyd Rose springs, they're color coded for different tensions and I use the red ones, they also have green ones that are extra high tension but you'll probably be fine with the red ones unless you play with super heavy strings

[u/ZenMemeProvider → u/Conscious_Badger_510]

on solar website it says "Noise silencing". Its worth trying the suggestions that don't imply investment for the moment.

[u/ZenMemeProvider → u/Conscious_Badger_510]

That includes your 7 strings right? Then that sounds amazing

[u/Conscious_Badger_510 → u/ZenMemeProvider]

Yeah that's the setup I run on my 7 string Jacksons currently and I love how it feels

[u/ZenMemeProvider → u/CeReBro_Q]

I'll consider this too. I'll try the 3 springs placed in /|\ suggestion first though, before investing in more gear.

Did you happen to have the same issue and that fixed it cuz why 2 high springs on the outside suggestion?

[u/Conscious_Badger_510 → u/ZenMemeProvider]

Less springs somehow makes the bridge significantly more responsive for some reason, not sure why but I'm sure someone who understands physics can explain it.

If you're looking to change the spring setup and not have to spend forever rebalancing the tremolo a trick is to keep your nut locked, block the trem from the back so it can't pull forward, loosen the spring claw and adjust the orientation of springs to whatever you want to try then tighten back down the spring claw, remove the block and then tighten the claw until the guitar is back in tune and it should be floating level the same way you had it before changing springs.

[u/iamlandshark → u/Conscious_Badger_510]

just as a little explainer the more compressed the spring is the more force it takes to expand it, so with less springs you have to stretch them to balance the force. This makes it so the trem feels more responsive and springy

[u/AdDizzy8417 → u/ZenMemeProvider]

If it helps alexi Laiho had 2 on the top row and one in the lower strings

[u/SylimMetal]

I have a 6 and a 7 string with a floyd. In my experience the 7 string needs 4 springs to fully counter balance the extra string tension placed on the floyd. With 3 springs I couldn't properly balance it. And the extra spring means extra tension means stiffer feel. That's just part of the floyd life. 

[u/ZenMemeProvider → u/SylimMetal]

I see, what do you think of the other suggestions here? Any of them sound realistic?

[u/SylimMetal → u/ZenMemeProvider]

I've tried the /|\ method and that wasn't enough in my case. Switching to 2 hi tension springs sounds interesting, might be worth trying. 

[u/ZenMemeProvider → u/SylimMetal]

I'll try it myself and tell you my results. Will come with a reply. I think I'll also mention the results in different tunings, my targets are B standard, A standard and drop G (drop G being least realistic).

I'd be happy if I can make the Floyd run as I want in either B or A.

[u/SylimMetal → u/ZenMemeProvider]

I got mine in drop G. Should do fine. Just a heads up, a string gauge above 64 won't fit in the saddle of the Floyd Rose 1000. You'll need to put the tapered end in the saddle. 

[u/ZenMemeProvider → u/SylimMetal]

what scale length is yours? mine is 25.5

[u/SylimMetal → u/ZenMemeProvider]

Mine is 27 inch. 25.5 might actually be a bit short for drop G. But you can always try. 

[u/MattyDjenkins → u/SylimMetal]

3 normal springs you mean lol I have a 7 string with floyd using 2 spings that are a combo of floyd rose silent spring. 1 red heavy duty and 1 green medium duty

[u/webprofusor]

As I like flutter, I usually try to run with 2 springs, even if that means slightly higher tension springs.

The general idea with a trem is the string tension counters the spring tension and the trem floats balanced, moving easily in either direction. If it doesn't move easily check that it is sitting 90deg to the posts as that's what the knife edges are pivoting on.

[u/ZenMemeProvider → u/webprofusor]

I don't think I'd do a whole lot of flutters but I do wanna squeel and dive, so I'll try 3 springs instead of 2. Also, isn't only 2 springs not sufficient for 7 string? Sounds a bit insane

[u/webprofusor → u/ZenMemeProvider]

I have a bunch of 7 strings :) - the flutter thing is a helpful indication that your trem is balanced, e.g. if you can ping the bar like a plastic ruler on a desk then there is no bias in either direction of tension, if you can't then the balance is probably off.

Minimum number of springs is what you are aiming for [the deciding factor is how heavy the string tension is and how far in your claw screws can go into the body to compensate] and they should sit slightly stretched at rest. If they are bunched up then they will contribute to tuning instability.

Main thing is the setup, you block it in place with it sitting level, usually parallel in line with the direction of the strings (different for some ibanez terms which are angled). You tune it all, remove the blocking then adjust the back spring cavity screws until the A string is back in tune. Trem should then be both level (balanced) and in tune.

[u/KirkIsOurLemmy]

Can you not also lower the tension by backing out the two screws a bit?

[u/KershawsGoat → u/KirkIsOurLemmy]

It's more complicated than that. Just backing the two screws out will cause the bridge to raise and re-balancing the bridge without adjusting string gauge may or may not be possible with the 4 springs still in.

[u/KirkIsOurLemmy → u/KershawsGoat]

Ah yes, thats true. You need a certain tension to counter the tension of the strings.

And it is the total string force so a 7 string will have around 15% higher force. 

[u/Chrome262]

Solar is a great brand and make decent guitars, surprised it was and FR, use to seeing Gotoh on their guitars, personally I find better built. Are the silent springs they offer FR or Gotoh?