How to set up your Stratocaster trem
How to set up your Stratocaster floating trem. From vintage trems to modern locking systems and everything in between
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Floyd Rose
Floyd D. Rose built the first version of his locking vibrato system in 1976, aiming to solve the problem every whammy-bar player knew — a guitar that wouldn't hold its tuning after a dive-bomb. Fernandes manufactured the original licensed units from 1981, Schaller took over production in Germany in 1983, and Floyd Rose brought manufacturing back to the US in 2024. Eddie Van Halen and Steve Vai did as much as anyone to put the double-locking bridge on every shred guitar of the 1980s, and it still ships on Jackson, Charvel, ESP and Ibanez guitars today under licence. We track it mostly through the guitars that carry it — trem setup guides, Floyd-equipped signature models, and the odd aftermarket upgrade. Here's what we've written.
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Founded1976
FounderFloyd D. Rose
Parent companyAP International Music Supply
Articles here60
Makes
- Locking tremolo systems
- Guitar hardware
- Bridges and nuts
Known for
- Floyd Rose Original
- Floyd Rose Pro
- Floyd Rose 1000
- Floyd Rose Special
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Floyd Rose FAQ4 questions
What does a Floyd Rose actually do?
It is a double locking vibrato system. The strings are clamped at the nut and again at the bridge saddles, so the guitar stays in tune through heavy whammy bar use, including full dive bombs and pull ups. That tuning stability is the entire point of the design.
Is a Floyd Rose hard to restring?
It is more involved than a standard bridge rather than genuinely hard. You unclamp the locking nut, change one string at a time to keep tension roughly balanced, retune, then reclamp and use the fine tuners. The first time takes a while; after that it is routine.
What is the difference between the Original, the 1000 and the Special?
They are the same design at different price points and material specs. The Original is the US made flagship, the 1000 Series sits below it with similar hardened steel components, and the Special uses more affordable materials and is what you find on many factory fitted guitars.
Can I block a Floyd Rose to make it fixed?
Yes, and plenty of players do. Blocking the trem cavity with a hardwood block or a purpose made blocker stops the bridge floating, which makes tuning and string changes far simpler at the cost of the vibrato itself.