Need help with strings and Floyd

[Arcane]

Hey guys.
I've got a LTD 200 Alexi sig. Got it a while back and I've restrung it once. When I got it, it was obviously tuned to standard, but I play in Dropped C or 1 step down. When I restrung it, I tuned it to dropped C, but strangely I actually had to TIGHTEN the springs of the bridge to balance the bridge to the correct position. I find this strange, seeing that dropped C/ 1 step down puts less tension on the bridge, thus putting less tension on the springs. The strings I use are Ernie Ball regular Slinkys. 10-46 gauge. I like it more than the Super slinkys, cause the 9 gauge string is too thin and snaps way too easily IMO. At the moment the springs are at such a tension, that I think if I were to decide to tune it to standard, it would put too much tension on it and I may have to buy a 4th spring to get it right. Now, a few questions:
1. What gauge strings should I use for dropped C/ 1 step down, seeing that I have this situation?
2. Which gauge is it that the guitar got shipped with that was fine for standard and the 3 springs on the bridge?
3. Would it be unnecessary to get another spring for the bridge?
4. What do you consider to be too much tension for the springs, thus resulting in having to get another spring?
5. What other opinions may you guys have about this problem in general?
P.S. I am trying to save up for a 600, so don't say that the 200 has a crappy Floyd, coz I still luv this axe! :p

[willhaven]

If you run out of room on the spring claw, you add another spring. I've got my Horizons clamped all the way down and I tune to drop C using 13-54 strings. But again, I have my floyds blocked from going sharp, so I'm actually putting more tension against the block to keep it from vibrating or going out of tune when I bend.

Some guitars aren't built properly and have a really short grounding cable soldered to the spring claw. So make sure you can actually screw it in further and not pull your wiring apart in the process. :)

[coyote]

1. Try Ernie Ball Top Heavy strings.
2. Floyds ship with 9's
3. You will not need another spring for drop c
4. That shouldnt be a problem
5. The reason you had to adjust your bridge was because of the bigger strings you put on. Makes a huge difference on a floyd. Its not a problem though, completly normal.

[Arcane]

Ok, cool. Thanx for the advice guys. And the tip about the grounding cable Willhaven. :) I didn't think that 1 gauge difference would affect it like this. This is my first Floyded guitar, so I'm still working out the kinks. Hey what about this layout for the springs? What does it do?

[Arcane]

Oh, and btw, I couldn't find 13 - 54 gauge strings on the Ernie Ball site Willhaven. And the only strings they seem to make is "Skinny top Heavy bottom" and not "Top heavy". Dunno if u typed wrong or I misunderstood... 8o

[coyote]

Thats them.

http://www.americanmusical.com/ProductImages/Large/p681.jpg

[Arcane]

Ok. And what about the spring layout in the picture? Anyone know why it's like that?

[xdaynex]

hey dont esp/ltd guitars ship with an extra spring in the box?

[Zach21]

hey dont esp/ltd guitars ship with an extra spring in the box?

Mine didn't. I got the allen wrenches it needed, but not a spring.

Ok. And what about the spring layout in the picture? Anyone know why it's like that?

I think it just puts more force on the higher strings, and less on the bottom.

I'm completely making a guess though, so I could be wrong.

[xdaynex]

Mine didn't. I got the allen wrenches it needed, but not a spring.



I think it just puts more force on the lower strings where there is more tension, and puts less on the top string.

I'm completely making a guess though, so I could be wrong.


o rlly? cuz i was reading the esp manual on a pdf file and it said that their guitars ship with 3 already attached to the trem and 1 extra spring:S

[xdaynex]

also-would u need an extra spring if u get guage 11-50 strings? or would tightening them all the way work?

[57Octane]

My KH-202 came with an extra string. So did my Squier Showmaster. Sadly, the LFR on the Showmaster is 10 times better than the one of the KH...

If your going to be putting such heavy gauges on your guitar, maybe you will need one and maybe you wont. It depends on the tuning your after, what gauges of strings you have, how stiff your springs are, how far you have them screwed in, etc. With Drop-C, I'd think you'd be fine without an extra spring.

I've seen people use as high as 13's on Drop-C. I just don't get it myself. I run 9's just fine. Hell I have an old knock off strat in Drop-B with 10's. I guess I'm just lucky that my shit works that way. Or maybe I'm missing something. I don't know. :lol

[Arcane]

I have 10's on the guitar now. It had 9's on it and was tuned to standard. But the 10's forced me to tighten the screws of the spring rake for dropped C. That means that if I were to get a thicker gauge like the skinny top heavy bottom that coyote recommended, keeping it all balanced and getting it to dropped c will mean that I'll have to tighten it even more and I just don't feel comfortable pushing it that far. I may get another spring some day, but not now. I think I'll just get 9's and just be happy with it, even though I think the 9 string snaps way too easily. :\ Maybe I should try a bit more expensive strings in stead of EB's and see if they work better or last longer... :| And I didn't get anything extra with it. Bought it new, "off the shelf" at a guitar place. Didn't have it shipped.

[57Octane]

Maybe they didn't give you all the goods theyre supposed to. You could go back and ask them maybe?

[Arcane]

Maybe they didn't give you all the goods theyre supposed to. You could go back and ask them maybe?

Maybe I will. Don't know how it will sound... "Hey, don't you think you forgot something?" :rollin