I decided to set up my own guitar one of these budget ones:
https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/ ... aguna-blue
Can anyone recommend a video or resource to guide me through the process of setting up a tremolo system like this thanks
Good resource for setting up a non Floyd Rose tremolo
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Good resource for setting up a non Floyd Rose tremolo
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New here - Posts: 6 Joined: Sun Jun 08, 2025 8:52 pm
Re: Good resource for setting up a non Floyd Rose tremolo
Anyone?
When I went through a similar exercise I remember that I had to go through a lot of on-line guides and YouTube videos before I had a good understanding of everything that was involved. I have never found a guide that was truly comprehensive.
One thing that I would say is that when doing this for the first time, I would ignore any advice that says "adjust this until it plays well". There are simply too many variables. Much better in my opinion to set it up to the factory defaults, and then adjust later if required.
With that thought in mind, here are Fender's recommendations:
https://support.fender.com/en-us/knowle ... e/KA-01901
One thing that they do not mention is measuring the string height at the nut. This measurement is worth making, as if it is too high, the guitar will be difficult to play. See:
https://www.soundonsound.com/forum/view ... hp?t=14323
Hopefully someone will be along with a recommendation for some more comprehensive instructions.
When I went through a similar exercise I remember that I had to go through a lot of on-line guides and YouTube videos before I had a good understanding of everything that was involved. I have never found a guide that was truly comprehensive.
One thing that I would say is that when doing this for the first time, I would ignore any advice that says "adjust this until it plays well". There are simply too many variables. Much better in my opinion to set it up to the factory defaults, and then adjust later if required.
With that thought in mind, here are Fender's recommendations:
https://support.fender.com/en-us/knowle ... e/KA-01901
One thing that they do not mention is measuring the string height at the nut. This measurement is worth making, as if it is too high, the guitar will be difficult to play. See:
https://www.soundonsound.com/forum/view ... hp?t=14323
Hopefully someone will be along with a recommendation for some more comprehensive instructions.
Learning from the experts on this forum
Re: Good resource for setting up a non Floyd Rose tremolo
I don't know any videos because I just do it myself.
Is it a 2-post or 6-screw trem? Not a huge difference but on a 6-screw, you set the overall trem height with the two outer screws, and then screw the other four so they are set just slightly higher.
Do you want a floating trem or downward trem only? For floating, you'll want to set the trem plate up a bit higher so you've got space to pull back on the trem up and for the rear of the trem to move downwards. As a result, you'll need your set the saddles lower with respect to the trem plate to getthe action lower again.
First thing is to set up the guitar action. This is best done with the trem block wedged in place so it can't move.
If you want downwards trem only, the trem plate can sit flat to the body and you can then tighten the trem screws so it stays in place.
If you want floating, then set up the trem so you've got a small gap between the plate and the body say 1.5-2mm. The plate will want to be parallel to the body once you've set everything up, so you'll want to make up some small wedges so the you can keep the trem block wedged in place so it's vertical and the trem plate is parallel to the body.
Then set up the action - neck relief, saddle height, nut slot depth make sure the guitar is in tune.
Remove any wedges from around the trem block.
Now you can adjust the spring claw/spring tension so that the trem plate is sitting parallel to the body. If it's already flat to the body, then just release the tension so that it lifts at the rear, then tighten it slightly so it's flat again.
If floating, then you still need to adjust the springs so the plate sits parallel to the body. Using wedges earlier means the strings should be at the right tension with the bridge plate sitting flat, so you just need to adjust the spring tension as necessary to get the plate flat. If it's up at the rear, tighten the springs;down at the rear, loosen them.
If the trem plate angle is too great, you might not be able to pull it flat with spring tension alone, so use the trem arm to flatten it and then screw the spring claw in or out.
Is it a 2-post or 6-screw trem? Not a huge difference but on a 6-screw, you set the overall trem height with the two outer screws, and then screw the other four so they are set just slightly higher.
Do you want a floating trem or downward trem only? For floating, you'll want to set the trem plate up a bit higher so you've got space to pull back on the trem up and for the rear of the trem to move downwards. As a result, you'll need your set the saddles lower with respect to the trem plate to getthe action lower again.
First thing is to set up the guitar action. This is best done with the trem block wedged in place so it can't move.
If you want downwards trem only, the trem plate can sit flat to the body and you can then tighten the trem screws so it stays in place.
If you want floating, then set up the trem so you've got a small gap between the plate and the body say 1.5-2mm. The plate will want to be parallel to the body once you've set everything up, so you'll want to make up some small wedges so the you can keep the trem block wedged in place so it's vertical and the trem plate is parallel to the body.
Then set up the action - neck relief, saddle height, nut slot depth make sure the guitar is in tune.
Remove any wedges from around the trem block.
Now you can adjust the spring claw/spring tension so that the trem plate is sitting parallel to the body. If it's already flat to the body, then just release the tension so that it lifts at the rear, then tighten it slightly so it's flat again.
If floating, then you still need to adjust the springs so the plate sits parallel to the body. Using wedges earlier means the strings should be at the right tension with the bridge plate sitting flat, so you just need to adjust the spring tension as necessary to get the plate flat. If it's up at the rear, tighten the springs;down at the rear, loosen them.
If the trem plate angle is too great, you might not be able to pull it flat with spring tension alone, so use the trem arm to flatten it and then screw the spring claw in or out.
Reliably fallible.