how to safely put on / remove floyd springs?

[laihojrxo]

pretty much what the title said
over the years, i've used plier to remove and put em on...but something always go terribly wrong...(dropped the plier to the guitar...scratched the guitar w/ the plier...etc):think::think::think:
so does anyone know how to do it..."safely"???
Thanks

[Ben...]

I always thought you loosen the strings until the Floyd bottoms out so that the block tilted forward enough so that it relieves tension on the springs. Then you just take off the spring, put the new one on and tune up. I've never changed them myself though that's how I did it when I removed one.

[laihojrxo]

thats pretty much the way i always do it, when changing the string, i loosen the old strings until the floyd rose touches the guitar, cut the string, remove the springs...but here's the problem, how do you remove the springs...(sPrings not sTrings)

[Axewielder]

I picked one of these up a while back, and it makes the job a bit easier.

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Special_tools_for:_Bridges/Tremolo_Spring_Installer.html

[Foulacy]

AMEN to the stewmac spring hook. i have one and it makes life so much easier...

[Dred]

They way I do it, is I just gradually relieve the tension on the strings, the floyd pulls back, and then the spring comes off easily, then you put another one on/off, or whatever it may be that needs service. I never really saw a need for a set of pliers.

If you don't want to detune the strings before you attend to the springs,I suppose you can grab a spoon or a knife with a wooden handle, put electrical tape around it, dive/pull up on the floyd, add/remove springs, and tune up to equalize the tension if the number of the springs changed. Put the spoon/knife towards the neck if you make the number of springs less, so it doesnt dive, or towards the output jack if you add more springs so it doesnt tilt back. That way, while tuning up/changing strings/tweaking the floyd/etc, with the spoon in place you can concentrate on the strings and not what's happening in the trem cavity with the springs. I'm leaving the obvious trem service steps out, of course. Also, plan how far the trem will dive/pull when you remove a spring, so you can use an object of a good enought thickness, that will make it easier.

I suppose that's a pretty safe way.

[Axewielder]

The other thing I like to do is, under full string tension, grab all three with my vice-like fingers and rip them off with a single brutal "He-Man" pull.

[Ben...]

thats pretty much the way i always do it, when changing the string, i loosen the old strings until the floyd rose touches the guitar, cut the string, remove the springs...but here's the problem, how do you remove the springs...(sPrings not sTrings)

I was talking about the springs. If you loosen the strings and/or pull the Floyd back, they pop out easily. Just like Dred said. You can pop them out by hand. Unhook them from the claw then from the block (It probably works the other way). When I did it I did it from the claw because it's easier to remove from the block if you have more leverage to get the hook part out and removing it from the claw first would allow that. Putting them on is the exact opposite, block then claw. Then you tune up and the new spring will hold in under tension. I'm sure other people have different ways of doing it but I'm just saying what worked for me. It didn't shoot up or anything.

Edit: I like Axewielder's technique the best.

[Axewielder]

Edit: I like Axewielder's technique the best.

Goes without saying. It works on strings, too. The heavier the gauge, the better (it makes my oiled pecs tighten up and glisten and the groupies "go moist")

[Spivonious]

Take the strings off and you should be able to grab the springs with your fingers and be able to unhook the loop end. When adding springs, attach the spring to the block first and then use your hand to pull it to the claw. No pliers needed.

[straycat]

I use a tremlok.Its a plastic wedge that slides under the trem base plate.
Use the bar and dive the trem slide the trem tool under the base plate and let the bar back up and its locked.No need to remove the springs to change strings.

[Racerx2k]

I picked one of these up a while back, and it makes the job a bit easier.

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Sp...Installer.html

I have something similar to it that I use. Instead of the loop at the other end, though, it has an s-shape hooked end, so that I can also PUSH the spring on, if need be, as opposed to pulling.

[WarPig]

The other thing I like to do is, under full string tension, grab all three with my vice-like fingers and rip them off with a single brutal "He-Man" pull.

My brother-in-law did that - although it was one spring at a time - when a guitar tech said he didn't have time to look at the trem that needed to be repaired. Needless to say, he got the guy's attention.

[Newc]

Yeah, like Ben said. I do the "pull the trem sharp as it can go with the bar and remove the springs by hand one at a time" thing as well. Same for re-springing. Bend the trem back and hook the block, then ring the claw.

Got tired of looking for my pliers, and got doubly tired of hunting behind the TV for the spring as the pliers let go

[vklobucar]

Small flat Snap-on screwdriver is what I use.

Connect the spring to the block and then insert the screwdriver slightly into the hole of the spring and use some leverage to get it over the claw.

Try it and you will be surprised at how easily it works.

V