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Floyd Rose is the organization that licenses, distributes and manufactures the ''Floyd Rose locking Tremolo '' invented by Floyd D. Rose . They also produce some complete guitars using the system. Floyd Rose owns the Patents on the design, and licenses these patents to several original equipment manufacturers. The Floyd Rose system combines a lock behind the neck bridge (the "nut") of the guitar, which prevents the tuning ("machine") heads from being used and holds the strings taut, with a "floating bridge", where the other ends of the strings are also vise-locked (hence, "double-locking"). The locking system helps to keep the strings in tune while the strings are slackened to a degree which wasn't possible with older tremolo systems, such as those found on Fender 's Stratocaster , allowing "dive bombs" (i.e. rapid lowering of the pitch of a note). Since the tuning heads are ineffectual with the lock in place, the Floyd Rose bridge has heads for fine tuning; the guitar is tuned before the lock is put on, then fine tuned afterwards. BASIC PRINCIPLES Basic principles of action of double-locking floating bridge are illustrated on this simplified scheme (scheme proportions are very exaggerated to demonstrate the effect). Position I illustrates normal position of ideally tuned Floyd Rose bridge. Bridge (green) balances on a pivot point, being pulled by strings tension (red) counter-clockwise and by one or several Springs (light blue) clockwise. Controlled by special tuning Screw s (sky blue), these two forces are balanced perfectly and bridge surface is parallel to guitar body (olive). Strings are locked tightly with special mechanism at neck bridge nut (also green, as it is a part of Floyd Rose bridge). Position II illustrates tremolo arm push down to the deck. Bridge rotates around pivot point counter-clockwise and all strings tensions decrease, thus the Pitch of sound decreases, Note s sound becomes Flat . And, finally, position III is a tremolo arm pushed up away from the deck. Bridge rotates clockwise, strings tensions increase, pitch of sound increases, notes sound Sharp er than normal. Note that:
MODELS AND VARIETES
PARTS Floyd Rose tremolos are known for their excellent serviceability: the mechanism is well-documented and spare parts can be purchased directly from manufacturer or via dealers. Usually, Floyd Rose device (as Floyd Rose Pro Tremolo on the image) consists of these parts: # Saddles — basically, it's a box the string is locked in. There are usually six saddles, one for each string (seven for 7-string version of tremolo). Each saddle contains a long screw that fixes the string holder block inside it. Allen Wrench is required to loosen or tighten these. # String Holder Block or '''Saddle Block''' — cube-shaped metal block that presses the string end into the saddle wall thus locking it tight. # Intonation Screws — screws that hold saddles on the base plate; when loose, saddles can be moved forward and backward, effectively changing Intonation of a string. Allen wrench is required to loosen or tighten these. # Fine Tuners — screws that could be used to fine-tune strings (instead of Machine Head s) after nut lock is clamped tight; can be rotated with bare hands. # Tremolo Arm — the most visible part of mechanism, a handle that can be used to change played notes pitch up and down during play. # Nut — string clamp, installed as "zero fret" at the neck; has screws and braces called "locks" to hold strings that go through it. Allen wrench required to loosen or tighten these. # String Retainer — metal bar installed at headstock to retain strings that go to the machine heads. # Springs — springs that pull bridge clockwise around the pivot point. They are installed into tremolo cavity that is usually accessible from behind the guitar body and is hidden under plastic cover. There are usually 3 springs, however, to change the resistance of arm to more comfortable one, some guitarists use from 1 to 5 springs. # Spring Claw Hook — a connector between guitar body wall and springs; has special "claws" to attach the springs to. This part is usually mounted on a wall of guitar body using loose long screws that could be used to change the tension of springs and thus re-balance the whole tremolo system. # Allen wrenches — 3 sizes are usually supplied with tremolo. Small one is used for intonation screws, medium one is used for saddle block fixing screws and the large one is for nut screws. ''Floyd Rose Licensed'' systems usually use only 2 sizes of wrenches: they use the same size for saddle blocks' and nut's screws. ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES Generally, most widely criticized disadvantage of floating bridge is that it's hard to tune (i.e. balance) properly in first place and acclaimed balance is very sensitive to external factors. For example:
Most disadvantages could be eliminated or at least eased by using a Tremstopper . Despite all these cons, lots of guitarists choose Floyd Rose because of several unbeatable pros. Playing big gigs with a Floyd Rose usually makes a guitarist have several backup guitars to change instrument quickly in case of string breakage or some other problems. Backup guitars are usually maintained back-stage by a guitar technician. MUSIC IMPACT AND HISTORY The use of the Floyd Rose was popularised by 's "Raining Blood" ('' Reign In Blood '') features a solo consisting entirely of whammy bar noises (although the guitarists of Slayer actually used the cam based Kahler Tremolo System ). Though the use of the whammy bar waned in the , formerly of Pantera , made use of the bar to access natural Harmonics not otherwise available; Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine and Audioslave uses the whammy bar in conjunction with his pickup toggle switch and Digitech's Whammy Pedal to create sounds reminiscent of Hip Hop ; Karl Logan of Manowar is known for simulating sounds of Bike engine burn-in - this "guitar vs bike" duelling effect is particularly used on ''Return of the Warlord'' track. Betraying the hair metal stereotype, Isaac Brock of the indie band Modest Mouse makes liberal use of the Floyd Rose tremolo, especially on the band's earlier records. REFERENCES Floyd Rose holds a number of patents on floating bridge design:
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