What is a "Floyd Rose"?

A "Floyd Rose" is a special type of guitar bridge. It is floating tremolo system allowing the strings to remain in tune even after extreme use of the trem arm. Floyd Rose bridges are great for metal and rock players, they can do amazing things. I love mine. That being said, they are a lot more work and require a lot of attention to detail.

What is "blocking" a Floyd Rose bridge?

"Blocking" in reference to a Floyd Rose Style bridge is the process of installing a block of wood behind or in front of the sustain block to disable movement of the tremolo system. Its an effective way to turn your trem equipped guitar into a hardtail.

What does a guitar bridge do?

All bridges are designed to enable two types of adjustment. String height at the bridge (Individual Saddles or Uniform Bridge) Individual string length (for setting the guitar's intonation) In this step we are only dealing with number 1, String Height at the bridge.

What are the pros and cons of blocking a floyd rose style bridge?

Pros: Better tuning stability. Easier to change strings. Easier to tune. Cons: No More Tremolo (No more dive-bombing)

Floyd Rose Trem Block Hack

This hack involves blocking off your Floyd Rose Style Tremolo. Its a simple modification that locks you trem in effect converting it to a fixed position bridge. This is an mod and is completely reversible in a matter of minutes.

Pros:

Better tuning stability.
Easier to change strings.
Easier to tune.

Cons:

No More Tremolo (No more dive-bombing)

Time to Complete: 30-90 minutes (Depending on how handy you are.)

Table of Content

Tools & Materials:
- Floyd Rose Trem Block Hack Step by Step
Step 2:

Tools & Materials:

- Tape Measure or Ruler
- Block of Hard Wood
- Some kind of saw (Band Saw, Circular Saw, Chop Saw, Hand Saw)
- Sandpaper

Floyd Rose Trem Block Hack Step by Step

Step 1

Remove the backing plate from your guitar’s trem cavity.

Step 2:

Using your tape measure or ruler, measure the length, width, height, and depth of the space behind your tremolo. (between the tremolo’s sustain block and the wall of the cavity.

Step 3:

Use those dimensions to cut a piece of hardwood that will fit snugly within that opening. (This will take time to get just right, but it will be worth it.)

*If you cut the block too thin and it moves around, no problem. Just place the block in the cavity, and use a phillips head screwdriver to loosen the spring claw. This will allow the trem to settle against the block of wood, trapping it in place.)

Step 4:

Even if you cut the perfect fitting block, you can make it even better by loosening the springs so the tremolo traps that block against the body of the guitar. You can then retune.

Step 5:

Once your block of wood is fit, just retune your axe and test out the trem. It should be good and solid. Whenever you want to use the trem again, just remove the block of wood. Easy!

Congratulations, you just blocked you Floyd Rose Style bridge

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Kelsey AustinMarch 31, 2020

What is a "Floyd Rose"?
A "Floyd Rose" is a special type of guitar bridge. It is floating tremolo system allowing the strings to remain in tune even after extreme use of the trem arm. Floyd Rose bridges are great for metal and rock players, they can do amazing things. I love mine. That being said, they are a lot more work and require a lot of attention to detail.
What is "blocking" a Floyd Rose bridge?
"Blocking" in reference to a Floyd Rose Style bridge is the process of installing a block of wood behind or in front of the sustain block to disable movement of the tremolo system. Its an effective way to turn your trem equipped guitar into a hardtail.
What does a guitar bridge do?
All bridges are designed to enable two types of adjustment.
1. String height at the bridge (Individual Saddles or Uniform Bridge)
2. Individual string length (for setting the guitar's intonation)
In this step we are only dealing with number 1, String Height at the bridge.
What are the pros and cons of blocking a floyd rose style bridge?
Pros:
- Better tuning stability.
- Easier to change strings.
- Easier to tune.
Cons:
- No More Tremolo (No more dive-bombing)