Setting the Fine Tuner Range

Like the Original Floyd Rose, there are several situations that will cause the SpeedLoader fine tuners to run out of range. If this happens don't panic, the fine tuner range can be reset.

To reset the fine-tuner range, first engage the tremolo stop and set the bridge position as described in the "Setting up the SpeedLoader Tremolo Bridge base plate" section above.

With the base plate set properly and the tremolo stop properly engaged, you're ready to set your fine tuner range. If only one or two of the fine tuners are out of range you may want to try adjusting them without engaging the tremolo stop. 



1
The first thing you do to reset the range of all the fine tuners is to position all the fine tuner screws to the middle of their possible movement.

2
One way to do this is to turn the low "low E" string fine tuner screw all the way up, then turn the "D" string fine tuner screw all the way down. Now, position the "A" string fine tuner screw half-way between the "E" and the "D" fine tuner screw positions.

3
Now, leaving the "A" string fine tuner where you set it, reposition all the other fine tuner screws to match the height of the "A" string fine-tuner screw.

You should now have all of the fine-tuner screws set to the middle of their range. Ignore the fact that your guitar is now completely out of tune; we're going to fix that next.

At this point you're ready to tune your guitar using what I call the range tuner set screw. You can set your guitar up for standard pitch, any open tuning, or any drop tuning using the range-tuner set screw. Remember: do not use the fine tuner screws to tune the guitar at this point.

4
A range tuner set screw is located in the nose of each pivoting saddle.

5
Using a 1.5mm Allen wrench and the range tuner set screw, tune your guitar to any tuning you desire. You can increase the pitch of a given string by turning the set screw clockwise, and decrease the pitch of the string by turning the set screw counter-clockwise. (Remember not to use the fine tuner screws for this tuning.)

Now that you have tuned your guitar to the tuning you want, the bridge should be properly set-up, and the fine tuners should be set to the middle of their range.

The way your guitar is set up now is what is called a "blocked" setup. This means that the tremolo can be used for dive effects but you can't pull up on the arm for up-bends. You can leave your guitar the way it is, or you can disengage the tremolo stop to return the tremolo to what is called a "floating" setup. However, before you return the bridge to a floating condition, you might want to check your intonation. If your intonation needs adjusting, go to the "Setting your intonation" section below.

6
If you're ready to float the tremolo, check your tuning one last time and make any needed adjustments using the range-tuner set screw. Then, back the tremolo stop set screw away from the spring block. This will cause the bridge to tilt back toward the body of the guitar and all the strings will go sharp. This is normal.

7
You must now retune the guitar, this time using a Phillips screwdriver to turn the spring-claw screws counter-clockwise to loosen the spring tension. (If you added an extra spring to pull the spring block against the tremolo stop screw, you should remove it first.)

8
The good news is that you only have to retune one string. Pluck the string you want to tune (I usually tune the "A" string for this procedure) and then, while watching the tuner, loosen first one claw screw then the other claw screw the same amount.

Check the tuning and repeat until the string is in tune. When you get the string you chose in tune, the other strings will be in tune. This assumes that all the strings were in tune before you released the tremolo stop.