Question About The Lifespan of a Floyd Rose Special

**Ash-517** · 09.26.21, 07:41 AM

I have a Wolfgang Standard that came stock with a Floyd Rose Special and I've seen a lot of posts out there saying that they are essentially a ticking time bomb until the screws strip or the saddles stop clamping the strings properly. I actually never really use the tremolo at all and typically don't over tighten the screws when restringing (finger tight and then just a bit of torque from the hex key). Do I still have to worry about an inevitable breakdown? Should I be looking into replacements?

**fudd** · 09.26.21, 07:50 AM

Saddles can wear out in any Floyd. Specifically the block inserts. Those are pretty cheap to replace and you may even be able to upgrade them relatively inexpensively. I’ve heard of the screws over time wearing a little but it happens to the best of them. I’ve replaced screws and saddle blocks on my 1980’s Floyd’s.

Just one of those things.

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**joezlo** · 09.27.21, 09:11 AM

Unless you sweat on it alot, the only thing you'll probably need to change sooner than later are block inserts. Get titanium ones - better tone & longer lifespan.

My problem is my sweat actually corrodes the saddles.

My Peaveys turned green & my EVH standard is now copper zinc in a couple of places.

**Majestic** · 09.27.21, 06:42 PM

The timing of this is interesting because I just decided to NOT buy a Special based on all the hate the FR Special receives.

Saw someone say one or two dive-bombs or squeals are enough to knock it out of tune.

Is the hate exaggerated?

**fudd** · 09.27.21, 07:12 PM

Originally Posted by Majestic

The timing of this is interesting because I just decided to NOT buy a Special based on all the hate the FR Special receives.

Saw someone say one or two dive-bombs or squeals are enough to knock it out of tune.

Is the hate exaggerated?

Depends how the guitar is set up.

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**Jedi McFly** · 09.28.21, 06:27 AM

Originally Posted by Majestic

The timing of this is interesting because I just decided to NOT buy a Special based on all the hate the FR Special receives.

Saw someone say one or two dive-bombs or squeals are enough to knock it out of tune.

Is the hate exaggerated?

Like Fudd said, if the guitar is set up properly that shouldn't happen. I think the hate for these is fairly exaggerated.

I've got a Floyd Rose Special on the Wolfgang Standard I used for a steady gig for over a year. It has held up to plenty of dive bombs.

That said, I wouldn't buy a Special to put on a new build. It does feel cheaper than the FRT1000s or OFRs on the rest of my guitars.