I think this topic has been mentioned once in the forum but I want more in depth detail. Recently, my band decided to start tuning to B because of the heavier sound. I own an Ibanez sca220. It does not have a floyd rose but the bridge is "floating".

Well i went out and bought a 7 string pack and used the lower strings and tuned it to B. I didn't think it would hurt considering the low tuning and figured only if i tuned to D or E then it would be a problem. When i put them on and tuned, it tuned fine and played fine but the action was way higher on the higher notes. The bridge raised up tremendously high and is not flush like it used to be so I tuned the strings down even more after practice because i'm scared of warping my neck.

I want to know what i can do for this not to happen and how much it would cost or if it would be even worth it. I could just go trade my guitar in for a 7 string but I don't want to if i don't have to. Let me know if you can...

first off, you didn't have to buy a 7 string pack of strings just to tune to B, the reason your bridge is high up on the end of it, is because the guitar isn't made for that much tension and that thick of strings. I recommend getting a pack of 11 guage strings. whatever brand you use, just make sure they're 11's, 11's are great for down tuning. So just go buy them, put them on the guitar and the bridge should be fine.

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i think u would of been fine in the first place with just tuning it to B like art said but yah buy some 11's becuase they may want to go even heavier

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i use 12's in my guitar, it has a floating bridge too and it doesnt seem to be a problem





listen to artofnothing6

_Noodle_

i've got an ibanez with one of those non-floyd roses, yet still floating bridges. And i remember going crazy and putting 13s on it and laughing when i saw the end of the bridge and how it was up real high like it was about to break off.

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Get a 7 string

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screw getting a trendy 7 string....the best thing is to just take it to a tech and let them fuck with it. Your gauge of string has a lot to do with how your tremolo floats. If you still want to use the heavier strings go in the back of the guitar and increase the tension on the springs. I don't know exactly what kind of setup as for as the tremolo goes that you got on yer axe but there are possible adjustements to be made on the inside of the guitar.

how about dont screw it.. if youre playing in B all the time get a damn 7-string

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The pitch of a string is governed by its length, its tension and its gauge.
On your guitar you cannot change the length except for fine intonation adjustment, you can ignore changing that. I guess you want to be able to play at B yet have the strings feel like they're tuned to E tension wise, so you will be wanting to keep the tension about the same. The only thing you can really change then, is the gauge and slight changes to the tension.
Getting a 7-string gauge set of strings is the right idea to balance out the loss of tension. I used 12-54 and sometimes 13-56 for B and they felt pretty good but sometimes a little too loose.

As for the trem system, a floating trem system is basically a pivoting block being held in place by 2 equal tensions on either side of it, one from the tremolo springs, and one from the strings. When the two are in equilibrium, the trem will sit flush with the body. However, if the tension on one side increases, then the trem will skew in that direction. When you put very heavy strings on your guitar and then tune them to B, the tension from the strings will increase, leading to the trem angling up. To counter this, you have to adjust the trem springs and retune repeatedly until you can find the point where the strings sit at B happily, and the trem sits flush with the body. I did it myself through trial and error recently and I'm now happy to tune up and down and readjust my floyd rose for it. Before I had to pay £25 each time in the local guitar shop to have it done! Dont be afraid to do it yourself, the worst than can happen is a broken string!