Reverting a non-recessed Floyd Rose Strat Body to a 6 screw tremolo

jaymenon

I just bought a super light Warmoth body on which someone has subsequently installed a (non-recessed) Floyd Rose.

It was originally routed for a vintage style 6-screw tremolo, the original trem screw holes have been plugged and the two posts for the Floyd Rose drilled - of course 74m apart.

[Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/SWgQILV.jpg)

I'd very like to revert it to a traditional tremolo - and I understand that it will not require any further routing.

However - once the Floyd post holes are plugged, will they be covered by the standard strat pickguard? ( I understand it has a narrower tremolo recess than the floyd pickguard).

[Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/4qqHyMu.jpg)
[Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/5W3OoP4.jpg)

Expert advice most appreciated...

Funkfingers

I would expect some of the plugged FR insert holes to be visible between the edges of the scratchplate and the six screw fulcrum vibrato. 

My inclination would be to de-Floyd by changing to a Schaller two-point item. 

jaymenon

Or a Non Fine Tuner Floyd Rose...

Thanks Funkfingers - however, given the narrow 1 - 2 mm space between the edge of the traditional Strat pickguard and tremolo baseplate, do you think that the “visibility“ of the plugged insert holes is likely to be a significant cosmetic problem?

https://i.imgur.com/abta6b8.jpg

andy_k

IMHO, there is so much going on with that body, it seems a shame to do a full pickguard, I would leave it as a floyd and do a cut down guard, ala Eddie. if you don't like the fine tuners, look for a V 1 floyd like Guthrie uses.

DrBob

jaymenon said:

Or a Non Fine Tuner Floyd Rose...

Thanks Funkfingers - however, given the narrow 1 - 2 mm space between the edge of the traditional Strat pickguard and tremolo baseplate, do you think that the “visibility“ of the plugged insert holes is likely to be a significant cosmetic problem?

https://i.imgur.com/abta6b8.jpg

Can’t you just drop a pickguard on it and assess ?

mudslide73

I'm looking for a nice Floyded body.. if it starts to look like too much hassle I'd be interested in it No pressure though. 

TTony

andy_k said:

IMHO, there is so much going on with that body, it seems a shame to do a full pickguard, I would leave it as a floyd and do a cut down guard, ala Eddie. if you don't like the fine tuners, look for a V 1 floyd like Guthrie uses.

^^ wis'd!

Although it's got the screwholes from a previously fitted scratchplate, so those might need some attention?

ICBM

You won't really see the plugged holes through the tiny gaps between the bridge and the guard, but the bridge Funkfingers linked to is still an easier and probably better solution.

jaymenon

Thanks Guys,  Both the non-fine tuner Floyd Rose and the Schaller one at 94mm wide have a larger footprint than the conventional Floyd Rose.  They will require a custom pickguard with a larger tremolo recess.  

Also sitting proud of the body (i.e. non-recessed)  they will need a neck shim (a simple matter) plus the strings will be much further away from the body (I don’t like that).

Very reassuring to hear that the plugged holes will not show.  

Rather worried about drilling the six holes for the trem though -  apparently, if they are not perfectly done the tremolo will never be stable...

ICBM

jaymenon said:

Also sitting proud of the body (i.e. non-recessed)  they will need a neck shim (a simple matter) plus the strings will be much further away from the body (I don’t like that).

The Schaller 2-point isn't actually much higher than a traditional trem, and definitely lower than the Floyd. It will still need a modified or custom pickguard though.

jaymenon said:

Rather worried about drilling the six holes for the trem though -  apparently, if they are not perfectly done the tremolo will never be stable...

That is true, but if you're re-drilling previously filled holes, the drill should centre itself - the chances are that it was done in a purely cosmetic way, either with filler or at best with standard dowelling, so the drill will follow the softer material. It's only if it was done very thoroughly with side-cut plugs that there's likely to be a problem.

jaymenon

ICBM said:

jaymenon said:

Rather worried about drilling the six holes for the trem though -  apparently, if they are not perfectly done the tremolo will never be stable...

That is true, but if you're re-drilling previously filled holes, the drill should centre itself - the chances are that it was done in a purely cosmetic way, either with filler or at best with standard dowelling, so the drill will follow the softer material. It's only if it was done very thoroughly with side-cut plugs that there's likely to be a problem.

Thanks John - that is very reassuring. I'll take a good look at how the holes were filled...