Floyd Rose | Rail Tail Tremolo System - Installation Guide
Overview
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Floyd Rose | Rail Tail Tremolo System - Installation Guide
The Rail Tail Tremolo is a full contact, dive-only tremolo designed to retrofit your existing Strat®-style 6-point
tremolo with no modifications to your guitar; a clever design merging the feel and reliability of a hardtail
bridge with the flexibility of a tremolo system. Computer designed and precision-machined, the Rail Tail
achieves maximum performance and stunning appearance without compromising comfort or feel. Its unique
features allow for adjustability to fit a variety of guitar bodies and for an easy DIY installation.
Unlike the original tremolo design that rocks on a bevel located under the screw heads, the Rail Tail tremolo
plate rotates around a precision rail that is mounted directly to the guitar body. The plate cradles the entire
rail with precision as if they were one unit improving sound quality and tuning stability. This union also
creates a greater breakpoint allowing open strings to maintain pitch when bending another, much like a
hardtail.
The tremolo plate consists of slotted string block mounting holes not only for accommodating installation but
also allowing the string block to be positioned forward for greater rotational range. This means diving up to
15 degrees more than conventional tremolo bridges. An advanced string block also consists of gamechanging features: Mid-positioned tapered string holes assist in true string saddle contact. Working in
alliance with the rail and string block are the slick roller fitted string saddles. This entire assembly provides
ultimate vibrational energy transfer from the strings to the guitar body resulting in better overall sustain and
tonal qualities.
Before installation:
For optimum performance, playing experience and reliability, we highly recommend that the
guitar this unit is being installed on, is equipped with locking tuners and a quality nut.
© 2016 Floyd Rose Marketing. All rights reserved. Floyd Rose is a division of AP International.
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Floyd Rose | Rail Tail Tremolo System - Installation Guide
© 2016 Floyd Rose Marketing. All rights reserved. Floyd Rose is a division of AP International.
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Floyd Rose | Rail Tail Tremolo System - Installation Guide
String Block
Rail
Arm
Tremolo Plate
Saddles
Saddle Intonation Screws
Saddles Springs
Arm Bushing
Bushing Screws
Tremolo Plate Screws
Saddle Action Screws
© 2016 Floyd Rose Marketing. All rights reserved. Floyd Rose is a division of AP International.
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Floyd Rose | Rail Tail Tremolo System - Installation Guide
STOP!
If you have a 2 point
tremolo system, proceed to
steps 20 and 21 before
continuing with step 2.
1.) Remove guitar strings and
bottom tremolo springs.
Undo screws and remove the
old 6 point tremolo unit from
the guitar.
2.) With the Rail nipple towards
the 6th string (bottom E), place
the Rail onto the 4 center holes of
guitar.
2
1
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Floyd Rose | Rail Tail Tremolo System - Installation Guide
3.) Using the 4 hardware
mounting screws included, screw
the Rail onto the body. Bottom
out screws then back off ¼ turn
so the Rail is snug but can still be
adjusted left to right.
Tip: A hand screwdriver is
recommended for this to prevent
any wood from stripping.
4.) Remove the saddles from the
Rail Tail tremolo plate.
Tip: Along with the small saddle
springs, screw the saddle
intonation screws back into the
saddles to prevent any small
parts from being lost.
4
3
© 2016 Floyd Rose Marketing. All rights reserved. Floyd Rose is a division of AP International.
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Floyd Rose | Rail Tail Tremolo System - Installation Guide
5.) Using the hex wrench provided,
unloosen the 3 plate screws half a
turn CCW so the String Block is
free to move back and forth.
6.) Approaching on a slight angle,
mount the tremolo unit onto the
Rail. Make sure the nipple is
engaged into the small slot as
well as the main Rail before
dropping the Tremolo Plate flush
with the guitar body.
6
5
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Floyd Rose | Rail Tail Tremolo System - Installation Guide
7.) With the Rail screws still loose,
you can now center the Tremolo unit
in between the pick guard or cavity if
necessary.
8.) After final Rail position is
determined, remove the Tremolo
unit and tighten the 4 Rail screws.
Tip: A hand screwdriver is
recommended for this to prevent
any wood from stripping.
8
7
© 2016 Floyd Rose Marketing. All rights reserved. Floyd Rose is a division of AP International.
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Floyd Rose | Rail Tail Tremolo System - Installation Guide
9.) After the Rail has been
tightened to the guitar body,
mount the tremolo unit back
onto the Rail just like in step 6.
10.) Now it’s time to adjust the
String Block. To achieve
maximum dive, the String
Block will want to be
positioned forward or towards
the neck but it is important
that the String Block doesn’t
make contact with the guitar
cavity wall. We recommend
1/32” (.8mm) clearance to
prevent any hang ups.
Tip: A quick way to do this is
use the provided
Conversion/Spacer card.
10
9
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Page 9 of 15
Floyd Rose | Rail Tail Tremolo System - Installation Guide
11.) With one hand holding
down the Tremolo unit to the
guitar body, insert the Spacer
card completely as shown and
push the String Block forward
as much as possible.
12.) Using the hex wrench
provided, slightly tighten the
middle plate screw while still
holding the Spacer card and
String Block in place.
11
12
© 2016 Floyd Rose Marketing. All rights reserved. Floyd Rose is a division of AP International.
Page 10 of 15
Floyd Rose | Rail Tail Tremolo System - Installation Guide
13.) Remove the Tremolo unit from
the guitar and turn over. Using your
thumbs, slightly rotate String Block
one way or the other to get it parallel
with a set of long or short sight lines.
Whichever set is nearest. This will
ensure the String Block is square with
the Tremolo Plate.
14.) When the String Block is
properly positioned and squared,
tighten all 3 plate screws. Double
check by remounting onto Rail
before continuing any further.
Tip: The Tremolo Plate should
naturally sit flush on top of guitar
body.
14
13
© 2016 Floyd Rose Marketing. All rights reserved. Floyd Rose is a division of AP International.
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Floyd Rose | Rail Tail Tremolo System - Installation Guide
15.) Reinstall the saddles onto the
Tremolo Plate.
Tip: To help speed up set up time,
look at the saddle positions from
your old tremolo as reference for a
rough intonation.
16.) Using the grease provided, apply
a strip inside the slot cavity of the
Tremolo Plate and spread evenly.
Tip: For smoother action, use a dab
on the string nut as well. It’s
recommended that grease is present
or reapplied between every string
change. For optimum performance
and minimal wear, a high quality
synthetic lubricant with PTFE is
recommended.
15
16
© 2016 Floyd Rose Marketing. All rights reserved. Floyd Rose is a division of AP International.
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Floyd Rose | Rail Tail Tremolo System - Installation Guide
17.) Mount the Tremolo unit back
onto the Rail just like in step 6.
Attach at least 3 springs from the
String Block to the claw before
installing new strings.
Tip: Wipe away any excess
grease that may have oozed out.
18.) Push strings through the 6
larger holes and tune the guitar as
you normally would.
18
17
© 2016 Floyd Rose Marketing. All rights reserved. Floyd Rose is a division of AP International.
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Floyd Rose | Rail Tail Tremolo System - Installation Guide
19.) When tuning the guitar, make
sure that the Tremolo Plate stays in
contact with the guitar body. If the
Tremolo Plate begins to lift
slightly, you’ll need tighten down
the claw screws to increase the
spring tension.
Tip: After the guitar is in tune and
the Tremolo Plate seated against
the guitar, you can slowly unloosen
the claw screws just before the
Tremolo Plate begins to lift. This
will help keep the guitar in tune as
well as make for an easier dive.
19
End of Installation
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Floyd Rose | Rail Tail Tremolo System - Installation Guide
20.) Remove the 2 point tremolo
from the guitar. Use the
Conversion / Spacer card
provided and line up against the
2 studs as shown.
NOTE: This card is designed to
work with standard 6mm
diameter threaded studs. It is a
tool to help locate the center line
of the studs. Results may vary.
20
21.) Mark the 4 middle holes and
remove card and studs. Using a
3/32” drill bit, drill the 4 holes to
a depth of at least 1”. Be careful
not to blow through the other
side.
Tip: Wrap a piece of tape around
the drill bit to the appropriate
depth.
When complete, proceed
back to step 2.
21
2 Point Tremolo Conversion
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