Illustration: hex keys beside a locking tremolo bridge - AI-generated artwork, not a photo of the exact product

Floyd Rose Won't Stay in Tune? The Checklist in the Right Order

A Floyd Rose locks the strings at the nut and the saddles, so when it drifts, the cause is almost always one of a handful of things. Floyd Rose's own troubleshooting order is below, expanded into steps. For non-Floyd guitars, see our general guitar won't stay in tune guide.

Editorial guide built from manufacturer instructions and specs - not hands-on testing. Product cards link to Amazon; we never show Amazon prices here.

Quick answer

1. Make sure the base plate sits parallel to the body (adjust the spring claw, retune, repeat). 2. Tighten the locking nut screws and the nut's mounting screws - firm, not crushing. 3. Check the saddle clamp and intonation screws are tight. 4. Stretch new strings fully before locking the nut. 5. Tune at the headstock, lock, then use fine tuners only. If it still drifts, the knife edges or studs may be worn - a tech job on most guitars.

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Prices last checked: Oct 2026 where a verified price is shown on a card - confirm at checkout. Editorial from published facts, not hands-on testing: How we rate.

First: is it actually out of tune?

On a floating trem, bending one string makes the others go slightly flat, because the bridge tilts. Floyd Rose calls this normal for a floating bridge. If notes only drift while you bend, that's the design. Blocking or decking the trem changes this - Floyd Rose recommends having a qualified repair person do that.

What you need

Most Floyd Rose bridges use metric hex keys. Floyd Rose lists 2.5mm and 3mm for the Original, 1000 Series, Special, Hot Rod and 1984 models; the Pro uses 2, 2.5 and 3mm; the Speedloader uses 3, 2.5 and 1.5mm. StewMac notes 3mm commonly fits the nut and saddle clamp screws and 2.5mm the saddle mounting screws. Licensed bridges can differ - check yours. You also need a Phillips screwdriver for the spring claw and a tuner.

ILLUSTRATION

Illustration - AI-generated, not a photo of the exact product.

Step-up

Bondhus 20199 Balldriver L-Wrench Double Pack (BLX22, 22-piece)

The cheaper alternative to a full maintenance kit for saddle-height and careful setup checks: .050in and 1.5mm cover saddle screws, 1/8in (Fender USA truss), 3/16in (Fender Mexico truss) and 4mm/5mm (many import and Squier truss rods) cover the truss sizes guitarists actually meet. Honest limits: ball ends are for access at low torque - use the flat short end, fully seated, for a truss rod; and most Gibsons adjust with a 5/16in socket, not a hex key, so this set does not help there.

No list price listed here - we only publish prices we verified on a manufacturer/retailer page. Check the maker and Amazon for current pricing.

Ball-end L-wrenchesProTanium steelmade in USAlifetime warranty (per Bondhus). Metric 1.522.53456810mm + SAE .0501/165/643/327/641/89/645/323/167/321/45/163/8in; ball ends enter at up to 25 degrees (per Bondhus)

Maker/retailer source for the price & specs above (citation, not a buy link): Bondhus

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Prices last checked: Oct 2026 where a verified price is shown on a card - confirm at checkout. Editorial from published facts, not hands-on testing: How we rate.

Step by step: Floyd Rose's checklist

Base plate parallel to the body. Tune to pitch with the nut unlocked. If the back of the bridge tilts up, tighten the two spring-claw screws in the back cavity a little at a time; if it tilts down, loosen them. Retune and repeat - it takes several rounds.
Nut attachment screws. The screws holding the locking nut to the neck must be tight; a loose nut base moves when you bend or dive.
Nut clamps. Tighten the locking pads firmly but don't crank them: over-tightening can crush or cut strings, and stripped pads won't hold.
Saddle clamps. Each saddle's string-lock screw must clamp the string firmly. Clean out old string bits from the clamp - Seymour Duncan notes leftover pieces stop it clamping properly. Carvin warns that over-tightening can crack the lock blocks.
Saddle intonation screws. The screws that hold each saddle in place on the base plate must be tight, or saddles slide.
Knife edges and studs. If it still won't return to pitch after dives, check the knife edges and the two pivot studs. Floyd Rose says dull knife edges are rare on Originals and more common on licensed bridges. Inspecting them means taking the spring tension off - see the safety box. For licensed parts, contact the guitar's maker.

Restringing so it stays in tune

Unlock the nut and set the fine tuners to their middle position before you start, so you have room both ways.
Change one string at a time, or block the bridge so it doesn't tilt forward.
Cut ball ends off cleanly; clamp the string firmly in the saddle.
Tune up, then stretch each string gently along its length and retune - repeat until it stops going flat. Seymour Duncan stresses stretching before locking.
Tune to pitch, lock the nut, then correct with the fine tuners only.

Changing string gauge or tuning changes the spring balance: expect to readjust the spring claw and fine tuners, and possibly intonation.

Safety: springs and when to call a tech

Trem springs are under strong tension. Slacken the strings and the claw screws before removing springs, hold the bridge, wear eye protection, and keep fingers out of the spring path.
Don't hammer, file or grind knife edges or pivot studs yourself; replacing posts or bushings, and blocking or decking the bridge, are tech jobs.
Over-tightened clamps and stripped screws cost more to fix than the setup - use the correct key and stop when firm.

FAQ

Why does my Floyd Rose go flat after dive bombs?

Usually the strings weren't fully stretched, the nut or saddle clamps aren't tight, or the knife edges or studs are worn. Work through the checklist in order.

Why do other strings go flat when I bend on a Floyd?

That's normal on a floating trem: the bridge tilts and the other strings lose tension. Blocking the trem changes this, but have a qualified tech do it.

What size Allen key for a Floyd Rose?

Floyd Rose lists 2.5mm and 3mm for most models, including the Original and 1000 Series. The Pro also needs 2mm and the Speedloader 1.5mm. Licensed bridges can vary.

How tight should Floyd Rose nut screws be?

Firm, not cranked. Over-tightening can crush strings and damage the pads.

Should I tune before or after locking the nut?

Tune at the headstock with the nut unlocked, lock it, then make small corrections with the fine tuners.

More fix-it and buying guides: Guitars for small hands - Your first pedal - Travel guitars - Clean a guitar body - Are wall hangers safe? - Floyd Rose won't stay in tune - Put on a strap - Sounds bad even when tuned - Acoustic guitar crack - Do you need a case?
Related: Won't stay in tune - Tools - String keeps breaking

Sources checked Oct 19, 2026: Floyd Rose troubleshooting and Allen key size pages, StewMac Floyd Rose tool notes, Seymour Duncan, Beyond Eleven and Carvin Floyd Rose setup guidance, current top Google guides. Safety: hold the bridge when removing springs; tech for knife-edge, stud or blocking work.