Blocking Electric Guitar Tremolo's
For players who don't use their tremolo, "blocking it" to prevent it's movement can remedy some common headaches associated with playing an electric guitar that has a Floyd Rose. When playing an instrument with a floating bridge, tuning, string changing and intonation can all create a certain amount of aggravation...so if you're not going to use the tremolo you have the option of blocking it.
When we block a tremolo we are literally adding blocks to one or both sides of the inertia block to stabilize it and prevent it from moving, in this way we need not worry about converting the bridge or modifying the body. And with our newly blocked tremolo we are no longer we forced to remove one string at a time or spend 15 minutes getting the guitar back in tune. And, we no longer go out of tune when we break one string. And what's more...it's completely reversible....that means no sweat for vintage guitar owners or for players who's style may later require some whammy!
Inertia Block is immobilized by hardwood shims
I thought it didn't need springs now? If you look at the photo above you will see that one spring was left in place...this spring is not for tension however...it is simply there as a ground. Since the spring claw is already screwed into the body we can use this spring as an "electrical" link from bridge to ground. One could easily remove it as well and simply run a wire from the tremolo to ground, your choice.
Another way to stabilize a tremolo would be to place a block in front of the inertia block (the gap nearest the neck) and place excessive spring tension on it to pull the fulcrum tight against this block. If you can not place this block deep enough it may interfere with the springs ability to hook onto the block though.
The size and width of the hardwood blocks used to immobilize the inertia block will determine the angle of the bridge and in most cases we desire to have the tremolo sit parallel with the top.
