Dumb (probably) question regarding Floyd Rose...

[RussTCB]

Ok, so playing Rocksmith 2014 has me getting way back into guitar. I bit the re-string bullet yesterday and did both my Epi Les Paul and EVH Red Stripe. I put Ernie Ball 10s on both and it's helped out with the LP a great deal. The old strings were just really warn out and went out of tune with every slight bend. The new ones are rock solid after I broke them in and I almost can't throw them out of tune, which is great.

ANYWAY.... I put the same set on the EVH which has a Floyd Rose which has led to a big issue. I cannot get it to stay in E standard without tightening the strings WAY too much. The trem ends up lifting off the guitar by almost a quarter inch.

So here's my question:

Can I add a spring to the guitar to fix that or should I just stick with 9s on a FR? I apologize if this is a remedial question, but this is the first FR I've ever had and this is the first time I've changed the strings on it.

[AxlisOld]

You either tighten the screws holding the claw that the strings hook to, or you can add an extra spring. An extra spring will give you a bit more resistance, and somewhat more of a stiff feel when using the bar. Tightening the claw will offer less resistance and a freer flowing feel. If you are going from 9 to 10 in standard tuning, you will notice a difference in feel of the strings as well. I do everything in half step and use 10s.

[RussTCB]

You either tighten the screws holding the claw that the strings hook to, or you can add an extra spring. An extra spring will give you a bit more resistance, and somewhat more of a stiff feel when using the bar. Tightening the claw will offer less resistance and a freer flowing feel. If you are going from 9 to 10 in standard tuning, you will notice a difference in feel of the strings as well. I do everything in half step and use 10s.

So for my ignorance, but what do you mean when you say "claw that the strings hook to"?

[AxlisOld]

You either tighten the screws holding the claw that the strings hook to, or you can add an extra spring. An extra spring will give you a bit more resistance, and somewhat more of a stiff feel when using the bar. Tightening the claw will offer less resistance and a freer flowing feel. If you are going from 9 to 10 in standard tuning, you will notice a difference in feel of the strings as well. I do everything in half step and use 10s.

So for my ignorance, but what do you mean when you say "claw that the strings hook to"?

Fuck me, typo. Take that the SPRINGS hook to.

[RussTCB]

You either tighten the screws holding the claw that the strings hook to, or you can add an extra spring. An extra spring will give you a bit more resistance, and somewhat more of a stiff feel when using the bar. Tightening the claw will offer less resistance and a freer flowing feel. If you are going from 9 to 10 in standard tuning, you will notice a difference in feel of the strings as well. I do everything in half step and use 10s.

So for my ignorance, but what do you mean when you say "claw that the strings hook to"?

Fuck me, typo. Take that the SPRINGS hook to.

RIght on. Ok cool. Thanks for the info. I'll take the back cover off and look into tightening the screws first.

[AxlisOld]

You either tighten the screws holding the claw that the strings hook to, or you can add an extra spring. An extra spring will give you a bit more resistance, and somewhat more of a stiff feel when using the bar. Tightening the claw will offer less resistance and a freer flowing feel. If you are going from 9 to 10 in standard tuning, you will notice a difference in feel of the strings as well. I do everything in half step and use 10s.

So for my ignorance, but what do you mean when you say "claw that the strings hook to"?

Fuck me, typo. Take that the SPRINGS hook to.

RIght on. Ok cool. Thanks for the info. I'll take the back cover off and look into tightening the screws first.

That would probably be best if you haven't used a Floyd for a while. It will help develop control of the bar. I used 2 springs for a while on my Kramer, and eventually I think I put a third on there.

[RussTCB]

Update:

I tightened the screws a good amount which helped some but still leaves me about a half step down from standard tuning without the bridge coming way too far off the body of the guitar. I'm gonna losen the screws later today, add another spring and go from there.

I greatly appreciate the help either way, thanks again.

[AxlisOld]

With a Floyd rose and changing string guage, you'll kind of fight it for a while, ie, retuning several times. Did you detune the strings all the way and then tighten the springs, or just tighten the springs while in tune? Tightening the springs while at tension takes longer to adjust. Out of curiosity, did it come with two springs or three, EVH used two on most of his guitars.