Restringing & Retuning

Replacing the strings on a JEM/UV guitar can be difficult if done incorrectly. The floating bridge makes it difficult to stretch the strings, because as you tune one string, the others are effected. Sort of like a seesaw.

You must factor into account the string tension necessary to tune to pitch. Tuning a floating bridge is repetitious, and if you retune ONE string you must check all others for proper tune. I tune from low to high, but restring from high to low. That is tune the low-E first, to the A, D, etc.. If I fine-tune the D, I recheck the E, A then D again. Every time you fine-tune a string, all others will change. That is if you flatten the Low-E, other strings will go sharp... the price you pay for a floating bridge.

Restringing a Tuned Guitar

Notes:

Unlock the nut.
Remove one string at a time. I start with the high-E. This allows you to find the relative tension necessary for tuning and allows the high strings to stretch naturally as the low strings are removed & replaced.
Wind the string tightly around post, using several wraps. This will eliminate string slippage at the post and make it easier for the strings to stretch.
An electronic tuner is highly recommended, because tuning a guitar to itself when using a floating tremolo is nearly impossible. Plus, you will never accurately tune to play along with CD's, etc. because you will be a few cents off pitch on each string.

Changing the Strings

Remove the high-E, replace with new string. Tighten the string at the bridge, leave the nut unlocked. gently pull the string at the 12th fret to stretch/bend the string and seat the string at the post. Retune and stretch/bend. Repeat 3-5 times until the tuning holds fairly well.
Remove the B-string, replace with new string, stretch/retune as above. Now, after the B-string is tuned, retune the high-E. DO NOT CONTINUE replacing the G-string until both the E and the B are tuned. (disregard the other old strings).
Remove the G-string, replace with new string, stretch/retune as above. Now, after the G-string is tuned, retune the higher strings one at a time. DO NOT CONTINUE replacing the G-string until both the E and the B are tuned. Note that I tune the G, fine tune the B, fine tune the E, recheck the G, fine tune the B, fine tune the E, recheck the G, etc.. until all 3 are finely tuned. (disregard the other old strings D-A-E).
Remove the D-string, replace with new string, stretch/retune as above. Now, after the D-string is tuned, retune the higher strings one at a time. DO NOT CONTINUE replacing the D-string until the D-G-B-E strings are tuned to pitch. Use the same repetitive manner as above. Remember if you fine-tune ANY string you must check all others for proper tune.
Remove the A-string, replace with new string, stretch/retune as above. Now, after the A-string is tuned, retune the higher strings one at a time. DO NOT CONTINUE replacing the A-string until the A-D-G-B-E strings are tuned to pitch. Use the same repetitive manner as above. Remember if you fine-tune ANY string you must check all others for proper tune. HERE IS WHERE IT GETS REPETITIVE and tedious... but keep at it. It will pay dividends later.
Remove the low E-string, replace with new string, stretch/retune as above. Now, after the A-string is tuned, retune the higher strings one at a time. Remember if you fine-tune ANY string you must check all others for proper tune.

Final Notes:

After a semi-tedious process, the guitar will be in tune, and more importantly, will be easy to keep tuned.
I keep the nut unlocked overnight, because you will have to fine-tune as the strings stretch out. Play some chords for 5-10 minutes and retune from low-E to high-E.
The next day the nut is ready to be locked after retuning all strings again.

Fine-tuning a Guitar with Stretched Strings

Unlock the nut, making sure the strings freely pass thru the nut.
Tune the low-E to correct pitch.
Tune the A-string. Recheck the low-E string. Recheck/fine-tune/repeat until both the E and A are tuned.
Tune the D-string. Recheck the low-E and fine-tune, recheck the A and fine-tune, recheck the D and fine-tune. Recheck/tune the E, A, D, and repeat until all are in perfect tuning.
Tune the G-string. Recheck the low-E and fine-tune, recheck the A and fine-tune, recheck the D and fine-tune, recheck the G and fine-tune. Recheck/tune the E, A, D, G and repeat until all are in perfect tuning.
Tune the B-string. Recheck the low-E and fine-tune, recheck/fine-tune the A, recheck/fine-tune the D, recheck/fine-tune the G, recheck/fine-tune the B. Recheck/tune the E, A, D, G, B and repeat until all are in perfect tuning.
Tune the high E-string. Recheck the low-E and fine-tune, recheck/fine-tune the A, recheck/fine-tune the D, recheck/fine-tune the G, recheck/fine-tune the B, recheck/fine-tune the high-E. Recheck/tune the E, A, D, G, B, E and repeat until all are in perfect tuning.
Good luck... with practice it still TAKES TIME!!!!!!