Is the Edge Zero good enough?

[jono]

There's been a lot of discussion in one thread or another as to the reliability, the aesthetics, the build quality and even the "mojo" of this trem and whether it is up to scratch.

So, taking everything into account, and summing it up in one easy yes or no question.

Is the edge zero good enough?

Good enough for "what" exactly, I'll let you all discuss in the thread but I'm curious to know the black and white of the current crop of Jemsiters' opinions on this trem.

[nato101010]

The Edge Zero isn't the one on the Prestige S models, correct?

If so, then I dunno.

[SilverEra]

When Ibanez sub contracts out to a Chinese company to make a crucial part of their so called MIJ guitars, you know somethings wrong.

[Homebake]

i like it because i'm a fool and i can't learn how to tune a full floater properly

if ibanez made a gotoh-made edge pro with locking studs and an optional ZPS, i'd be in heaven.

[Shredder87]

It is a decent enough locking trem for lower-end Ibanez models, but it is most definately NOT suitable for the Prestige range, IMO.

To me, compared with the EP it is of lower-quality and doesn't sound as nice. Also the EP was lower-profile, which I prefer.

Ibanez, please bring back the higher-quality EP for Prestige models.

'87

[Rachmaninoff]

My old and good Lo Pro still makes me happy.

[Shredder87]

To be fair the ZPS seems like a good idea to me. Although I still can't see what was so wrong with what we had before (EP, Original Edge, Lo Pro, OFR).

Obviously the "Chibanez" EZ was primarily to save Ibanez money in manufacturing costs - fair enough, but the end result is a poorer-quality product. And let's face it have Ibanez's profits increased that much with this change? Methinks not.

Keep "Made In Japan" made in Japan. It is known for good quality for a reason.

'87

[S-man]

ZPS is a waste...mostly. China quality. Too many things to list.

The real kicker is that they put them on the J custom guitars as well.

Also, another thing I've noticed....The guitars equipped with the edge pro only have the wizard neck available and guitars with the superwizard neck only have edge zero's available.

I see what they did there...but they need to change it back...JMO.

I voted NO!

[560licious]

I love the original edge.

[C.Thep]

I've yet to experience one :/

[SilverEra]

Originally Posted by C.Thep

I've yet to experience one :/

You're not missing much...

[smooth55]

While I don't have any personal experience (I didn't vote), I've heard that some of the components of the EZ are low quality. I heard a complaint that metal screws are soft and the alan wrench heads strip easily. Functionally, most find it a capable trem but over the long haul, I think people will see more problems with parts wearing out than with some of the early Edge incarnations.

[stodge]

I've only played one guitar with the Edge Zero and that was in a store. It didn't even have the trem arm installed but it was comfortable enough to play. I think for the majority of average users the EZ is "good enough", hence I voted yes. But maybe for the more professional guitarist maybe not given it's made in China?

[RedTiger]

Originally Posted by stodge

I think for the majority of average users the EZ is "good enough", hence I voted yes. But maybe for the more professional guitarist maybe not given it's made in China?

Correct. If the poll were "as good as X" or "the same as Y", that would be one thing. "Good enough"? Yes, it is good enough...with some caveats.

I'm becoming reacquainted with the Original Floyd Rose lately and I am amending what I might have said before; the OFR is a better tremolo in terms of feel and actually setting up the guitar. When I look at the rear route, it is comforting to see a similar set of springs and claw to the Fenders I "grew up" using as opposed to the hyper-engineered Edge Zero. The whole package is elegant and just "makes sense" when I look at it as a whole.

If the Edge/Lo Pro/Edge Pro are anything like the OFR, then yes, chances are they are better as well. However, as of now, I'm kinda bothered by *any* sort of Edge bridge, no matter how good they are. If I want a double locking trem, I'm going to only consider guitars that have OFR or at the very least allow for one as a drop-in replacement. I look at all the manufacturers that use an actual Floyd Rose and can't help but scratch my head a bit at Ibanez. Its sort of like buying a Compaq or Gateway vs. building your own PC: do you want standard, off the shelf stuff or proprietary hardware that you can't just buy anywhere (HINT: I build my own PCs )? I would much rather have a reliable, easy to replace bridge that is a well-known standard than a proprietary piece of hardware. I can go to half a dozen places, Warmoth and the like, and load my shopping cart with them. I appreciate Ibanez's attempt to improve it, but IMO, it doesn't really need any!

Anyway, the Edge Zero is perfectly fine. It can do everything the OFR can, except maybe flutter (if that even matters to you) despite not being quite as elegant and simple. If they aren't picky, I'd say the average guitarist who wants a "Floyd" will be satisfied. I would *highly* suggest that someone should play an Ibanez equipped with the EZ side-by-side with an Edge Pro or OFR before they decide, however. That should go without saying.

[S-man]

It can't do every thing a Floyd or the older edge systems could do....one of the most obvious things are the springs. Want 2, 3, 4, springs? You can't have it with the Edge Zero....you are stuck with two. Not to mention the pathetically small sustain block to accommodate the worthless zps poo etc.