edge susting block...

[Devon8822]

What year did the sustain block get shortened? and why?
also, whats with the backstop decal on the early models, just means that guitar came with a backstop?
and do the longer sustain blocks give more sustain, or any advantages or any disadvantages?
thanks

[Devon8822]

Oh, and how do you tell if an Edge's knife edges are in good condition? what do you look for? sharpness? infact if someone could post a picture of a bad condition knife edge and a prime condition one, that would be extremely helpful.

[djohns74]

When the Edge first arrived (1986?), it was used in top-mount applications, so the block needed to be longer to reach the spring cavity. The shorter block would have first appeared in 1987 with the RG/Jem line since they're routed and the bridge sits lower in the body, and I don't know if the long block version was produced past the point. I thought the RG essentially replaced the guitar that the top-mount Edge was used on, but I'm not positive of that.

One disadvantage to a long block on a routed body is that it is impossible to install a spring cavity cover. The springs also end up at a more severe angle, but this doesn't seem to affect playability too terribly. I have a chrome long-block Edge on an RG520 body and beyond not being able to install a cover, it works perfectly fine.

[Devon8822]

ahh very interesting thank you, what about the knife edges?
oh and has the lo-pro ever been know to have better tuning stability than the origional edge? or are they pretty much the same in that aspect?

[djohns74]

Originally Posted by Devon8822

ahh very interesting thank you, what about the knife edges?
oh and has the lo-pro ever been know to have better tuning stability than the origional edge? or are they pretty much the same in that aspect?

There's been plenty of debate on this site over whether the Original or Lo-Pro is better for stability, appearance, feel, you name it. I certainly wouldn't try to give the definitive answer on the subject, but I know that both can be set up very well and stable from my own personal experience. Any differences between them will likely be very minor.

I don't have a lot of experience with dealing with knife edges myself, but Rich certainly does.

http://www.ibanezrules.com/tech/setup/sharpening.htm

[albee1952]

My 2 cents on stability. I have had all 3 versions(original Edge, LoPro and new Edge Pro) work great and poor on different guitars. Seems to me that it is more a function of the knife edges, stud condition and maybe the position of the north star on some days. Once in a while I get a setup that has WAY more flutter which USUALLY means more stability too(maybe due to less friction between moving parts).