Material of Ibanez Trems

[Bladerunner]

Can someone tell me from which metal the Edge Pro Bridges are made? It looks to me like aluminum, but im not sure.

[rrhea]

Unfortunately, they are made of pot metal (like your HotWheels cars when you were a kid). I am pretty sure it's a slighty better formula than the die-cast metal they use on toys, but it still pretty much sucks.

I have a bunch of Ibanez guitars with the older Lo-Pro (they, too, are made of pot metal) and the new Edge Pro. They work fine, but the finish gets easily eaten away by acidic sweat and moisture (more so than my Floyds). Floyds tend to rust, since they are made almost entirely out of steel (and some parts are brass). So neither is perfect, but I'd take rust over a melting finish any day... at least you can oil it.

Plus, I can't help but wonder how much better my Ibanezes would sound if they actually had a more decent conduit for vibration at the bridge. I would think that a steel bridge, saddles and inertia block would have to sound better and transfer vibration better than a soft pot metal version.

But, then you can argue that they seem to be good enough for Vai and Satch, so there you go.

Ryan

[wallopwallop]

Originally Posted by rrhea

But, then you can argue that they seem to be good enough for Vai and Satch, so there you go.

Satch and Vai can ask 'their people' to call Ibanez and get a case of new trem systems for when their's wear out too!!

I love the feel of Edge trem systems but am yet to try the Edge Pro. They may be made from cast metal but from my experience they are engineered very well. I really dig the way that the saddle screws on edge systems screw directly into a separate hardened plate on the underside of the system rather than into the body of the trem itself. I once stripped a thread on my old Lo-Pro and it was no hassle to order a replacement plate and fit it myself. When I recently did the same to a Schaller system I had to replace the whole system!!

I guess I should learn not to over tighten things!!

[red5]

I am going to make trems made from solid titanium someday! Just watch

[amanvai]

Let me know how heavy the guitar is.

[mi2tom]

Originally Posted by red5

I am going to make trems made from solid titanium someday! Just watch

ok then I'll wait

[red5]

Originally Posted by mi2tom

ok then I'll wait

It would take me a while yet. But it seems like a good idea!

[mi2tom]

Originally Posted by red5

It would take me a while yet. But it seems like a good idea!

yes!!! it's a good idea but I think it'll be very heavy and costly

[red5]

Originally Posted by mi2tom

yes!!! it's a good idea but I think it'll be very heavy and costly

Yeah, better put them in Les Pauls then lol

[King Knall]

Originally Posted by red5

Yeah, better put them in Les Pauls then lol

I'd break my neck once I strap it on.

Remember to copyright it.

[technomancer]

Originally Posted by mi2tom

yes!!! it's a good idea but I think it'll be very heavy and costly

Costly yes, heavy no. Titanium is actually probably lighter than the pot metal they're made out of now as it weighs 60% as much as steel... that's why it's used in aircraft, it's really strong and really light.

[Ibateur]

Originally Posted by technomancer

Costly yes, heavy no. Titanium is actually probably lighter than the pot metal they're made out of now as it weighs 60% as much as steel... that's why it's used in aircraft, it's really strong and really light.

This guy makes titanium parts. Harmony Central has some (good) reviews of tonal qualities of the things (trem block, saddles).

Another good quality is that they don't tarnish/wear out due to sweaty acidic hands...

http://www.detempleguitars.com/home2.htm

[mi2tom]

Originally Posted by Ibateur

This guy makes titanium parts. Harmony Central has some (good) reviews of tonal qualities of the things (trem block, saddles).

Another good quality is that they don't tarnish/wear out due to sweaty acidic hands...

http://www.detempleguitars.com/home2.htm

sadly no locking trem

[GTR-MAN]

Originally Posted by technomancer

Costly yes, heavy no. Titanium is actually probably lighter than the pot metal they're made out of now as it weighs 60% as much as steel... that's why it's used in aircraft, it's really strong and really light.

Titanium is a lot lighter than "pot metal" or diecast. A titanium bridge would be super light and cost a lot more than todays bridges.

[screamndemon69]

Originally Posted by amanvai

Let me know how heavy the guitar is.

titanium is light. that would be nice if it retained tone.