Any views on Edge Zero Bridge ?

[Homebake]

Originally Posted by Rich

Is there some reason you're defending it's honor like you designed it?

not really, just the fact everyone here seems to say it can't stay in tune, is built terribly and doesn't work or something.

i suppose since you work a hell of a lot on guitars the fine tuners matter in that case. still, i like em.

what do you mean about the bathtub route?

[Rich]

It stays in tune very well as a free floater, but I have problems with some in ZPS, and if I do, others are also.

You never noticed the 1" long rout behind it, and that no other guitar has that?

[Homebake]

oh, yeah, the pull up route as i call it. yeah, i thought it was cool lol.

just a random question, i noticed in the namm 2008 photos of the EZ, and on the website photos, the knife edge's aren't parallel with the studs?

the manual tells you to make sure the trem block is touching the ZPS bar and that the bar is in it's grooves, and even on 10-46s, when you fulfill those criteria the knife edges aren't 100% level? i mean, i think even with 9-42s, with the bridge parallel to the guitar, the ZPS function wouldn't be working.

the manual also says:

"now, the best position is with the arm down very slightly, not up (a balance of about 3:7), so turn the adjustment knob and adjust it to this position"

not quite sure what any of that means. i've had it set up completely parallel to the guitar and with it raised up very slightly (as i've seen in pics and how it's set when the trem block touches the bar and the bar's in it's grooves) and i can't notice any difference in tuning stability.

[NeglectedField]

I tried an RG2550Z, seemed nice enough. Comfortable enough on the palm and all. Quite good as well, I think knife-edge suits the profile of an RG better than the chunkier ball-bearing system as seen on the S'es, who have a more contoured body so it doesn't look weird. Because I'm too lazy to fit Hipshot Tremsetters to OFR guitars, I'm probably going to be sticking with Ibanez for the foreseeable future.

[Rich]

Another one of MY problems with the EZ, is the angle for setup. With ZPS in it's at one angle, which the knives are not perpendicular to the studs, and there is no reference to keep the angle correct except the ZPS bar. What you set it up without the ZPS bar, you set it up dead flat, with the knives perpendicular. The difference between the 2 is bridge radius will change a little with the angle [as well as action and the redundantly apparent differences].

[rvai]

I donīt own any guitar with an EZ, but Iīve tried some and it felt kind of stiff, but I didnīt notice any tuning problems, it stayed in tune well

[scotteggshell]

I've had a guitar with the EZ bridge for 3 weeks now.

The only other Ibanez bridge I've used is the Lo Pro 7. In a couple weeks or so I should be getting a guitar with an EP so I will be able to do a better comparison then.

This is what I have found.
1) The ZPS thing kinda sucks. It makes the trem super heavy and sometimes
doesnt rtz. But easy enough to fix - Pull the bar out.
2) Fine tuners are AWFUL. No more needs said
3) When you take a string off the saddle piece rattles like death and feels like a piece tin. I dont think this is causing problems(yet), but anyting loose on anything vibrating is asking for trouble
4) With the ZPS out the Bridge actually works OK
5) I like the adjustment knob on the spring claw. I know I probably shouldn't do it but if the whole gtr is a bit flat or sharp (due to temp etc) I will kinda gross tune the whole gtr with the adjuster. I've marked the positions tho so I can reset it when I have more time to keep the trem angle proper .
6) The intonation tool works as it should. - Nice
7) I am concerned with the lack of Mass in the bridge. I will know more when I get the EP fitted gtr. Dont they call the bit that the springs hook into a "sustain Block" ? Why is it so small on the EZ ?
Used to be you could have 2 /3 / 4 springs and control the tension, how can you do that with the EZ?.

Scott

[Rich]

Wow, sounds like a list of my complaints

[rob777vdy]

ive just got my rg2550z today.ive just had a good 3 hours play on it.as far as the trem goes its seems ok.i tuned up then used fine tuners no probs stays in tune nicely,im not into heavy trem abuse.but if rich says this trem has issues then i wouldnt argue with that,as hes had more experiance with these than me and he knows his stuff.ill give it time but if this edge zero gives me any problems its coming straight off,had 12 years of tuning problems with a lo-trs aint going through all that again.rich would a lo-pro or any other decent trem fit in a rg2550z.

[nuno]

Originally Posted by scotteggshell

and sometimes doesnt rtz...

rtz? Returns To Zero?
it takes a lot more for us to get what you mean than for you to type it. make that little effort, please.

[PBGas]

In any case, both Anton and Rich are pretty correct in their sharing of the shortcomings of this bridge. I am the proud owner of 2 J-Customs with this bridge on it. Now, I haven't had a lot of the issues with tuning that some others have had. I will agree with Rich that the fine tuners are an issue and are poor. He sees an awful lot of these guitars and thus it's pretty hard to argue with that much experience and knowledge. However, one can't argue with the great ease of intonating this bridge over the EP bridge. It's a nice setup for that. I've balanced mine to the point where it does come back true and in tune on my strobe but I've got it pretty darn stiff on the pull up to help keep the strings somewhat in tune in case you break one.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by PBGas

but I've got it pretty darn stiff on the pull up to help keep the strings somewhat in tune in case you break one.

How do you have it stiff on pull up? There's is nothing on that side of the block to stiffen it.

[corey j grieve]

It still sickens me to the core that the Egen could have had the lo pro! The fact Herman chose the Z says alot for it i guess as he is an over the top trem thrasher,but still seeing his lo pro version and that it could of existed ****s me to tears!! Please Ibanez give us back our beloved edges! The anniversary issues of the past couple of years with edges were just so right,JUST SO IBANEZ! I do love my Jap edge pros also and would be happy just to keep them,but now any new J custom i buy will have a Z! X(

I realize the huge route is to make it idiot proof for people forgeting to remove intonation tool(would you rather have a huge dent in your guitar?),but its damn ugly. I guess its the same width as the lions claw and understand Ibanez's thinking,imagine the comments to Ibanez about poor design and clearance after numerous people forgetting to remove that little screw! The ugly route is a much smaller issue.

[scotteggshell]

Originally Posted by nuno

rtz? Returns To Zero?
it takes a lot more for us to get what you mean than for you to type it. make that little effort, please.

OK sorry.

RTZ = Real Tight Zoot
= Ridiculously Textured Zebras
= Right Thought Zarathustra

Or My favorite and yours. Return To Zero

S

[PBGas]

How do you have it stiff on pull up? There's is nothing on that side of the block to stiffen it.

I added a small low density foam block on the area between the cavity and the block. This is something you shouldn't have to do on a guitar like this. I find it gives a more accurate recovery when pulling up. It took quite a bit of experimentation to get the right size.

As I said, they should have gotten it right in the first place.

Here's another issue that some may find.....on the second string at certain resonant frequencies when bending upwards, that saddle will vibrate. The springs beneath the saddles are too weak. Oy Vey! I also added a tiny piece of foam to deaden that. It's actually happening on both of my J-Customs. Try an upward bend at the 15th fret, second string and see if yours does it. If both of my guitars didn't have such beautiful necks to play on them and such quality woods....I'd be inclined to move them both. That would be a tough decision though because they play so beautifully.