[Did Ibanez mess] up the S-series

[S-man]

Well... the thing about the ZR is that the fulcrum point and trem bar geometry changed.

It takes more movement of the trem bar to get the same amount of pitch change when compared to a knife based trem. It is also heavier.

Though the new ZR2 is lighter than the ZR.

The trem bar holder on the orginal ZR is crap. It becomes loose then breaks.

This has been changed on the ZR2 as well. The new 24 fret MIJ S-series necks are not that thick....same as the current Prestige RG neck.

The Wizard II that comes on the 22fret model has been crap since they moved all the production to korea. It is thick ...but more importantly, it has an odd shape. That neck also has a 400mm radius that does not compliment the bridge radius well. The low action we have become accustomed to is not easily accomplished with this combo.

I've said enough for the moment... I could go on and on...

[Dee]

Originally Posted by NickCormier

I dont think saying Ibanez "F'd" up the S-series will get you any bacon bits around here. Being that ignorant even brings your PERSONAL OPINION of them down 10 notchs, cause if you are gonna bash something you clearly have little experiance with (calling it inferior? Please.) then why should anyone value your opinion.

I personally wish all RGs had ZR's, TO ME: they are much smoother, much better stability in tuning, Arent a pain in the arse. Its unfortunate they only come on S's.

Maybe Vai and Satch havent switched over because they been playing LoPros since the 80s, why would they change something they used for 20 years? That would esp hinder their live performance, being uncomfortable with a new bridge. But thats not a sole reason to bash the trem itself, which is clearly up to par with the Edges. I suppose anything less than a exact Jem Vai uses, or a chrome JS model is inferior too, right? Since they dont play any other guitars? Guess its time to throw away everyones J-customs and LACS's.

Silly post. My opinion? Yes, Ibanez royally screwed up the S series, and it's nothing to do with the trem.

[540s]

Originally Posted by Dee

Silly post. My opinion? Yes, Ibanez royally screwed up the S series, and it's nothing to do with the trem.

I also do not care for the ZR.

I forced myself to overcome that & dropped the cash (actually it was a debit ) on a 5470. Unfortunately, I had to return the guitar for other reasons not related to the bridge... but YES I do think it would be a VERY good idea to offer another bridge on S's besides the ZR. The Egen is the only non ZR S option that I'm aware of & then you have the pimpin' purple/gold & the grip..... The people who do not like that combo or can't make the price of an Egen have no options other than to chose a different guitar if they dont like the ZR... & it seems like it's a fair amount of people are feeling this way.

I dont think I'll ever buy another ZR equipped guitar unless it is otherwise absolutely amazing & I have not seen anything that fits that description recently. Of course that is based on my personal preferences, but obviously I'm not the only one who feels this way.

[Crazy_Guitar]

I think Ibanez should have the option to go ZR or EdgeZ.

[ButchRG]

I see the ZR as a step in the right direction but they're not quite there yet. I think it will evolve. Similar to the way the Edge did. I also think it's interesting that neither the JEM nor JS models feature the ZR yet.

Personally, I think the Lo-Pro Edge is the best locking trem ever designed in terms of feel, functionality and aesthetic. The Edge Pro is a close second but I hate not having the locking studs. To me, the ZR feels a little stiff. To be fair, I've only tried it once or twice and the guitars were not properly set up at that point.

[rzul]

Originally Posted by ButchRG

I see the ZR as a step in the right direction but they're not quite there yet. I think it will evolve. Similar to the way the Edge did. I also think it's interesting that neither the JEM nor JS models feature the ZR yet.

Personally, I think the Lo-Pro Edge is the best locking trem ever designed in terms of feel, functionality and aesthetic. The Edge Pro is a close second but I hate not having the locking studs. To me, the ZR feels a little stiff. To be fair, I've only tried it once or twice and the guitars were not properly set up at that point.

+1 same here, I tried S with ZR and it was very stiff, hardly any flutter to obtain but IMO tuning stability is improved from edge...

[Darin]

I've never played so called ZR. But I still don't like them. If it aint a 20 year old OFR that still works perfecty, smoothly, effortlessly etc I don't want no parts of it! Not even the new OFR "style" can touch the old ones.

And that's not "TO ME" That's "PERIOD, CHUMP!!"

[ButchRG]

Originally Posted by Darin

I've never played so called ZR. But I still don't like them. If it aint a 20 year old OFR that still works perfecty, smoothly, effortlessly etc I don't want no parts of it! Not even the new OFR "style" can touch the old ones.

And that's not "TO ME" That's "PERIOD, CHUMP!!"

LMAO!!! How "politically correct"

[alecmm61]

Originally Posted by megatron

Well I think Ibanez DID mess up the S-series, but not with the ZR. I haven't heard a whole lot of complaints about tuning stability, and if you don't like the feel of it, take the ZPS bar out. That being said, I still prefer the Edge tremolos over the ZR's. But, what they did mess up on was moving the production to Korea. After that, the necks got HUGE and quality became mediocre for the lower end models. I still can't get over how big the necks are, the S7320 has a stinkin baseball bat on it! Everybody who's played a late 80's/early 90's 540S with a square heel can tell you how much of a 180 this is. Maybe there will be a 540S reissue one day....

DEFINATLY messes up on moving production to korea

[Spudman]

Don't the ZRs have that stabilizer in the trem cavity? That might be one reason they feel stiff. I never particularly liked that thing so I took it out.

[S-man]

Yes, the ZPS device makes the trem stiff and kills flutter....remove it.

[-Rhaab]

Originally Posted by S-man

Yes, the ZPS device makes the trem stiff and kills flutter....remove it.

truth
i didnt really try it when i first got my s
i pretty much took it off and fell in love with the zr

I do have a rg570 with original edge and think that feels/plays great, but i'd still go for zr. I don't think ibanez should convert all their s's to zr trems though

[elcid]

Originally Posted by Lonkero

Oh...Should i now on wrote every time i say something TO ME: ????
OR IN MY OPINION I FEEL THAT
OR JUST MY 2 CENTS
Camon man, don't be such a fool


You NickCormier neeed to relax, and don't get angry if not every player
likes YOUR ZR

Get used to it man. Unless you are going to bash Gibson, Fender or say that a Squier is as good as an American Strat, you need to let people know you are just stating an opinion.

[Steve V.]

Where did all the hardtail Ss go?

[bdk]

Ibanez has done everything in its power to completely destroy the once mighty S series:

1. Wavy inlays, WTF DUDE!??!?!?!
2. ZR Trem, is it THAT hard to put a real tremolo on it?
3. Wizard II necks, my 2170, expensive ass guitar has a thick annoying neck

What else could they do to ruin it? I just don't know. Now the S540LTD, is one of my favorites of all time, my S470fm, one of the most underrated guitars of all time, but I have to agree with you, Ibanez leaves me scratching my head with teh way the S series was handled.

Isn't it a "shred" guitar? I thought that's why they were invented. If so, put the super whammy on it, and keep the thin neck, and PLEASE leave limpwristed inlays off of that bad boy!!!