Different Edge's blocks

nuno · #1 01-31-2002, 10:41 AM

hey pal,
i was nostalgically dreaming on one of those instructions booklets that basically come along with each Ibanez w/case, when my eyes got stucked on this:

http://jemsiteforum.com/sharefiles/i...ck%20types.jpg

now, i've got 9 Edge-equipped Ibys, and all of them have the HS type block. so what about those S and HV type blocks? yeah, i know, they're for other Ibanez models, but why? which differences between them?
thanx

nuno

darren wilson · #2 01-31-2002, 11:08 AM

Just a wild guess here, but maybe they're different block depths to accommodate different body thicknesses?

nuno · #3 01-31-2002, 12:09 PM

i thought that too, but the thing is that i've got HS block types on all of my Ibys: booklet refers HS block to fit the 540S but i've got no 540Ss, unfortunately.
strange thing.

iain · #4 01-31-2002, 12:30 PM

I had an 'S' in my JS1000TB, which should have been an 'HS.' The 'S' was way too long, and would hit the trem cavity plate when the bar was pulled up, eventhough the cavity was one of those with the slot in it. The slot didn't line up, go figure

. I've since replaced with an 'HS,' and all is well. All my other Ibanez' have 'HS' blocks. I've never seen an 'HV.' There was shome conjecture that 'S' stood for *short* and 'HS' stood for *half-short* or *hellatiously-short*. I can't see the 'S' fitting in any S based body, it's just too damn long.

edit - spelling

(Edited by iain at 11:34 am on Jan. 31, 2002)

Rich · #5 01-31-2002, 12:40 PM

Good memory, there's the H, the S, and the HS. H is the longest, and the S short and HS hellatiously Short are nicknames used by the folks at Ibanez. I figure the H and S block are leftover dinosaurs from the days where the trem sat atop the body instead of routed down in it. The HS is the standard block used today on basically everything.

nuno · #6 01-31-2002, 07:21 PM

Yeah man,
i've got an NRG410 ('86) with the Edge (old type, w/out Stud Lock Screws) that sits atop (not recessed yet), and its block is damn long, a bit skinny than those used today and with no 'sizes' stamped in.

yurich · #7 01-31-2002, 09:47 PM

can't you simply shorten the block??

nuno · #8 02-01-2002, 08:56 AM

yeah, you can do it, but you have to re-drill the springs holes deeper.
i got no problems with Edge's block: mine was just curiosity.

nuno

gitarrero · #9 07-20-2003, 02:52 PM

Hi guys,

I photographed three different blocks for comparison.

Left: No letters, maybe "HV" (?). From a late 80's EDGE.
Middle: "S". From my '92 JS1's Lo-Pro EDGE which should have been (and now is) equipped with an "HS".
Right: "HS" standard short block.

nuno · #10 07-21-2003, 03:46 AM

wow!
thanx Gitarrero!

Mr Orange · #11 07-21-2003, 04:59 AM

I'd bet a dime that the late '80s one sounds best because of more mass...

nuno · #12 07-21-2003, 07:20 AM

well,
the late '80s type is longer, but it's thinner as well. dont know...
but here again, i think only Eric Johnson could hear the difference, if any.

gitarrero · #13 07-21-2003, 08:09 AM

Don't know if the blocks sound different; but when you install the "HV" block in a guitar with a recessed EDGE or Lo-Pro EDGE, it will most likely stick out of the back and the plate won't fit anymore. Maybe you can shim the neck and have the bridge float high above the body...

gitarrero · #14 07-21-2003, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snakepit

can't you simply shorten the block??

It's possible, but as nuno said, you'd have to re-drill the holes for the springs and make new threads for the two small screws that hold the lock bar.

frankfalbo · #15 07-22-2003, 01:58 AM

There's a different feel between them because of the shift in leverage. The sound difference would be none or minimal, because although the mass could change, the Edge is a high mass bridge already. That means the overall percentage change in mass is very small. Stratheads will sometimes jack around with different blocks to change their tone, but think about it, the block is 90% of the overall bridge's mass.

There could be a sonic difference because the "bounce" would be different. The warble effect is probably more or less apparent, and that could translate into a sustain difference. My guess is the short block would increase sustain, because the distance between the springs and the fulcrum is tighter, while the long block encourages vibration absorption by the tremolo.