Help with fixed bridge?

[indonez]

Hi all. I have an RG321 (no groans, please, I know its not the DNA). I'd like to replace the bridge on it. The guitar is string-thru body, which I really like, so I was hoping to find a compatible bridge that will still allow me to use that feature. One of the reasons I want to change the bridge is that I tune the thing down to C standard, which is messing with the intonation a bit, and I'd like to have a bridge with a little more saddle travel so that I can get the intonation right. Does anyone have any suggestions for a fixed bridge that would suit? I don't know much about brands or models of after-market accessories. I'd really appreciate any advice you guys have to offer.

[ColinMmmmm]

It seems bizarre that the current bridge doesn't allow proper intonation . . .

[indonez]

I have the low "E" cranked as far as it will go to the point where the spring is eating itself. I think the bridge placement could have been a little better. It's not exactly at a right angle, and it's a junk bridge to start with. I just have no idea what to put in its place.

[indonez]

It just kind of dawned on me that most of you have Floyds. This is probably the wrong forum to be asking such a question.

[brothersnowgone]

Try taking the spring off the low-e saddle and you might be able to tighten it enough for proper intonation. Just cause we have floyds doesn't mean with have no hardtail bridge guitars....

[ColinMmmmm]

Yeah true many people here have hardtails. I'm wondering if you could do something like adjust the trussrod and/or saddle height to make things a bit easier. It's possible the factory set-up was not up to par, and you're having trouble intonating because of it. I mean I'm sure you can rustle up a bridge that would work, though it might not line up with the holes in the body you've got. I'm just trying to think of easier solutions than replacing the bridge.

[jkahrs]

Just cut the spring. I've had to do it before myself. It's no big deal, and will take care of the problem. --Jason

[ColinMmmmm]

What gauge strings do you have on there?

[indonez]

12 to 68

[indonez]

.012 to 68

[wilch]

Hi there, alot of us here have hard tails too.

I have an RG421 (jap version of the 321)... pretty much EXACTLY the same, body wood is different though I think. The 321 having the nicer mahogony.

Very strange that you can't intonate for C tuning with the standard bridge... You should be able to. Maybe put the saddles back to neutral and start again?

[ScottB]

Hipshot makes some of the finest hardtails and strat hardware available.

[Vinco]

Difficult intonation sometimes comes from...flat nut slots!

The string can in some case have "floating" support point because there is not enough slot angle.

I experienced this case on an RGA121, not really the cheapest Ibanez...

I went through the process of removing springs, etc. But the problem disappeared after I changed the nut (some graphtech's are perfect for Ibanez).

I had the idea to check that after reading a "build your own guitar in 10 easy steps" kind of book where the author mentionned that cutting flat nut slots could simply completely ruin intonation of the guitar.

[djohns74]

Originally Posted by indonez

.012 to 68

Wow, that's an extremely heavy bottom string, even for C Standard, which might be part of the problem.

Anyway, I put one of these on my RG320-RG321 conversion project with a string-through setup and I have no complaints at all with it.