Home Made Fixed Edge trem

Trail of Dead · #1 09-08-2008, 05:14 PM

Does anyone think this will work? Essentially isn't Mick's Fixed Edge basically just a Lo-Pro Edge base plate screwed to his RG? Basically a trem minus the block. I know the bridge has different positions where it anchors instead of where the trem posts usually are but theoretically couldn't one remove the block/arm holder from an Edge Low pro and use it as a fixed bridge?

I have a RG470 that I want to make fixed BUT I really digg the MTM's style of bridge (I am Left Handed and they don't make the MTM for me) so I thought about filling the cavity in with alder or something sanding it flush with the rest of the body and then taking it to a luthier friend of mine and having him rout the body the same way Mick's MTM/MTM2's are routed for the Fixed Edge. If this would work I think it would look cool and be much nicer feeling than a regular Ibanez fixed bridge like that found on the PGM or RG321MH. What do you think?

Dino · #2 09-08-2008, 10:00 PM

Just get an FX edge if you want that.

Trail of Dead · #3 09-08-2008, 10:12 PM

http://www.jemsite.com/forums/f21/ca...ges-34158.html

ryanb · #4 09-08-2008, 10:15 PM

Well, you could do it, but you won't have any action adjustment for one thing. Though you should be able to fix that with the right neck angle.

ryanb · #5 09-08-2008, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trail of Dead

http://www.jemsite.com/forums/f21/ca...ges-34158.html

Actually, I believe they are out there if you want them. I definitely remember Rich stating not too long ago that he had both colors of the FX in stock....

CityofBlindingLights · #6 09-08-2008, 11:07 PM

Rich Harris at www.ibanezrules.com almost always has them in stock.

Trail of Dead · #7 09-09-2008, 09:49 PM

Wow, I feel dumb...yeah thinking about how it would be installed onto the guitar in my head I totally overlooked the thing about raising or lowering the action. I wonder if there is a company out there that has made saddles that would compensate for this..kinda like how the Fender saddles are on their hardtail, same as the Ibanez RG321MH tail. Yeah, I emailed Rich about an Edge Pro for my 1570L. Apparently the "Powder Cosmo" version will be hard for me to get but the "Cosmo" will be quite easy.

Honestly, I really don't like the Cosmo finish...it's like an iPod, it's really nice but MAN talk about fingerprints and scratches. My cousin had an RG with a Cosmo trem and even though he took meticulous care of it the sweat in his hands while playing destroyed it bad enough that he couldn't disassemble the trem to clean it....tarnished and corroded. The finish started bubbling and chipping. Plus it is too flashy, I am not Vai....I'm not really into flash. I really like simplicity and dark colors.

BUT (take note Ibanez!) being a lefty and it seems the only color Ibanez wants to offer me is black and I am SO sick of black....why can't they just offer an MTM or MTM2 in left handed? I have heard it all and the most preposterous is "There is no market for lefty guitars" but yet somehow there is a big enough market for an 8 string Ibanez? Forgetting about the other models Ibanez offers and just focusing on the most popular (JEM & RG, and all the derivatives) Ibanez only offers TWO guitars to lefties and they are both black and have trems. One sucks (well, not too bad but still...sucks none the less) and the other is EXPENSIVE! When I bought my old 90ish Ibanez RG550L (Desert Yellow) it was only $425 and that included the original "destroyer" hardshell case. I owned it for 12 years with no problems and decided to sell her (dumb move) about 8 months before the reissues came out. If I would have known they were going to do that I would have kept it.

Look at all the versions of RG that right handed players can choose from. Man, you got the JEM,PGM,MTM,RG Tremolo,RG Fixed,Giger,RG Prestige.....TONS of colors to choose, have nice Ibanez Hardshell cases to choose from, PLUS there are 7 string versions of the RG (RG,Universe) and NOW there is going to be an 8 string Ibanez! WTF? I counted over 37 different versions of RG, plus think about all the others that are available. You got the old PGM's with trems, lets not forget the BEAUTIFUL JPM's, all the JEMS they no longer make the list goes ON and ON. What can I choose from? a black RG370, a black RG1570L and if I am LUCKY I might be able to find an RG550, RG560,RG570 or the RG470 those are all I can think of...wait! The JEM555...but that had the Lo-TRS just like the 470 does. Oh yeah, and the extremly hard to find seven string RG they made in left handed which is so rare it might as well be called "Sasquatch" MAN! So, I am forced to go custom.

The good thing about the square heel is right handed necks will fit, which is why I am glad that many right handers love reversed headstocks. Give me a fighting chance on finding a neck and machine heads. So then I need to find a lefty body BUT I am after a fixed bridge body so I must look elsewhere. I contacted Chris Woods but he is pretty busy redoing his shop so, I contacted Mojo Bodies and he said he makes them by hand and there would be discrepancies. I want to be able to sit my RG next to a right handed RG and not notice anything but the dexterity. So, hand made is outta the question (for the most part). Next I contacted "Legacy One" cause he uses a CNC router....but haven't heard anything back and it's been a month or so.

It's bad enough that when I move back to the states that I AM going to buy my own CNC Router (at least $7500-10,000) and start building my own bodies and necks etc...
This leaves only one last problem. Bridges, fixed bridges are fine and work either way but trems are scarce...at least the edges are. If I had the money there is a lefty RG570 on the bay right now, it is pretty dang rough which is a shame considering how hard to find they are but it actually has a left handed Lo-Pro Edge! I was so shocked I about started signing "Chocolate Rain".

Speaking for nearly all left handed Ibanez RG lovers, I would be satisfied if Ibanez offered a lefty PGM 301,MTM/MTM2, RG321MH,RG42DX,RG370,RG1570,RG7321,RG770DX, and at least ONE left handed JEM that doesn't use a crappy trem. That's only ten guitars, and they could offer at least 5 of the ten in more than one color. Sorry about my explosive rant, but go ask "Rondo Music" if there is a market in left handed guitars. I have three of his axes. I have the Douglas V (the one like the Jackson RR), an Agile AL2000 Blue Flame and JUST ordered (last week) an Agile AL2500 "Albino"....I only have one Ibanez, my "crappy because of the trem" RG470L in Jewel Blue. I'd like to add that the 470's price was more than both the AL2000 and Douglas V combined. An that RG still sucks.

My only wish is Ibanez grants my wish BEFORE I PCS back to the states.

Rich · #8 09-09-2008, 09:59 PM

Let's put things in perspective.

Your 550L was bought used, so comparing a deal on a used guitar to the price of a current new guitar isn't exactly apples to apples.

The list price of the 550L 16 years ago was $900
http://www.ibanezrules.com/catalogs/.../1_Jan/p04.jpg

The 1570L list price up until last month was $1200. $300 more than it was 16 years ago.

I've sold somewhere around 15 RG2228's, to 1 1570L, so their stance that the market for lefties doesn't support doing any more, is about as right as rain.

Trail of Dead · #9 09-09-2008, 11:16 PM

Hey Rich, I am FULLY aware of my old 550's list price. Take this into consideration though, right now there is an RG1570 on the bay for $489. Look's to be in pretty decent shape, right now on the bay there also is an RG1570L in the elusive "Matte" black and the starting bid is $680......when a guitar company tacks on extra money just because your left handed isn't exactly the "bees knees". I know, I know....I am fully aware that there are many that will say "But, to stop everything and make a left handed guitar for a few versus continuing right handed guitar assembly costs lots more money" and while I understand it I don't agree with it. HONESTLY, exactly how much more does it cost to make a left handed guitar? Lets use the RG321MH for an example versus the current RG370L. The 370 uses the Edge III which we all know is cannon fodder, and the 321 uses the plain jane Ibanez fixed (Fender like) bridge...how much more could it possibly cost for Ibanez to just add an RG321MHL to the list? They could use the EXACT same bridge as they do for the right handed version, they already make left handed necks as well as focusing time and resources making reverse headstocks. Which means they steadily use lefty tuners. pots/knobs/pups/screws/strap buttons/nuts/truss rod covers/etc... are all readily available from the right handed counter parts. The RG321MH is already less than $280 on the street, that do they list for new? Is it more than the either RG370? Would it REALLY cost them that much to release an RG321MHL? I really don't think so.

Also what about this 8 string I keep hearing about? How many of those do you think you'd sell versus any of the either New/Used RG's you currently have in stock? How about the PGM700....I think these are all very relevant examples. I just don't understand why such a hugely popular company can invest billions of dollars, create tons of SUPER crazy expensive guitars and still only offer lefties two models. What? Do they think there are no awesome left handed guitarist out there that would LOVE to shred on one of Satch's guitars? Do they just want me to shut up,stop playing guitar and forget I even like music just cause I am left handed? What gives? Forget about economics and think about it. An Acrylic JEM, Chrome plated JEMS/JS, a violin shaped PGM, an 8 string guitar, baritone RG's, these are all uncommon guitars when you consider how insanely popular the 550 was/is. Who wants to spend uber money on a JEM when you can get a sweet RG550 and be just as happy?

Do you know how nice it is to shred the solo from "Plastination Station" on a guitar that is made for you rather than trying to reach the upper frets on an upside down guitar? Been there done that. The only thing cool about being left handed and playing guitar is it always trips my friends out. They always say "Dude, I don't how you can do that" when I have to play a right handed guitar upside down. That and NOBODY touches my guitars, which is nice

I'm not asking for Ibanez to bend to my will, I am just asking them to be a fair and ethical company. COME ON! 37 RG's/JEM's vs. 2 left handed RG's. I KNOW it doesn't mean they don't sell. The first time I EVER heard of "Ibanez Rules" was while surfing the net looking for Ibanez parts before I sold my 550. I do have to admit Rich, you did save my ass. I googled "Ibanez Parts" and the first site I found at the time was "Ed Roman's" and let me say I am GLAD I found your site before I called that guy. After I researched more I heard very little good things about him and PLENTY of great things about you. So on that note, Thank YOU Rich Harris! I am sure I would have been a very angry Ed Roman customer!

Anyhow speaking of the RG1570L can you PM me how many you may have in stock right now as I would REALLY like to snag one. I did catch your "cash is king" price, I just don't know how many you have, how often the sell, how long you expect to have stock etc....your price didn't bother me. As long as I have some time to save a little dinero up then I will buy one from you. Also, people have been saying you have Edge FX bridges in stock, how much are those? I'd like one for my 470 project. Getting the money is really no biggie, I am military so I don't have too many bills...so saving up is not a problem. Let me know!

Seriously though, Ibanez should add a few more RG's to the list of lefty models. That is probably why lefty guitarists don't buy that many....not cause they can't afford it or because there just aren't as many lefty guitarists. It's most likely because there isn't a selection. My dream guitar is a left handed JPM.....if they would have built one of those I would have bought one in a heartbeat. To me they are superior to the JEM in every way.

Rich · #10 09-09-2008, 11:31 PM

You're barking up the wrong tree. If you want lefty selection go to another manufacturer. Ibanez is only going to give you a token offering, and be very happy one of those is actually a top line model, because there are many many years they have offered zero in that category.

I don't even stock a 1570L, Want to know why? I get tired of them collecting dust, and the distributor always has them in stock. Want to know why? Because very very few get sold. But you expect them to offer more models that won't sell?

All pricing has changed, all packages also, from inspected and cheap, to full monty service for a lot more. List price is now up to $1333 with the latest increase.

alecmm61 · #11 09-09-2008, 11:53 PM

solution to lefty guitars=Carvin guitars

Trail of Dead · #12 09-09-2008, 11:54 PM

I'm not sure if it matters but my old 550 wasn't black. It was Desert Sun Yellow, so I'm not sure if they priced that higher. I think it was a 1989, the serial was F92XXXXXX....I always thought that it was a '92 but later I learned the first number was the last number of the year and the following numbers were the production number.

Also, another gripe was that shi**y "Destroyer" case...that thing didn't protect my 550 at all. I don't understand why they sell for so much. There junk IMHO. Give me a molded hardshell any day...speaking of, Ibanez only offers ONE for lefties...the prestige case. That is the ONLY Ibanez case made that form fits the body of a lefty RG. And you can only get it with the RG1570L. Do I sound crazy? Should I just forget RG's even exist? Or should I just quit my bitchin' and be a good little lefty and settle for the RG370 and deal with the junky trem like a good little sheep? That must be what Ibanez thinks, offering a JEM with a Lo-TRS....what were they thinking? With all the odd things the Japanese produce every year they can't make a left handed RG that is in the middle? Not $500-$1200...what about one that is $300 and one that is $800?

Think about this, nearly ALL of the world drives a car that has the steering wheel on the left hand side of the car, yet the UK (I think) is the only country in the WORLD that has cars with the steering wheel on the right. So that means, VAG, BMW, Mercedes, Ford,GM,etc...have to make cars specifically for them ultimately costing BILLIONS of dollars/Euros but they still do. Currently I have a 1997 Audi A3 and it is also available in Europe. The difference is the wheel on mine is on the right and the European version is on the left. How about this, NTSC versus PAL. Us (the USA) and Japan are the only countries that use NTSC in the WORLD. With all the things in the world that are rare and unique you'd think a dang left handed RG would be quite common. As common as the right handed ones. Check the bay, last I looked there were around 400ish right handed Ibanez's and only 9 left handed ones. Of the right handed ones a HUGE portion are very nice models (500series, JEMS, MTM's, etc...). Of the lefty Ibanez guitars the majority are either RG370's or those shi**y "Gio" models. There are only 2 nice ones, one is the RG1570L I mentioned earlier and the other is the beat up RG570 with the lefty Lo-Pro Edge.

I think most lefty guitarists play Gibson/Fender as they are more popular. Also it seems "Schecter" is a really popular brand for lefties....they aren't my style though. I am not too overly fond of Jackson, Washburn's are a joke (no offense, I do dig the Dime models though), Fenders aren't "Metal" and don't appeal to me. Gibsons are too expensive, Epiphones aren't bad (At least my old Korina V wasn't). I grew tired of BC Rich's ever since they released the Kerry King V. Dean's ROCK! The only guitar brand I LOVE is Ibanez but as you can see it is a love/hate relationship. Rich I know you said that you didn't sell many lefties but don't forget about how many lefties Kurt from Rondo sells, versus how many you sell. He and Agile are doing so good that they occasionally offer custom builds. I contacted Ibanez about a custom build and you know what they said?

They said I'd have to get a group of people together that wanted the same model of guitar as me, they would all have to be left handed guitars, and it would cost a LOT of money. Question? Do they uses CNC Routers? If so how come they charge extra for a left handed guitar and Carvin doesn't? I am sure Ibanez sells more guitars and makes way more money than Carvin, so how can Carvin afford to offer that? If Ibanez uses CNC routers to build their guitars then theoretically can't they just have a preset program to build right handed guitars and a preset program to build left handed guitars? They don't honestly have to write a program in CAD every time they decide to build a lefty do they? They have a special division that I'm sure gets paid more to build Prestige/JEMS so why can't they have a division that build nothing but lefties? They save money by contracting Cort guitars to build their Korean guitars, so why can't they use some of the money saved to build a few extra models in left handed? These are legitimate questions that no one has answered.

All I ever get are right handed Ibanez fanboys start to flame and bash me just cause I am different. I can probably out shred most of them, so why shouldn't I also deserve an equally great guitar choice from my favorite guitar brand? Confused........and angry.

Rich · #13 09-10-2008, 12:09 AM

If you think you're good enough, then do something besides type. Get popular. Sell lots of records. Then get endorced and the LACS will make you any lefty you want. Otherwise take what I've already said to heart and quit the long winded rants, unless you just like to hear your fingers type.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich

You're barking up the wrong tree. If you want lefty selection go to another manufacturer. Ibanez is only going to give you a token offering, and be very happy one of those is actually a top line model, because there are many many years they have offered zero in that category.

.

75 countries drive on the left.

Trail of Dead · #14 09-10-2008, 12:23 AM

chill out Rich, "Long winded rants" HAHAHAHAHAHAHA Dude you Jersey boys crack me up. My point about the cars is don't you think it's more expensive to convert a car to suit driving needs than to build a body backwards? I have a kid to take care of, a country to serve, and plenty of other things I need to do rather than be the next Buckethead.

This is turning into a pissing contest and I had no intention of that. It is 4AM, and I am on leave....so I have nothing better to do right now than to see what my options are. And so far it has turned out as expected. A few good suggestions and then being shouldered off by the one guy I least expected. Your a business man right? You work for money right? You like getting a sale right? Well I am sure Ibanez does too.....so SELL me a GOOD guitar for a good price and I'll think of you first and line your pockets each time I need another guitar. What's wrong with that? Why should I settle for less than what i want as a customer? I've been settling for things my whole life.....I'm too old and too tired of it. You say a distributor stocks the RG1570L? And you advertise yourself as a jack of all when it comes to Ibanez maintenance. What can you offer me? Service wise? And what happened to Herc? I noticed his page wasn't letting anyone in. I really would like a swirl of some type....and some disappearing pyramid inlays.

Oh, and I wasn't talking about what countries drive on the left. I am talking about how many countries have steering wheels on the right. Australia and the UK are all I can think of. Keep in mind there are countries that drive on the left and drive the car from the left hand side at the same time.

Rich · #15 09-10-2008, 12:27 AM

You point lost meaning when the fact is there are 75 countries driving on the wrong side, giving the manufacturers plenty of consumers.

I'm just telling you the way it is, and the way it's always going to be. Don't shoot the messenger. If you want veriety, look elsewhere.

I can't talk pricing in public, except what is over MAP.

Herc is done for now.

I make arguments and pleas to the company for maple and ebony fretboards. Lefties will never be one of my pleas, because I already know it's a dead battle.