Installing peizos into an edge pro bridge.

merman_93 · #1 05-23-2005, 06:41 PM

I already own an Ibanez RG 1520 with the peizo's and Roland GK 13 pin out. Unfortunately Ibanez does not offer GK electronics in any other guitar, and I need at least one good back up guitar with 13 pin out. Ibanez also does not sell the Edge Pro with GK to customers or dealers, and we all know that unless you are an endorsee, you aren't getting any custom work.

I've located a used Double edge pro bridge, which has the "steel inserts" where the peizo's are on my bridge, and am considering purchasing it and replacing the inserts with LR baggs peizos,(the same peizo's that are installed in the RG 1520 bridge), and adding a Ghost Hexpander to a new RG model.

Does any one have any experience with this type of work? Or good experience with the Steel inserts on the Edge Pro? If I could be certain that the LR baggs peizo's would easily fit, and that the lead wires have a good exit hole on the bridge plate, I'm ready to do some experimenting! I've studied the Photos of the Edge Pro Bridge from the Ibanez Parts Page, and as best as I can tell the Steel Inserts are exactly the same size as the peizo's, (there are no detailed photos of the Edge Pro for GK as Ibanez will not sell these, or the Double Edge Pro for any reason!).

I have had many Roland Synth controllers in the past, including the Ibanez made Roland G505, and G808, and the Ibanez original IMG 2010. The RG 1520 tracks better than anything on the market! I'm also so acustomed to the Edge Pro bridge that a standard Strat style bridge doesn't work right for me. (BTW, tuning and intonation stability are also essential for proper synth tracking with any 13 pin system, and, In My Honest Opinion,the Edge Pros' stability is unsurpassed!).

The Brian Moore i series, and Godin Freeway SA guitars support 13 pin output, and track very well. But no other manufacturer offers peizo's in a Floyd style bridge. I am also very loyal to Ibanez. I would rather purchase a Japanese AR 2000/3000 at $1900, than a similarly priced US Gibson Les Paul. (I've been told that I'm nuts more than a few times for making that comment).

Of course I could just purchase a second RG 1520,...but,... where is the challange in that?

gouge1lt · #2 07-07-2005, 08:41 PM

Hey merman
Did you ever get anywhere on that bridge mod? I'm in the same position. I put a GK3 on my RG470. I love my 2 Ibanez JEMs and RG470 but I want a GK pickup in the saddles instead of under the strings. I wouldn't ever modify my JEMs for a GK3 but I would consider doing what you suggest if it works. Also, I can't find the RG1520s anywhere. They're still on the Ibanez website, but no one on the web has them or Guitar Center.
Lee

merman_93 · #3 05-16-2006, 08:59 PM

"Did you ever get anywhere on that bridge mod? "

I had the #1 RMC guy in the U.S. install an RMC Poly Drive I with Piezo's in an MIJ Ibanez Artist, and was ecstatic with the results! It looked totally Factory, and tracked beautifully! That only made me more upset that I was unable to order an Ibanez RG series with the Piezo/GK set up in a guitar other than Black! Then I went another route. I had received an e-mail from a friend who owned a Caparison and felt it had a lot of similarities with modern Ibanez guitars, and they were in the business of making customs. I few e-mails, phone calls, and a Cashiers check later, and I had an order. I found an Ibanez Trem with Piezo's on-line for $130, and a Roland GK-Kit for Internal installation for $170, and I sent them to Caparison guitars in Japan and had a Custom "Angelus" guitar built for about $2200. Ibanez are my absolute favorite guitar, but I was frustrated with the attitude of Ibanez to not offer any custom work unless you are an endorsee! I didn't want to go the route of just having an RG 1520 GK re-sprayed, and although it was expensive, and it's not an Ibanez, I am very happy to have an excellant Japanese Factory Custom guitar with the Piezo/GK circuit.

Awakened Sleeper · #4 05-16-2006, 09:20 PM

Wow, sounds like one sweet guitar. Any chance of pictures?

jlander · #5 05-21-2006, 01:52 AM

hi, can you post a `pic on the detail of the double edge trem?? ill like to modify an original edge to have the piezos... not really sure how ibanez did it...

thanks

merman_93 · #6 06-20-2006, 11:36 AM

This is as clear as I could get it. There is a possibility that the "steel chips"
in the Edge Pro Trems could be replaced with L'R' Baggs piezo's as it appears the chip and Piezo are the same size/shape.

13 pin out · #7 09-19-2007, 04:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by merman_93

I found an Ibanez Trem with Piezo's on-line for $130, and a Roland GK-Kit for Internal installation for $170

are you talking about the GK-Kit-GK3?

http://www.rolandus.com/PRODUCTS/pro...35&ParentId=55

because it looks like that includes a pickup. can you be a little more specific?

right now on **** there is a double edge pro bridge, but it costs over $400!

RexGtr · #8 11-05-2007, 01:16 AM

My RG1520g-Bk should arrive by tomorrow.
I've wanted an Ibanez midi guitar with FR since they started producing them but can not understand why they are only produced with one paint job. Black.
I Hate black guitars (unless its a Les Paul Custom.) Not really a fan of yet another dot neck, I would've loved any options such as shark tooth inlays.

I curious what Merman's custom made midi guitar looks like.

Awakened Sleeper · #9 11-09-2007, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 13 pin out

are you talking about the GK-Kit-GK3?

I daresay that's exactly what he was referring to, the Double Edge on it's own won't give a synth-compatible output which is why the kit would be required. The pickup supplied with the kit probably wasn't used.

Bear in mind this thread is a year and a half old!

guitarmandp · #10 03-27-2008, 05:41 AM

Is there an Ibanez guitar that allows you to have 3 sounds; Synth, Piezo, and Magnetic Pickups?

Marco de Neijs · #11 03-28-2008, 08:00 PM

Anyone who can help me with a good quality photo of the electronics-board inside the RG1520G? I want to compare that to the normal GK-board and try to figure out if I can directly connect the piezo's from my S2020XAV to a GK-2a board.

Thanks

Marco