PROBLEMS WITH EGDE III TREMOLO

[Mr. Killer]

I have these problems with the edge III tremolo in my ibanez rg350ex. Can you help? :

1) The floyd is kinda "hard". I have to make a lot of effort to move the floyd just a little bit.
2) Every time i use the floyd (divebombs), it goes out of tune. 2 months ago, it would never go out of tune, but now...
3) Whenever I make a "big divebomb", I hear a "click" coming from the floyd. I think that's not good.
3) The metal in the floyd is getting rusted. What can I do to avoid this? Is there a way to eliminate that rust?

Thanks a lot!

[Stygian]

1) The springs have high tension because they are new and not "worn in" yet.

2) Not sure. But it could be related to the noise you have been hearing when you use the tremolo.

3) Are you sure the sound is coming from the tremolo, and not the locking nut? The locking nut on my RG350DX used to make a sound too, it needed to be tightened. But DO NOT overtighten and be gentle, since this may develop cracks in the neck wood.

If it is not the nut, but the tremolo then the only thing I can think of is either a loose saddle screw or less likely, the tremolo base plate is wearing down and needs to be sharpened. I think your 2nd problem with tuning is related to the sounds you are hearing.

4) Wipe down the tremolo after you use it. Try to keep your hands clean before you pick up the guitar to play. You could also use some clear finger nail finish, or something similar on the saddles if you're REALLY concerned. That's about all though.

[Mr. Killer]

Thanks! But how can I solve the first problem? What do you mean by new? Do I just have to wait??

I've never heard of the clear fingernail finish "method" before :P, but I think that's just useful to avoid any parts getting rusted in the future, so what can I do with the parts that are ALREADY rusted?

Thank you anyway!

[jb4674]

Make sure that the strings are properly stretched, otherwise you'll lose tuning stability when you use the trem.

What part of Lima do you live in? Are there dealers there that sell high end guitars in Lima?

Jimmy

[Mr. Killer]

Well here in Lima there are very few musical instruments shops. But some of them do sell high end guitars, but what really pisses me off is that getting your guitar calibrated costs about 40$!!!! And here in Peru we don't use dollars, we use Nuevos Soles. 3.15 nuevos soles = 1 dollar, so I have to save 3 times the amount of money to buy something for its original price!!

That's why I'm looking for help here. I can barely pay my university, and I don't wanna stop playing or sell my guitar!!

Anyway, I'm sure the strings are properly stretched, so I would say that's not the problem. I've heard that something called "Chapstick" helps. What is it? I've never seen one of those here in Lima :P ...

[jb4674]

Well, in Lima you wouldn't need it because it doesn't ever get cold enough for your lips to crack. The reason I asked about the shops is because I haven't been to Peru in over 10 years (I'm Peruvian), so I didn't know where to go and shop for decent guitars. I'm planning on going there next year, so I'm definitely hitting some shops while I'm there.

Chapstick is basically vaseline in a stick form, though a bit more condensed so it doesn't get slimy when you apply it. It is also known as lip balm and most pharmacies should carry it. Check Wong or maybe somewhere in Larcomar to see if a shop would have some.

Jimmy

[Mr. Killer]

Nice to find a peruvian here!! Well you know there's a street in Miraflores called cantuarias. there are some shops there, and some high end guitars, but I guess they don't have all the guitars you can find in usa, just some ibanez and esp. But why bothering looking for decent guitars here when you can find almost anything in usa?! :P

And believe me when I say that now the weather is much colder here in winter than it was 10 years ago.

OK I'm going to check the edge III one more time, and see what I can do. Just one more thing: what can I do to eliminate the rust in the floyd?

[mxr2000]

jeje y niniguno habla espaņol es? Chim Pum Callao! ^_^

[Mr. Killer]

Jajajaj abla chalaco!!! Siempre es reconfortante encontrar gente peruana en foros internacionales

So, can anybody help??

[Mr. Killer]

Hey guys, the edge III is still vey hard to use (problem 1 mentioned above). This is really frustrating. It's been months since I don't use the floyd cause I really dont trust in it as it goes out of tune easilly.

But my main problem now is the great ammount of effort I have to use whenever I wanna use the edge. I can't even make wide vibratos with it!!!!

Please heeeelp!!!

[stratoskier]

Have you read over the setup guide at Ibanez Rules? (link at top of page -- follow links for the Tech section...)

The problem could be caused by many things, but in my experience the most common are: 1) the trem isn't set flat so that the knife edges are at a 90-degree angle with the trem posts. The trem angle can change over time as the springs break in or if you change string gauge. 2) The knife edges have become worn, slightly rusted or need lubed. 3) As mentioned above, perhaps you don't have the nut pads locked down properly.

You've mentioned that the trem is very hard to use -- that's very puzzling. How many springs do you have in there?

Good luck and don't forget to visit the aforementioned tech guide!

Bert

[Mr. Killer]

Originally Posted by stratoskier

The problem could be caused by many things, but in my experience the most common are: 1) the trem isn't set flat so that the knife edges are at a 90-degree angle with the trem posts. The trem angle can change over time as the springs break in or if you change string gauge. 2) The knife edges have become worn, slightly rusted or need lubed. 3) As mentioned above, perhaps you don't have the nut pads locked down properly.

You've mentioned that the trem is very hard to use -- that's very puzzling. How many springs do you have in there?

Bert

The articles at Ibanez Rules are really helpful! I'm gonna keep reading them these days.

I've just tightened the locking nut, and the tuning problem is gone!!! I can't believe it was that simple. But my edge III is still very hard.

There are 3 springs in my guitar, I think the problem is there, but what should I do??

And here's another problem I've just found: when I lower the bridge and then take it back to its original place, the strings are flat. But whenever I raise the bridge and let it go back to its original position, the strings are still in tune. Why??

[Rich]

You didn't read far enough yet.

http://www.ibanezrules.com/tech/setup/lockdown.htm

[Mr. Killer]

I've read that article, but tuning is not the problem. It seems that when I lower the bridge, it just doesn't return to its original position. I have to raise it a bit to get it back to perfect tune, but after that it stays in tune. Otherwise, whenever I raised the bridge to its limit, the strings would be out of tune when it goes back to its natural position, and that doesn't happen.

[Rich]

Either the trem is touching the pickguard [or some other point] creating interference, or you're not understanding that you fine tune to that flat position, where pulling it up would make it sharp.