Ibanez tremolo - With easily replaceable knife edges

6828 · #1 01-31-2002, 06:24 AM

A tremolo doesn't exist in the guitar market that I know of that has easily replaceable knife edges. All it would take would be two small allen key ended screws fixed to the top or bottom of the tremolo base.

I know the knife edges on the current models can be replaced, but not without risking ruining the base of the tremolo.

Just one wish of mine.

Tony

Rich · #2 01-31-2002, 10:51 PM

The knife is the most durable piece of the whole equation. It should never need to be replaced, and very very rarely even needs to be sharpened. The trem will fall apart around the knife before it ever needs to be replaced so that option is pretty redundent.

bob oakman · #3 02-01-2002, 03:04 PM

I have a softie… when it comes to knife edges. On my UV77MC, which I play all the time, the edges are perfect. On my UV777PBK, however, I have had to sharpen them twice, finding large burrs on them each time. Now I think it’s due for a third.

I understand that Ibanez does not manufacture these, but maybe Rich or Brian can tell me if there is any such thing as softer alloy sneaking in on some trems.

Also, is or has Ibanez considered a re-designed trem? I personally hope not. I just got used to the low pro.

Rich · #4 02-01-2002, 03:07 PM

It was considered, since the Floyd pattent has now run out. The consensus was to leave it alone. I guess you can't improve on perfection

**jemsite** · #5 02-01-2002, 03:27 PM

"replaceable" knife edges woud also be unworkable, in that you need to consider how the knife-edge would mount/attach to the baseplate/saddles, etc. The pressure on a removable knife edges would prove to be more unstable than a floating vintage trem

Bob, i'd replace the base plate and write it off as an assembly line glitch. These are orderable, hopefully Hosh USA has the insight enough to keep them plentifully stocked. I mean, "the locking trem company" should have spare parts for their guitars readily available :biggrin: ...glen

JESTER700 · #6 02-01-2002, 04:37 PM

Actually, it LOOKS like the inserts are slid in from the outside thru slots. *I don't see how inserting them that way, yet making them removeable would lessen stability. *They're well supported.

**jemsite** · #7 02-01-2002, 04:43 PM

come on...

think of the PRESSURE on the knife edges. ANY MOVEMENT or INSTABILITY them will cripple tuning.

you want repleacable and "slide-in" knife edgs... i'll sell you the brooklyn bridge first

...glen

6828 · #8 02-02-2002, 12:13 AM

I agree that it sounds like a replaceable knife edge would be unstable, but so would the idea of attaching a saddle to a base that is held on with just one allen bolt, if you had never seen or used one.

Knife edges do and can wear out, perhaps not frequently, but wouldn't it be nice to know that if your trem started acting up you could just buy two new studs and two knew knife edges instead of having to pull apart your entire trem then re-set the intonation etc ?

Anyway it was just a thought I figured would be worth sharing here, realistic or not. : )

Tony

**jemsite** · #9 02-02-2002, 12:15 AM

ok, and with that this topic is CLOSED and yet available to read by Ibanez and the world

...glen