[Kiiryu]

I recently got a RG370AHMZ in Silver Wave Black. (Which is a very sexy guitar by the way.)

I love it, but my only two problems are;
1. I can't lower the middle pickup very far, which both causes it to get in the way and reduces the sound options.
2. When palm muting, I end up pushing the edge trem, causing it to go out of tune. Is the best solution to this to block it? Is there a common method for edge trems?

 

[BigBazz]

You have two options, option 1 is the ideal.

1. Improve your technique so that you don't push the trem sharp. You could have this fixed within weeks if you focused on it and you'd never have to think about it again.

2. Tremol-no - You fit it in the trem cavity and it allows you to instantly convert your guitar into a hard tail or a divebomb only setup, or back to full float.

Honestly I would recommend both options, I have a Tremol-no in my Jem and it's awesome.

 

[Leviathus]

I'm pretty sure the tremol-no is incompatible with the edge zero bridges, unless you have the traditional trem claw in the back like the Vai premiums.

 

[BigBazz]

I'm pretty sure the tremol-no is incompatible with the edge zero bridges, unless you have the traditional trem claw in the back like the Vai premiums.

I didn't look what trem the guitar had, he said Edge so I assumed it was an Edge. If it's not compatible then he better get practicing that palm muting technique!

 

[Kiiryu]

@BigBazz: Don't give "get used to it" as a solution. It's predictable, not helpful, and ignores the fact that the person has deliberately asked the question for a reason.

As for the tremol-no, I'll look into it, and see if it's something that's compatible with the edge bridges.

 

[BigBazz]

@BigBazz: Don't give "get used to it" as a solution. It's predictable, not helpful, and ignores the fact that the person has deliberately asked the question for a reason.

As for the tremol-no, I'll look into it, and see if it's something that's compatible with the edge bridges.

You're new to using a tremolo, you've just bought a guitar with a feature you already intend to ignore without actually fixing the cause of the issue, which is your technique. Why not return/sell the guitar and buy something without a trem, it seems pointless that you've bought this guitar and immediately given up on the trem because your technique hasn't adjusted to play with it properly. I will always advise correct technique over band aid fixes, you could go about blocking it with wood or trying gadgets like the Tremol-no but your technique will still be flawed, limiting your ability to play the guitar to its fullest.

If you had taken the advice (like for example one of my students) in a few weeks you wouldn't have the problem, that is helping even if you take it as a knock to your pride. So from my perspective I gave helpful advice, because it was the correct advice.

 

[Kiiryu]

You're new to using a tremolo, you've just bought a guitar with a feature you already intend to ignore without actually fixing the cause of the issue, which is your technique. Why not return/sell the guitar and buy something without a trem, it seems pointless that you've bought this guitar and immediately given up on the trem because your technique hasn't adjusted to play with it properly. I will always advise correct technique over band aid fixes, you could go about blocking it with wood or trying gadgets like the Tremol-no but your technique will still be flawed, limiting your ability to play the guitar to its fullest.

If you had taken the advice (like for example one of my students) in a few weeks you wouldn't have the problem, that is helping even if you take it as a knock to your pride. So from my perspective I gave helpful advice, because it was the correct advice.

I make games for a living, for which I do the programming, art, animation, sound effects, and music. I play many different instruments merely at a functional recording level, because I enjoy doing things myself. My damn life already feels short enough as it is with all the things I have to balance learning. I don't have time to do things the "right way" with every instrument I play. My goal isn't to be a virtuoso, or even a guy playing in bars. I just need guitars that do what I need to do, and god forbid, are enjoyable and easy for me to play while I spend what little time I have trying to improve.

I have multiple strats, and while I can, I never use the trems on them anyway. They're blocked for tuning stability, and the trem arms are never in. There would be 0 reason to learn how to use something I won't use when that time can be spent improving in other ways faster.

I got the ibanez because I liked how it sounded, how it looked, and it was in the price range I was after. They had it local in the store where I live, which is rare for Ibanez guitars. There are also other functional advantages to edge tremolos other than the bar.

 

[BigBazz]

I make games for a living, for which I do the programming, art, animation, sound effects, and music. I play many different instruments merely at a functional recording level, because I enjoy doing things myself. My damn life already feels short enough as it is with all the things I have to balance learning. I don't have time to do things the "right way" with every instrument I play. My goal isn't to be a virtuoso, or even a guy playing in bars. I just need guitars that do what I need to do, and god forbid, are enjoyable and easy for me to play while I spend what little time I have trying to improve.

I have multiple strats, and while I can, I never use the trems on them anyway. They're blocked for tuning stability, and the trem arms are never in. There would be 0 reason to learn how to use something I won't use when that time can be spent improving in other ways faster.

I got the ibanez because I liked how it sounded, how it looked, and it was in the price range I was after. They had it local in the store where I live, which is rare for Ibanez guitars. There are also other functional advantages to edge tremolos other than the bar.

You don't have to justify your purchase to me, but you said it yourself you want a guitar that is "enjoyable and easy to play" and you've bought a guitar you immediately feel the need to modify (middle pickup, blocking trem) to meet those requirements, perhaps it was the wrong guitar but if you like it sure. A Strat isn't really the same thing, the bridge sits flat on the body and turning it unto a hardtail is as simple as adding a spring, it doesn't have the tuning stability of a locking trem so it's less attractive to use and you're not paying a premium for a vintage Strat trem like you do with an Edge.

The Tremol-no is a great system but it's not compatible with the Edge Zero, I don't know if there are other systems out there compatible but there are many in depth guides to blocking a floating trem on the internet and they all follow the same concept.

I don't have time to do things the "right way"

I suggested a solution to your problem, you don't have to take the advice. The issue you have with pushing the trem sharp is common with players who are new to floating bridges, especially the Floyd Rose/Edge variety. Typically that issue disappears with time, very quickly if the player makes an effort. The trem itself opens up a huge new world of expression on the guitar, and you've paid for it so why not make the most of it?

I can't read minds and guess that someone who has taken the time to join Jemsite is also a casual non-committed player who has no time to practice and who doesn't care about good technique. You're on Jemsite, a site dedicated to Jem and Ibanez enthusiasts, many who are pro musicians or very enthusiastic hobbyists, but almost everyone has a day job and everyone has time constraints, I don't think having limited time to play is a good reason to short change yourself on what is actually quite an easy problem to eliminate with your technique.

You don't need to be Steve Vai to palm mute on an Edge without pushing it sharp, fixing the technique will also likely cure your issue with hitting the middle pickup because you will move slightly forward (just ahead of it, in the direction towards the neck) with your neutral picking position.

 

[Kiiryu]

You don't have to justify your purchase to me, but you said it yourself you want a guitar that is "enjoyable and easy to play" and you've bought a guitar you immediately feel the need to modify (middle pickup, blocking trem) to meet those requirements, perhaps it was the wrong guitar but if you like it sure. A Strat isn't really the same thing, the bridge sits flat on the body and turning it unto a hardtail is as simple as adding a spring, it doesn't have the tuning stability of a locking trem so it's less attractive to use and you're not paying a premium for a vintage Strat trem like you do with an Edge.

The Tremol-no is a great system but it's not compatible with the Edge Zero, I don't know if there are other systems out there compatible but there are many in depth guides to blocking a floating trem on the internet and they all follow the same concept.

I suggested a solution to your problem, you don't have to take the advice. The issue you have with pushing the trem sharp is common with players who are new to floating bridges, especially the Floyd Rose/Edge variety. Typically that issue disappears with time, very quickly if the player makes an effort. The trem itself opens up a huge new world of expression on the guitar, and you've paid for it so why not make the most of it?

I can't read minds and guess that someone who has taken the time to join Jemsite is also a casual non-committed player who has no time to practice and who doesn't care about good technique. You're on Jemsite, a site dedicated to Jem and Ibanez enthusiasts, many who are pro musicians or very enthusiastic hobbyists, but almost everyone has a day job and everyone has time constraints, I don't think having limited time to play is a good reason to short change yourself on what is actually quite an easy problem to eliminate with your technique.

You don't need to be Steve Vai to palm mute on an Edge without pushing it sharp, fixing the technique will also likely cure your issue with hitting the middle pickup because you will move slightly forward (just ahead of it, in the direction towards the neck) with your neutral picking position.

It's not that I can't palm mute, I can. I just prefer a firm palm mute that I can shape a bit more, and I value consistency. As for the pickup position, it sounds different depending on how far up or down the neck you pick, so I prefer to have the option.

As for trems, I've used them plenty of times in the past (Though I've only had an edge bridge once). It's Just subjective preference, but I just don't care for it outside of rare cases, even when listening to players to utilize it to it's fullest. I don't like it the same way I don't like chorus effects, just preference.

That said, my problem with "get used to it" is just how tiring it becomes. You ask question on a forum and the first answer is always "Why would you want to do that?" or "Just get used to it". No, we aren't mind readers, but I think it's generally safe to assume that most people know that "getting used to it" was already an option, and is asking a question for their own reasons.

 

[BigBazz]

it sounds different depending on how far up or down the neck you pick.

Yeah but lets say you're getting caught on the pole pieces (the common issue), it only takes a small adjustment of playing to avoid hitting the pole pieces (playing just either side of them or reducing your picking depth) without losing any tonal options. You're losing out on more tonal options by not having use of the middle pickup, again it kinda indicates that you would have been better suited with a H/H guitar without a middle pickup. And the "just get used to it" advice is because many people have had the same experience as you and eliminated the problem by getting used to it and naturally adjusting their technique, you're trying to solve a problem with your technique by changing the guitar.

You already know the sure answer to your question, it's in the thread title, are you looking for people to reinforce the conclusion you already came to before you made the thread or for people to give advice based on their own experiences? You can block the trem and remove the middle pickup entirely, you can adjust your technique and work around it to get the most from the guitar, or you can get a different guitar.

 

[Kiiryu]

Yeah but lets say you're getting caught on the pole pieces (the common issue), it only takes a small adjustment of playing to avoid hitting the pole pieces (playing just either side of them or reducing your picking depth) without losing any tonal options. You're losing out on more tonal options by not having use of the middle pickup, again it kinda indicates that you would have been better suited with a H/H guitar without a middle pickup. And the "just get used to it" advice is because many people have had the same experience as you and eliminated the problem by getting used to it and naturally adjusting their technique, you're trying to solve a problem with your technique by changing the guitar.

You already know the sure answer to your question, it's in the thread title, are you looking for people to reinforce the conclusion you already came to before you made the thread or for people to give advice based on their own experiences? You can block the trem and remove the middle pickup entirely, you can adjust your technique and work around it to get the most from the guitar, or you can get a different guitar.

Jesus christ.

Nevermind I'll just look elsewhere. I don't have time to argue with people about semantics and hassle each other.
Thanks for the help anyhow and letting me know that the Tremol-no is not compatible with that particular edge bridge.

 

[Rich]

Bazz was just giving you good advice, I assume you like the fine tuning ability which is always good.

You can block a trem by just sticking something the right thickness under it, and then dial the springs close to max load. Costs you nothing but a little time, less than it would to find some gadget that may or may not work. You can fold thin cardboard like a USPS priority box until you find the right thickness.

 

[BigBazz]

Jesus christ.

Nevermind I'll just look elsewhere. I don't have time to argue with people about semantics and hassle each other.
Thanks for the help anyhow and letting me know that the Tremol-no is not compatible with that particular edge bridge.

I wasn't arguing with you, or even posting against you in the that post, you just didn't want to hear it. Objectively all your issues described can be fixed with technique, that's up to you. The other options I gave the answer to, either block it and remove the pickup or get a new guitar, how hard does this have to be?