Question for the Ibanez experts here

[Stitsel]

Hey guys,

I have an Ibanez Iron Label

https://ibanez.fandom.com/wiki/SIX6DFM

One of these.... & basically hate the Edge Zero II bridge.Love everything else about the guitar but it's a bitch to keep in tune & changing strings sucks too....

I am wondering if it's possible to swap out the bridge for one of these :

https://www.thomannmusic.com/ibanez_low_edge_pro_black.htm?ref=mobile

Thoughts? Pros/Cons? I s it even worth it? I do love the guitar & love messing around with the bar too, I hear nothing but good things about these Lo Pro Edge bridges....I wonder if it would even fit?

Thanks in advance.....


Here's a bigger pic

[Toshiro]

It would require routing the top of the body.

[Iron1]

I know there's a better quality replacement out there, but don't remember what it is. If someone else here doesn't know, you might try asking in one of the FB Ibanez groups.

[Bloody_Inferno]

Yeah, the Edger Zero 2 routes are different to most trems. You can't even put an Edge Zero 1 since that has a ZPS system. If you're planning to replace the trem, be prepared to do some routing, or get a tech to do it for you.

That said, I don't think the EZ2 is all that bad. Mine stays in tune just fine and I am not kind to trems at all. And restringing them is not all that different to a regular double locking trem. My only gripe is the fine tuners are a bit on the sucky side since they're cumbersome and can hurt you if they're too stiff.

I know there's a better quality replacement out there, but don't remember what it is. If someone else here doesn't know, you might try asking in one of the FB Ibanez groups. Lo Pros suck - at least every one I've played.

Odd, Lo Pro Edges (along with original Edges) are regarded as the best bridges Ibanez produce. They're made by Gotoh after all.

You must mean the Lo-TRS trems. Even the Edge Zero 2s are better then those (TRS-1 is ok until you wear them and TRS-2 sucks hard).

[Markus]

I know there's a better quality replacement out there, but don't remember what it is. If someone else here doesn't know, you might try asking in one of the FB Ibanez groups. Lo Pros suck - at least every one I've played.

Uhh, my S540 has had a Lo Pro Edge in it for 31 years. It's still going strong.

[Iron1]

You must mean the Lo-TRS trems. Even the Edge Zero 2s are better then those (TRS-1 is ok until you wear them and TRS-2 sucks hard).

Oh, yep, you're right - need more coffee before posting.

[Iron1]

Uhh, my S540 has had a Lo Pro Edge in it for 31 years. It's still going strong.

Mine too, except I snapped the bar last year and can't find a replacement that isn't $100+... But, yeah, I meant the Lo-TRS...

[Markus]

Mine too, except I snapped the bar last year and can't find a replacement that isn't $100+... But, yeah, I meant the Lo-TRS...

If I wasn't on the other side of the Atlantic I could send you one, I never really use the trem on mine anymore anyway.

[Chris]

Yeah LoPro edges are the goods. So is the original Edge.

The Edge 3 might be the worst trem ever made, other than the Rhythm in Jump thing.

[Iron1]

If I wasn't on the other side of the Atlantic I could send you one, I never really use the trem on mine anymore anyway.

Very cool of you to offer, even with the disclaimer.

I don't really use mine either - actually snapped it moving the trem for a string change - but it bugs me that I don't have one... just not enough to spend $100. I looked again and GC/MF offer one for $20, but it's hard to tell if this is the right one or not... #Hassle

[Markus]

Very cool of you to offer, even with the disclaimer.

I don't really use mine either - actually snapped it moving the trem for a string change - but it bugs me that I don't have one... just not enough to spend $100. I looked again and GC/MF offer one for $20, but it's hard to tell if this is the right one or not... #Hassle

MF-links don't work over here for some reason, but going on the URL the 2LE2-1B should be the correct one for both the Edge and Lo-Pro Edge (and IIRC Edge Pro as well).

[Dominic]

Stitsel There's a lot one can learn about setting up and playing even the worst vibrato system that will help with tuning stability and restringing. If you really like the guitar, I'd suggest exploring all the "tricks" one can pick up first. As a start, I'd suggest reading the tech set-up pages on Ibanezrules.com at http://www.ibanezrules.com/tech/setup/index.htm There are masses of really helpful nuggets there. Never mind the presentation/"attitude", the content is good.
Iron1 For me at least, that link points to a Guild acoustic guitar...

Ibanez part numbers are #hassle until you know the exact one you need and have a reliable source. The same bar (Ibanez 2LE2-1B – the B at the end is for the colour. I always use Chris-approved black, but you could get cosmo, silver or gold if you're not ) fits the Lo Pro Edge, Edge and Edge Pro, I get mine in bulk from here: https://www.thomann.de/de/ibanez_2le21b_tremolobar.htm# so I'd pay €17.90 today. The design is flawed, it has a weak spot. I break one a year at least, more if I'm rehearsing/gigging regularly. After-market replacements are available to address this, for example from Red Bishop (I'm still sniggering. First the name, then the logo! ):
https://redbishop.jp/EN_MAGIK-ARM_EDGE.html I ain't tried those.

[Markus]

[USER="144"]
Ibanez part numbers are #hassle until you know the exact one you need and have a reliable source. The same bar (Ibanez 2LE2-1B – the B at the end is for the colour. I always use Chris-approved black, but you could get cosmo, silver or gold if you're not ) fits the Lo Pro Edge, Edge and Edge Pro, I get mine in bulk from here: https://www.thomann.de/de/ibanez_2le21b_tremolobar.htm# so I'd pay €17.90 today. The design is flawed, it has a weak spot. I break one a year at least, more if I'm rehearsing/gigging regularly. .

I think the whole bushing design is flawed. I haven't had a single guitar where the trem arm would stay in place. Much prefer the screw in arm on the OFR. If I used my trem more I'd probably mod the Lo-Pro with that Magik Arm.

[Dominic]

Markus You need to do the mods.

https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/comment/1578720/#Comment_1578720

https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/comment/1765665/#Comment_1765665

Copypasta 1: "melting the white Edge torque bushings slightly with a flame to re-tension them when they've gone sloppy. I'm not as arm-sag-phobic as Reb Beach, but I do love a flutter every once in a while, and now my arm stays boingy for aaages!"

Copypasta 2:"The heating up of the bushings had limited effectiveness over time for me, so I went looking for alternative fixes, and came across a rock solid one. It's perhaps a little less elegant, but it's 100% effective.

Take a small piece of the biodegradable plastic packaging that D'Adarrio strings come in (or a regular plastic bag if you're less enviro) and wrap it around the end of the trem before you push it in the socket. The trem doesn't move at all. And it sticks to the trem, so comes out when you remove it. You only need like a square cm or so. "

There's a lot of discussion in that thread on the very unit Stitsel has, I see. I'm DLM on there, by the way.

The plaggy baggy mod is fantastic because having a really stiff wang is just the best. :dick:

[Iron1]

I edited the link above to the Guitar Center page. It's def the 2LE2-1B. Perfect, I'll order one up asap. Since I barely use it (or even play that guitar) one should suffice for now.

[Dominic]

Yeah, that's the badger.

[JJ Rodriguez]

I believe the Edge Lo Pro trem arm holder can be swapped out for the OFR screw on arm holder. I did the swap on my RG7CT since I prefer the screw on collar type arm to push in ones. I'm just always unsure of which Ibanez trem is which.

[Stitsel]

Wow....thanks for all the replies guys! I'm going to check out Dominic's links & see if I can come up w/a solution before I go the whole tiring route of buying an Edge/routing it correctly etc. As Bloody_Inferno says, the fine tuners are a bit wonky; I have used 3-in-1 household oil on them ( I found it works better than WD40 ) to get them in some kind of working order but they just....suck as alluded above. As far as routing goes.....there's about a 1/2 inch of space between the rear end of the unit & the actual body where it's routed....would this make up the difference or not?

Anyways, thanks again for all the replies, I really want to make this guitar work as it's a pretty sweet axe otherwise.....

[Valtteri]

I believe the Edge Lo Pro trem arm holder can be swapped out for the OFR screw on arm holder. I did the swap on my RG7CT since I prefer the screw on collar type arm to push in ones. I'm just always unsure of which Ibanez trem is which.

I've installed a push in OFR arm holder on my RG550, which I prefer to the regular screw on type.

[mpexus]

Mine too, except I snapped the bar last year and can't find a replacement that isn't $100+...

100 bucks??? Those bars cost like 15-20 euros in Thomann... are you sure you are looking correctly? maybe you are looking at the super special Satriani ones that are really expensive.

https://www.thomannmusic.com/ibanez_2le21b_tremolobar.htm?sid=62fae814be74e4339b1bc2626525aadd&ref=intl&shp=eyJjb3VudHJ5IjoidXMiLCJjdXJyZW5jeSI6NywibGFuZ3VhZ2UiOjJ9&reload=1

[Iron1]

Wow....thanks for all the replies guys! I'm going to check out Dominic's links & see if I can come up w/a solution before I go the whole tiring route of buying an Edge/routing it correctly etc. As Bloody_Inferno says, the fine tuners are a bit wonky; I have used 3-in-1 household oil on them ( I found it works better than WD40 ) to get them in some kind of working order but they just....suck as alluded above. As far as routing goes.....there's about a 1/2 inch of space between the rear end of the unit & the actual body where it's routed....would this make up the difference or not?

Anyways, thanks again for all the replies, I really want to make this guitar work as it's a pretty sweet axe otherwise.....

Glad you found some answers. I'd avoid routing like the plague if I was you - should you ever decide to sell the guitar knowing it was routed is going to shrink the buyer pool big time. Keep looking, I'm sure you'll find something that drops in...

100 bucks??? Those bars cost like 15-20 euros in Thomann... are you sure you are looking correctly? maybe you are looking at the super special Satriani ones that are really expensive.


https://www.thomannmusic.com/ibanez_...iOjJ9&reload=1

I was trying to find an actual original replacement as I didn't know this re-issue one existed. But, we got it sorted. Just need to drive over to GC and buy one now.

[Stitsel]

Iron1....do you have any suggestions of a suitable replacement? I want to keep it Ibanez preferably..... & low profile too.... it looks to me like an Edge would fit, but others here with more knowledge tell me otherwise.Again, I know nothing.... it is an S model with the thinner, arched body style, I actually looked at some of those links & .....wow, it's exhaustive reading to say the least, lots of info. there, albeit good info. ..... if I do get this this in working order I will simply keep it as is, but it definitely feels like a pain in the ass sometimes, maybe I'm just a frustrated-not-used-to-locking trems-kind-of-guy......I will do more research & thanks again for the feedback.

[Toshiro]

Get accurate measurements of the cavity, then look up the dimensions of a couple trems(Gotoh, Floyd, etc). Keep in mind that whatever you put in there can not touch the body at all or it won't stay in tune. If you find something with smaller dimensions than your rout it should work.

If you have that zero-point thing in the back of the body stop now. Way too much work involved.

[Stitsel]

Ok, that's actually very helpful info., thank you.

[Iron1]

Iron1....do you have any suggestions of a suitable replacement? I want to keep it Ibanez preferably..... & low profile too.... it looks to me like an Edge would fit, but others here with more knowledge tell me otherwise.Again, I know nothing.... it is an S model with the thinner, arched body style, I actually looked at some of those links & .....wow, it's exhaustive reading to say the least, lots of info. there, albeit good info. ..... if I do get this this in working order I will simply keep it as is, but it definitely feels like a pain in the ass sometimes, maybe I'm just a frustrated-not-used-to-locking trems-kind-of-guy......I will do more research & thanks again for the feedback.

I don't have any idea, but like Toshiro said, you can solve the riddle.

Off topic: Picked up that trem bar from Guitar Center yesterday. It's crazy tight, but fits. Now I can cross that off my list of little things I need to get. Thanks everyone!