Ibanez Edge III replacement

[Hairmail]

Hello,

My brothers Ibanez JEM-JR has an Edge III trem and it sort of broke recently. The screw holding the springs of the trem got out of its hole and won't screw back in. We managed to get it to hold for now the trem can't actually be used. I was wondering if replacing the trem itself could change anything, and if it could what should I replace it with? If not should I just stick a tremol-no in it and be done?

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Ibanez Edge III replacement

Ofr will fit so schaller and gotoh should also. Or you could get a edgepro. Personally i would get the Ggotoh but you will have to buy a different sized block 32mm? if you dont want it hanging out the back

also i must stress i am not 100% certain my info is correct but a good google'n should confirm it.

 

[Dr. Vegetable]

Re: Ibanez Edge III replacement

Welcome to the forum!

It is hard to tell from your description what came out, but it sounds like it could be very easy to fix. Are you talking about the two screws that hold the "claw" to the body of the guitar? The claw is the bent metal plate held in by two long screws to the left side of this picture:

If the claw screws pulled out, you can repair this very easily. First, loosen the strings and remove both wood screws holding the claw. (Be careful not to break the ground wire that will be soldered to the claw.) Take a toothpick, dip it in Elmers glue, and jam it into the screw hole. Then break or snip it off flush with the wood surface. Let the glue dry, then put the screws back in. You will need to get the screws adjusted to the same depth as before for the tremolo to be level, so you may need to adjust things after you put it back together.

Is that the problem you are having, or is it something different?

 

[Hairmail]

Re: Ibanez Edge III replacement

Thanks for the replies. The claw problem is exactly what happened to the JEM. We did stick a matchstick in the hole but now we're afraid to use the bar. Is it long trem(please excuse the pun)? Like if I were to say change tuning to 1/2 step down, would I still be able to adjust the screws or will it have to operate as a fixed bridge?

 

[Dr. Vegetable]

Re: Ibanez Edge III replacement

The toothpick should give the screws enough of a hold to keep from pulling out. You can always fill the old holes completely and re-drill if things get too weak. There should be no need to replace the trem if it's only a bit of wood damage.

Rock on!

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Ibanez Edge III replacement

Claw screw came loose? Toothpick + glue as described, if you wanna be REALLY sure jam a second toothpick into the same hole.

After that the trem is again 100% functional in every way, shape, and tuning (or at least as functional as it was before, depending on overall maintenance). Side note: the toothpicks are actually harder and more stable for this application than the basswood most Ibanezes are made out of

Ofr will fit so schaller and gotoh should also. Or you could get a edgepro. Personally i would get the Ggotoh but you will have to buy a different sized block 32mm? if you dont want it hanging out the back

also i must stress i am not 100% certain my info is correct but a good google'n should confirm it.

This is not entirely correct. THe OFR + Gotoh as well as most copies will drop right in, that is spot on.

A Schaller (Lockmeister /Fr II /et.al) and most optically similar copies has a different baseplate geometry, specifically the distance between the intonation point (center of saddle travel) and mounting posts is 1/16" greater.

What this means is that if you put a Schaller on a guitar set up for an OFR /Gotoh /Edge (or vice versa) you may run into problems getting the instrument to intonate properly. Specifically, a Schaller on OFR posts will run out of forward travel (raising the intonation side/ removing compensation) earlier than an OFR, and an OFR on schaller mounts will run out opf backwards travel (Lowering the intonation /adding compensation) faster than a schaller.

HOWEVER: This can be used to your advantage is you plan on tuning up or down from standard: If you want to go Up a 4th to a, n OFR in a Schaller mount being "closer" to the nut could work to your advantage, just as a Schaller in an OFR Rout might save your bacon if you go down to B.

 

[LonePhantom]

Re: Ibanez Edge III replacement

OFR and Gotoh aren't exact drop in replacements. They will require some finessing of the cavities to get them to operate properly in the guitar. The Edge Pro is a direct drop in though.

Check this thread out at Jemsite: http://www.jemsite.com/forums/f21/edge3-replacement-tremolo-68062.html

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Ibanez Edge III replacement

Side note: the toothpicks are actually harder and more stable for this application than the basswood most Ibanezes are made out of

My mind has been blown.

If I had this problem, I would get myself some toothpicks.

(some toothpicks are now made of a synthetic material that isnt wood, or so I've heard, get good ones)

I'd coat the toothpicks in wood glue and fill the holes completely. I'd wait for it to dry, probably overnight or something. then I'd put the screws in, get the setup right and never mess with it unless it was completely necessary. I assume it would be fine, but that's probably the reason you guys got stuck with that issue.