Ibanez Edge trem w/ crack by knife edge. Replace? Fix?

K

Koreth

New member
The topic says it all. I have a '99 Ibanez RG520QS that I recently aqcuired. As I usually do when I purchase a used guitar, I strip it down and give everything a thorourgh cleaning. It wasn't until I was ready to restring the guitar that I noticed this:

1334528325.jpg
1334528372.jpg

1334528382.jpg
1334528392.jpg


Yep. The outer edge of the baseplate where the knife edge insert sits has busted off. Howerver, as you can see in the last picture, it's a pretty clean break.

I'm not sure what to do here. Despite the break, the knife edge insert does not feel like it is going anywhere. I tried to wiggle it about and it feels firmly stuck in place. However, that's with the merely mortal force I can muster with my hands, and not the 90+ pounds a full set of strings is gonna exert.

I know that the most surefire way to avoid any reliability issues down the road is to replace baseplate. Well, the original Edge isn't in production anymore, and so parts are hard to find. Even whole bridge assemblies (which seem easier to find than parts for some reason) aren't cheap. However, with the clean break, part of me is thinking that with a little super glue or epoxy, the busted piece could be glued into place, and hopefully all would be well. Certainly cheaper than buying a whole new bridge.

Anyway. Can any of you recommend which course of action I should take?
 
Re: Ibanez Edge trem w/ crack by knife edge. Replace? Fix?

It seems like the tension of the springs and strings would tend to keep the knife edge in place, no? I think the real enemy would be any side-to-side or other off-axis forces that might act on it.
 
Re: Ibanez Edge trem w/ crack by knife edge. Replace? Fix?

^ That's exactly what I was thinking of when I saw the break.
 
Re: Ibanez Edge trem w/ crack by knife edge. Replace? Fix?

Nice score on the 520, those are pretty underrated. I have the same issue on my Ibanez and I wouldn't worry about it either - the guitar is 26 years old and I can only imagine that little tab was busted off a long time ago. It has no structural purpose in any case.
IMG_2621.jpg
 
Re: Ibanez Edge trem w/ crack by knife edge. Replace? Fix?

That's what I was thinking as well, my Gotoh looks exactly like that, granted it has no inserts as the knifes are part of the all-steel baseplate but I'm thinking a type of glue that can properly hold porous metal alloys like zinc should do the trick of keeping the split piece together and give you some piece of mind.

On another matter, isn't Ibanez still using the original Edge for some models like Vai's and Satriani's sigs? (Not to mention the various reissues)
 
Re: Ibanez Edge trem w/ crack by knife edge. Replace? Fix?

^^ Yes, JSs, Jems and UVs got Edge/Lo Pro back on them in 2010. The 20th anniversary RGs had them too. So you can buy new aftermarket ones, pretty pricey though.
 
Re: Ibanez Edge trem w/ crack by knife edge. Replace? Fix?

I have an original edge floating around somewhere, if I find it I'll give you a fair deal on it. It was barely used,I parted out the guitar
 
Re: Ibanez Edge trem w/ crack by knife edge. Replace? Fix?

Should be fine, and yes Ibanez are using the Edge on some signature models again. You can get spares again new from Ibanez. Check out IbanezRules.com too. Might be a bit pricey, but if you really want a new baseplate, Rich might be able to help.
 
Re: Ibanez Edge trem w/ crack by knife edge. Replace? Fix?

I found some cyanoacrylate, and was able to glue the piece back on. After installing the trem, I threw a set of strings on and nothing exploded. I'll give the neck a couple days to settle after having no tension on it, and hopefully all should be well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top