Ibanez RX20 upgrades

[SeaRefractor]

Yeah, it's an entry level player from '94, but I love it. Over time I wanted to do a series of upgrades as a learning experience and progressively tried more interesting changes as my confidence level had grown.

Changes added over time.

D'Addario Planet Waves Auto-Trim Tuning Machines.
Graph Tech Black TUSQ XL String Trees
Brass Trem block
Brass Trem Claw
Brass Roller Bridge Saddles
Standard Trem Bridge
Copper EMF shielding tape
SD JB Trembucker (TB-4) due to string spacing change from older Ibanez stock pickup and bridge replacement
SD Jazz Humbucker (SH-2n)

Yes, you'll notice that there are more controls than on a stock RX20. As my wiring skills improved and along with the SD wiring templates, I'd changed to 1 Volume Neck (push/pull Series/Paralle), 1 Volume Bridge (push/pull phase) and 1 tone (push/pull coil tap) that add an amazing amount of flexibility to this upgrade. In combination with the copper shielding, when in coil tap there is still no noise. With all the brass, it has a very warm long sustain.

With the tuning machine upgrades, string tree's and brass roller saddles, I can bomb on the whammy bar and still return to tune. It's floating and on the high E goes to an in tune F following an excellent youtube video from Darrell Braun Guitar.






Here's an amazon parts list for those that may consider doing something similar. Granted a new entry level guitar would cost less than this upgrade, but one that is as flexible as the guitar is now would probably be a little more than what I put into it.

Planet Waves Auto-Trim Tuning Machines https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002E2N90
Copper Foil Tape https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07766FCVF
(3) Push/Pull 500K Audio Taper pots https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Y1GY37U
Graph Tech Black TUSQ XL string trees https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051SJ5PM
Brass Tremolo Claw https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M4K938O
Brass Roller Bridge Saddles https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M8LM5Q7
For the pickups, I recommend those direct from Seymour Duncan!

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Ibanez RX20 upgrades

Looks good and the specs check out. I really dig the Tele switch tip. A few other tips I'd like to lend out that you may or may not use if you wish: if you like a raw feeling to your neck, sanding it down a bit can work wonders even on more expensive guitars, the foam from your pickup box can be used to mute the spring noise from the tremolo cavity if you practice unplugged a lot, and a Zero Glide nut is an almost drop in zero fret and nut that can better intonate the lower frets and make them sound the same as fretted notes.

And if I could add another comment, there is just something special about Maple fretboard Ibanezes with their headstocks on the right way that I really like.

You have fun with that thing.

 

[Adieu]

Re: Ibanez RX20 upgrades

If it's 94, it might be worth upgrading.

Afterwards.....things went downhill quick


"Body material:
1994: Light American maple
1995–1996: Hardwood
1997: Agathis"

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Ibanez RX20 upgrades

If it's 94, it might be worth upgrading.

Afterwards.....things went downhill quick


"Body material:
1994: Light American maple
1995–1996: Hardwood
1997: Agathis"

He already upgraded it.

 

[SeaRefractor]

Re: Ibanez RX20 upgrades

He already upgraded it.

Yep, and I'm really having fun with it. Really appreciate the additional advice and comments. Thanks!

Interestingly, while the original hardware was pretty low quality, the '94 besides the mapple wood body also used curite a graphite/teflon mix material for the nut. While its difficult to read, you can see that information on page 16 of the '94 Ibanez catalog here https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/ibanez/images/4/4a/1994_USA_catalog_p14-15.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20160822221312

But I'm always experimenting, so if I go with the recommendation you provided, I'll be sure to update how it works and the experience compared to the curite nut.

Besides the body wood change with the years after '94, I have no idea if the curite was used on any newer models. The wiki has a great serial number reference that can assist in those considering a used RX20 and want to ensure it's mapple body and curite nut.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Ibanez RX20 upgrades

These are great guitars to upgrade- and I love to see what people have done with them. This looks like it was a fun project.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Ibanez RX20 upgrades

Yeah very neat looking.

 

[LonePhantom]

Re: Ibanez RX20 upgrades

That is a great looking guitar. The original RX series were very underrated. I played my mates one for a while, and it was a damned fine guitar.

 

[skyydogg01]

Re: Ibanez RX20 upgrades

I can verify that the "Hardwood" that is mentioned between 95-96 is indeed Plywood. A buddy of mine stripped the finish off his and it was all plywood. Looked cool though.