NEED SOME ADVICE FOR NEW PROJECT

AAAHHH79

AAAHHH79

New member
Hi! I'm starting to work on a new project. I'm modifying an Ibanez 321mh.
As this guitar comes with no tremolo bridge, and, I think, it can't be modifyied physically to have one, I think the only thing I can do now is to install a tune-o-matic bridge and a bigsby.
As I don't know too much about this kind of work I need to know, is this a good idea? Is there anything else I could do instead of this to have a tremolo?
 
Re: NEED SOME ADVICE FOR NEW PROJECT

After googling, I think a trem actually could be routed for that guitar.
Is it worth it from a cost/benefit perspective?
Probably not.

Would I pay a luthier to mod a $350 guitar?
No.
I could do it myself because I have the tools and know-how.
Do you?
Do you want to invest in the tools and learn how?
Then absolutely go for it.

If you want a guitar with a tremolo you'd be better off just buying one.
 
Re: NEED SOME ADVICE FOR NEW PROJECT

You´re probably right, but I bought the guitar without thinking too much about the consequences.
I don´t have the tools or the knowledge to mod it. But I think it would be very interesting if I install a bigsby in this guitar, and I think I will try to.
I don´t know if it´s going to be hard, I think not, but I will try anyway.
 
Re: NEED SOME ADVICE FOR NEW PROJECT

If you want to put a tuneomatic/bigsby on that guitar, you're going to have to recess the tuneomatic it to keep the right string angle relative to the neck. If you're going to do that, then you will likely need the same tools you'd need to rout it for a normal fender/floyd rose/wilkinson style tremolo.

I suggest that unless you're either willing to spend the time and money it takes to learn to use these tools safely and accurately, or unless you're willing to pay a luthier to do it for you, then just make do with this guitar.

Or you could just sell it or trade it for a guitar with a trem.
 
Re: NEED SOME ADVICE FOR NEW PROJECT

Even as a fan of Kahler vibrato bridges, I must advise against this. The Kahler flatmount vibratos require a steeper neck pitch angle than is standard on the RG321.

Additionally, the mahogany facings on the guitar are very shallow. Cutting through will probably cause splits in the veneer.

If you want a HH guitar with a vibrato, trade the unmolested RG321 for the model you really needed to begin with.
 
NEED SOME ADVICE FOR NEW PROJECT

You can get a bigsby made for a tele. Would look a bit odd but would be doable. And for the kahler, you can shim the two screws closest to the body to make the neck angle right.
 
Re: NEED SOME ADVICE FOR NEW PROJECT

Hmm, I see absolutely no reason why that guitar could not be outfitted with a Floyd Rose.... Am I missing something?
 
Re: NEED SOME ADVICE FOR NEW PROJECT

Possibly. The Ibanez RG321MH is a modestly priced, Indonesian-made model. A genuine FR or, say, an Ibanez Edge double locking vibrato system is likely to cost more than the resale value of the guitar. (This omits the cost of luthier services.)
 
Re: NEED SOME ADVICE FOR NEW PROJECT

So the neck angle is the problem...Is there anything I could do to modify the neck angle? I know that the normal angle for a LP is about 4º, but as my neck is 24 frets maybe it will need 5º or something like that.
Is it possible to achieve? Maybe sanding the part of the body where the neck is mounted in a descendant way?
I don´t know, I suck at this kind of things. Anyone with a good solution, please help.
Anyway, thank you all for your help.
 
Re: NEED SOME ADVICE FOR NEW PROJECT

You could just put a shim between the neck and the front of the pocket to create some angle. I'd stay away from changing the neck pocket that's there already.
 
Re: NEED SOME ADVICE FOR NEW PROJECT

AAAHHH79 said:
Anyone with a good solution
Click to expand...

Leave it as it is. If you want a floyd rose guitar just save up for a older charvel with a schaller or something. I don't understand why you would want to change that bridge so desperately? Those hardtail strat style bridges are great, There full contact straight onto the body.
 
Re: NEED SOME ADVICE FOR NEW PROJECT

That guitar would be a perfect donor for a schaller 3d6 or abm non tremolo bridge. there a superior bridge to most around imho.
 
Re: NEED SOME ADVICE FOR NEW PROJECT

Funkfingers said:
Possibly. The Ibanez RG321MH is a modestly priced, Indonesian-made model. A genuine FR or, say, an Ibanez Edge double locking vibrato system is likely to cost more than the resale value of the guitar. (This omits the cost of luthier services.)
Click to expand...

I didn`t say I would do it nor that it would make sense, I agree with everyone there. The op just seemed to think it was technically impossible, which isn`t the case from what I can see :beerchug:
 
Re: NEED SOME ADVICE FOR NEW PROJECT

kramersteen said:
Leave it as it is. If you want a floyd rose guitar just save up for a older charvel with a schaller or something. I don't understand why you would want to change that bridge so desperately? Those hardtail strat style bridges are great, There full contact straight onto the body.
Click to expand...
I know what you mean, but the thing is that when I bought the body (from ebay) it came with a ruined old bridge with even some parts missing. So I just decided to change the bridge.
I wanted to have a tremolo, but I thought routing the guitar for a floating one was too difficult for me, so I decided to use the tune-o-matic bridge. Also thought about the tele bridge, the shorter one. That´s my plan B if this tune-o-matic thing doesn´t work.
So I will keep trying to find a way to install a tune-o-matic, and if I can´t find it, I will install a tele bridge.
 
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