Original Edge tremolo

[Jessie Sammler]

Re: Original Edge tremolo

I'd gladly put my Edge Pro 7 trem with the locking stud mod up against any real Floyd Rose or original Edge any day of the week.

I haven't been following their newer trems; is the Edge Pro derived from the original Edge design, or did they toss it out and start over? I've heard a lot of good things about the locking stud mod; it was a nice feature in the originals.

 

[Ashurbanipal]

Re: Original Edge tremolo

I haven't been following their newer trems; is the Edge Pro derived from the original Edge design, or did they toss it out and start over? I've heard a lot of good things about the locking stud mod; it was a nice feature in the originals.

Ibanez came out with new trems in 2003 in order to avoid paying royalties for an OFR patent. You'll notice that the trems since then don't have the 'licensed under Floyd Rose patents' statement stamped on them. The Edge Pro with the mod is seen as being on par with the oldies in terms of performance. The idea was, for all intents and proposes, to refine the old design in terms of ergonomics, facilitating setup, and performance. Though many Ibanez players cried foul because the locking studs were done away with, and still weep over the fact. The patent in question has run out since.

However, this year a number of Ibanez guitars are returning with the original Edge, such as the Vai and Satriani models, and the Universe is getting the Lo-Pro back. The other guitars (i.e. Prestige) that had the Edge Pro are all getting the Edge Zero, as the former is now dead.

The funny thing about the locking stud system is most people didn't know it existed . But it's a nice feature as it reduces the studs' play and therefore 'ovaling' in the long term - inserts being pushed towards the neck or working loose. Problematic on soft basswood bodies.

 

[tone?]

Re: Original Edge tremolo

The Edge is a great trem. Love it.
The sound however is totally different than the floyds.
I think that most of the Satrianish tone and Vai comes from these trems. Why? cause the trem is made mostly from Zinc.

to me these are the most important parts of a trem.

1) how well it functions
2) Tolerances precision
3) what it is made of and sounds like

The edge by Gotoh has amazing build quality and functionality. Better than the Floyd. Smoother etc...
But the tone is different. Worse? Better? no just different

 

[Petrovsk Mizinski]

Re: Original Edge tremolo

I haven't been following their newer trems; is the Edge Pro derived from the original Edge design, or did they toss it out and start over? I've heard a lot of good things about the locking stud mod; it was a nice feature in the originals.

Ashurb answered most of it pretty well.
Once you get that locking stud mod done, it makes the Edge Pro on par with the Lo-Pro.
I've only had my first Edge Pro equipped guitar for a few weeks now and I can safely say it's a pretty wicked trem. Very smooth, superb tuning ability and I get some pretty decent sustain outta it.
Next on the list is to get one of those bigger sustain blocks for it.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Original Edge tremolo

FYI

Ibanez has discontinued the Edge Pro in 2010. The JEM and JS models now get the original Edge, and the Prestige line gets the Edge Zero.

 

[Petrovsk Mizinski]

Re: Original Edge tremolo

Not a fan of the Edge Zero's design at all to be honest.
Due to the inherent design flaws, the sustain block is quite small and unlike the Edge Pro and the Lo-Pro (and most likely the Original Edge) you can't swap it out for a bigger block.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Original Edge tremolo

all this talk is making me think twice about this.

I'd pick up one of these, if only the pickups were stronger. Paul says they work well for all kinds of rock and metal, though after looking at the specs (they're each like 8.6k) i find it hard to believe.

Air classic pickups.

 

[Ashurbanipal]

Re: Original Edge tremolo

There have also been issues viz. the fine tuners on the Edge Zero in terms of their function (stiff) and placement. They do seem a bit crammed together and don't look like they have a knurled edge. Couple of threads on Jemsite discussing the issues.

The sustain block is small to accommodate the zero system. I suppose it's ultimately about what kind of compromises you're willing to take depending on your playing situation: things like smooth feel, good flutter vs enough stiffness to do double stops without bending both strings, and staying in tune when breaking a string. The benefits of a hard-tail are not easy to reconcile with the floating trem concept.

The inclusion of the intonation tool is a good idea though.

The whole concept seems like a combination of Ibanez wanting to avoid Floyd Rose licensing fees + technophile ways of the Japanese .

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Original Edge tremolo

There have also been issues viz. the fine tuners on the Edge Zero in terms of their function (stiff) and placement. They do seem a bit crammed together and don't look like they have a knurled edge. Couple of threads on Jemsite discussing the issues.

The sustain block is small to accommodate the zero system. I suppose it's ultimately about what kind of compromises you're willing to take depending on your playing situation: things like smooth feel, good flutter vs enough stiffness to do double stops without bending both strings, and staying in tune when breaking a string. The benefits of a hard-tail are not easy to reconcile with the floating trem concept.

The inclusion of the intonation tool is a good idea though.

The whole concept seems like a combination of Ibanez wanting to avoid Floyd Rose licensing fees + technophile ways of the Japanese .

from everything said in this thread, im assuming that the original EDGE is as good if not slightly better than a OFR.



I'd like to add, i found this online. guitar doesnt seem weak at all!

 

[Guillen]

Re: Original Edge tremolo

from everything said in this thread, im assuming that the original EDGE is as good if not slightly better than a OFR.



I'd like to add, i found this online. guitar doesnt seem weak at all!

im thinking on doing this bridge for my Ibanez S270.......the original edge tremolo..... but the espec about the metal making...i cant find it...

 

[Mincer]

Re: Original Edge tremolo

You may want to start your own thread for this question...this one is 7 years old.

 

[Guillen]

Re: Original Edge tremolo

You may want to start your own thread for this question...this one is 7 years old.

ok Mince....sorry.....

 

[muttznmongrelz]

Re: Original Edge tremolo

IMHO; the Edge is not as durable or made of as high quality components as the OFR. I've seen the Edge split at some sort of...insertion point it's side. Hasn't happened on one of mine but I have seen it more than once. I'm not a fan of the inserted arm style either. That said it does have a "smooth feel" to it and very good control, but the OFR with Old Skool Threaded/Screw In Arm has a "better/more precise controlled" feel when in use.

 

[Guillen]

Re: Original Edge tremolo

Vai and Satriani still use the original Edge. That's gotta count for something!

thats my point.......i think if vai and satriani still use it is for some thing...

 

[dave74]

Re: Original Edge tremolo

One thing I wish they'd do with the OFR arms is to sell them with angle-options.
They don't all come out at the same exact angle anyways, so I wish they'd just "grade" them at the factory into; shallow, standard, and steep.
I really prefer the shallower angle of the edge-pro arms I have, but I do have a couple floyd arms that are close to that,,,,and a couple that ride higher over the strings.
Not huge differences,,,,perhaps like 10 degrees, but shallower sure feels more handy to me,,,,maybe it's my small hands. lol

Not surprisingly there is more discrepancies with arm-angle with the OFR-1000/pro series than with the M.I.G. OFR.

 

[muttznmongrelz]

Re: Original Edge tremolo

Found a picture of the Edge Insert Failure which I referred to above...take a look on the right side and you'll see where the metal failed and cracked.

 

[metalchurch79]

Re: Original Edge tremolo

Thats a terrible break, and its actually on both sides. Someone was definitely rocking too hard on that thing. Ive seen that happen because guys use over sized brass trem blocks and they bottom out in the trem route and something has to give...most times resulting in damage like that.
I do like OG Edges,Gotoh, and even Kahler Spyders and 2300, but I'll stick with my 80's Original Floyds thanks.

 

[muttznmongrelz]

Re: Original Edge tremolo

The Edge is a great trem but it's simply not as well built or durable as a true OFR. That said; I've been playing nothing but my '87/'91 Ibanez RG550/570 Mutt exclusively since I got it together and love it.

 

[greekdude]

Re: Original Edge tremolo

Form my experience, Gotoh (the japaneze edge, lo-pro's maker) uses at least same quality metal as the OFR.

 

[dave74]

Re: Original Edge tremolo

^^^We need the sequel to crossroads! I'm still wondering if that wild hoochie-mama went home with lightening-boy, the old man,,,or both.