Questions about saddle changes on an Ibanez Floyd.

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Drewsky7170

New member
I have an Ibanez EX270 with a licensed Floyd. I'd like to play it more but the problem is that it goes out of tune quite easily due to the fact that it only locks the strings at the nut, the saddles at the bridge are non-locking saddles. I've asked a local shop owner about switching out the saddles to locking saddles and he's said it's not doable and the whole bridge would need to be replaced. Is he right, or is it possible to change out to replace them with locking saddles?

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Re: Questions about saddle changes on an Ibanez Floyd.

How do the strings load into the bridge if they dont lock in with the bolts ?
Show me a close up picture of the bridge?
 
Re: Questions about saddle changes on an Ibanez Floyd.

Yeah it's just like that one. The guy I talked to is one of the best techs in my area. Others have told me otherwise before, but I just needed the information reconfirmed.

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Re: Questions about saddle changes on an Ibanez Floyd.

hard to see the mounting mechanism for the saddles on that ebay listing, could you post a pic anyway?
 
Re: Questions about saddle changes on an Ibanez Floyd.

That should be the SLT-101 trem, and I'm pretty sure you *could* change the saddles with ones fitted for a licensed Floyd. Where a licensed Floyd has the long allen screws for locking the strings, the SLT has hollow tubes that you fit the strings through.
 
Re: Questions about saddle changes on an Ibanez Floyd.

^^^ so the hollow tubes should be removed as well, right?
Drewsky can you confirm that?
 
Re: Questions about saddle changes on an Ibanez Floyd.

I think these photos of the bridge and saddles should suffice.

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EDIT: My two other guitars use TOM bridges with tails, so I don't know much about using trem systems. Like I said in my first post, I'd like to play this more so I can build my skills and comfort zone with the longer 25.5" scale and 24 frets.

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Re: Questions about saddle changes on an Ibanez Floyd.

Bro why is that tremolo on an angle like that? Surly that wouldn't be helping the tuning stability.

And yeah the saddle might fit but.....i doubt they will be snug.
 
Re: Questions about saddle changes on an Ibanez Floyd.

Kramersteen, this Ibanez has never been set up properly. Like I said, I personally don't have any experience with using a trem system :-/

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Re: Questions about saddle changes on an Ibanez Floyd.

Drewsky7170 said:
Kramersteen, this Ibanez has never been set up properly. Like I said, I personally don't have any experience with using a trem system :-/

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Ahh ok cool well you came to the right place. I think you should learn more about the current setup before investing money into saddles.

Some of the lads around here will have some great tips to get it in tune, But to start with you need to get that tremolo level with the body. Its a balancing act between the pull from the strings and the tension of the springs in the back cavity. You need to detune a bit and tighten the tremolo claw screws evenly ''full turn'' then tune up again and you will see the difference with the angle of the bridge.
 
Re: Questions about saddle changes on an Ibanez Floyd.

That's why I'm here :-) Eventually I'd like to block the bridge throw in an EVH D-Tuner, which is why I asked about the saddles. I just hate fighting the damn thing. If all else fails, new Floyd it will be. I think this thing will be a neat little project in the long run.

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Re: Questions about saddle changes on an Ibanez Floyd.

Floyd rose tremolos are a pain in the ass. But i cant live without them. Your journey begins here, Get your screw driver.
 
Re: Questions about saddle changes on an Ibanez Floyd.

Not to mention that setting the bridge to where it is flat will change the tension on the strings for the better. Unlock the nut screws too before you turn the claw screws. It is going to take a few turns to level that monster
 
Re: Questions about saddle changes on an Ibanez Floyd.

It's not just the single locking setup that will be the issue. The knife edges and posts are junk too.

You'd be better off buying a Floyd arose Special if you don't want to spend too much on a replacement that should hold up ok.
 
Re: Questions about saddle changes on an Ibanez Floyd.

Replacing the saddles with locking ones doesn't necessarily solve the problem. You have to ensure that they are all in the same exact dimensions, or otherwise you'll have to whack em into the slot. The best would be replacing the whole bridge, but you still have to deal with the distance between the posts of the new tremolo, the depth of the cavity, and you may have to drill new holes in the guitar to fit the new tremolo. Check with your tech.
 
Re: Questions about saddle changes on an Ibanez Floyd.

E-E measurement should solve the question. I see the routing underneath is somewhat "tight", so changing the whole bridge might have unpredicted side effects.
If it was my guitar (not this guitar), and the dimensions where right i would go for a Gotoh.
Now, as i see it, best chances are by checking E-E spacing, (should be exactly 54mm) and then go for after market floyd saddles.

the current saddle width (if we assume the 54mm value) should be 54mm/5 = 10.8mm. If your current saddle width is 10.8, then go for the saddles. This is the standard floyd rose saddle width.
 
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Re: Questions about saddle changes on an Ibanez Floyd.

Floyd Rose special is great if it will fit that guitar. About $80.
 
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