Ibanez Edge-Zero ZP3 tremolo bridge review/questions

[e7lek]

Hey guys, hope you've seen my NGD of that beautiful RG8527Z.

So it has a stop bar that holds the trem from within the cavity and iv tried searching forums to understand (i still dont), is the stop bar there to just provide more stability?

Its the ZP3 and it seems people have mixed feelings about it. Personally it was a pain for the first few days since i did a string change. I noticed it was going out of tune if i pulled the trem upwards. I would have to slightly tap it downwards for it to go back to tune and even then a string or two would go out.

I gave the trem a nice stretching since the springs might be so new and they're not broken in yet. I removed the stop bar to check it out without it and WOW its amazing. Its so sensitive to the touch its crazy and the flutters... but loses tune faster. Keep in mind this all could be because of the string change, but i DID stretch the strings alot before tuning. Usually with these stretches, none of my fixed bridge guitars would go out of tune.

I did put back the stop bar and tuned it so it just slightly touches the trem when not in use. Seems the guitar is keeping tune now (i think before it was too much pressure on the stop bar).

Any tips? Any reason to use the stop bar? Would the guitar stay perfectly in tune without the stop bar / was it meant to be an option ?

And most importantly, do these trems have a bad reputation?

Link of the exact guitar for your reference:

RG8527Z | RG | ELECTRIC GUITARS | PRODUCTS | Ibanez guitars

RG8527Z at Ibanez. Ibanez offers electric guitars, bass guitars, acoustic guitars, effect and pedals, amps, plus guitar accessories like tuners, straps and picks.

www.ibanez.com

Thanks everyone !

 

[jonsick]

I've had an RG2570z for about 10 years now. I'm pretty sure it's a ZP3, well it's an Edge Zero of some sort.

I personally think it is an over-engineered solution for a problem that doesn't really exist. And in that, I don't really know what it was trying to solve. And like you, it took a good examination of the ol' manual to get the thing right.

But on the plus side, it's a perfectly fine tremolo. Mine stays in tune great, it feels good to use, it's just as easy to use as any other double locking floyd rose tremolo that's made well and overall apart from it being a little over complicated, it's a perfectly fine tremolo. There is no tone suck or thinness to it, it's all good.

I think the biggest pain in the butt was setting it up for a new string gauge and tuning. I had it in C# for a while and it took a bit of adjusting to settle it out. It's back in E-standard now, again a few attempts at fettling, but all good.

My last Ibanez was an RG5170B with a lo pro tremolo. I prefer it to be honest. I don't think I would let the ZP3 dissuade me from buying a guitar I liked, but given the option I wouldn't.

Not a bad tremolo. I would say anyone who really hates on it either hasn't taken the time to set the thing up - and I admit it isn't easy - or didn't attempt to set it up properly.

I would also say, most techs don't know how to set one up. It's not as simple as the standard Floyd Rose that most techs have plenty of experience in.

 

[e7lek]

I've had an RG2570z for about 10 years now. I'm pretty sure it's a ZP3, well it's an Edge Zero of some sort.

I personally think it is an over-engineered solution for a problem that doesn't really exist. And in that, I don't really know what it was trying to solve. And like you, it took a good examination of the ol' manual to get the thing right.

But on the plus side, it's a perfectly fine tremolo. Mine stays in tune great, it feels good to use, it's just as easy to use as any other double locking floyd rose tremolo that's made well and overall apart from it being a little over complicated, it's a perfectly fine tremolo. There is no tone suck or thinness to it, it's all good.

I think the biggest pain in the butt was setting it up for a new string gauge and tuning. I had it in C# for a while and it took a bit of adjusting to settle it out. It's back in E-standard now, again a few attempts at fettling, but all good.

My last Ibanez was an RG5170B with a lo pro tremolo. I prefer it to be honest. I don't think I would let the ZP3 dissuade me from buying a guitar I liked, but given the option I wouldn't.

Not a bad tremolo. I would say anyone who really hates on it either hasn't taken the time to set the thing up - and I admit it isn't easy - or didn't attempt to set it up properly.

I would also say, most techs don't know how to set one up. It's not as simple as the standard Floyd Rose that most techs have plenty of experience in.

Thanks so much for the reply. Exactly what I needed to hear. Im actually traveling soon and will meet a luthier (hes a friend) ill just have him set it up and teach me how to do it quicker maybe.

But its a relief to know the tremelo works and performs fine!

 

[kmanick]

my RG3727 and my RG2770QZA-WPB have the Edge zero system on them. I pulled the stabilizer on both of them,
Both guitars stay in tune just fine without it in there/

 

[jonsick]

my RG3727 and my RG2770QZA-WPB have the Edge zero system on them. I pulled the stabilizer on both of them,
Both guitars stay in tune just fine without it in there/

OK now I'm trying to remember if I removed the stabilizers on mine too. I know I did at some point but it's too long ago to remember. I've not had to adjust it in years really, just change strings and kerrang kerrang.

 

[Muzz]

I've got no idea if those bridges have knife edges or ball bearings at the pivot. If it's the former then the knife edges might be worn.

 

[e7lek]

my RG3727 and my RG2770QZA-WPB have the Edge zero system on them. I pulled the stabilizer on both of them,
Both guitars stay in tune just fine without it in there/

good to know ! i really wanna keep them off to be honest.

 

[e7lek]

I've got no idea if those bridges have knife edges or ball bearings at the pivot. If it's the former then the knife edges might be worn.

The guitar is brand spanking new

 

[bzhang9]

Pull the stabilizer it works as good as any trem

 

[e7lek]

Pull the stabilizer it works as good as any trem

did, been about a week now. Holds the tune really well i think the strings were just new as well as the tension springs.


Love this guitar to death right now

 

[devastone]

Keep an eye on the neck mounting screws and the locking nut to neck screws, if either gets loose it won't return to tuning. I live in a dry climate (Colorado) so wood tends to shrink some here and I've had both happen. Don't overtighten, but make sure they stay snug. I'm sure there is a torque spec somewhere, but I don't know it.

 

[e7lek]

Keep an eye on the neck mounting screws and the locking nut to neck screws, if either gets loose it won't return to tuning. I live in a dry climate (Colorado) so wood tends to shrink some here and I've had both happen. Don't overtighten, but make sure they stay snug. I'm sure there is a torque spec somewhere, but I don't know it.

Will do thanks for the tip!