Guitar tech tips. Edge 3 set up and longer string life.

[DustinAndNatasha]

I am thinking abuot getting an Ibanez grga32t with Edge 3. I am choosing it over Esp mh50 with Floyd Rose. Am I making a good choice? I like the fact that the Ibanez have covered humbuckers and I need to know. Will I have tuning problems with the Edge 3?

[MrLeedsman]

@DustinAndNatasha I haven't had any problems with mine at all, You can read throug all the comments here to see some of the problems others have had.

[GenNarwhal]

I need help.... My bridge is set up weird where I can't dive bomb.. and it only bends down... So Idk how to adjust it... If u can help thanks

[PhrikaPhresh]

@mrleedsman thanks, but I need help. My edge III tremolo works fine but the bridge isnt parallel to the body Im not sure how to adjust it, any tips?

[MrLeedsman]

@PhrikaPhresh you need to adjust the spring tension. Many vids on how to do this.

[PhrikaPhresh]

@MrLeedsman I said that wrong. I mean its parallel on one side and the other side its not. the left side is higher than the right

[assasinator1980]

this was so helpful....thanks for uploading man, please makea video on adjusting string height and action if you can.....for Ibanez RG edge III.....it's always a pain in the ass for me whenever i need to re-string my guitar

[34210marco]

Thanks for taking the time to make this! great stuff man.

[jasonism123]

how do you lower the action on the edge bridge?

[The7HellRider7]

you dont know how much i appreicate this vid, the edge 3 was a pain in the ass until now. thanks!

[liamzuid]

Hey mrleedsman.

My edge 3 keeps getting out of tune.

I just bought it so it's just set up.

The only thing I think it is is 0.09 strings.

Do you know something?

[MrLeedsman]

@liamzuid I use 9's too not sure whats going on with yours

[bittren4464]

@liamzuid mine does the same it mit be the springs at the back have gone or im thinking of changing the bridge

[liamzuid]

@bittren4464 I know it now.

It's the nature of the pivot points.

2 bolts make sure the whammy is screwed into the body.

But these things wear and don't go back after being used to the zero point ( where it started).

To make this friction less use some chapstick and lube it on these 2 pivot screws.

[HamBungler]

@liamzuid try lubing up the knife edges with some petroleum jelly or industrial lubricant. Also, make sure the trem is level as this is crucial to tuning stability.

[blasphemylolz]

lol Why didn't you just read the manual before you ripped the bridge out of the guitar? :)

[MrLeedsman]

@blasphemylolz the axe was a gift and didn't come with a manual

[MajkeTiTvoje]

i think the ibanez manual says the same thing about the trem. i laughed my ass off when you said rippin the balls right out of that thing :D

[GR1PTAPE]

try reading the manual! it tells you how to adjust it all haha!

[kenroy916]

dude you kick ass

[FollowerofBodom]

0:25 is it just me or does the bridge look tilted.

[neepathius]

@FollowerofBodom edge 3's are 'arched' meaning they are slated shaped unlike a floyd which just has a flat base plate that saddles rest on if know what i mean... lol and you know how ur supposed to look to see if the bridge is parallel to the the body of the guitar? edge 3 when u look at it from the side, is slighty slanted which is what throws me off when setting mine up lol

[AirgunAddict256]

hey man. great video. i have an Edge III tremolo and i like it. good profile, and stays in tune decently, but NOT perfectly. the reason, i believe, is that when i lower my bridge to adjust my action without damaging the knife edges, i notice that the knife posts are kinda loose. i've read before when doing research about locking knife posts, that wobbly posts are a BAD BAD thing... any tips for fixing wobbly posts? can the studs holding the posts be pulled out easily to be shimmed, or something?

[InFuriatedShadows]

kso, my edge 3 tremolo's string saddles now have these small chasms made in the saddles from the string vibrating and moving when using the whammmy bar. How can i fix this? This chasm is rubbing on the string causing it to break. Idk wwhere to find edge 3 tremolo replacement parts. could you help? thx

[Blackjack030190]

I'm having trouble tightening the arm :( I've tried wrenches of various sizes, one seems to sort-of fit but turning it clockwise doesn't actually do anything. not sure what's up with it!

[AirgunAddict256]

@Blackjack030190 make sure your allen wrenches are metric. remember that Ibanez is Japanese, so they use metric for everything.

[Tito13theGuitarist]

what guitar is that?

[alexijunior13]

someone tell me this. if i wanted to drop c tune my edge 3 system, what steps would i have to take to keep it in drop c with the best results???

[AirgunAddict256]

@alexijunior13 you would have to adjust the spring tension to match the string tension... this takes a lot of time the first time you try it. there are millions of comprehensive videos on how to do this. i suggest you watch a lot of em before trying this.

or better yet, if this is your first time, take it into your guitar tech and let him teach you how to do this.

[spoonerspaceace]

Thanks mate.my son just bought a jem 555 with his birthday money and was dissapointed because the edge III trem didnt flutter.i hope to be able to fix this with your top tip.

[thojyout23]

@Pwnersupreme lol i got it now

[scotty688]

Would a 2mm Alan key come with and Ibanez with edge III or do I have to buy 1?

[MrLeedsman]

@scotty688 Depends on wherey you buy. There easy to come by.

[alchrimon]

@scotty688 When you buy a guitar at any Ibanez dealer, the accessories always come with a manual, cheap (generic) cable, whammy bar, and "THE TOOLS" for all the allen nuts in the guitar. Except for the + and - screw drivers...That you have to provide for yourself. :-)

[archenemyowns]

RIPPING THE BALLS RIGHT OUT OF THE THING! HA, cool vid

[thojyout23]

i got a rg350dx with edge iii, i broke the high E string on it, so i replaced all the strings, now the tension is all F!@# up, then stupidly I loosened the tension ALL THE WAY and all the tension springs came off, now i dont know how the springs were originally. if i have 3 springs for tension, should i make them parallel to the holding parts for it by the screws, becuase right now all my springs are in the middle, and now my new high E string broke again cuz i couldnt set it up properly!

[MrLeedsman]

@thojyout23 Don't sweat it. You can set it up With the springs parallel or with the outside ones angled. You have the right idea about adjusting the spring tension just make smaller adjustments. It will be time consuming to get the hang of it but you'll get good at it. If you stick with the same guage strings when you change them you'll rarely have to make adjustments. Good luck and don't get frustrated.

Regards.

[George2ec]

@thojyout23 you need to block the bridge in the right position I use the plastic cover from back of the guitar to do that, then tune you guitar, unlock the bridge and adjust the screws of the springs to have the right position..that's the secret for any floating tremolo like floyd, edge, edge III

[thojyout23]

@George2ec gots it a while ago actually, thanx though

[justinsanesaid12]

for some reason, when i go up on my bar, the pitch goes up and stays up. same when i go down.

[flawlezz212]

i got the zoom hd8 its good

[2346]

Um my edge 3 is in standard tuning but the setup is not setup properly i get dead notes on 15th fret and 22 fret how do i fix this cause i can tell the bridge is lower than its suppose to

[Kenthroid]

Do you have a lot of problem with this edge 3 tremolo? Is Floyd Rose better?

[MrLeedsman]

@Kenthroid I've had my edge 3 for two years with no problems. I'm happy with both systems.

[ManowarFan1985]

@MrLeedsman

My Edge III system is good too, but when I do dive bombs, I have to pull the bar up to get right back in tune, when I just let it go up by itself, it is out of tune. Do you have any idea how to resolve that problem? Also I hear a cracking noise when I use the tremolo...

[MrLeedsman]

@ManowarFan1985 I would make sure that the bridge is level if not the spring tension can be adjusted to level it. As far as the cracking noise I do know that it is a common problem and my Charvel is starting to do it. Not sure yet what causes that. You my want to take it to a local repair shop.

Good luck

[ManowarFan1985]

@MrLeedsman

I have the Ibanet RGD 320 just for 1 and a half months and the cracking noise started in a few weeks of playing, but all in all it is an awesome guitar. I will follow your opinion and bring it to the shop again where I bought the guitar and let them see what the problem is.

Rock_On

[GutWrench95]

You wouldn't happen to know how to get your guitar with an EDGE III to alternate tunings, would you? Every time I try to tune the guitar down to full-step down with drop-C, the tremolo system pulls back way too much.. I have it set perfectly parallel right now, but I can't get it to drop-C, no matter what... I understand that I'll probably have to completely replace the strings, but what do I do from then on?

[MrLeedsman]

Changing to heavier gauge strings MAY level the bridge but it shouldn't be necessary. You're reducing the string tension a lot when you go to drop c so the spring tension becomes too strong to keep the bridge level. You should be able to just lower the spring tension. The adjustment is made backing out the two wood screws that hold the spring hold bracket thingy. Search whammy for dummies if you not sure what I'm talking about. There's a good vid on how to this.

Good luck

[YusseX]

THANK YOU SO MUCH, MY FRIEND!

Your video solved a nightmare that endured for like 4 years for me! xD!

4 years of applying masking tape to the whammy bar in order to keep it on its place... Shame... u.u! xD!

THANKS, THANKS, THANKS, THANKS......!!!!

Greets from Chile. ;)

[ChrisBMichels]

Thanks for the video! Very helpful!

[ZellerMain]

u obviously didnt read the handbook hahah !!! i cant seem to keep mine in tune, it sucks

[Philippe55JS]

Thanks, a lot of help

[liamaustin7v]

I tried all all of my allen keys (which came with my rg350dx) on the edge III, and none of them fit?!

[MrLeedsman]

Should be 2mm

[shaqdaddy11]

my edge III bridge broke. I was wonderin can i replace it with a floyd rose bridge?

[MrLeedsman]

I would think it would be easy.

[shaqdaddy11]

ok thanks cause some people were saying that the floyd rose is bigger (but honestly i dont think its bigger). So thanks for the quick tip.

[DoubleHeliX1337]

MrLeedsman, when I pull up on my whammy bar, my strings are raised in pitch, but I can dive bomb and it'

ll be at correct pitch. Funny thing is, I can dive all the way down and return to pitch, yet, I cant on a pull up.

[MrLeedsman]

If I understand you correctly, your guitar doesn't com back to pitch when pulling up. This is likely because the blades that balance on the bridge post are worn. You can try some lube (chap stick works) between the post and blades but you'll likely just have to do a slight dive after pulling up to bring the guitar in back in tune. Usually this sounds good anyway. Someone else may have a better idea.

Good luck.

[InFuriatedShadows]

@MrLeedsman, I found out the problem, the bridge angle was slightly off.

[sharifrizan]

u problem is same as mine...on my RG370DX....can u cleary MrLeedsman how to settle this problem?

[gremlin2022]

Thank u ALOT for this video, I couldn't find the damn place to adjust how tight to make the damn whammy bar. It would have been impossible without taking the whole piece off XD

[sharifrizan]

hai...tq for u guide...actualy i still dont understand how u do it...can u explain step by step?..i can't see...thanx fren..

[JimiRayYng]

yup that looks what ive been looking for to fix the old edge III flutter fail. Thanks for the tip dude, did nor eeven know that little 2mm sucker wasunder there....LOL. Respect.

[DrTranizRisingChaos]

Great vid! Easy to follow and I learned a lot. And you are right. That loose whammy bar is a bitch! XD

[teamSKDM]

how much does this guitar cost? and what are thge spec and pros and cons of this ibanez rg 4ex1? i want to buy one. and i want to know everything abouth this guitar. woods,pickups,retail,etc.

[whatzupa]

Thanks for the tips.

I recently bought a RG1570 with the Edge Pro. I put .009-.046 strings on it and readjusted the spring plate screws, but the neck just didn't sit right, so I went back to .009-.042, readjusted and all is well.

I'm going to adjust the action at the bridge next, looks like the high strings need to come closer to the neck.

I love these tremolo's, I grew up with them but had been playing a fixed bridge for quite some time.

[eduardonogales]

When you pull the bridge down to make the adjustment... does that affect the string tension so you'll need a tension adjustment???

[MrLeedsman]

No, you pull the bar down the same way you would during normal use. Tension adjustment is usually only need when you changing string gauge

[eduardonogales]

I asked because of the time it spends down (the bar)... its longer than while you're playing, isn't it?

[MrLeedsman]

Yeah, but the I've never had spring remain stretched out. Anyway sounds like you know how to make the adjustment if needed. I would be very surprised but if the bridge is higher after tightening the bar just tighten the spring tension slightly.

Good luck.

[InFuriatedShadows]

MrLeedsman, how is your edge 3 trem? did it turn to crap yet?

[MrLeedsman]

No, Been beating the hell out of it for almost two years with no problems.

[InFuriatedShadows]

OH NICE! ALso, if I adjust the bridge height, will I grind the knife edges?

[MrLeedsman]

You definatly should loosen the strings and put some lube on the post before turning them. I hear chapstick works well

[InFuriatedShadows]

yus, thx u

[InFuriatedShadows]

and how loose should the strings be?

[MrLeedsman]

Very, There should by no string tension at all. You'll still have spring tension but use lube and you may be able to pull the bridge away from the post as you turn them.

[2346]

hello my irg370dxgp arrived today its amazing but sadly I can't play it because fucking ups threw it around so much that some of my strings were snapped so I removed all the strings. Tomorrow im going to the guitar store what strings should I get on the edge 3

[MrLeedsman]

I use D'Addario .009-.042. Many brands work well. The Blue Steel string don't! Don't get too heavy strings or you won't be able to level the bridge.

Good luck!

[2346]

so i should get extra lightto light gauges

[MrLeedsman]

Like I said I like 9-42 I wouldn't go bigger that 10's You may have to balance the bridge the first time but as long as you stick with the same guage in the future you should be allright.

[2346]

ok thx

[dareheaven2]

bear in my the lower the gauge the worst sounds youll get outa the strings, just get high gauge and adjust the spring tension

massive difference in string sound quality

[vukrg350]

Hay...I've got the sam problem with edge 3 tremolo so can u write here because i didn't hear u verry good what should i find 2mm key or something

[thedistorter666]

Ah thank you thank you thank you thank you mr Leeds man! MY WHAMMY IS STAYING IN PLACE NOW! wooo THANKS!

[99megadeth]

what bridge is better??

floyd rose ??

tremolo edge III??

in your opinion??

[MrLeedsman]

The Floyd Rose on my S Ibanez is from the early 90's. Don't know if they've changed since then. But I like my edge much better. The Floyd is very stiff, doesn't flutter well, and had to buy a aftermarket bar to stay in place. Check out my latest vid to see my give the Floyd a good work out.

[KEMTEN]

Hello MrLeedsman, i have the same problem with my kramer striker 424 cm.... it has a floyd rose, but i was wondering if they are set up the same, i cant get the whammy bar to flutter if you will,, any advice?

[MrLeedsman]

I think the secret is in the springs. I have a Floyd on another Ibanez that is very stiff and does'nt flutter well at all. I tried to remove a spring but I wasn't able to balance the bridge. I may try it on yours you'll need to tighten the spring tension to balance (level) the bridge.

[KEMTEN]

ok so just for clarification, i need to take off the floyd and look for that 2mm alan hole? i am just saying, the floyd is loose, the flutter wont work on mine, i tighted the anan hole on the back cavity, is there something i am missing?

[MrLeedsman]

Sorry I misunderstood the question. The spring advise It what I think effects flutter the most. A tight whammy bar also helps allot. I doubt you'll find the allen screw shown in the video on your original Floyd Rose. It's worth a look. I replaced my original Floyd bars with after market bars a long time ago. I'm sure a quick search would turn up after market bars that you can tighten down. Your local music store may be able to help as well.

[huntakilla4]

Hi mrleedsman, my tremolo is up to high, the bridge, and im trying to add a new string, the only way i can add a new string i think is if i take the black plate off, the black plates screws are jammed on. its pissing me off and im like freaking out right now for some reason. HELP. Yes, i have an edge 3

[MrLeedsman]

You don't need to remove any plates to change a string. It's too hard to explain with text but there are plenty of videos for this just search "changing strings on a floyd rose. Your local music store would probably be happy to show you as well.

Good luck and thanks for watching.

[rockexpert]

ROFL HIS BALLS BROKE

[dudeoli]

Cheers man! Thanks to you I have my edge III bar staying in place now :D

[pr0digy3]

how is your bridge so...loose or easy going?

[MrLeedsman]

Came that way from the factory. Just a good set of springs I suppose.

[pr0digy3]

does how tight your springs are (in the back of the guitar) affect the ability to do the flutter technique?

[MrLeedsman]

I definitely think so. I have one guitar that is real stiff I'm sure it's the springs.

[pr0digy3]

is there a way to loosen the springs without loosening the tension of them?

[mik677772]

thnx man...u rock

[MrGuitarplayerdude]

does anyone know if you can put one of those edge tremolos on a guitar that came wit a regular floyd. cause my floyd sucks, and i hear that these are great. or if not an edge, but anyother ibanez trem. thanks

[MrLeedsman]

Never done it but I would think it's a straight swap with an intonation and spring tension adjustment

[aznboyhottie93]

yah fender strat and squire bars screw into the hole perfect and has a lot of tension to flutter all you want

[totalovrkl]

Great video man! Many things i will use to make my guitar better, but one thing that always happens when i change strings on my guitar (Ibanez) is that the whole bridge goes up, so it leans in a kind of 45 degree angle! Does anyone know what the problem is?

[MrLeedsman]

Of course when the strings are off the bridge will stand up. If it's out of balance when you're tuned to pitch, you'll need to adjust the spring tension. Serch whammys for dummies for a good vid on this.

[totalovrkl]

Thanks man! It´s gonna be a great help to me!

[chriscoooley]

you obviously dont know how to change strings on a floyd rose trem. you have to change the strings one at a time with a floating bridge, and if you continue doing it that way you could damage the bridge

[zaynehmad]

i just needed to ask you this one question when do u change ur strings meaning all 6 of them,when does it start to wear out *de tuned*

[MrLeedsman]

The strings mostly break right at the bridge. I usually can just loosen the broken string and reuse it. I change them all when I can't fix one or when they get nasty. That time varies.

[timeslowsdown]

THAAAAAANKKKK YOUUUUUUU!!!!!! That tremolo was PISSING ME OFFF!!!!!

[lmp668]

OMG man u saved my life id had countless hours of frustration with that bar slipping out i found out that using a fender trem bar that screws in works well

[tatayo09]

I have an ibanez rg 370 dx, and from the moment I bought it, I kept fighting with the bar because it went out of the bridge every time I pull it up... like for a month, until I finally read the instructions and learned how to solve the problem... if people (me included) read the instructions before everything fails, life woud be easier

[MrLeedsman]

I doubt the loose bar will effect your problem. Maybe you need to lubricate were the trem and the bridge post meet.

[sweffe96]

Woooww!! Guess what people! When you buy an Ibanez, you also get an Instruction Manual :DDD its not that hard to read it.

[Radiuzz18]

Mr Leedsman, mine ibanez rg tremolo can't be tune.. everytime i tune it, the bridge start to floating higher and higher.. do you have any idea why this happened? or how to solve it?

[lgwebdesign]

ahh... this should help..

Basically, what you need to do is take some time to get the floating point right, which means taking the backplate off, and taking the 3 little lockdown plates (on the locking nut) off. Once you've done this, tune it like a normal guitar, and the adjust the screws that hold the springs into the body further in, and retune, then do it again, and again (the strings will detune each time!)etc. until the top surface of the bridge is "flat" with the body. Then reassemble!

[ghostvox]

thanks for the info

really informative and saved me the trouble

[malmsteenzz]

1:36..i really scared to do that because everytime i did even my did not rusty hard,the string can break ...

[ProtoPaintballaKid]

hahahahahahaha ripping the balls out... lol

[77METALLICA55]

hey i just bought an ibanez rg420eg with an edge 3 tremolo and when i tune it it constantly goes flat when even after i tighten the locking nut i was wondering if you knew how to fix this

[MrLeedsman]

Floating bridges are a bitch to tune. When you tune one string it changes tension on the others. You have to retune many times while it's unlocked. Once your sure all strings are in tune lock it and you may have to do one more final fine tunning. After that it should stay in tune very well. Maybe a small tweak after a long wile. If this is not true you may need to have it looked at.

[77METALLICA55]

thank you so much for replying i will try this

[Shyuum]

Hey Mr Leedsman, i've got this problem with my tremolo Edge III, well you see, i play with 10 gauge strings so, i need to put 4 springs on the back of the guitar, but i can't, the back of the guitar has 5 holes for the springs, 3 for springs and 2 for the spring holder, would you help me out with this thing, how am i supposed to put 4 springs on the back of my guitar?

[MrLeedsman]

I would think you could run 10's with 3 springs by adjusting the tension. Search Whammy for dummies part 2 to learn how. If you adjust the tention all the way and still cant level the bridge you can try removing the spring holder and using those holes. Good luck

[Shyuum]

Alright thanks for the replying brother! :)

[liamzuid]

mrleedsman is that happening with tuning on the head or the bridge

[MrLeedsman]

Sorry, I don't understand the question.

[liamzuid]

well you answered on a comment floyd roses are bitches to tune that they will go flat if you tune a string is that with the head tuning or at the bridge?

[MrLeedsman]

The problem is worse when using the head tuning because you're usually making bigger changes but the same thing can happen with the bridge tunners. Thats why it important to have it tunned perfectly before locking it down.

[liamzuid]

i saw a realy good movie on yt about tuning and that stuff you need to tune low e first then high e then b then a then g then d

[boogiechillen123]

Great video man! I just got an Ibaneze RG42DX and am finding out I know nothing about setting it up since my other axe is a Les Paul Jr. Can you give me some tips on how to adjust the Edge Trem and deal how to tune it? Thanks man, any advice is appreciated.

[MrLeedsman]

If you haven't found them already there are lots of good vids for this. Search "whammy for dummies" That guy has at least two helpfull vids on this.

[Shyuum]

Dude this was so helpful for me, thank you so much! :)

[perfectxinsanity1]

i recently got a ibanez xiphos with an edge III tremolo....and I LOVE IT!!! my problem is....i try to tune it and my bridge either goes up if i tune it higer or goes down if i tune lower how do i fix this. (i tune to drop c) please help

[MrLeedsman]

You need to adjust your spring tension. Search "Whammy for dummies part 2" there's a good vid for how to do this.

[perfectxinsanity1]

ahhh i see thanks im currently trying to fix the problem, if it works, many thanks to you!

[DAWSONIAs1stFan]

read the guitar instructions it tells everything there

[THEZAKINATOR101495]

hey MrLeedsman, I have a problem with my (edge 3) trem bridge. When I tried to adjust the tremelo bar, my low e string would go out of tune and my trem would still be loose. Please help!

[MrLeedsman]

When you say adjust the tremolo bar does this mean tighten the set screw I talked about in the vid? I can't think of any possible way this would detune your axe. And if it's snug your bar shouldn't be loose. Are you sure you tightened the right screw? My hand hides the adjustment in the vid. There is a clear shot of the screw with the system removed. I can't think of anything else without more info.

Good luck!

[THEZAKINATOR101495]

yes it meant to tighten the set screw you talked about, i don't know how it gets out of tune either and yes I tightened the right screw. Thanks bro!

[MrLeedsman]

I dunno man, sounds like your options are bubble gum, paper clips, and rubberbands, tearing it completely down to figure it out, or taking it in for set up.

Sorry bro :(

[captxxchaos]

aye! my whammy bar screws in (floyd rose) but i do use d'addario strings with the ball end Heres another trick for those strings.... especially if you keep breaking them, save yourself the time Just string em backwards... ball on the headstock... i do it, it works... and ive NEVER broke a string... yep yep!

[custommade21]

thanks mr leedsman i had bought an ibanez recently and although it didnt have the edge 3 bridge, it had the same problem so i lifted it up and took a look adjusted it now its perfect :D

[sunhouse76]

arrr man i have this problem with y wamy bar and i hate it i cant use it that way at all. but i have a licensed floyd rose bridge, on a ibanez rg550 20th an..... dont suppose u cant help me out?

please

[MrLeedsman]

On my older floyd rose and my licensed floyd rose I bought aftermarket bars that tighten up with a collor. Very easy. A quick google serch shows they're still available . You local music shop should be able to help you choose the right one. There're not expensive.

Good luck!

[satchbooggy]

damnit i hate flutter fail! haha cool vid man, ibanez makes some of the nicest bridges....

[MrLeedsman]

You're fucked when you fail to flutter! This bridge has always stayed in tune and now that I figured out how to set it up properly I love it.

[satchbooggy]

The original edge is by far my fave but i tell you what...ive NEVER had a problem with the edge pro, the edge 3 or the edge low pro. The 3 is very smooth.