Stability of Ibanez ZR trem *video inside*

[Nicholasim]

Hi,

Just thought i share with you guys a test that i have done on the stability of the ibanez ZR trem.

Many people on the internet (other forums) are dissing the ZR trem, but i find that it is a very very stable trem. PLUS, the ball bearings will take a longer time to wear out compared to the knife edges on a trem.

So without further ado, here's the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFIPiC9bCBM&feature=youtu.be

By the way, this guitar is on sale. If youre interested, you can pm me

Anyway, hope this video helps to clear the air on the stability of the ZR trem! Its an awesome and very smooth bridge!

 

[relinquish69]

I have to agree with you on this one. I'm a huge fan of Ibanez guitars and I have always loved the Original Edge and Lo-Pro trems.

After the two legendary trems, there is always the Edge Pro and the ZR trem. IMO the ZR trem is the most stable trem compared to all other bridges made by Ibanez. The Zero Edge bridge is just as stable. The only difference is that you can make a Zero Edge bridge flutter if you remove the 2 smaller springs. Can't do the same for the ZR. However, if you want a smooth and stable trem on a < $1000 guitar, the Ibanez S series (equipped with the ZR trem of course) is the way to go.

I dare say, no other guitar within that same price bracket would stay in tune better than the S series. In terms of materials, the ZR trem is built like a tank. I have encountered Edge III trems that split into 2 after trying to tighten them. If I were to choose between an RG and an S series that is within the same price range, the S series any day. It's a no brainer.

I might be an Ibanez fan but I'm definitely not being biased here. I really don't think that there is another floating bridge guitar that has the same stabililty for the price. For all floating bridges, it is important to set it up right and once it's done, bombs away!

 

[audiograbber]

agree on knife edges becoming dull. can i use it on my rg series? do any of the shops offer the zr trem? any idea of the price? thanks!

 

[Nicholasim]

Glad to see people sharing the same views as me. As for an Ibanez RG with the ZR trem, i dont think one exists yet but they have RGs with the Edge zero instead. I havent personally tried one yet so i cant comment on it

 

[subversion]

ZR has a tried & tested reputation. i feel that many people can't get along with its inability to manifest the flutter effect unlike the bridges featuring knife edges- that's the reason they say it's below par. very few people are forthcoming when it comes to tuning stability.

 

[relinquish69]

you cannot install a ZR trem on a regular RG. it is possible but probably not worth the money doing. too much work involved and the resale value would definitely be affected.

 

[Nicholasim]

ZR has a tried & tested reputation. i feel that many people can't get along with its inability to manifest the flutter effect unlike the bridges featuring knife edges- that's the reason they say it's below par. very few people are forthcoming when it comes to tuning stability.

Hmm.. somehow my ZR trem bridge is able to flutter. I'll upload a video when i have time. Kind weird, what is it that prevents the ZR trem from fluttering?

Btw, i removed the ZPS ever since i got the guitar because i felt it was more stable as a floating bridge. Even in the video above, the ZPS has been removed

 

[Nicholasim]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWwnazxNfyw&feature=youtu.be

ZR trem flutter
(not sure if its considered fluttering haha)

 

[subversion]

yes, they can flutter but not the same manifestation as the knife-edged implements. because the ZR unit is running on bearings, there's excess buoyancy compared to the the aforementioned alternative. to me, people kinda magnify the difference; it's quite negligible IMO- it gets the job done, to me this is more important...

 

[mightyboy88]

wow i think thats really quite alot of fluttering already haha, i didnt expect to hear that much flutter from the ZR, given the "bad rep" it has for the flutter effect.

I think the ZR is indeed a really good concept, possible improvements could be perhaps instead of the zps system, a tremolo-no/tremlok kinda system could be engineered and installed in the ZR itself.

I kinda find the zps system redundant too, like nicholas does, ibanez says it improves stability, improves sustain and doesnt affect tuning much when one string breaks but i find that a tremlocking device would be so much more versatile. You can have the choice of a fully floating trem for all the crazy stuff and a fixed bridge for downtuning, thicker sound options etc

Another issue with the zps is that it creates additional stress of the arm socket, in which some ZR users have complained of it causing the arm socket to wear out upon heavy usage. This issue has been rectified with the ZR-ii , in which a stronger alloy is used for the arm socket.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWwnazxNfyw&feature=youtu.be

ZR trem flutter
(not sure if its considered fluttering haha)

 

[subversion]

i'm OK with the ZR bridge... just that it added weight to the instrument. that's the reason i avoided the S-Series for a while...

 

[Nicholasim]

Mightyboy, I agree, if the ZR trem had a tremol-no like system inside, it would be the biggest plus factor. Many people, including me, like versatility which the tremolno will offer. BUT, having used the tremolno before, it actually takes away the stability of the bridge. So there is also some negative points on this.

And yes, the ZR trem is extremely heavy. I was shocked with how heavy it was when I removed the bridge. But isn't weight good? I thought if it's heavy, it will resonate better, better sustain etc? Like a how I have read how the weight of the les Paul makes a difference

 

[subversion]

hardware weight matters if the hardware stays put on the guitar body, not when there are features that isolate the string resonance & not transfer that to the body completely.

 

[Nicholasim]

Oh, I see, thanks for sharing. Anyways, floating trems were never known for good sustain.

Did ibanez make the ZR trems on the newer models lighter? I handled an ibanez 25th anniversary s series (luminous green one) before and it was only about half the weight of my ibanez s470. Both have mahogany bodies and ZR trem.

 

[mightyboy88]

I think ZR or not, the s series are outrageously lightweight and comfortable to strap on and play

One reason for the increased weight could be due to the use of a heavier sustain block than the normal edge variant trems, somewhat like ordering a brass block upgrade to increase the resonance of the guitar in floating mode.

I believe a heavier bridge could actually benefit comfort too, as it shifts the center of gravity of the guitar away from the neck, which will help the guitar sit nicely in place(at a 45 degree angle) when standing and playing