Ibanez Edge 3 trem strip down

spev11

So I've purchased a RG370dx, its bit old and needs a refresh, mostly the trem (see the pic) but I had a bargain ( I think anyway)
<a href="https://imgur.com/FNpuXx7"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/FNpuXx7.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>
Now i've read lots about how crap they are, It seems ok to me apart from looking manky. I also know that I should change one string at a time but looking at the state of it i'd like to remove all the strings , take the trem off and give it a good going over. Is this a bad idea? 

Dave_Mc

it's a fine idea, you just need to jam something underneath the trem when you take all of the strings off (or if you plan to take the trem off the guitar to clean it, when you put it back on, divebomb with the arm and then jam something underneath it) before you get rid of the old strings so it doesn't sink into the body of the guitar once the string tension is gone...

spev11

I'll have at it then. Could I unwind the springs to release the tension also or would it be better to leave them in the same position to simplify refitting?

Bidley

You could loosen the trem springs but you will have to balance the tension again when you restring. Not a big deal but if you can avoid it then do.

DLM

Everything you need to know is here:

https://www.ibanezrules.com/tech/setup/index.htm

Seriously.

spev11

cheers all , will have a read through before i start

normula1

When I've done this, I simply loosened then removed the strings, pulled the springs out of the trem block, cleaned it all up, added a bit of lube to the posts and refit in reverse order.
Apart from clamping the strings (I put the strong through the machine head and just clip the ends of the wound strings) I genuinely don't find a Floyd any harder to restring than any other bridge that floats.
If the bridge balanced before you removed the strings, and assuming they're the same brand & guage it will return to that same balance point.

I tune the low E first to take up the tension, the the others and one the top E is in tune just go down through to the low E retuning each string a few times, give them a good old stretch, a final tune and job done.

Dave_Mc

spev11 said:

I'll have at it then. Could I unwind the springs to release the tension also or would it be better to leave them in the same position to simplify refitting?

You could stick a bit of tape where the screws are screwed to so you know where to screw back to (I think the tremol-no instructions suggested doing that to simplify the setup of it).

spev11

I've not started yet but while I'm here, it's come to me strung with unknown 10s, the low e is dead acoustically but sounds ok when amplified. I'm pretty sure new strings will sort it but I've read on some forums about it being a problem with locking terms. I'd imagine most of it is heresay

Dave_Mc

I mean, it depends. If you're used to hardtails, Floyds sound (and feel) different. My first guitar had a Floyd so they sound "normal" to me, lol.

spev11

I'll always had hardtails so I'll see what it's like post string swap and clean

Stratavarious

I’d strip it to parts and soak the bolts for setting the intonation in some vinegar for a night. It should dissolve the rust.

Dave_Mc

spev11 said:

I'll always had hardtails so I'll see what it's like post string swap and clean

Yeah. I mean, even though I said I'm used to Floyds, I pretty much meant plugged in. I don't really play my Floyd guitars unplugged (for practising, I mean) as they don't sound that great that way.

spev11

ah yeah i see what you mean, thing is before i stripped it i had a listen again and it sounds "dead" compared to the other strings. Its less obvious when plugged in so hopefully a string swap will sort it

Dave_Mc

Yeah if it's only the one string hopefully it's just the string at fault.