Ibanez Edge vs. Original Floyd Rose. WHICH IS BETTER?

[@TX_TP]

One of the most helpful videos frr 🤘🏽

[@nikaxeguitar]

Thanks brother!

[@jayviveiros5745]

Ibanez Edge is the best trem ever made. And you forgot to mention that the Edge comes with locking trem studs and the Floyd doesn't.

[@neuroscope9052]

The locking studs are an important part, IMO the Edge Lo Pro is a minor refinement on the perfection of the Edge trem.

[@grelkath]

Thanks! Always been an Ibanez player, but this cemented it for me. I also work at a guitar store. I really appreciate all the technical details you provide on guitars and hardware. I've used quite a few things I've learned on your channel to help customers find the right guitar. I've become the go-to guy for people looking for metal guitars at my store. Some of that is thanks to you. Cheers🤘

[@nikaxeguitar]

Glad you're putting your knowledge to good use!

[@JoeR203]

Now you need to do a comparison between the Edge and the GE1996T.

[@MagnusGoGo]

Second this!

[@andrewsantos3283]

Big YES to this !!!!

[@bobbiedeleon4845]

Lockmeister by Schaller! 💯

[@brian770]

having owned both i will always and forever stand by the Ibanez Edge, the Floyd is a close second, but the only problem with the edge is the fact that they are very hard to find for sale. Thomans has the Edge low pro which is also great and basically the exact same as the edge but they are always sold out. also, i cant deal with the way the bar mounts on a Floyd, i know you can get conversion kits, but you can also swap out the Edge block for a brass one, kind of cancels each-other out. they are both head and shoulders above all others. i cant think of anybody who Abuses a trem more than Steve Vai, and he still uses the Edge. i mean that guy puts more abuse on in one show than most guys do in 6 months, if there was a problem he has the pull with Ibanez to get a Floyd offered.

[@edwinstovall3334]

Steve Vai is the only guitarist I know of that can kill a Floyd. It has worked to advantage on at least one song, though. Many years ago, David Lee Roth famously left Van Halen and started doing his own thing. He wisely chose Vai as his guitarist and proceeded to record a stellar album with him. One song Roth chose to cover was "Tobacco Road." At the very end of the song, as Roth is singing the title words for the last time, Vai's abused guitar somehow makes a collection of noises that together sound compellingly like the word "tobacco!" And they CAPTURED IT! I became a Vai fan because of that album, and I've also figured out that that guitar's vibrato didn't have long to live after that recording session. It made those noises because it was dying already!

[@EDDIE-c7f8y]

@@edwinstovall3334 So ridiculous . Vai was actually Roth's 3rd choice .

[@edwinstovall3334]

@EDDIE-c7f8y If that's true, then Roth lucked out WILDLY!‼️🤘

[@samizdat113]

I have an Ibanez PL2550 and the Edge tremolo on it has given me zero issues since I bought it back in 1989.

[@nikaxeguitar]

Glad to hear you've had a good experience with it!

[@marioippolito8221]

The Ibanez edge can be upgraded with the same Gotoh 1996t 33mm block. It's the same dimensions and threads as the Original edge. Also the Red Bishop makes a upgraded trem arm with an adjustable tension screw. If you don't like the ibanez push in bar

[@nikaxeguitar]

Good to know!

[@chadwickhurlburt6529]

Two trems are the best ever made. #1 - The original Ibanez Edge. Just as good and neither better or worse is #2 The original Ibanez Lo-Pro Edge. Beyond these, the original Floyd Rose has its place. Not before those. The original Edge Trems by Ibanez, Lo-Pro or Original, are the best floating tremolos ever made. Period.

[@jonjonns2743]

I have two Charvels and a Jackson with Floyd Rose 1000's and an Ibanez RG550 Genesis with an Edge. When comparing them, I notice that the fine tuners on the Edge are much smoother than the 1000. I have never owned an Original Floyd Rose, so maybe the stiff fine tuners are peculiar to the 1000 model.

[@MartyMcDonnald]

I highly recommend the Edge Zero II from Ibanez. Best tremolo I've ever had! Extremely reliable!

[@BlazonStone]

I just dont like the angled baseplate with the Edge It makes it a little bit more difficult to eyeball when the bridge is perfectly level during setup. That's much easier with the Original or Gotoh :)

[@ARSVids]

Kahler master race.

[@The_blue_Manc]

Sorry, but as an owner of both a Floyd Rose original and an Edge trem, the Vega trem is the best trem ever made

[@JesterMasque]

In the studio I really enjoy both, but the OFR will always flutter longer and deeper than the Edge, even with all brand new parts and mods to operate closer to the same specs. The Edge will always feel more comfortable under my hand, so it can be much nicer to play for hours and hours in guitar tracking. On tour, I’ve had to replace WAY more Ibanez parts WAY more often. My OFR’s can have 3 nights of sweat on it and still run EXACTLY as you would expect. I love both, but one definitely is built for comfort and the other for exacting peak performance under the worst possible conditions.

[@robertmeyer8735]

All awesome videos, I've had them all and currently have: Low TRS, Edge, and an Original floyd on my B.C. Rich, all good trems but I like how you break them down from the design, and materials aspect. It really lets people know what they are buying, though I would replace any trem today with the Gotoh stainless.

[@nikaxeguitar]

You’re a man of fine taste!

[@imcnblu]

Lo Pro Edge is the GOAT, imo.

[@Orbz716]

Thank you for the videos, very informative. Could you consider making a video on floyd blocks affecting sustain? And possibly try different block materials, I want to know how much of an improvement they make if any at all.

[@coreyplant6836]

Great details video.

[@nikaxeguitar]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@FootstepsOfFear]

Schaller offers an enhanced Floyd Rose model, utilizing premium materials.

[@Proganaut1989]

Ibanez edge is hard to beat...but after the first run of JP musicmans were made i was stunned by having no locking nuts at the the headstock and being able to tune with the tuners...while staying in tune with divebombs and flutters.

[@solacedagony1234]

I hated playing my old Ibanez S, but the Edge trem on it was amazing.

[@nucleargrizzly1776]

My favorites in order are the Edge Pro, Edge, Edge Lo Pro, Gotoh, Schaller then OFR.

[@nucleargrizzly1776]

I should have included a Kahler Steeler somewhere near the top.

[@estwrios3983]

what do you like about the edge pro?

[@nucleargrizzly1776]

@@estwrios3983 Sits really low. No need to cut the balls off the strings.

[@crock2434]

My edge trem is over 16 years old. Never had an issue. Except when my son lost the wiggle stick.

[@KyleBrodie-l5d]

I did the exact same thing to my buddies older brother who let me borrow his guitar for a gig, he made me tear apart my car until I found it 😂

[@Blr57]

The 1000 comes with a coated brass blocks so you’re wrong. The special comes with the zinc block

[@dennisdaniel1146]

I can’t wait for the news on Floyd Rose. Popcorn is ready 😂

[@andyhayes7828]

OFR🤘 Best tone, build quality, looks and Feel/action

[@erwocoolis9451]

Doesn't matter. Use any official Floyd or Edge version, get noiseless springs and a Floyd Rose push-in arm for it, and it will be great. The King of trems was the Ibanez "LoPro Edge One" of the nineties.

[@adriengrayson1369]

Between OFR and Edge the best is Edge but the best double locking tremolo system is gotoh 1996t

[@mourningleaves]

The thinner material on the arm on the Ibanez Edge where the plastic bushings go are a weak spot, and has broken on me twice. The Gotoh version does from pictures not appear to have the bushings. Otherwise similar to the Ibanez Edge (prod by Gotoh). Do you have any thoughts on the differences between those two? Is it only the bushings?

[@sicilianmammalian]

I opted for a vega trem in my strat instead of one of these two, would love to see how it compares.

[@nikaxeguitar]

I think you made a great choice!

[@larslevinberget9558]

I put the different Floyds up for review in the 90s The Kramer, later Fender, Original Floyd Rose (by Schaller), ESP Synclair II (by Gotoh) and the Kahler Steeler (also Gotoh) came out best. Then the Ibanez Edge (Gotoh) a bit sterile feel, and the Kahler Spyder made of one Brass-block (too heavy) Killer (the most sensitive action, but over-engineered) then the Schaller FloydRose II with the alloy metal base plate, which can mellow down brittle sounding guitars, but lacks sustain 3rd place to the The Fernandes Headcrasher, Washburn Bendmaster Pro and the Korean OEM still better than most competing solutions at that time

[@nafis6668]

I have both. Floyd rose is slightly brighter . easier to set up & eyeball to make the bass plate parallel. Ibanez edge has flatter radius saddle (less setup work to match compound radius & flatter radius fretboard. Ibanez edge bar is faster to pull & put in. Ibanez edge has nut under the bar that will get loose unless it is bonded using lock tite or epoxy. Floyd rose is compatible with D tuna . Floyd rose bar will loose retaining torque tension faster than Ibanez Edge , more wobble too. Floyd rose push in arm is not that great , because it is not anchored by thread like Gotoh arm. For sake of maintenance & enjoyment : Gotoh GE1996T > Ibanez Edge > Floyd Rose.

[@nikaxeguitar]

Great summary! I think your preference is what matters most.

[@Gruppe_11]

Got both - Edge is far better

[@MarbsMusic]

Original Edge is the best trem ever made, you forgot the locking studs but otherwise great review and break down! Don't get me wrong I love the OFR as well but...

[@nikaxeguitar]

Appreciate the input!

[@JakeStrange66]

Never tried the Ibanez, but literally every guitar I've played in the past 30 years would go completely out of tune if you touched the tremolo. People say "oh, it wasn't installed properly, or set up or adjusted properly" or whatever. Well, ok...some of them may have been. But ALL of them??? Very unlikely. Extremely unlikely. I've only eveey played 2, maybe 3, guitars where I could use the tremolo & it stay in tune, they weren't FR. One of them was a strat style guitar with what looked like a regular strat bridge if I remember correctly. I never understood the hype around FR trems.

[@smooothybuns]

Best Floyd rose vids in the tube. Have you tried the locking trems made by guitar fetish? Curious what you’d think

[@NakedCookies]

You gotta throw the FU TONE into this

[@kennethcarlin9629]

Which is easier to intonate, the Floyd or the Ibanez?

[@SxSxG666]

Edge fine tuners run slightly smoother and hold the tuning forever. Floyd fine tuners are a bit less responsive in my experience.

[@TK96]

The Lopro Edge is better than original Edge. The tail sit lower out of the way your hand doesn’t hit the fine tuners.

[@stevemoore6349]

GOTOH HANDS DOWN

[@shanewalton8888]

I believe the Ibanez Jiva has a screw in arm.

[@edwinstovall3334]

I think it interesting that you and I made opposite choices, but we do come from differing points of view. I'm 66 years old and I don't play out. Guitars for me are a hobby that I spend money on. They are indulgences, not investments. That said, I'll add that it means that I'm not so concerned with longevity of gear -- I'm not at all worried that I'll wear something out. Where I'll put my money is on tone. I would favor the Floyd Original's materials over those of the Ibanez Edge because I am convinced that I don't like the sound of zinc. There might be so little of it in the Edge units as to be inaudible, but unless it was it would cruddy up the sound of the unit to some certain extent. I think it unlikely that I wouldn't hear a zinc base plate AND sustain block. Add to that the fact that I don't find the ergonomics of the OFR objectionable in the slightest, and there you are. I do have to admit to having experienced NEITHER of these products and speak from theory only. I have swapped vibratos of various sorts, though, and Floyd types are among them. I'm for sure a brass and steel guy. Zinc? Meh.

[@nikaxeguitar]

I appreciate the perspective!

[@Maras666]

IMO Edge = LoProEdge > Gotoh1996t > OFR > EdgePro

[@pimpyohthrasth]

Best is the edge, edge pro, low pro. Then Kahler 2710 killer then floyd.

[@Returnality]

The Edge is way better. The fine tuners don't get in the way of your picking hand.

[@nOpOrOpMoP]

Ibanez Lo-Pro Edge smokes the Floyd Rose in my opinion. A friend of mine that has a machine shop and also plays guitar made a copy of the Lo-Pro Edge out of titanium but it was extremely difficult and took him almost 3 months to accomplish. there are some folks out there that make custom parts for them as well but few and far between and a lot of hunting. I would say that the Floyd rose is more heavy duty but unnecessarily, if you're not lazy and you maintain your trem properly and oil it the LPE Should last you just as long. most of the failures and damage that I have witnessed from any trem system with the exception of some very cheap garbage models is generally caused by misuse and lack of maintenance. rockstars generally have guitar technicians and those technicians maintain those guitars daily so they have minimal issues with them when most folks that play at home just pick up their guitar and play it when they feel like it and set it back down and they don't ever really think to stop and clean it or oil it or even set it up properly most of the time. I have several of both types of trems that are all over 20 years old and heavily played and they all function perfectly and even look decent. generally when I change my strings about every 4th or 5th time I just pop it out of the guitar and give it a good once over wipe down and spray it with some aerosol penetrating oil to coat all of the parts to prevent rust and keep everything gliding smoothly and about once every couple of years I take them completely apart and clean all of the individual pieces and oil them. as another comment stated, the Ibanez stuff is very difficult to locate and expensive and the Floyd Rose stuff is just expensive so keeping those things in tiptop shape is a priority of mine.

[@nikaxeguitar]

You make a very good point. I agree with you, a lot of it comes down to care.

[@shanewalton8888]

YOu keep calling the trems "bad boys". I assume Santa didn't bring them any presents.

[@nikaxeguitar]

You caught that! I guess they were on the naughty list 😅

[@JamesFlorio-ti8gc]

My honest opinion....the Edge feels more comfy, fluttery, buttery, which for crazy acrobatic style playing 🎸 or leads is essential....the Floyd is stronger, harder, heavier, less buttery fluttery....but gives you more sustain. To me if I only had one choice.....id say no and just give me a 550 and a esp at LTD level or above lol 🤣...that's what I want on my desert island

[@nikaxeguitar]

Interesting take! It's all about personal preference.

[@JamesFlorio-ti8gc]

@nikaxeguitar yes sir

[@derickcutter8485]

edge by 3 miles

[@BlueberryStinkFinger62]

The Floyd Rose special is a real Floyd Rose what I don't understand how some always claim having issues with the Floyd Rose special never in the 4 years I've had the Floyd Rose special did I have any issues neither have my friends..I would keep the Floyd Rose special over the Ibanez trem

[@nikaxeguitar]

Interesting take

[@EDDIE-c7f8y]

You're out of your dang mind . The Special is total shit .