Ibanez FLAGSHIP Tremolo BETTER than a Floyd Rose? | Detailed Review

Is the Ibanez FLAGSHIP TREMOLO the best trem on the market? If it is, isn't it weird that its NOT even made by them?! Come check out the video!
Links to Floyd/Floating Trem explanations:
Licensed Floyd Rose Video: • What Are LICENSED Floy...
FR Special: • SOLVED | What is a Flo...
FR 1000 Series: • SOLVED | The REAL Diff...
FR 1500 Series: • SOLVED | What is the F...
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[@chrisharris4975]

The original Edge and the Low pro version are the best Ibanez trems. The Floyd Rose original are the best for non Ibanez guitars..1000 models are the at least and found in guitars costings 2 grand

[@marcrichard7741]

Where do you get nylon trem parts

[@jlee4360]

Wow thank you for explaining. I ordered RG550 Genesis and waiting for the delivery. What you showed with tremolo is amazing. Not only good explain but your playing is incredible!

[@gral9440]

I have several guitars with several differents tremelos OFR, FR1000 Series, FR1500 Serie, Gotoh 1996, Lo-Pro Edge tremolo, Edge . And the Gotoh 1996 is by far the best of all of them

[@metalmikebot]

It's fine, but personally, the Edge Zero is/was the absolute best trem on the market. Offset saddle screws for easy intonation, easy sping adjustment with a single knob in the back, and a nice low profile. Had it on a first-gen RGD Prestige and it was awesome.

[@chrisharris4975]

The string retainers , no flutter, Again this trem holds tune. but not an Edge. Sad because in the early ninties the Edge and Low edge were standard. The 565 bought in 93 had the low pro edge. 400 bucks out the door. Best trem ever

[@edwin71TOR]

Amen!!!

[@TSoneonetwo]

I have an S520 from 2001 with an original Edge, and a RG3xxv (25th anni. of the rg565) with the edge zero. took the zero springs off it immediately as it impedes fluttering. IMHO I have to disagree the original edge performs better in almost every way. the zero does not feel as solid, I feel flex in it. the OG feels better on the palm, and in its action. the pop in bar is superior, despite the bushings which do wear over time. yes, the dial for spring tension adjustment is a nice feature on the zero. but, in my experience I don't need to adjust the springs, hardly ever. I keep the original edge in the same tuning with the same strings, and have for 23+ years now, and it is the most rock solid guitar I have for tuning. heck, it's more stable in tuning than a Jackson I own that I completely blocked the licensed FR trem.

[@rosskrause3926]

I had one of the RG# xxv.s in the Red color..I sold it just because I was just flipping guitars at the time..buy one sell it blah blah blah...I miss that guitar now but I do like the Ibanez tremelo systems.@@TSoneonetwo

[@TSoneonetwo]

@@rosskrause3926 mine is the candy apple red

[@theaterdreamer]

This answers every question I had about the Edge trem. Thank you! I’m going to go ahead and buy the Ibanez Prestige RG 652AHM I’ve been looking at for a while. This seals the deal for me.

[@Peterplayingguitar]

IMO the Ibanez Saber's ball-bearing ZR is the best trem ever made. Crazy how they don't make them anymore.

[@ridgetiller8674]

Hey man just letting yah know. I really enjoy your channel and your content .

[@nikaxeguitar]

Thank you very very much. Appreciate it.

[@cortarelva]

I have been saying this for 30 years. The Edge trem is the best locking trem.

[@shredmonster76]

The Edge is slightly more comfortable to rest your palm on for sure. I have Floyds on 2 Jacksons and an LTD, they flutter, dive, and hold tuning just as well as the Edge. Fine tuners on the Edge are smoother also, but the spring retainer, stud lock screws, and replaceable knife edge I've never used or seen the value in. One area the Floyd is better in my experience is the saddle wear, my Edge trem saddle on the bass side has the finish completely worn off and the corner rounded over. The Floyd saddles still look new. I rarely play the Ibanez anymore, the Jackson neck is superior, but that is a different topic. Nice chops!

[@kevanharmon8018]

I've played every Floyd rose style. so far the best quality is the Gotoh Japan 1996t. the kahler spider was really good aswell.

[@2216sammy]

The Gotoh 1996T has replaced the original FR OFR's at Suhr that's how good they are . Pretty sure Gotoh makes the Edge. Are you playing through a Spark ? Sounds excellent.

[@cortarelva]

I cant imagine why anyone in their sane mind would buy an original Floyd Rose when they can get a Gotoh for almost half the price and get a better equipment.

[@MarbsMusic]

The Edge pro didn't have locking studs which caused a lot of problem in the early 2000s but the original Edge Zero did which is a great trem depending on what you do with it. Super solid but not the best for flutter. I started playing in 1984 so pretty much every guitar I had came with a Floyd Rose or Kahler. Sustain on the Kahler was never great but the FR excelled at the, especially since most for not floating. When I finally got a JEM I fell in love with the Original Edge and it and the Lo-Pro are probably my 2 favorite with the Edge Zero and OFR being tied for second. Great video!

[@JoeR203]

I don't know what trem they used in my 1985 Roadstar II (RS-440), but that thing was a beast. I also had an original RG-550 in white. Had I known that model would become so sought after, I never would have sold it.

[@Orschd]

I do own one too! It is an original Edge!

[@JoeR203]

@@Orschd I used to beat the crap out of mine, like Brad Gillis from Night Ranger. That thing never went out of tune.

[@Orschd]

@@JoeR203 It still doesn't. But i don't know the exact model type of mine. It has one Humbucker and the colour is Pearl Red. Like the Kramer Focus 1000. Exactly like that, to be true. It was a prototype design for EVH. Then it became an Roadstar II Model. C861441 Made in Japan

[@JoeR203]

@@Orschd Mine was Candy Apple Red. H-S-S with a push/push tone pot to split the humbucker. The trem was this beefy chrome chunk of metal that looked like it could survive the apocalypse. The cons of the guitar were paint that scratched easily, weak sounding pickups and the plastic tip on the trem bar got sliced off when I did a divebomb and got the tip caught under the high E string. When I brought the bar up, the string cut right through the tip. I've actually seen my guitar for sale on eBay one time because I knew where the scratches were on the headstock (putting on strings and I gouged the paint) and a chip near the cover for the pots when I tried to pry it up with a screwdriver. The seller was asking too much. Otherwise, I might have bought it back.

[@Orschd]

@@JoeR203 Uh, got ya ^^ This one is wrecked.

[@piotrekpet456]

Ibanez LoPro Edge > Original Edge > Schaler/OFR > FR 1500/1000 I dont know why but there is something in how Ibanez Edge feels under your hand. Tight and relaxed in a Good way. Love it!

[@naegleriafowleri2230]

based on what? If that was the case, Satriani would use lopro. Vai and other prefer lo pro due to the shape, but is not better than the original in any mechanical way

[@metalguitarist3151]

I recently bought an ibanez RG and it has the Edge Zero II trem, but I’m curious about what material it’s made from

[@wizaxed]

I have two golden era Ibby's ('91 RG565 with Edge and '91 RG570 with Lo-Pro Edge). Both are pretty killer. It's a matter of feel when palm muting. I love them both. I also have a couple Floyd Rose guitars that are fine too. I do have a soft spot for the Ibanez guitars.

[@nstcg7271]

The tremolo arm looks loose, did you kept it like that on purpose? I bought a same rg550 white (used) , the bushings wore off, and there were no spare bushes in shops near me / online. Only option is to buy a new tremolo arm online. Iam wondering whether i should go for it. I mean iam comfortable playing it loose and hanging, But curious how it feel tight. And want to know which one do you prefer?

[@nucleargrizzly1776]

My favorites is the Edge Pro followed closely by the Original Edge and LoPro then the ancient Kahler Steeler and 2700..

[@legrandgroves8560]

I have the kahler steeler in a evh, its my mongrel guitar, read it was tge best, found one and its a beast

[@jezusu]

YES!

[@michaelrains64295]

The trem on my ‘93 MIJ Ibanez RG is unquestionably better than any other trem I’ve used since I started playing in 1988.

[@frosty7646]

I have one in my 1996 mij jackson and is my favorite hands down.

[@nikaxeguitar]

That’s awesome!

[@CYBERDROiD9000]

Yes, the smoothness of operation is second to none. OFR are great but the Edge just feels better overall. I have three guitars with Ibanez Edge vibrato systems right now, one is over 20 years old at this point and is still rock solid.

[@JoePesos]

Those nylon bushings are a pain to get replacements for since they come in different sizes depending on the version of the edge (and maybe the year). I have a few different instruments with edge/lo pro from different years and they all need different bushings. When they eventually wear down and the trem arm gets loose I have resorted to the crude process of holding them over flame making them expand to original size. But suffice it to say i would take the lo-pro edge over any other trem.

[@advancetomayfair]

Great vid but what's up with the focus on the camera?

[@dancortes2164]

About the edge being discontinued in 2002: That never happened, its hasnt stopped being in production. Ibanez started to make the Edge Pro, which is also made by Gotoh, but its not as good as the Original Edge, nor the Lo Pro Edge due to it lacking the locking studs. The Edge and Lo Pro Edge started to be used only artist LACS's Artist Models. In 2007, Ibanez started to produce the Edge Zero series, which is not factured by Gotoh. Due to some patent issues with hipshot (Specifically the trem setter) and the Zero Point System, Ibanez decided to ditch the edge Zero and bring back the Original Edge and the Lo Pro Edge for its prestige and JCustom models, although the Edge Zero is not discontinued yet.

[@nikaxeguitar]

Appreciate this dude!!

[@cortarelva]

Lo pro edge also as locking and is as good as an original edge. I have both.

[@greekfreak1980]

Ibanez doesn't manufacture anything, generally speaking. They don't own manufacturing facilities of their own at all, which is pretty remarkable for a guitar brand that big. They outsource everything. The various Edge and other bridges like the Gibraltar fixed bridge are made by GOTOH, the Prestige/JCustom/Genesis models are made by Fujigen, the Premium, Axiom and some other mid budget model series are made by Cor-tek etc etc.

[@theaterdreamer]

By the way, are those the stock v7 and v8 hunbuckers on that 550? Or did you switch them out?

[@DreidMusicalX]

A question if you have time. What pickups are you using?

[@nikaxeguitar]

The Brandon Ellis Dyad in the bridge my friend

[@DreidMusicalX]

@@nikaxeguitar Cool,.. Thanks! I think I am getting one. Sounds great!

[@rexdarvog]

I once owned an RG with an Edge bridge because I wanted the guitar for the pickups, I never liked locking tremolos and never had one before then. Since I was inexperienced I broke off one of the fastener heads in the saddle during a restring and had to get a replacement saddle, I sold the guitar and grabbed a hard-tailed RG later. I could say that the Edge is probably better than a Floyd but I wouldn't see much difference as I never use a tremolo, the only guitar that I have equipped with one is my Strat with five springs to keep it stiff.

[@POLLOTROM]

The Ibanez RG 550 Genesis is one of the best guitar for the price. I have the 550 and the 565.

[@Norman-Bates]

It is the best for price, it just needs upgraded pickups, volume pot, tone pots and wiring upgraded, for an extra $300 give or take depending on personal taste. Then it's a 'world tour' level guitar. The Japanese know how to make amazing guitars.

[@cortarelva]

@@Norman-Bates No it doesn't need any of that. Stop deluding yourself and wasting money.

[@Norman-Bates]

@cortarelva The fact you disagree shows you haven't the slightest idea what you are talking about. The V7, S1, and V8 are okay for a beginner, but when you want a professional sound, you just can't get it with those pickups. Look it up if you want, it's common knowledge these pickups are 4/10 at best.

[@curtisnewton895]

any version with hardened steel ?

[@nikaxeguitar]

Not that I know of my friend. I mean you can get a Gotoh 1996t which is.

[@nickfarrow4788]

Edge and Lo Pro Edge are the pinnacle of tremolo units.

[@shakebabyhitler]

Cool timing! I have an old (2011?) spot-production RG, that's been virtually ignored for a few years, as I got a couple Jacksons that have kept me pretty busy. Always thought the budget pickups in the Ibanez sounded a bit weak. Anyway, I recently decided to grab some pick ups I had kicking around, and put them in the Ibanez. Now it sounds awesome, so I've been playing it a lot. Great neck, super shreddy! And I'm loving the vibrato. Tight but smooth. It's had me wondering about their bridges... and now here you are, telling me all about them! Thanks!!

[@nikaxeguitar]

That’s kick ass!

[@shakebabyhitler]

@@nikaxeguitar I know, right?! Sometimes I'm still surprised by the synchronicity of the Universe, lol! Thanks for another awesome vid, keep up the great work!!

[@CeresKLee]

no way i tried them all, but my Kahler is the one I miss the most - had to sell my Chavel for rent. But the PRS SE is the best I own today.

[@thenext9537]

I have a 1984 Roadstar ii and it has a Pro Rockr’ - it is the best. It’s also a pain in the ass.

[@nikaxeguitar]

I want to try one of those SO bad

[@nikaxeguitar]

Can you message me on IG? I’d like to talk about it!

[@sean_miller]

I still think the Gotoh 1996 is the pinnacle of Floyd Rose designs. If you want to go a step further and cost isn't a concern, the Sophia 2:92 is a true all around improvement on the entire concept.

[@An2oine]

My Jackson/ Charvel JT6 is a good licensed tremolo.

[@TheWolvesCurse]

the best trem ibanez ever made was the zero resistance with ball bearings instead of edges. i hate that they don't make it anymore. the last Ibanez guitar i still own has the ball bearing trem, and it's the only reason i still own that guitar, an S420.

[@aieahi1]

Have read that Ibanez designed the ZR to get outside of the Floyd patents. They were then sued / threatened by another patent holder. Went back to the other designs because they were already licensed.

[@virgilthemob1242]

The Edge and especially the Edge Zero is all the tremolo a guitarist can use. My j. Custom came with one and it really is superlatively precise and brilliant. It's a crying shame they dropped it for the LoPro Edge on the current top of the line RG models, because it really was the peak of Ibanez overengineering at work.

[@dancortes2164]

They dropped it because hipshot tried to sue them due to a "patent infringement" between the zero point system and the trem setter and Hoshino didnt even wanted to respond

[@SixString_J5]

Ibanez edge is cheaper to produce and more durable where it counts. It was even designed with replacement knife edges but the knife edges are so hard that the demand for the replacement edges was non existent and they discontinues sales to the public of the part. I've owned OFR made in germany, 1000 series MiK, Schaller licensed, and numerous cheaper licensed floyds. The OFR made in Germany and The Schaller liscensed are clear front runners of the Floyd family with an honorable mention to the 1000 series as long as it's maintained and babied for action adjustments. The ORIGINAL edge stamped with "licensed under floyd rose patents" Is by far the best tremolo I've ever used and the new production version on the genesis and prestige line is a close runner up. Only real difference is the fine tuners are smoother and seem to have a higher ratio (slower finer tuning) than the new model. For me, the Edge is my go to trem because, in my experience, the performance is better, tuning stability is better, it's more fluttery, and it returns to pitch more accurately on aggressive tremolo passages.

[@JohnLloydDavis]

Why are you blurred and the background isnt?

[@nikaxeguitar]

Totally fucked the focus up. My bad

[@domg7616]

Yep!! It is..

[@DavidJosephBoth]

Nothing is better than an OFR, or an Edge, these bridges don't give you trouble. Also the 1500 needs springs and better claw maybe a block upgrade (it has no problems, doesn't lose tuning etc. I'm pertty sure OFR invented the bidge.

[@DavidJosephBoth]

they do feel different from what everybody says. Dug the licks on the trem btw

[@kalleankaa7536]

My opinion aside, the german fr is better because of parts availabilty. It has brass block cqn also be changed for a bigger fat ones. The gotoh bridge has a set screw on the arm. Anywyas. This edge is just like the german schaller short stubb in quality.

[@user-jf3zn3rv4j]

Actually Blueprint / design of EDGE and Lo-Pro EDGE is made by Ibanez and manufactured by Gotoh for them. And the flagship tremolo is Lo-Pro EDGE, not EDGE. And yes, those are better than any other guitar tremolos.

[@geraldmadalinski3602]

The German pro Floyd is supreme, no movement in critical areas, been using them for ever

[@toddsmods.623]

It is better imo. It feels so much more responsive to me. That's not a knock on the OFR Schaller make great hardware but for my money Gotoh is the best parts company out there.

[@evanwilt9817]

The trem arm is the only thing I HATE about these. I ended up replacing one in an Ibanez with a Floyd Rose after breaking the 3rd trem arm I got for it

[@juleslacrapule]

Those bridges have lots of qualities but they dont stand the test of time. look at most of ibanez RG's that used this tremolo in the 90's, most of them have replaced trems or they are in bad shape, and notably because of the fulcrums that wear out or break completely, i know this, ive had a 1991 55 rg that had this exact problem. OFR's are much more durable, they have their drawbacks but they last longer.

[@mixodorians12]

You cannot replace the knife edges.

[@nikaxeguitar]

You can. Finding them is another issue though

[@Will-sg1qq]

does no one know about hantug bridges ? brandon ellis from the black dahlia murder swears by em, they're actually the best fr style bridge imo

[@lacrimau4u]

The bottom plate on a real Floyd Rose is made of hardened metal & the isue is that the hole itself for the tremolo arm is to big & some Floyd Rose copy's the isue with hole are the same, with the ibanez edge system the "snap tap" is much tighter for the tremolo arm & with a thicker bottom plate... in some case the Japaneze design was a copy who evolved little bit different than the real Floyd Rose bridge & they both are great because the most important thing is that they are stable in tuning but expensive...

[@brian770]

i been sayin for years that the Edge / lopro edge is the best out there. all i get is fanboi hate for saying it.

[@nucleargrizzly1776]

Tom Morello has Edge vibratos installed on his non Ibanez guitars.

[@dalepiwek]

Do u actually think this is actually better than an actual actuator actually actuating?

[@nikaxeguitar]

Hhahahaha I do say actually a lot huh?

[@dalepiwek]

All good brother just thought I'd rib ya 😂🤘

[@nikaxeguitar]

I love it dude 😹@@dalepiwek

[@iwilrage]

My edge base plate broke ....it's pot medal

[@Mr.Goldbar]

Always prefered it over the original Floyds :) Have a couple that lasted since the early 90s! I'd break a string on this before I ever go out of tune

[@andyhayes7828]

OFR is the best built, best sounding and most stable of all double locking units imo. The mounting inserts and tremolo bar tension adjustment were/are it's final tweaks that make it as close to perfect as possible 👍

[@vonclod123]

I love those bushings in the bar. I had an Ibanez ZR trem, slightly different from a knife pivot trem, I guess it was a bit like a Khaler. Was very good!

[@oscarsaldanaudio]

Edge tremolo is as good as a top expensive level Floyd Rose or Schaller.

[@CockerillLouis]

Lo Pro is king

[@kdc420421]

The Lo Pro Edge IS OBJECTIVELY BETTER than the original Edge. They are basically the same trem except the ergonomics of the lo pro are significantly better. Source: i have both. My 2 Ibanez prestige are my daily drivers.

[@fedr39]

Explains the details of the tremolo system using a black one that you cannot actually see. DOH!!

[@attilahavasi6987]

Beware people, the edge pros knife edge is NOT HARDENED. If you dont believe me, pull it out, sou can see the casting marks on it. Scratch it on a non visible area, its pot metal. Yay. I hate marketing bs.

[@Lomni]

3:23 Theoreticaly replaceable. Ibanez don't sell them and there's only one guy in the US who reliably sells them

[@ericjenkins2737]

Stop saying “actually” so much.

[@nikaxeguitar]

Noted thanks!

[@auliarahmat6084]

​@@nikaxeguitar please review another type Floyd rose like Schaller lockmeister please 🙏🙏

[@mygrandmaisatoaster40]

@@nikaxeguitardude you shouldve said “actually?” Wouldve been a killer response

[@Edward_Blue]

Wreaks of bias, where is the FR for comparison?!

[@drewgraysonxoxopanda]

Let me save you 8 mins. Get an original floyd rose. ❤

[@nikaxeguitar]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Acousticeg]

The plastic bushings are worthless. One of the worst designs ever for a tremolo bar. Come on Ibanez you can do better than that...?

[@JustPeasant]

Taking an already existing design and improving it is a standard Japanese modus operandi. Japanese society isn't creative, open minded or experimental, but that's ok👌

[@seanriley2534]

The best tremolo is a pedal that foesnt ruin your sustain. Boomer bend solos arent worth the loss in sustain