Floating Trem replacement - Ibanez Iceman IC350 - ideas?

[moliere]

Just got an Ibanez Iceman IC350. It comes with a LoTRS II double locking trem.
It seems a bit shit, and all online references suggest it's a bit shit.

I've not had a good run with floating trems over the years, but only had experience with a couple of (probably substandard) models. I've never had one that actually stayed in tune, and that's without major whammy abuse, just some divebombs and the like.

The suggestions I've seen is to replace this with an Original Floyd Rose, apparently no extra routing needed, just drops in.
I'm pretty sure there would have been some advancements in trem technology since then, and it would be amazing if I could just use normal strings without having to cut the ball ends off them.

Any suggestions? I'm actually happy to hack into the guitar routing wise if I need to, just looking for the most stable and easiest to replace strings on.

[handsoffmatt]

Yes indeed, the TRS trem is a little bit poos. Upgrade is recommended for sure.

When it comes to Floyd Rose replacements, OFR is still one of the finest options available. Don't get a Floyd Rose Special. They are terrible.

Gotoh GE1996T is another top-quality trem that can usually can be had somewhat cheaper than an OFR.

Ibanez' Edge variants are excellent - but I believe require different routing (?)

[Olderama]

OFR thumbs up here

[jeremyb]

Edge Zero!! Or get a gotoh

[JHorner]

Original Floyd Rose, apparently no extra routing needed, just drops in

just drops in

^^^^^ If that's true, Get an OFR ^^^^^

If something else *cough* looking at you Gotoh *cough* has a few mm difference here or there you're going to be annoyed.

it would be amazing if I could just use normal strings without having to cut the ball ends off them

I cheat and put the ball end through the machine head, but what's the problem with cutting the end off the string, you have to cut off excess string anyway.

[mrmofo]

OFR, the best. don't believe these ibanie fan boys

if its set up right it stays in tune.

[moliere]

Cheers guys, lots of good information!

[jeremyb]

Gotoh does have different post spacing to an OFR...

[handsoffmatt]

Gotoh does have different post spacing to an OFR...

Yeah it does, but's only by a little - and that's why the left hand side knife edge is straight, rather than horseshoe shaped. This way it can accomodate the slightly different post spacing. It works great as a drop-in.

[Danger Mouse]

The original Edge is awesome, preferred it to the LoPro it was replaced with when it was destroyed in transit (in a Transit).

Both my BC Rich's have OFRs, both are great... apparently there are flavours of OFR, but my Gunslinger stayed in tune, largely untouched, for a good 4 years.

[shafter]

Ofr is a great bridge.. but the Gotoh 1996t is better value, they are a little longer than the trs so you need to watch that.

http://www.guitarparts.co.nz/bridges-ta ... -3707.html

[Molly]

I never used to cut the ball ends off. I'd just thread it through the tuner first then cut it to length.

Just sayin'.

[Lyle]

Ofr is a great bridge.. but the Gotoh 1996t is better value

Haven't played an OFR before, but I have a Gotoh 1996t and it's awesome. Guitar doesn't go out of tune even with heaps of abuse.

[Bg]

the ofr drives me mad with the screw on bloody bar. I much prefer the push in style or any version where you can actually adjust the thing with an allen screw.

Edge, edge pro, gotoh etc would be my choice.

[handsoffmatt]

FWIW, all of the GOOD Ibanez trems (Edge, Edge pro etc) are manufactured by Gotoh, but carry a price premium over the 1996T (which is just as good)