Ray I have got one of these. Actually a nice guitar I think but before I gouge my eyes out I would like someone to tell me some things. It has got a whammy bar/vibrato arm thing with all the springs and stuff at the back. I put thicker strings on it and this lifted the damned thing up in the air so I wedged a block of wood between the body wood and the bit that goes thru the body. See, I dont use the whammy at all. Now I was wondering if it is possible to replace the bridge with a hardtail setup? That's a question. Would it be pretty easy to do? What are the options as far as hardware goes? i.o.w. make some suggestions and recommendations plse. Much appreciated. Cheers - Ray
dee Those are nice. One of my fav' Ibanez as well. I used to have the SA220FM. I'm not sure how to approach converting it to a hardtail, or if it is even possible. What you can try and do is make the existing trem as stiff as you can by blocking it with wood like you've done, and maybe adding more springs to the block.
AlanRatcliffe YOu just need to tighten the springs at the back a bit. A process I described here: http://www.guitarforum.co.za/setup-mods-and-repair/help-with-%27floating%27-bridge-!/msg57076/#msg57076 Replacing the bridge with a hardtail is more work than it's worth, but if you really don't get on with the trem, Invest in a little device called a Tremol-no, which lets you set the trem to dive only or lock it in place completely.
Ray That Tremel-no looks like an idea. No distributor listed for SA on their site so I guess I'll check what I can do with AllParts. I was thinking that changing the bridge might be a bit of a waste and a bit irreversible. Never know, if I get clever maybe I will use it in the future. Thanks guys.
21Fretter Just block it/make use of the Tremel-no or just learn to set up the guitar even though aren't using whammy because converting to hardtail will be a super mission. Basically you have to fill the hole that was cut out for the trem, work out the proper position to keep the scale length okey dokey, install new bridge and refinish it unless you don't care about a random block of unfinished wood ? So ja, just block it ?
Gearhead The scale length is going to be the least of your problems - it is usually roughly twice the distance between twelfth fret and nut ? and for the rest there is intonation adjustment. Fitting a piece of wood precisely into the hole is a bigger obstacle - a seriously hard job even for experienced woodworkers. The real issue is that the newly introduced piece must match the existing body wood in terms of shrink and expansion as a result of humidity changes - virtually impossible. Finally, should you succeed in all that, do you suppose it is going to sound good? Big gamble. As to the tremol-no: I would rather hammer a wooden wedge in between the bridge and the body wood, if the bridge and body shapes allow this. Not only cheaper, but also a better transfer of vibration - ask EC.
AlanRatcliffe The Ibanez guitars with the wiggle-sticks are designed specifically for them. Woods, pickups, etc. are chosen to complement the tone. Blocking off (a difficult task anyway because of the shape of the inertia block) or converting to a dinkum hardtail will make it a completely different animal. Using a Tremol-No is simple, will keep most of the character intact and is easily reversed (and on the fly). Otherwise you made a mistake in buying a Floyd equipped guitar and you should sell it off and find a nice hardtail.
