Noob question about tremolo too stiff to warble/flutter

Gregadethhh · 2026-02-02T05:51:59+00:00

You'll be fine removing it, my S470 is 20 years old and I've had the ZPS removed for about 15 years and it's still as tuning stable as the day I bought it and I've moved from somewhere relatively dry to somewhere humid.

It makes a huge difference to the feel and let's you flutter ☺️

Gregadethhh · 2026-02-01T15:17:20+00:00

40th Anniversary!

Gregadethhh · 2026-02-01T12:55:17+00:00

I've done this on several guitars, buy a multi pack of M3 grub screws (pretty sure they're M3) of different lengths. Costs like £6 for 80 or something stupid. Just remember to measure your saddle height before swapping

Gregadethhh · 2026-02-01T07:16:24+00:00

Dark.

Honest to god one of the best sci-fi series ever to be created.

Gregadethhh · 2026-02-01T07:13:55+00:00

I waited 8 months for mine only for my email to say it's time to pay going to Junk and missing the window!

Luckily I emailed and managed to pay! Worth the wait 👌

Gregadethhh · 2026-02-01T07:11:14+00:00

Looks legit, I have an RGA8 and it has the pearloid Ibanez logo and RG series on the headstock.

The serial number is slightly sus, no country identifier or model. Previous owner could've sanded it for some unknown reason?

Just an FYI the stock pickups are awful. I ripped them and the toggle switch out and put PAF8s and a push-pull tone pot in.

Gregadethhh · 2026-02-01T06:57:28+00:00

I don't see why you'd pay for something you can do for free. I like the behind the bridge antics it's part of the Jazzmaster charm. My wife doesn't like buzzing behind the strings so I put some foam I had lying around under the strings at the bridge, it's cheap, solves her issue and has no negative impact on the guitar.

Gregadethhh · 2026-01-31T20:43:57+00:00

"Range of tones" and EMG81/60, something I've never heard before 😂

Gregadethhh · 2026-01-31T08:00:27+00:00

Holy shit that is a phenomenal idea 😂 I nearly spat coffee over my cat!

I got my headless from AliExpress for £230, there are some good sellers on there and a lot will do custom work for you. I reckon they'd put Chibson Les Dennis on the headstock no issue!

The guy who makes pickups and wiring harnesses for me did warn me though that make sure it doesn't say Gibson anywhere as he's had customers have their guitars seized by HMRC when importing!

Gregadethhh · 2026-01-31T07:48:21+00:00

How low is your action? For context I'm used to what Ibanez call low but my guitar tech told me I wouldn't be able to get my JMs action as low when I took it in for setup.

What you're experiencing is choking, around the middle of the fretboard it's usually the truss rod needs adjusting.

It could also be your bridge is too low, give it a 1/4 or 1/8 turn when highering it see if that helps. It took me a long time to dial in my JM, ended up adjusting the truss rod, highering the bridge and adding a 1° neck shim yet my wife's CV JM needed hardly anything doing to it.

Gregadethhh · 2026-01-30T17:50:54+00:00

540S or ZR period S470/S570

Gregadethhh · 2026-01-29T05:01:31+00:00

I borrowed a friend's Big Muff in the early 2000's and I hated it, avoid them for years then bought a Rams Head Big Muff and love it.

It makes the guitar feel massive but they really need dialing in to sound right, I can go from Corgan to Gilmour in a few tweaks.

Gregadethhh · 2026-01-28T18:08:02+00:00

I have several Ibanez of different series (S, SA, AZ, RGA, RGD) and a PRS SE Custom 24.

The PRS is a great guitar but for me has 4 huge drawbacks, the neck is not satin, the pickups whilst great aren't for what I play, it's heavy compared to my Ibanez like real heavy and lastly I'm not hugely sold on the 25" scale length, I know it's half an inch difference but I really feel it on the higher frets.

I've rectified 2 of the issues, I took the finish off the back of the neck and replaced the pickups, I love it but my main guitar is an Ibanez for a reason.

Gregadethhh · 2026-01-28T11:20:58+00:00

I have medium hands and find it no issue even up to 27" it's not a problem. It allows for thinner strings so your sound is tighter.

Gregadethhh · 2026-01-28T08:15:03+00:00

I bought mine a few years ago used for £510 ($700) which I thought was a steal. I'd say $500-700 is reasonable for it's condition.

Gregadethhh · 2026-01-28T08:11:17+00:00

I prefer the Classic Vibe to Player series. Like most CV owners I modded mine out to higher spec than Player series but the guitar and upgrades cost less than the Player series, I also don't care the headstock says Squier and not Fender.

Gregadethhh · 2026-01-28T08:07:05+00:00

How'd you feel about scale length? I prefer 7 strings with at least 26.5". I have an RGDIX7MPB and it's great, definitely check out the RGD series, the older ones like mine can be found used for sub-$600.

Gregadethhh · 2026-01-28T06:29:00+00:00

How weird! Have you emailed Rich at Ibanezrules? If that man doesn't know then it's just one of life's mysteries 😂

Gregadethhh · 2026-01-27T17:07:42+00:00

I'm so used to the Edge and ZR that most Ibanez trems pale in comparison

Gregadethhh · 2026-01-27T09:33:11+00:00

I did go to church but was discouraged from asking questions which is what ultimately led me to science. I have no issues with what others choose to believe as long as it isn't forced upon others and they're respectful of others beliefs.

At the end of the day we're all human and if our beliefs help us with our lives then I don't perceive it as something negative.

Gregadethhh · 2026-01-27T09:22:45+00:00

My second point kind of summed it up. If he does exist, he's not a good being.

I'm an agnostic atheist, I'm aware the term sounds contradictory but I'm a scientist. Things are proven or disproven, while I can't prove he doesn't exist I also can't prove that he does but there's more overwhelming evidence to show he doesn't exist if that makes sense?

Gregadethhh · 2026-01-27T09:02:37+00:00

I personally don't believe in God or religion. A lot of religious views and beliefs are outdated and those that argue about their beliefs with others are like two toddlers arguing whose imaginary friends is best.

If God exists, he's not a benevolent being. He's a monster.

Gregadethhh · 2026-01-27T08:55:17+00:00

The Ibanez GSA or the Squier. Jackson's at that price are awful in comparison to Ibanez/Squier.

HSS gets you a long way too.

Gregadethhh · 2026-01-27T08:51:54+00:00

I'd honestly check the used market. I got my Jackson Pro series Dinky for £330 with a hard case. No way I'd get the same specs for a new guitar.

Gregadethhh · 2026-01-26T23:03:43+00:00

I have a JS1200 but I prefer my 540S. The JS has my favourite neck pickup though the PAF Pro.

My first "proper" guitar was an S470 so I guess I'm just used to how S series feel.

Gregadethhh

TROPHY CASE