My Ibanez Jem 555 switch-job: out with the Lo-TRS II – in with an original Floyd Rose Tremolo as replacement
So, about 8 weeks ago I saw a used Ibanez Jem 555 in my music shop and as luck would have it I was actually looking to buy one.
It looked old, had some stains on the hardware and the original Lo-TRS II tremolo didn’t stay in tune face with ‘regular’ abuse, but it played like a dream and the sound was overtone-rich even without amplification, the neck resonating beautifully with the body.
The status of the trem wasn’t enough for my playing though so after I bought it I immediately researched options on jemsite.com: there was a Dremel solution to make an Edge tremolo fit but I wasn’t kidding myself to believe I had the skills to do this mod. However, an Original Floyd Rose supposedly was just a swap, out with the old, in with the new. Not thinking much further I went on ebay and bought one.
Out with the old was not a problem and I took the opportunity to clean it too…
As you can see: quite some use on the old parts, the edges jaded very bad, no wonder it didn’t stay in tune.
Putting in new strings with no springs and then noticing that my new strings had higher pull than the previous ones took some adjustments and time (as you probably have figured out: I am not a pro guitar tech) but the end result is worth it. The new all black block looks great, stays perfectly in tune, and sounds great as well:
11 Comments
Vince Jordan
Cool post. Also check this nice stuff about “Floyd Rose” – Floyd Rose Techniques – Rock “Guitar Tricks” Floyd Rose Locking Tremolo
Vasa
I also have this problem. My guitar is made 1994, older model. Do you know this your solution works with my guitar? I’m from Serbia and have problem to by any kind of floyd rose and aditional problem to find something that fix good. My mail is: marina.stolic@yahoo.com if you have time to help me.Thank you
Sebastian Keil
According to this site http://ibanez.wikia.com/wiki/JEM555 you should also have the Lo-trs II in your guitar. Therefore, an original floyd rose should fit. Make sure it is original. But: Many part suppliers also give you measurements so you could check before buying. It’s important that the mounting studs are the same distance from each other. http://floydrose.com/authentic_parts/images/Exploded_FR_Original.gif
Vasa
Thanks a lot
Don
Will the link you put up for the floyd on ebay fit?
Thanks for the rundown on it
Sebastian Keil
Sure, I got this:
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Floyd-Rose-Tremolo-Vibrato-Original-Style-fuer-6-saiter-Gitarren-schwarz-/400283980975?ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:DE:3160
Have fun!
(getting the springs in is really the most difficult part of it, the rest just needs patience)
Don
Thanks for the reply. Does the nut fit or did you leave the original one on it?
Im very glad I found this article.
Thanks
Sebastian Keil
Mmh, little language barrier here. Nut as in locking nut? No, I left mine in. The pegs with the tremolo unit rests on, the were exactly the same size.
Sebastian Keil
How did it go?
Wendel
Were the post from the Floyd compatable with the old anchors already in the guitar or did you use the existing Trs II posts with the Floyd block?
Sebastian Keil
they were compatible, screw thread fit.