Overview | Deep Dive
The 2007 Ibanez RG370DX introduced in
Part 1 has now been taken apart for a deep dive of sorts. In this post, we shall begin an in-depth examination of each and every component on this guitar. The point of this exercise is to identify the components that can be reused after servicing, and what really needs to be given an honorable discharge. Right then, let's give it a go!
Neck and Body
The headstock face could do with a good clean and polish, for starters. Then, there's this truss rod cover screw that snapped when I was unscrewing it, leaving most of the shaft embedded in the wood. Well, we're going to have to drill it out, plug the resulting hole, and redrill a pilot hole for the new screw. All in a day's work, I guess.
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| Broken Truss Rod Cover Screw |
Moving on to those Ibanez die-cast tuners, they're showing signs of corrosion, but are still in working order. Much the same can be said for the string retainer bar, locking nut, neck screws, and neck mounting ferrules. This being the case, they should be fit for duty after an ultrasonic bath, a good scrub, polish, and lube job.
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| Ibanez Die-Cast Tuners |
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| Retainer Bar/Locking Nut |
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| Neck Screws/Ferrules |
More good news, the truss rod is working and the neck has been straightened. Checked the frets with a fret rocker, and they're all level. Will wonders never cease? Not so lucky are both strap buttons. The buttons and washers should be reusable, but them rusty screws have got to go. Sharing a similar fate is the oval output jack plate and its screws. They're too far gone to be of any use.
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| Checking the Frets |
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| Strap Buttons/Screws/Washers |
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| Output Jack Plate |
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| Output Jack Plate/Switch Screws |
Edge III Tremolo Bridge
A stock feature on all RG370DX models is the Edge III double locking tremolo bridge, and this guitar is no exception. At a glance, widespread corrosion is painfully apparent, but all is not lost. All the screws and bolts loosen with a little coaxing, and that's a good sign. Such being the case, I've been able to totally dismantle the Edge III for closer inspection.
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| Edge III - Front |
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| Edge III - Back |
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| Mounting Screws Unfastened |
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| Knife Edge Detached |
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| Edge III Disassembled Completely |
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| Tremolo Block/Tremolo Arm Housing |
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| Arm Torque/Height Adjustment Screws/Spring |
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| Edge III String Saddles |
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| Saddle Lock/String Stopper/Holder Blocks |
This Edge III needs a thorough cleaning, derusting and lube job, no doubt; but this alone will not suffice. For one, both tremolo stud bolts do not fit tightly enough inside their inserts. Someone has wrapped some kind of fabric tape around the threads, but there's still a little too much wiggle room for comfort. I'll definitely have to look into this and come up with a workaround.
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| Loose Tremolo Stud Bolts |
The next issue concerns the black EVA foam lining the floor of the tremolo recess. It's worn out and torn in several places. Granted, although it might only be there for the sake of appearance, it does prevent the "tail" ends of the string saddles from denting the wood beneath; and should be replaced.
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| Torn Tremolo Recess EVA Foam Lining |
Last but not least is the condition of the tremolo cavity components. Corrosion has slowly but surely eaten away at the tremolo claw, screws and springs to the point that servicing is no longer an option. I tell you most solemnly, it would be an exercise in futility to service the Edge III, only to retain these degraded components. As such, I'm sure you'll agree that the tremolo claw, screws and springs need to be put out to pasture.
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| Tremolo Claw/Screws/Springs/Spring Lock |
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