Ibanez RG370DX Overhaul | Part 1

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

Visual Inspection and Preliminary Diagnosis

This ailing 2007 Ibanez RG370DX is currently at CA Guitar Repair for visual inspection and a preliminary diagnosis. Hats off to the owner for driving all the way here from his home in Rompin, a journey of nearly a hundred miles.

Ibanez RG370AHMZ | Part Two

◀ Part One

In the previous post on this gorgeous Ibanez RG370AHMZ, I highlighted some of its more pertinent specifications. Now, in this post, we'll take a closer look at the Edge Zero II tremolo bridge, ZPS3Fe "counter-tension tuning stabilizer system;" and also the control cavity components.

The Edge Zero II tremolo bridge consists of a cast alloy base plate, individual saddles; and fine tuners. As a "double-locking tremolo" system, the bridge works in conjunction with a locking nut. But you knew that already, right?

Meanwhile, the ZPS3Fe "counter-tension tuning stabilizer system" consists of two "sub springs," string stopper, stop rod and spring adjustment knob. Ibanez believes that the ZPS3Fe helps to "ensure tuning stability" by returning the tremolo more "quickly and accurately" to the neutral position when the tremolo arm is released. 

I'm no expert on tremolos and such, but I do say that the ZPS3Fe works as it should and saves a lot of time and labor during setup. For one, the spring adjustment knob and stop rod eliminate the need for fiddling around with screwdrivers or tapered wooden blocks. 

The control cavity appears to be shielded with conductive shielding paint, and the inside of the cover with aluminum foil. Components include an Ibanez 3SWLSP5 five-way switch and two dime-sized Alpha (Korea) pots.

Now, what does the Ibanez RG370AHMZ sound like? To answer that question, do check out any of these great YouTube videos:

Moonrunner Music 

Megahurtz30 

Bax Music UK

Dawsons Music & Sound

 

Ibanez RG370AHMZ | Part One

Part Two ▶

According to Darrell Braun Guitar, "... this RG is straight up blue-tiful!" I couldn't agree more, Darrell. I was grinning from ear to ear when one of these beauties came in for a string change and setup recently. Now, without further ado, let's peruse some specs, based on information sourced from Ibanez and the Ibanez Wiki; as well as my own observations.

Body: Solid ash, bound

Finish: Top - Blue Moon Burst (BMT), Back and Sides - Natural

Neck: Maple, Wizard III profile, bolt-on, All Access Neck Joint (AANJ)

Fretboard: Maple, 16" radius, 25.5" scale, 24 jumbo frets, black dot inlays

Bridge: Edge Zero II tremolo bridge with ZPS3Fe "counter-tension tuning stabilizer system"

Pickup Configuration: HSH

Bridge Pickup: Ibanez Quantum Bridge (humbucker/passive/ceramic)

Middle Pickup: Ibanez Quantum Middle (single-coil/passive/alnico)

Neck Pickup: Ibanez Quantum Neck (humbucker/passive/ceramic)

Controls: Master Volume/Master Tone/5-Way Pickup Selector

Hardware: Cosmo Black

Well folks, that's about it for this introductory post. In Part Two, we'll take a closer look at the Edge Zero II tremolo bridge, ZPS3Fe "counter-tension tuning stabilizer system;" and also the electronics. Meanwhile, do enjoy the pics :)

2007 Ibanez RG350EX Restoration

Thanks to Guitar Insite, I found out that this Ibanez RG350EX was a 2007. Which kind of explained why it came to me all rusty, cruddy; and very near death. The main features were a two-octave bound rosewood fretboard with jumbo frets and sharktooth inlays, Edge III double-locking tremolo, and HSH-configured Infinity pickups (neck: INF3, middle:INFS3, bridge: INF4).

Work done on this guitar involved hardware servicing, fretboard reconditioning, fret level and dress, replacing all knobs, screws and springs; and a complete rewire. I also installed new Alpha 500K pots, a five-way switch, tone cap, NYS229 jack and metal jack plate.

1991 Ibanez JEM77 BFP

This is a genuine 1991 MIJ Ibanez JEM77 BFP (Blue Floral Pattern). I'm certain it's a 1991 based on the six-digit serial number engraved into the neck plate. It still has the original blue pickups, namely a trio of DiMarzios in a HSH configuration. Unfortunately, one of the bridge humbucker's coils has shorted out internally; effectively cutting its output by half. As such, the neck humbucker is way more powerful. Now, the owner wants these pickups retained, and so I'll be isolating the broken coil from the circuit; and swapping the neck and bridge humbuckers.

The electronics are totally shot, save for the barrel output jack; which appears to be brand new. I'll be putting in Alpha 500K pots, a CRL 5-way switch, K40Y-9 tone cap; and Gavitt wire. The over-sized black machine screws someone had used to secure the pickguard and cavity covers will be replaced with ones of a more suitable size. This means that I'll have to plug the old screw holes and drill new ones, but it's all part of the job. The original blue volume and tone knobs do not fit the Alpha pots, so I'll be putting on a pair of  black metric Strat-style ones; which should match the black CRL switch tip nicely.

All hardware, including the Lo-Pro Edge tremolo and locking nut; will be cleaned and lubed for optimum operation. Finally, this guitar will be set up with a set of 10s. You might have noticed that I have not included detailed specs concerning the JEM77 BFP in this post. For more information concerning this fine instrument, do check out the Guitar Chimp and Ibanez Wiki websites.

YouTube Videos: Demo One (Armz-3D) | Demo Two (Armz-3D) | Demo Three (Armz-3D)

Yamaha RGX121Z Refret and Overhaul

This metallic red Yamaha RGX121Z was in dire need of lots of TLC when it came into the shop. Dust, cobwebs, rust, sweat, grime; years of use and overall neglect had taken their toll on this fine instrument. Let's take a look at some specs first, courtesy of Yamaha Singapore.

Construction: Bolt-on
Scale Length: 25 1/2"
Fretboard: Rosewood
Radius: 13 3/4"
Frets: 22
Body: Alder, Agathis or Nato
Neck: Maple
Bridge: Vintage Style Tremolo
Pickup Configuration: HSH
Pickup Switch: 5-Position Lever
Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone

Work done on this guitar included a full refret, shielding, electronics upgrade and hardware servicing/replacement. The image of owner Emie Burst onstage with this guitar is courtesy of Official Swerved.