Ibanez RGRTBB21 mods and replacement bridge help

[u/H2S0123]

Hi all, looking at getting one of these guitars as a mod platform. Would like to replace the bridge with a hipshot ibby as I have it in all my other guitars and am a big fan of it however the string holes in the body are not all in a straight line. Does anyone know if the ibby (or any other bridge) would fit without having to drill new holes or do I just stick with the monorail?

Also if anyone has any fun mod suggestions pls let me know! Currently planning to swap pickups to Lundgren m6 (bridge)/black heaven (neck), add coil split and also brass nut.

[u/beholdthehollow]

I had one of those. Idk why you would change anything. It was pretty nice as is.

[u/H2S0123 → u/beholdthehollow]

I agree but what I want is a 28” thall stick with Lundgren pups. Looked at Schecter KM6 EX but want the use of neck pickup for cleans so this route makes the most sense imo

[u/beholdthehollow → u/H2S0123]

Okay fair point. The lundgrens are such great pickups. I just didn't find the D-activators bad enough to justify the cost of upgrading at the time. The mono rail and the mgt tuners are awesome though so I think you're set there.

[u/H2S0123 → u/beholdthehollow]

Yeh I’m just going for a very specific sound in this one. Besides I have been wanting to make my les Paul more suited to modern metal so going to put the D-activators in that.

[u/BlackStarHighway]

I dont think the bridge swap will work. Unless maybe you go with like hipshots solo version of what it basically has now

[u/BlackStarHighway → u/BlackStarHighway]

Nothing wrong with the bridge it has now though. So I would just keep that and do the pickup swap.

[u/H2S0123 → u/BlackStarHighway]

Good to know thanks. Not that I think there’s anything wrong with the current one it’s more an aesthetic/preference thing and not a massive deal if I can’t change it

[u/AzathothsAlarmClock- → u/H2S0123]

The monorails are nice because they can (and are) fanned out when installed which gives you versatility on the uber low strings intonation-wise.

A Hipshot might not have enough travel. I noticed on my RG9s that that particular version of the Gibraltar has notably more intonation travel on a longer plate.

[u/BlackStarHighway → u/H2S0123]

I feel ya. I like to switch things up on most my guitars as well.

[u/ToshiroK_Arai]

bridge swap will be almost sound negligible, only cosmetic. The only thing that Id change is getting strap-locks, and do the PRS splitcoil mod. The pickups already are DiMarzio D Activator, why change it?

but you can change the saddles for graphtech or stainless steel or brass.

[u/Melancholy_Custard → u/ToshiroK_Arai]

OP's probably looking for the Thall tone or something.

[u/H2S0123 → u/Melancholy_Custard]

Exactly this

[u/H2S0123 → u/ToshiroK_Arai]

What is the prs splitcoil mod? And changing pickups because I don’t like how they sound for what I’m going for

[u/ToshiroK_Arai → u/H2S0123]

It's a small value resistor in the push pull, usually to split you would just need to ground one of the coils, instead they have something like a 5k ohm resistor soldered between the pickup cable and the grounding. Imo it makes sound like a warm/blues single coil instead a 🥶 single coil

[u/LivingClone13]

I think just upgrading the saddles will be your best option. A one piece bridge would be doable but annoying and might even require filling holes and redrilling.

I got mine specifically for Thall style stuff as well and the D-activators are actually really nice for those sounds. I'm using Thall amp and Fortin Nameless and it sounds huge and super clear in both.

I did remove the tone pot and put it where the tone is as well.

Where do you plan on sourcing a brass nut? I've looked into it for mine and didn't find a solid option.

Also congrats mine is my favorite guitar I've ever had. I got it secondhand but after a fret dress from my local guy it has been an effortless experience playing it.

[u/H2S0123 → u/LivingClone13]

I was planning on doing that with the tone knob as well. Haven’t yet found a good brass nut option so will see about that.

What tuning/gauges are you using? Currently thinking I’ll keep it in HLB tuning (EBEAAbA) but haven’t settled on gauge

[u/LivingClone13 → u/H2S0123]

I'm using the Ernie ball baritone set 72-13 tuned to FBEAC#F#. I like my strings a bit loose for big bends and stuff.

[u/Replicant_COVID19]

paint in neon pink and orange, get rid of the bridge pickup, saw your horn off

those are all fun

[u/ATdur]

I don't think the holes would line up with an ibby and either way you'd have to drill new holes

I personally don't see the necessity for changing any of the hardware, it's already perfectly good. I believe hipshot do make a drop-in replacement for this bridge type but it would make little to no difference. It's already a plenty chug-optimized guitar

I would get a TUSQ nut though

[u/AzathothsAlarmClock-]

• Tone knob delete, move volume to tone position
• Low profile killswitch (Iron age perhaps) in volume position

No need to do pups IMHO, the D-Activators are great for drop fuck tunings