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INSTRUCTION MANUAL

ELECTRIC GUITARS AND BASSES

BRIDGES

This is to certify that the aforementioned equipments fully conform to

protection requirements of the following EC council directives.

DIRECTIVES : 89/336/EEC Electromagnetic compatibility

Printed in JAPAN  NOV00374  ©Copyright 2000

B A S S   I N F O R M A T I O N

M A I N T E N A N C E

CLEANING

Regular cleaning of your guitar
is one the most important
ways you can maintain the
finish and lengthen string life.
After playing, wipe down your
instrument to remove any
perspiration from the
instrument. Perspiration can
actually contain acids that can
be corrosive to the strings and

metal parts of the guitar. Gloss finish guitars should be polished with
polish formulated specifically for musical instruments, and a soft, treated
guitar cloth or a cotton rag. Abrasive rags such as polyester can scratch
the finish. Oil finished guitars should be wiped clean immediately after
playing with a dry cotton rag only. If your guitar has become discolored
due to extended use or heavy perspiration, factory appearance, see a
qualified guitar repair person about methods to restore the oil finish to
its original factory appearance.

STRINGS AND TUNING MACHINES

If strings become dirty,
discolored, or produce a dull
sound or buzz, replace the
strings with new ones. For best
results we recommend replacing
one string at a time, this will
help to avoid removing the string
tension from the neck. When
replacing strings with different
gauge strings, it may be
necessary to adjust the truss rod
tension. (We recommend only
qualified technicians perform
this.) Instruments that have
tremolo systems installed may
need to be adjusted after string
replacement as changes in
string tension can cause the
tremolo to raise or lower. Ibanez
guitars and basses are factory
equipped with the following

string gauges. Please follow the instructions
below for your particular model.
The strings should be tightly wound on to the
tuning machines from top to bottom with 2 to 3
string wraps around the post. In the case of
unwound guitar strings, the ends of the strings
should be prepared as shown in the diagram to
prevent unintentional slippage from the posts. In
the case of tuning machines, where the string
ends are inserted into the posts, the string can be
cut to length in advance using a pair of string

cutters.
If the tuning machines are
sealed gear units, they are
self-lubricating types. The
set screws for the tuning
knob are adjustment screws
that can be tightened with a
small Phillips head
screwdriver to increase the
tension.

*The use of coarse strings may lead to buzzing and sound distortion. Using strings that have twists or

kinks may cause buzzing or decreased sustain. Make sure that the new strings are smooth and free
from any defects before installing.

MODELS

STRING GAUGES

ELECTRIC GUITARS

.009-.042”

4-STRING BASSES

.044,.063,.080,.102”

5-STRING BASSES

.044,.063,.080,.098,.121”

35” SCALE 4-STRING BASSES

.045,.065,.085,.105”

35” SCALE 5-STRING BASSES .045,.065,.085,.105,.130”
35” SCALE 6-STRING BASSES .030,.045,.065,.085,.105,.130”

Ibanez steel string models
are equipped with
adjustable truss rods. The
purpose of a truss rod is to
adjust the neck to
counteract string tension.
There are many reasons
for truss rod adjustments.
One of the most frequent
reasons is changing string

gauges or tuning pitch which
can affect string tension.
String tension changes may
affect the string height and
cause fret buzz or notes that
don’t ring true. To adjust the
truss rod, locate the truss
rod nut and adjust it by
inserting the correct wrench
into the nut and tightening (clockwise) or loosening (counter clockwise)
the rod. Truss rod tension can be measured by installing a capo at the
first fret the holding the strings down at the fret position where the neck
joins the body. Insert a thickness gauge between the string and the fret
at the 8th fret. There should between 0.3 mm to 0.5mm clearance. That
clearance is referred to as “neck relief.” Too much neck relief can cause
the neck to have higher action in the middle of the neck causing poor
intonation and uncomfortable playability. No neck relief can cause fret
buzz.

*Appropriate care must be taken when adjusting the neck and we recommend only qualified

technicians perform this procedure.

ACTION

Ibanez guitar and bass string action is set at the
factory. However there are many reasons that an
instrument’s string height can change. Instruments
can be affected by changes in temperature and
moisture.  High string action can make the guitar
difficult to play.  If the string action is too low, fret
buzz or unclear notes can occur.  To remedy this,
follow the instructions for the particular type of
bridge installed. In the case of string action, make
sure the guitar is in tune and the truss rod is
adjusted properly. Ibanez action is set at the 12th
fret. The action may also need
to be readjusted after the neck
has been adjusted or strings
have been changed to a
different gauge. Follow the
instructions in the relevant
bridge manual to make
adjustments.

*If strings other than those described above are used, gradually increase the action clearance from

the treble side through to the bass side.

INTONATION

Intonation adjustment is the operation of adjusting the location of the
string at the saddle to compensate for different string gauges or
different tunings. Follow the instructions of the particular bridge
intonation below. Intonation is properly set when the 12th fret note and
the 12th fret harmonic are exactly the same note . This is the center point
of the scale and the most accurate way of setting a standard scale
length. With the harmonic note as the standard, if the fretted note is flat
move the bridge saddle forward toward the headstock (a) to decrease
the string length. If the fretted note is sharp, move it back away from the

headstock (b) to
increase the string
length intonation
adjustments. 

*Please note that strings can be

broken when the saddle is moved,
so always loosen the strings
before making adjustments.

PICKUPS

TREBLE SIDE

BASS SIDE

SOLID GUITARS

1.5mm

2.0mm

FULL ACOUSTIC

1.7mm

2.3mm

GUITARS

4-STRING BASSES

2.0mm

2.5mm

5/6-STRING BASSES

2.0mm

2.8mm

The output level of the instrument as
well as the quality of the signal can be
affected by the pickup height. Pickup
height should be adjusted until the
volume of neck and bridge pickups are
almost equal with both volumes wide
open.  The volume may drop drastically
if the pickup height is too low.  As the
pickups are magnetic, fret buzzing and
distortion may occur if the pickup is
too close to the strings. Use a small
screwdriver to make adjustments to
raise or lower the pickup.

*Instruments that have adjustable pole pieces can be

adjusted to balance the output of each string.

Our congratulations and deepest thanks

on making Ibanez your choice of instrument.

Ibanez standards are second to none.

All Ibanez instruments are set up

to our strict quality control standards before shipping. 

The purpose of this manual is to explain

how to maintain your instrument’s finish

and to keep your guitar playing

as well as it did when it left our factory.

BASS CONTROLS

3way PU Character Sw.
ATK/5way PU Selecter

Volume

Treble Boost/Cut

Mid Boost/Cut

Bass Boost/Cut

Mid Boost/Cut

Balancer

Volume

Treble Boost/Cut

Bass Boost/Cut

Mid Frequency

ATK

BTB : VARI-MID

LOOSEN

TIGHTEN

8th fret

LOOSEN

TIGHTEN

LOOSEN

TIGHTEN

1

3

2

LOOSEN

TIGHTEN

LOOSEN

TIGHTEN

0.3~0.5mm

NECK

ATK

ATK bridges were designed  to allow the
maximum amount of string vibration to
transfer from the body.  For slightly more
sustain, strings can be installed either from
the back of the instrument through the
string grommets.  For slightly more attack,
the strings can be lowered into the bridge
from the front of the instrument and

hooked onto the
string catch. Intonation adjustments can be
made by adjusting the intonation screws (A) at
the rear of the bridge clockwise to move the
saddle back, and counter clockwise to move
the saddle forward. 

*Note: When replacing string check with the dealer to

make sure the new strings are long enough for the full
scale length of the bass.

(A)

MONO-RAIL II

Mono-Rail II bridges allow the bass strings to be
isolated from one another by using independent
bridge plates for each string. The strings are
installed by lowering the ball end into the bridge

and hooking the ball
end below the string
catch at the rear of
the bridge.
Intonation adjustments can be made by
adjusting the intonation screws (A) at the rear
of the bridge clockwise to move the saddle
back, and counter clockwise to move the
saddle forward.

(A)

ACTIVE EQ.

BTB SERIES : VARI-MID 3B
The Vari-Mid 3B EQ was designed to work with passive pickups and is
loaded with 18 volts to allow the user to get more output from the bass
before distortion.

VARI-MID EQ

ATK : 3 BAND EQ

The Ibanez ATK 3 BAND EQ was
designed for use with passive
pickups and allows the user to
control the bass/treble and mid
range boost and cut.

PICKUP SELECTION

ATK : 5 WAY PICKUP CHARACTER SWITCH

The 5 way pickup character switch
allows the user five completely
different tone positions.

Neck

Center

Bridge

ALL 2 PICKUP MODELS : PICKUP  BALANCER

The pickup balance control pot allows the
user to blend between the front and back
pickups using a single pot. The center
position of the pot has a de-tent which will
set both pickups to equal output. 
Turning the knob clockwise increases  the
neck pickup while decreasing the output of
the bridge pickup. Turning the knob counter
clockwise decreases the neck pickup and
increases the output of the bridge pickup.

BRIDGE
PICKUP

NECK
PICKUP

noise cancel coil

Summary of Contents for GSA Series,GIO SA Series GSA60

Page 1: ...e bass strings to be isolated from one another by using independent bridge plates for each string The strings are installed by lowering the ball end into the bridge and hooking the ball end below the string catch at the rear of the bridge Intonation adjustments can be made by adjusting the intonation screws A at the rear of the bridge clockwise to move the saddle back and counter clockwise to move...

Page 2: ... the hole located further back on the bridge plate REPLACING THE STRINGS In the case of TRS101 tremolo replace the strings one by one Removing all the old strings at once will release the tension on the tremolo and change the tremolo angle up pull Loosen the Pressure pad screw D on the locking nut and loosen the string to be replaced Loosen the String stopper screw F and remove the string from the...

Page 3: ... on either side of the bridge The height adjustment of the bar tailpiece can be raised or lowered using the two height adjustment studs on either side of the tailpiece AX HARDTAIL BRIDGE To change strings thread the new strings through the string grommets located on the back of the guitar and bring them up and over the saddle The intonation can be adjusted by adjusting the saddle forward or backwa...

Page 4: ...measured by installing a capo at the first fret the holding the strings down at the fret position where the neck joins the body Insert a thickness gauge between the string and the fret at the 8th fret There should between 0 3 mm to 0 5mm clearance That clearance is referred to as neck relief Too much neck relief can cause the neck to have higher action in the middle of the neck causing poor intona...

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