The TZ30 Tremolo on a SA160 (2000) |
The TZ30 (alternately TZ-30) is a synchronized tremolo bridge developed and produced for Ibanez. The TZ30 was introduced in the mid-to-late 1990's replacing the TZ-II and TZ-6 tremolos. Ibanez also refers to the TZ30 as the Full Action II tremolo.
The TZ30 employs a non-locking, double pivot design which is reminiscent of early Fender tremolos. The double-pivot design wherein knife edges on the tremolo plate pivot against a pair of studs mounted in the body is slightly more complex than the simple six-point standard tremolo, but less complex than the Floyd Rose-style design of the Edge. Below the bridge is a metal block to which a pair of springs are attached to a claw mounted to the body. These springs offset the tension of the strings allowing the bridge to float.
The height of the TZ30 bridge can be adjusted by raising or lowering the height of the studs in the guitar body. Additionally six individual saddles allow the height of each string to be set using two small allen posts. Intonation of each string is adjusted by moving the saddle fore and aft using a screw through the back of the bridge. The tremolo arm of the TZ30 is threaded to screw into the tremolo base.
The TZ30 was used in several different guitar lines, including the Ergodyne (EDR260), the S Classic (SCR220 ), the SA (SA160), the Talman (TC420) and the SV series.
Other synchronized tremolos offered by Ibanez in the same era include the TT50 and TZ100.
The TZ30 continued to be used through 2000 after which it was replaced by the SAT30 tremolo. A seven-string version of the TZ-30 was offered in 2002 & 2003 on the GRX720.
Sources[]
- TZ bridges adjustment guide, Ibanez USA (website), archived from the original September 2017