Quick question about guitars.

[Tonimata]

Okay, so the other day I decided my beloved Ibanez GRG needs retiring after completely destroying it through many intensive and weathering sessions of absolute rock. Having enjoyed my experience with Ibanez very much, I'd like to continue with this brand, and now purchase either:

The RG1570Z:
http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/eg_page10.php?area_id=3&data_id=501&color=CL01&year=2010&cat_id=1&series_id=351

or the RG 1550MZ:
http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/eg_page10.php?area_id=3&data_id=502&color=CL01&year=2010&cat_id=1&series_id=351

...which both feature something called "Zero Point System" on the springs that hold the tremolo unit, and after frantically googling it for several minutes, I know resort to you Escapists:

What is this "Zero Point System" Ibanez talks about? Also, give me your opinion on the guitars themselves, and feel free to suggest any other alternatives.

 

[Riobux]

In terms of looks, the RG1570Z. While the lack of a scratch-board makes it annoyingly plain, the maple fretboard for the RG15550MZ just ruins it for me just because it contrasts with the main body way too much.

 

[Nivag the Owl]

As a long-term guitar teacher and guitar enthusiast, I can honestly say I have no idea. It sounds like it would either reduce the risk of snapping stings whilst using the whammy bar, or make it so the whammy bar doesn't need to be held at a certain angle to have an affect.

As for the guitars, I'd say RG1550MZ. Light wood finished look so nice on dark coloured guitars. Dunno why, I've always thought that. I think it's really important when picking a guitar, that the feel of it plays little importance. Yeah sometimes you have to get used to stretching further for top frets or get used to a different shaped neck. But at the end of the day, they ARE easy changes to get used to. So it ultimately comes down to which guitar you think looks more bitchin',

amongst other things like sturdiness and weight/weight distribution.

 

[Amnis T]

I'm not 100% but it seems to add two extra (removable) springs to the tremolo to give you the option of having a Floyd Rose-like 'floating' trem or a more traditional 'Synchronised' trem - like you'd find on a Stratocaster. No doubt to combat the host of problems that you can encounter when your guitar has a Floyd Rose.

 

[Horticulture]

Zero point=slightly improved return-to-pitch, stiffer bar action, less flutter if it's anything like the ZR trems from the S series. Looks like all of the new RGs swapped out the Edge Pro anyway, so you're stuck with it unless you find an older one. Both the ZRs and Edge Pros on the older Prestige S and RG guitars were really good trems, so don't worry about it unless you're a huge trem aficionado.

I've got the older 1570 (Edge Pro/Wizard II), and it's definitely the best-playing guitar I've owned. The stock pickups are pretty bad, though. I swapped for DiMarzios (PAF Joe/True Velvet/Evo 2) which are a huge improvement.

 

[Aunel]

Mtaybe it's a their way of saying it's a floating bridge?

and don't buy a guitar, bass is the way to go!

 

[Tonimata]

As a long-term guitar teacher and guitar enthusiast, I can honestly say I have no idea. It sounds like it would either reduce the risk of snapping stings whilst using the whammy bar, or make it so the whammy bar doesn't need to be held at a certain angle to have an affect.

As for the guitars, I'd say RG1550MZ. Light wood finished look so nice on dark coloured guitars. Dunno why, I've always thought that. I think it's really important when picking a guitar, that the feel of it plays little importance. Yeah sometimes you have to get used to stretching further for top frets or get used to a different shaped neck. But at the end of the day, they ARE easy changes to get used to. So it ultimately comes down to which guitar you think looks more bitchin',

amongst other things like sturdiness and weight/weight distribution.

I agree strongly with you about the contrast, I think it looks absolutely gorgeous. And if anything, I can get a friend of mine who paints guitars (he is actually amazing, his designs are a wonder to behold) to give it a little bit more of an edge. The 1550MZ has a pickguard, which I something I appreciate in all guitars when it comes to looks, so that gives it some more points. I would've liked one with an arched top, but those are unholy expensive. As for feel, I've already experimented with guitars from that same series (the GRG I own, which is a budget model), so I assume and hope that the feel is pretty much the same, because it's a REALLY good feel, I have grown to love the fretboard of my GRG to bits, though if this one has an even thinner neck, I'm gonna be all over it like a little kid over his Christmas presents. I think I'll go for the RG1550MZ, if I'm ready to spend 819 quid on the other one, I might as well spend 829 on this one. Thanks for your contribution man!

 

[Tonimata]

Mtaybe it's a their way of saying it's a floating bridge?

and don't buy a guitar, bass is the way to go!

Oooh, you mean like this Höfner Signature 60s Beatles Bass I'm going to receive as part of a heritage? (and considering that the rest of the heritage is more instruments, it's a FUCKING good heritage).

Also, haven't I seen you talking about basses in other places in this forum? It's only too bad you don't live in my country, my band needs a bassist, regardless of what my dumbshit drummer says. And I want one NOW!

 

[Aunel]

Mtaybe it's a their way of saying it's a floating bridge?

and don't buy a guitar, bass is the way to go!

Oooh, you mean like this Höfner Signature 60s Beatles Bass I'm going to receive as part of a heritage? (and considering that the rest of the heritage is more instruments, it's a FUCKING good heritage).

Also, haven't I seen you talking about basses in other places in this forum? It's only too bad you don't live in my country, my band needs a bassist, regardless of what my dumbshit drummer says. And I want one NOW!

I don't really like those Hofner's they sound awesome though.

And if there is a Thunderbird in that heritage, I'm moving to your country!

 

[Sexual Harassment Panda]

I have no idea. I don't think you can go wrong with either of 'em though. I don't go for the "super-strat" type of guitars personally. If I did, I would get a Jackson or a Kramer. But it's all good.

Enjoy your new guitar day to the fullest. I just recently got a Dano 63.

These things are far raunchier than you would expect.

 

[Tonimata]

Mtaybe it's a their way of saying it's a floating bridge?

and don't buy a guitar, bass is the way to go!

Oooh, you mean like this Höfner Signature 60s Beatles Bass I'm going to receive as part of a heritage? (and considering that the rest of the heritage is more instruments, it's a FUCKING good heritage).

Also, haven't I seen you talking about basses in other places in this forum? It's only too bad you don't live in my country, my band needs a bassist, regardless of what my dumbshit drummer says. And I want one NOW!

I don't really like those Hofner's they sound awesome though.

And if there is a Thunderbird in that heritage, I'm moving to your country!

Actually I don't know what the rest of the heritage consists of, so if there IS indeed a Thunderbird, then yes, COME HITHER!
Though an Iceman would be nice...