70's Stratocaster trem block question.....

FenderBender03

FenderBender03

New member
Does anyone have any experience with BOTH an original '72-'81 Stratocaster trem block and Fenders current "cast/zinc/pot metal" blocks found on their MiM reissues? Which one is the better block? If the cast/zinc/pot metal one thats stock on my 70's reissue Strat is better than the "die-cast" one from back then... its staying on. If the stock one is the worst possible material for trem blocks... i'll probably order another steel one like i did for my HWY. 1


I have heard on more than a few occasions, that these MiM 70's reissue strats are built better than the original 70's strats anyhow.







FenderBender
 
Re: 70's Stratocaster trem block question.....

To be 100% honest...both are junk!

The blocks from the 50's and 60's are great and the current 57/62 reissue trem block found on MIA Reissues, CS Strats and the Jimmy Vaughan Strat is a great block, the Callaham block is also great.

The blocks on the 50's, 60's, 70's Strats the new MIM Standard Strat and the older Power House and Deluxe MIM strats are all the same block and even though they are better than what was on the 2005 and before MIM Standard guitars and are for sure full size they are still junk.
 
Re: 70's Stratocaster trem block question.....

Yeah i can pretty much agree with you on them both being junk... but of the two... which would you say is the better one in terms of giving better overall perfomance? If the stock reissue block that my strat already has is the same or better than what was originally found on these guitars 30 years ago... then i'll probably not go through the time and trouble of swapping it out.








FenderBender
 
Re: 70's Stratocaster trem block question.....

What Im saying is that neither is better than the other...they are both so, so at best...if you are gonna go to the trouble to replace the stock block in your Strat get the Callaham...it's a killer block and costs less that an original 70's block...plus the older Fender block won't bolt up to your trem plate...
 
Re: 70's Stratocaster trem block question.....

Oh i won't be coughing up ANY money for an original 70's unit. I may go with an all steel one at some point i'm sure.

To be quite honest, my 70's reissue strat did ALOT better in terms of sustain, resonance, and overall feel when i A/B'd it side by side with my HWY. 1 (before i put in the steel block i got for it).

Based on that, i may not bother it at all for awhile. Although i am rounding up some black plastic parts to complement the 70's style bridge saddles i put on it, to give it a more late 70's look and vibe.

At least i can get it looking pretty cool to start with!






FenderBender
 
Re: 70's Stratocaster trem block question.....

yeah they are exactly the same tremelo, but for some reason the 70's strat was quite a bit better in that department than the HWY. 1 was. Better slab of wood on the 70's one maybe?










FenderBender
 
Re: 70's Stratocaster trem block question.....

FenderBender03 said:
yeah they are exactly the same tremelo, but for some reason the 70's strat was quite a bit better in that department than the HWY. 1 was. Better slab of wood on the 70's one maybe?
FenderBender
Click to expand...

Actually...the Classic series (50's, 60's, and 70's) also use the same bodies as the HW1 series...and even pickups...the only differences are the necks, tuners and the finishes...it really just comes down to one guitar vs another and to you one of them came out on top!
 
Re: 70's Stratocaster trem block question.....

????? My HWY. 1 has an alder body and the 70's reissue is Natural Ash. Plus the Hwy. 1 has a satin finish on the body and the neck. The 70's strat is finished entirely in polyester. Also the bigger headstock. Two totally different guitars dude.










FenderBender
 
Re: 70's Stratocaster trem block question.....

Well...I mentioned both the finish and the necks...if you have/had a natural finish 70's strat you did have heavy ash, just like a real 70's Strat but the other classics (with alder bodies) and the HW1 guitars DO use the same bodies...trust me.
 
Re: 70's Stratocaster trem block question.....

the guy who invented fire said:
Actually...the Classic series (50's, 60's, and 70's) also use the same bodies as the HW1 series.
Click to expand...

50's RI Strat - Alder body

60's RI Strat - Alder body

70's RI Strat - Ash Body (every finish)

Hwy. 1 Strat - Alder body


I don't have to trust you.... all i've done is read Fender's product literatue for the last 10 years or so. I know their whole catalog inside and out.


I also know they all have the same pickups, electronics, bridges, neck radius, and the reissues are all sprayed in polyester. I just said that my 70's reissue did a better job in stock form than my Hwy. 1 did, thinking maybe the body was what was better about it.









FenderBender








FenderBender
 
Re: 70's Stratocaster trem block question.....

yeah how about we leave it at that. lol They're not THAT different anyway













FenderBender
 
Re: 70's Stratocaster trem block question.....

Those Callaham blocks make a huge difference in your tone, good luck with yours!

Is that your SG2000 in your avatar? I have a late 70's/early 80's sunburst SG2000...killer guitars but most people still don't know it!
 
Re: 70's Stratocaster trem block question.....

the guy who invented fire said:
Those Callaham blocks make a huge difference in your tone, good luck with yours!

Is that your SG2000 in your avatar? I have a late 70's/early 80's sunburst SG2000...killer guitars but most people still don't know it!
Click to expand...

Yes it is a Yamaha...but is it a SG1500. It's a 1976 and has the coil tap with micro toggle switches on it. This is one guitar I will keep all original (well ok, the toggles aren't original, but I still love em).

They are gorgeous guitars. Right now I'm looking for another either a SG2000 or a 1500 because love the neck thru and the brass block in the bridge. But it has to be a 76-79....those are the best years.

Did you know Gibson had a guitar that was similar.......but it didn't last. It was called the Epiphone Genesis (79-81 I think). Double cutaway that didn't skimp on weight. Similar to Yamaha as they were built like tanks. That is the issue I have with the Gibson DC, is they aren't the thickness or weight as a Standard LP.
 
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