Big trem blocks. Any difference?

[killerguitar]

Re: Big trem blocks. Any difference?

Paying $70 for a $20 brass block is the dumb part, not the block itself. I use, and prefer the brass block on my floyds, and a steel block on my strats.

...And Ian is correct, upgrade the whole bridge on a cheap Squier. You can usually catch Hwy 1 trems on ebay for about $50, and they come with a steel block.

I beg to differ. I am one of the owners of Killer Guitar Components - and I know you will all think I am biased because I want to sell my products, but $70 for the product we sell truly is more than fair.

There are many companies out there selling brass blocks that are made from low-grade brass alloy and are just cut to the correct size, drilled and tapped and sent to the customer. That is what you will get for those cheaper prices. The reason our blocks are more expensive is that they are made from a certain, secret, alloy of brass that we have determined to be of the highest musical qualities (it costs more). Beyond that, each surface of the block is nicely finished, edges beveled, holes counter-sunk and the bottom surface is mirror-polished by hand.

Our Strat style blocks also incorporate what we call a "flop-stop" which is a nylon insert in the trem hole that allows the bar to stay wherever you put it without any worries of stripping, etc. Also, they are all serialized and come with a certificate stating your number. (A good way to ID your guitar if it is ever stolen) There are also a few other trade secrets we use that make these superior to anything else you can buy.

These blocks really do make an amazing difference in sustain, tone, resonance, stability and so on...

Not trying to push my product on anyone here - I just want to clarify the reasons why KGC blocks are more expensive than others. There is a LOT of work that goes into these. Trust me.

 

[IanBallard]

Re: Big trem blocks. Any difference?

I ordered the Wilkinson one - it comes with slots rather than round mounting holes, so there's a possibility I might not need to redrill any holes. No problem if I do, but I'd rather not.

Oh... I forgot that some of them do have those oval slots for retro-fitting. I got the regular round-hole ones. But it was worth the effort though. I'm very happy with the Wilky.

I'm impressed that Killer makes Wilkinson blocks with the staggered holes. If I ever decide to go with an ash body (which I've considered), it might brighten up the guitar to a point where a brass block makes sense. At least I know it's an option with my bridge.

 

[wolf5150]

Re: Big trem blocks. Any difference?

Welcome Rick, nice to see you on the forum.

It's good to know you've re sized the claw... something else the cheapo blocks won't provide, close customer contact.

There seem to be many comments about their blocks being too big, yet nothing's done about it.

I've just installed my new Wilkinson VS401 block, which was specially made to accomodate the original trem arm and also deep drilled string holes, all at no extra charge.
As always I'm immensely happy... saves me e mailing you to thank you : popworm:

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Big trem blocks. Any difference?

There are many companies out there selling brass blocks that are made from low-grade brass alloy and are just cut to the correct size, drilled and tapped and sent to the customer. That is what you will get for those cheaper prices. The reason our blocks are more expensive is that they are made from a certain, secret, alloy of brass that we have determined to be of the highest musical qualities (it costs more).

My earlier post...

I understand there is a difference in metals, but I would have to see some real data from these companies, and compare with my own ears before I will assume one company is better than another.

The only person mentioned here that I would trust blind is Bill Callaham.

I have no reason not to believe what you are saying, but I would have to have more than just "ours is better". I would further have to be able to hear such a difference.

I will say I appreciate the nicely finished look of your blocks. I received one from a well known seller that arrived with machining oil still on it and sharp edges. When I inquirer about this, I was told to "hit it with sandpaper".

Nice...

 

[killerguitar]

Re: Big trem blocks. Any difference?

My earlier post...



I have no reason not to believe what you are saying, but I would have to have more than just "ours is better". I would further have to be able to hear such a difference.

I will say I appreciate the nicely finished look of your blocks. I received one from a well known seller that arrived with machining oil still on it and sharp edges. When I inquirer about this, I was told to "hit it with sandpaper".

Nice...

Lol :blindfold "Hit it with sandpaper" Very nice. Anyway, we have a couple youtube videos and sound clips that will be posted on youtube and on our website very soon. It's very hard to convince people just how much of a difference a proper tremolo block can make with only words. I will be sure to post a link and/or the videos on here once I get them done. I promise you will be amazed. That is why we offer a 100% refund guarantee to any customer - everyone is blown away. Really.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Big trem blocks. Any difference?

"Secret alloy"?

How secret can it be to find a certain percentage of copper and zinc?

 

[Barron1]

Re: Big trem blocks. Any difference?

Lol :blindfold "Hit it with sandpaper" Very nice. Anyway, we have a couple youtube videos and sound clips that will be posted on youtube and on our website very soon. It's very hard to convince people just how much of a difference a proper tremolo block can make with only words. I will be sure to post a link and/or the videos on here once I get them done. I promise you will be amazed. That is why we offer a 100% refund guarantee to any customer - everyone is blown away. Really.

I believe it makes a difference with floating trems and Floyd Roses. I don't think it makes a difference if you're blocking the trem off with wood, Clapton style.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Big trem blocks. Any difference?

I know it makes a difference with my Floyds, I just need more convincing that an $80 block sound 4 time as nice as $20.

 

[Varg]

Re: Big trem blocks. Any difference?

I received one from a well known seller that arrived with machining oil still on it and sharp edges. When I inquirer about this, I was told to "hit it with sandpaper".

Nice...

Well, it's going IN your guitar, it's not likely to give you many cuts in there. :jester:

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Big trem blocks. Any difference?

Well, it's going IN your guitar, it's not likely to give you many cuts in there. :jester:

Well I wasn't expecting jewelery or anything, but damn at least clean the thing. :chairshot

I beveled the edges, and cleaned it up.

 

[killerguitar]

Re: Big trem blocks. Any difference?

"Secret alloy"?

How secret can it be to find a certain percentage of copper and zinc?

It is simply our trade secret as to the percentages of metals used in the particular brass alloy we use. It is not really a "secret" - we just researched a number of alloys and found this particular one to have the best musical qualities when used for a tremolo block. That's all.

 

[rammer69]

Re: Big trem blocks. Any difference?

Lol :blindfold "Hit it with sandpaper" Very nice. Anyway, we have a couple youtube videos and sound clips that will be posted on youtube and on our website very soon. It's very hard to convince people just how much of a difference a proper tremolo block can make with only words. I will be sure to post a link and/or the videos on here once I get them done. I promise you will be amazed. That is why we offer a 100% refund guarantee to any customer - everyone is blown away. Really.

i want to check out the Y/TUBE VIDS,

 

[Mr 9finger]

Re: Big trem blocks. Any difference?

I would love to put an all brass bridge on a Strat like the old Charvels had on them. The only thing that has stopped me is the saddles.

Does KGC have any plans to make some brass Charvel style keyhole or Fender style bent saddles?

I'd much rather use something like that over graphtech saddles or the like.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Big trem blocks. Any difference?

I would love to put an all brass bridge on a Strat like the old Charvels had on them. The only thing that has stopped me is the saddles.

Why not the brass saddles? I have that trem on some of my Charvels, and have no complaints.

 

[Mr 9finger]

Re: Big trem blocks. Any difference?

Why not the brass saddles? I have that trem on some of my Charvels, and have no complaints.

I think you misunderstood my post bro. I want brass saddles, but I can't find them anywhere now. Mighty mite use to have the brass bent saddles and there use to be a site that offered the old Charvel keyhole saddles and I can't even find them anymore. Being lefty really limited my options for a bridge back then.

Since KGC offers some of their stuff in lefty, it's a possibility now, but I won't do it unless I can put brass saddles on there as well! Just kind of a complete the package thing for me.

I'm just not a big fan of graphtech saddles. They work ok on some guitars, but others, they just smooth the tone out too much for my liking.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Big trem blocks. Any difference?

What style tremolo is on the strat?

Vintage, and /or import?

 

[Mr 9finger]

Re: Big trem blocks. Any difference?

If you're asking me, neither. When I get to it, it'll probably be built from parts using USACG or Musikraft parts, or at least the neck will be. I love Fender guitars, just don't gel to well with the neck profile on MIA or MIM Fender Strats. It's to thin and narrow for my big hands. I have the same problem with Ibanez Wizard and Wizard II necks.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Big trem blocks. Any difference?

It is simply our trade secret as to the percentages of metals used in the particular brass alloy we use. It is not really a "secret" - we just researched a number of alloys and found this particular one to have the best musical qualities when used for a tremolo block. That's all.

I figured so much, the language just rubbed me the wrong way. You probably don't want to get tossed in with the "oxygen-free" copper cables and the like.

 

[IanBallard]

Re: Big trem blocks. Any difference?

I know it makes a difference with my Floyds, I just need more convincing that an $80 block sound 4 time as nice as $20.

You could you that logic for guitars. Does a $2500 Les Paul sound 4 times as good as a top-end Agile? Is a Custom Shop Strat 4 times better than a MIM? Maybe or it might simply be an economic consideration. GFS blocks, regardless of the alloy, are made in Korea of China, so the LABOR is the difference more than the price. The fact that whomever actually machines and finishes the blocks at Killer, makes manifold times more than the guy in Korea, is the most important aspect of price. That isn't to knock the quality and workmanship of the Killer block, despite the labor costs. If I was putting together a Warmoth with exotic woods, SD Custom Shop pickups, German-made Floyd, etc, etc, I'd take the premium of quality form the tuners to the claw. Every. Component. Counts. Particularly if you are going for "the best". I wouldn't skimp on the block.

My other point was that he COULD, if he felt like spending the dough, put the best of the best on his Squier... then when he upgrades to better stuff, take that stuff off and put it on the new guitar. There's nothing wrong with that.

 

[killerguitar]

Re: Big trem blocks. Any difference?

I think you misunderstood my post bro. I want brass saddles, but I can't find them anywhere now. Mighty mite use to have the brass bent saddles and there use to be a site that offered the old Charvel keyhole saddles and I can't even find them anymore. Being lefty really limited my options for a bridge back then.

Since KGC offers some of their stuff in lefty, it's a possibility now, but I won't do it unless I can put brass saddles on there as well! Just kind of a complete the package thing for me.

I'm just not a big fan of graphtech saddles. They work ok on some guitars, but others, they just smooth the tone out too much for my liking.

Brass saddles are certainly one of the things that are in our future plans... along with a number of other things. Do you guys think there would be a big enough market for them to make it worth producing them? How many of you guys would have interest in brass saddles?