Bridge material of Jeff Beck signature Stratocaster 1st version (1990)

[Francois]

Hi ! After over 22 years of bends all over the fretboard my guitar number one is going to the luthier to be dressed and get the nut fixed.
They are worn in most places and have sharp edges on the 14 and 15 frets (too much 12 box positions !)
A last bend has tear off the nut and I badly glued it with a bone dust and glue mixture. Now it is too high...

And now here is my question :

The luthier is proposing to replace the trem bridge saying it is not steel but pot metal.

The trem block is clearly not steel and I am pretty sure it is ZAMAK but the tremolo plate being chrome plated I do not know where this is steel of a zinc alloy.

Anyone would know if at that time Fender used steel saddles and steel trem plates on these models ?
And were the eary signature models (Clapton, Jeff Beck, SRV, Malmsteem) made at the Custom Shop ?



I am asking because I like to do a lot of moding on Matsumoku's and Gibsons but I like to keep my US Fender all stock.
And changed nothing. I like the sound of this guitar : it sound better than all my other guitars (mostly due to the one piece maple U shaped baseball bat neck and vintage gold Lace Sensors I suppose). So I am not too keen on moding it.

But if it could sound even better ???

What do you think ?

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Bridge material of Jeff Beck signature Stratocaster 1st version (1990)

If you like it the way it is, I say leave it alone.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

That said, there is quite a good selection of high quality bridges and trem blocks that would probably sound wonderful in your guitar.

 

[LLL]

Re: Bridge material of Jeff Beck signature Stratocaster 1st version (1990)

Get a Callaham bridge (look like you need the retrofit Am Std Strat kit), and thank me later.

I hate those block saddles and the awful pingy treble they impart with a passion

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Bridge material of Jeff Beck signature Stratocaster 1st version (1990)

Get a Callaham bridge (look like you need the retrofit Am Std Strat kit), and thank me later.

I hate those block saddles and the awful pingy treble they impart with a passion

I thought about suggesting that too. Callaham truly makes some of the best parts you can buy.
But seeing as how the OP is in France that might get expensive. (?)

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Bridge material of Jeff Beck signature Stratocaster 1st version (1990)

But seeing as how the OP is in France that might get expensive. (?)

Also seeing how the OP loves the way the guitar sounds currently, I think replacing the bridge is probably a huge, expensive mistake.

My #1 is a similar era USA Strat ('87). Same bridge. When I got it, I mentioned being tempted to start upgrading everything. One of the guys on here who has always steered me in the right direction said not to bother messing with the bridge. Going on 5 years later, I still haven't, and I still love the guitar as-is. I'm finally to the point where I think I'm going to put one of the Red Devil little humbuckers in it, but I have no desire to replace the bridge. I don't hear any of the alleged nastiness imposed by the design. With the right OD pedal plugged into my Super Reverb, I can cop any Strat tone I want with it.

 

[orpheo]

Re: Bridge material of Jeff Beck signature Stratocaster 1st version (1990)

for a 2 point trem I would go with a Hipshot unit, hands down. Not even open for discussion imho.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Bridge material of Jeff Beck signature Stratocaster 1st version (1990)

If you like it as it is, then don't change a thing.

 

[playas]

Re: Bridge material of Jeff Beck signature Stratocaster 1st version (1990)

If you like it as it is, then don't change a thing.

This is probably good advice.

If you do decide to change it though, make sure any modifications are reversible. (i.e. don´t let him drill new posts for a replacement)

You really don´t want to find out afterwards that you didn´t like the changes and can´t go back to the original.
If the spacing is standard there are most likely lots of drop in options. Otherwise it´s probably more trouble than it´s worth.

 

[hamerfan]

Re: Bridge material of Jeff Beck signature Stratocaster 1st version (1990)

I had very good results with just changing the block from zamak to steel. More attack and zing with steel block or fuller with brass.
Like: https://www.guitarfetish.com/Upgrade-Steel-and-Brass-Tremolo-Blocks_c_219.html
The 10.5 mm Import should fit.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Bridge material of Jeff Beck signature Stratocaster 1st version (1990)

That should be the same bridge as all the Standards from that era. Maybe try a large steel block and the stamped saddles from the post-‘08 Standards, but I’ll echo... if you like it, keep it. Those other changes might make you like it even more though.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Bridge material of Jeff Beck signature Stratocaster 1st version (1990)

I thought those bridges had stainless steel bridges. ?????

Bill

 

[ErikH]

Re: Bridge material of Jeff Beck signature Stratocaster 1st version (1990)

Same bridge as the regular American Standards of that era. If you like it, leave it be. There's nothing wrong with that.

 

[Jacew]

Re: Bridge material of Jeff Beck signature Stratocaster 1st version (1990)

I don't thini there's much wrong in the bridge itself. And since you like it I concur with others and advice not to change it.

Though that block is not doing a favor for the guitar. Switching the block is easy, cheap and completely reversible so I definitely suggest you to try it