Callaham high-mass trem blocks.
- Thread starter B2D
- Start date
Seraphial
New member
Re: Callaham high-mass trem blocks.
Apparently more sustain, better note definition and fuller tone. These been quite a big debate about it on the fenderforum as to whether they do actually affect tone, as well as the way they're made. The general consensus is that their very noticeable on mexican and american standards, but have little effect on CS and US reissues as the trem block is basically made the same as the Callaham. Hope that helps.
Apparently more sustain, better note definition and fuller tone. These been quite a big debate about it on the fenderforum as to whether they do actually affect tone, as well as the way they're made. The general consensus is that their very noticeable on mexican and american standards, but have little effect on CS and US reissues as the trem block is basically made the same as the Callaham. Hope that helps.
Vasshu the humanoid typhoon
Unseen
Re: Callaham high-mass trem blocks.
It will add voodoo and mojo...added mass and hyperspace speeds.
It will add voodoo and mojo...added mass and hyperspace speeds.
Re: Callaham high-mass trem blocks.
Mkay... I have a '95 MIM Strat that gets a tone of play and the trem block is starting to crack AND the saddles are worn out.
I think what I'll do is just swap out the block and the saddles but keep the plate the same. Or is there any benefit to changing the plate as well?
Mkay... I have a '95 MIM Strat that gets a tone of play and the trem block is starting to crack AND the saddles are worn out.
I think what I'll do is just swap out the block and the saddles but keep the plate the same. Or is there any benefit to changing the plate as well?
FretFire
SingedFingerologist
Re: Callaham high-mass trem blocks.
If it's an MIM you'll likely only be able to swap the plate with another MIM. I looked and looked for bridges that would fit the body I'm using for my project strat (which is MIM) and couldn't find any others that had 2 1/16" mount screw spacing. I wanted to go with a Wilky, but now I'm just going to swap out the saddles and block and call it good
.
If it's an MIM you'll likely only be able to swap the plate with another MIM. I looked and looked for bridges that would fit the body I'm using for my project strat (which is MIM) and couldn't find any others that had 2 1/16" mount screw spacing. I wanted to go with a Wilky, but now I'm just going to swap out the saddles and block and call it good
.Re: Callaham high-mass trem blocks.
Gotcha. There's nothing wrong with the plate anyway...
For the saddles I think I'm gonna go Graphtech String Saver or Stainless Steel with the Ferraglide insert. I wonder if the String Savers would soften up the tone as compared to the Stainless ones?
FretFire said:If it's an MIM you'll likely only be able to swap the plate with another MIM. I looked and looked for bridges that would fit the body I'm using for my project strat (which is MIM) and couldn't find any others that had 2 1/16" mount screw spacing. I wanted to go with a Wilky, but now I'm just going to swap out the saddles and block and call it good
Gotcha. There's nothing wrong with the plate anyway...
For the saddles I think I'm gonna go Graphtech String Saver or Stainless Steel with the Ferraglide insert. I wonder if the String Savers would soften up the tone as compared to the Stainless ones?
FretFire
SingedFingerologist
Re: Callaham high-mass trem blocks.
Not sure really, I think the Ferraglide saddles are new for this year actually. I figured it was more of a cosmetic thing so you didn't have all this chrome hardware and black saddles, but they might be a touch brighter as well. I think I'm going to go with the Ferraglides on my bridge when I get to that point.
B2D said:
Not sure really, I think the Ferraglide saddles are new for this year actually. I figured it was more of a cosmetic thing so you didn't have all this chrome hardware and black saddles, but they might be a touch brighter as well. I think I'm going to go with the Ferraglides on my bridge when I get to that point
.Re: Callaham high-mass trem blocks.
I see that Callaham sells different blocks for the Mexican Strat. I didn't realize that the trems were that different. In fact, while in a local store discussing my new Frankenstrat, a tech told me in passing that the US Vintage trem assembly would work on a MIM...does he mean it will work, but only after the old screwholes are filled and new ones are made? I don't have one myself, so I've not measured them to check for fit. I never thought about actually checking it out. I'm just curious (my Strat uses a USA body)...if this guy is wrong about this, I'm gonna be more, careful, about the info I get from him in the future.
Mark
I see that Callaham sells different blocks for the Mexican Strat. I didn't realize that the trems were that different. In fact, while in a local store discussing my new Frankenstrat, a tech told me in passing that the US Vintage trem assembly would work on a MIM...does he mean it will work, but only after the old screwholes are filled and new ones are made? I don't have one myself, so I've not measured them to check for fit. I never thought about actually checking it out. I'm just curious (my Strat uses a USA body)...if this guy is wrong about this, I'm gonna be more, careful, about the info I get from him in the future.
Mark
That90'sGuy
DyzaBoyzologist
Re: Callaham high-mass trem blocks.
I have a Callaham steel trem block on my Grosh and love it. I notice that the notes are clearer and more articulate. They sustain more, but the block also makes the guitar a bit brighter. This made my single coils jump out, but for some people, they might not like the sound of their humbuckers through it. I don't regret having the block changed one bit and for the price, you do get what you pay for.
I have a Callaham steel trem block on my Grosh and love it. I notice that the notes are clearer and more articulate. They sustain more, but the block also makes the guitar a bit brighter. This made my single coils jump out, but for some people, they might not like the sound of their humbuckers through it. I don't regret having the block changed one bit and for the price, you do get what you pay for.
mrfjones
New member
Re: Callaham high-mass trem blocks.
the spacing on my MIM standard and MIM 50's reissue are different, but close enough that the old screw holes could be used. i was blocking the trem anyway but it seemed to work. the 50's reissue had a 2 3/16" spacing. Call callaham and ask them what you should get, they would know a little better and they are pretty nice to deal with.
FretFire said:
the spacing on my MIM standard and MIM 50's reissue are different, but close enough that the old screw holes could be used. i was blocking the trem anyway but it seemed to work. the 50's reissue had a 2 3/16" spacing. Call callaham and ask them what you should get, they would know a little better and they are pretty nice to deal with.
Re: Callaham high-mass trem blocks.
Well this is a '95 MIM standard... nothing special so i think the regular kit will work.
Plus I was playing with this last night and even with locking tuners it won't stay in tune worth a damn. I'm just gonna get a higher-mass block and then block it off with some chunks of oak and replace the saddles.
Well this is a '95 MIM standard... nothing special so i think the regular kit will work.
Plus I was playing with this last night and even with locking tuners it won't stay in tune worth a damn. I'm just gonna get a higher-mass block and then block it off with some chunks of oak and replace the saddles.
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Callaham high-mass trem blocks.
I spent time some measuring and weighing various trem blocks and found that the Fender '62 RI bridge/tremolo weighs the same, looks the same and sounds the same as the three vintage Fender Strat trem's I own from '62 and '63...these are real vintage pieces 40 years old.
I'd just go with one of the new '62 reissues from Fender. $100 retail and discounts are available.
What I heard when I changed my MIJ tremolos to Fender '62 RI tremolos is an increase in depth and bass and a livlier, bouncier more "authoritive" and solid tone. Just "right"...whatever that means.
The MIJ trems from Gotoh weighed quite a bit less than the Fender '62 RI but some of them looked exactly the same!
Lew
I spent time some measuring and weighing various trem blocks and found that the Fender '62 RI bridge/tremolo weighs the same, looks the same and sounds the same as the three vintage Fender Strat trem's I own from '62 and '63...these are real vintage pieces 40 years old.
I'd just go with one of the new '62 reissues from Fender. $100 retail and discounts are available.
What I heard when I changed my MIJ tremolos to Fender '62 RI tremolos is an increase in depth and bass and a livlier, bouncier more "authoritive" and solid tone. Just "right"...whatever that means.
The MIJ trems from Gotoh weighed quite a bit less than the Fender '62 RI but some of them looked exactly the same!
Lew
Last edited:
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: Callaham high-mass trem blocks.
NO they do NOT...The MIM Standard stuff is a different size that the MIM Classic stuff. The MIM Classic 50's, 60's, 70's as well as Highway One guitars have a full size tremolo assembly that is very good IMO. The Jimmy Vaughan strats as well as the American reissues have the reissue trem Lew is talking about. This looks just like the one from the Calssis and Highway One guitars but is a little different. The MIM Standard guitars are all together different...the block is smaller and does not weight as much plus the spacing is a tad narrower and the 6 screw holes are in different places, so a reissue trem will not simply bolt up. The Callaham trems are even better that the reissure Trems...they use cold rolled steel (Fender uses hot rolled) and it does make a difference as well as the string pockets are not cut as deep on the Callaham blocks which adds suatain as well as aids in tuning. Also if you get a full Callaham assembly the saddles are cut in such a way that it also aids in tuning! If you have the extra money a Callaham tremolo can not be beat.
TheJangus said:
NO they do NOT...The MIM Standard stuff is a different size that the MIM Classic stuff. The MIM Classic 50's, 60's, 70's as well as Highway One guitars have a full size tremolo assembly that is very good IMO. The Jimmy Vaughan strats as well as the American reissues have the reissue trem Lew is talking about. This looks just like the one from the Calssis and Highway One guitars but is a little different. The MIM Standard guitars are all together different...the block is smaller and does not weight as much plus the spacing is a tad narrower and the 6 screw holes are in different places, so a reissue trem will not simply bolt up. The Callaham trems are even better that the reissure Trems...they use cold rolled steel (Fender uses hot rolled) and it does make a difference as well as the string pockets are not cut as deep on the Callaham blocks which adds suatain as well as aids in tuning. Also if you get a full Callaham assembly the saddles are cut in such a way that it also aids in tuning! If you have the extra money a Callaham tremolo can not be beat.
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Callaham high-mass trem blocks.
That I don't know. It drops right into every vintage style MIJ Strat I own though.
Haven't tried changing the vibrato in any MIM Strats.
I'll defer to TGWIF (Christian) on that...
Regarding cold rolled steel vs hot rolled steel and such things: I have compared the Fender '62 RI Trem to the original '63 Trem in my original '63 Strat. I removed the original to do some repairs and in the inetrim had the '62 RI in my old guitar.
Both sounded identical! I'm a real vintage snob but I could hear absolutely no diff at all. And they both weighed exactly the same too.
Haven't tried the Calaham. I'll bet it's agreat product. But if it sounds differant than the Fender '62 RI than it also sounds differant from the original trem in every original Fender '54 through '65 Strat too.
Lew
TheJangus said:
That I don't know. It drops right into every vintage style MIJ Strat I own though.
Haven't tried changing the vibrato in any MIM Strats.
I'll defer to TGWIF (Christian) on that...
Regarding cold rolled steel vs hot rolled steel and such things: I have compared the Fender '62 RI Trem to the original '63 Trem in my original '63 Strat. I removed the original to do some repairs and in the inetrim had the '62 RI in my old guitar.
Both sounded identical! I'm a real vintage snob but I could hear absolutely no diff at all. And they both weighed exactly the same too.
Haven't tried the Calaham. I'll bet it's agreat product. But if it sounds differant than the Fender '62 RI than it also sounds differant from the original trem in every original Fender '54 through '65 Strat too.
Lew
Last edited:
