Callaham tremolo
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Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Callaham tremolo
Which exact Callaham vibrato are you considering?
I purchased saddles and a sustain block for my 1995 Fender American Standard Stratocaster. In my opinion, the tone is improved. The tuning stability seems about the same. I kept the stock Schaller-made non-locking machineheads. I just tie on the strings so that they lock themselves down.
Which exact Callaham vibrato are you considering?
I purchased saddles and a sustain block for my 1995 Fender American Standard Stratocaster. In my opinion, the tone is improved. The tuning stability seems about the same. I kept the stock Schaller-made non-locking machineheads. I just tie on the strings so that they lock themselves down.
jaybonitrane
Snickerdoodle Milk
Re: Callaham tremolo
Ive had the whole set installed.
It does make a difference...but if all you need is a little more sustain then just buy the saddles only.
Ive had the whole set installed.
It does make a difference...but if all you need is a little more sustain then just buy the saddles only.
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: Callaham tremolo
The Callaham to the 2 point is sort of apples to pears but FWIW, I think the Callaham is the best vintage style Strat bridge on the market right now.
The Callaham to the 2 point is sort of apples to pears but FWIW, I think the Callaham is the best vintage style Strat bridge on the market right now.
LReese
Sausage Gravy
Re: Callaham tremolo
Keep in mind that while the quality of the piece is top notch, it could brighten up the sound your guitar. The bushing is a great thing.
However, after a while the brightness issue got to me and I removed the Callaham out of that guitar. It might be perfect in another, but in my case, the original Fender unit sounded best.
Keep in mind that while the quality of the piece is top notch, it could brighten up the sound your guitar. The bushing is a great thing.
However, after a while the brightness issue got to me and I removed the Callaham out of that guitar. It might be perfect in another, but in my case, the original Fender unit sounded best.
jaybonitrane
Snickerdoodle Milk
Re: Callaham tremolo
It does brighten the tone a little bit or you might say it makes the high end treble last longer or slightly more noticable.
It does brighten the tone a little bit or you might say it makes the high end treble last longer or slightly more noticable.
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: Callaham tremolo
Tuning stability can be affected.
The hole in Callaham saddles that the string passes through is cut in such a way so that the windings on the strings themselves don't get caught on the saddle edge.
In addition to that the string pockets in the bridge block are drilled very shallow (like Leo and crew did in the 50's) so that the part of the string that is wrapped around itself to attach the ball end can't get near the saddles also preventing tuning hangups.
As for the tonal aspect of a Callaham vs other bridges they are not brighter or mor epingy or whatever else you might hear or read.
Callaham bridges are made just like Leo intended when the Strat bridge was designed in the mid 50's...later bridges from Fender and most after market bridges use much lesser expensive materials that rob the guitar of sustain, clarity and overall attack...zinc and other bridge blocks have a more dull, slower overall type of sound than a cold rolled steel block.
If you get used to that sound then a Callaham bridge might sound funny at first but if you grew up listening to and playing vintage Strats then a "correct" bridge (like a Callaham or a vintage Fender unit) might be what you've been missing from your Strat.
Tuning stability can be affected.
The hole in Callaham saddles that the string passes through is cut in such a way so that the windings on the strings themselves don't get caught on the saddle edge.
In addition to that the string pockets in the bridge block are drilled very shallow (like Leo and crew did in the 50's) so that the part of the string that is wrapped around itself to attach the ball end can't get near the saddles also preventing tuning hangups.
As for the tonal aspect of a Callaham vs other bridges they are not brighter or mor epingy or whatever else you might hear or read.
Callaham bridges are made just like Leo intended when the Strat bridge was designed in the mid 50's...later bridges from Fender and most after market bridges use much lesser expensive materials that rob the guitar of sustain, clarity and overall attack...zinc and other bridge blocks have a more dull, slower overall type of sound than a cold rolled steel block.
If you get used to that sound then a Callaham bridge might sound funny at first but if you grew up listening to and playing vintage Strats then a "correct" bridge (like a Callaham or a vintage Fender unit) might be what you've been missing from your Strat.
ItsaBass
New member
Re: Callaham tremolo
The way I see it, the Callaham Strat bridges are probably the best six-hole "vintage style" Strat bridges ever made. However, most two-point bridges are better in terms of tuning stability (if you actually use the vibrato to precisely bend notes, not just for a mild vibrato effect). I'd change out a stock six-hole bridge for a Callaham, but I wouldn't replace a Fender (or most any other) two-point bridge with a Callaham.
The way I see it, the Callaham Strat bridges are probably the best six-hole "vintage style" Strat bridges ever made. However, most two-point bridges are better in terms of tuning stability (if you actually use the vibrato to precisely bend notes, not just for a mild vibrato effect). I'd change out a stock six-hole bridge for a Callaham, but I wouldn't replace a Fender (or most any other) two-point bridge with a Callaham.
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: Callaham tremolo
I disagree...
If properly set up a 6 hole bridge can be just as accurate as a 2 point and best of all, after the knife edge on the 2 point is worn down to a jagged mess the 6 hole bridge will still be going strong!
I disagree...
If properly set up a 6 hole bridge can be just as accurate as a 2 point and best of all, after the knife edge on the 2 point is worn down to a jagged mess the 6 hole bridge will still be going strong!
