Chip off the old block...

FenderBender03

FenderBender03

New member
Hey fellas.... i wanted to ask and see if anyone here has any experience with the old "wooden block in the back of your Strat" trick? I'm still debating on whether to upgrade the trem block and electronics on my HWY 1 Strat. I remembered this old trick and i just wanted to know if it would really help out any in terms of sustain, and overall resonance. If this really does make a difference, it may be enough for me to not shell out any extra $$ towards my Strat. Although it could probably use a little more sustain and maybe a little more thickness, to my ears it sounds pretty nice already! I'm just never satisfied i guess! Thank ye :)




FenderBender
 
Re: Chip off the old block...

I had a block for a while. I didn't notice a difference.

Put 5 springs on your trem and tighten it flat. That's all you need to do.
 
Re: Chip off the old block...

all my guitars have a little wooden block for the trem block to rest against.... except for the trems that can be flush mounted
 
Re: Chip off the old block...

So....using 5 springs and having your bridge flat against the body is the same or does what the wood block does?

Adding the extra springs and tightening down my trem claw was the first thing i did to both my Strats the day i got them :)

So is this myth busted? feasible? or does it really help?

I did find myself a specimen that i'm in the process of sizing to fit in the back cavity of my Strat, but it might be awhile since i don't own any power wood working tools :smack:

When i do get it ready to where it fits nice and snug i'll do a before and after comparison and post my opinions.



FenderBender
 
Re: Chip off the old block...

If you use a block and back off the springs, the string tension will loosen up. It's subtle, but it works...
 
Re: Chip off the old block...

I stuck some Graphtech FerraGlide Saddles on my HWY1 strat. Flushed the trem to the body, but not screwed down. So i can still do dips on the whammy. It sustains nice. But i have wondered about the pot metal block in there.

These are fairly obvious: if your pickups are too high, they drag the strings motion, reducing sustain. Try lowering them a fair bit. Heavier gauge strings will ring longer too.

For what it's worth, the Clapton strat comes pre-installed with that block o wood, so it can't be wrong. Let us know...
 
Re: Chip off the old block...

More-Gear-Than-Skill said:
I stuck some Graphtech FerraGlide Saddles on my HWY1 strat. Flushed the trem to the body, but not screwed down. So i can still do dips on the whammy. It sustains nice. But i have wondered about the pot metal block in there.

These are fairly obvious: if your pickups are too high, they drag the strings motion, reducing sustain. Try lowering them a fair bit. Heavier gauge strings will ring longer too.

For what it's worth, the Clapton strat comes pre-installed with that block o wood, so it can't be wrong. Let us know...
Click to expand...

I have 2 Clapton Strats. They come that way because EC blocks his. I removed the blocks on both, put all 5 springs on and pulled the claw in so the bridge is flush on the body. For me this works better. I like to use the Trem from time to time. When its blocked its completely useless. If thats what you want buy a non trem guitar!
 
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