Clapton strat: blocked tremolo upgrade worth it?

[theWalrus]

I'm about to get a Clapton strat (non-custom shop :unitedsta 2013 model).

Is it worth upgrading the block tremolo? I don't know the specs for the stock part besides the fact that it's vintage style, but I wouldn't be surprised if it isn't top shelf. Maybe the stock part is just as good as the alternatives for great sustain. Do you happen to know? :33:

Thanks

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Clapton strat: blocked tremolo upgrade worth it?

I am not 100% sure but i think they already have a large mass steel block? You could get a brass one but i think the stocko one will be fine. The true blue fender owners out there should know more.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Clapton strat: blocked tremolo upgrade worth it?

No.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Clapton strat: blocked tremolo upgrade worth it?

+1

The stock bridge, with all of its idiosyncrasies, is an essential component in the Stratocaster sound.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Clapton strat: blocked tremolo upgrade worth it?

I own 2 EC strats. Both are from '88. One I bought new & one I bought used. I have "unblocked" both trems and I have them both resting on the body. I don't think you really need to make any upgrades to the trem system at all. They are fine as long as you are not attempting to dive bomb you should be fine. Both of my guitars have ample amounts of sustain and sparkle. The thing I don't like about the "new" version of these guitars is the Fender Noiseless pickups. IMHO those pickups lack any kind of tone & in every guitar I have played them I think the sound lifeless. Just my opinion but this is an easy problem to fix.

 

[hareek]

Re: Clapton strat: blocked tremolo upgrade worth it?

I have "unblocked" both trems and I have them both resting on the body. I don't think you really need to make any upgrades to the trem system at all.

Yep I agree. I bought an American Standard Strat in 1999. It came with a floating tremolo set up as all Strats with tremolos do. After breaking a string on multiple occasions and having the remaining 5 bend sharp, I decided I did not like the floating tremolo anymore. So I followed Fender's instructions to deck it: tighten the screws in the back of the guitar that anchor the tremolo spring plate to the body in small increments and re-tune, and repeat until the bridge is resting on the body. The goal was to balance the tension of the strings with the tension of the springs to give you a decked bridge....which basically means increase the tension of the springs pulling down on the bridge to achieve that result. It's been that way ever since. No more bending sharp if I break a string, and I can still use the tremolo when I want the effect, but without the Jeff Beck style of having the ability to bend sharp obviously. People will argue that you can get better tone by installing a block to anchor the bridge to the guitar rather than just increasing the tension of the tremolo springs instead. I don't know I personally don't think it makes that big of a difference. My tone really didn't change at all between the floating bridge and the decked bridge so I don't think adding a block in there and rendering the tremolo permanently useless will make a big difference. What really affected my tone was when I replaced the single coil pickups with SD Lil '59's. My tone is very thick now making it sound more like a LP but with the ability to still get some Strat twang out of it.

To the OP, I don't know the answer for sure, but in my opinion I think the stock parts will be just fine.

 

[theWalrus]

Re: Clapton strat: blocked tremolo upgrade worth it?

Sorry for the delay, guys. Read all posts and... :thanks: for the feedback.

I don't use tremolo and I do have a CS-2 pedal, which is a great compressor, but I want to make this the ultimate strat with great sustain even if I had it plugged straight into the amp. I'm sure you can relate.

I thought the upgrade to a Brass or Titanium tremolo block would make a huge difference in sustain. Sounds like it isn't worth changing the block.

Thanks again

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Clapton strat: blocked tremolo upgrade worth it?

I believe the Claptons have the same trem as the AVRI series, which is a great unit.

 

[theWalrus]

Re: Clapton strat: blocked tremolo upgrade worth it?

I believe the Claptons have the same trem as the AVRI series, which is a great unit.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure the trem is vintage spec. But I'm actually talking about the solid spacer block; sorry if my original post wasn't clear. The Clapton has apparently a maple block. Some people use brass or even expensive titanium blocks. Is that worth it for best sustain or a poor cost/benefit choice for a blocked trem?

I noticed that some of the sustain has a lot to do with gain. When I go for the Gary Moore tone (Gain at 2 o'clock, Bass at 2 o'clock, Full Mid, Treble at 4 o'clock, Level at 1 o'clock), I get lots of sustain. But it would be good to do that with a Gilmour-ish sound too, and I think he just uses a compressor and his hands to achieve that.

 

[LReese]

Re: Clapton strat: blocked tremolo upgrade worth it?

Just my experience -

The Fender Vintage units are great - the one downfall is the powder coated block. It can change the tone a bit.

If you want it slightly brighter (my experience was not a bad thing) look at Callaham. Also floating would make a hair brighter.