Comparison: Callaham vs. MIM bridge block

[FretFire]

The strat project continues. The Callaham block I ordered came in today, so once I got home from work I swapped them out. Before I put the Callaham in, though, I compared it with the MIM block that came on the MIM bridge assembly. The difference is pretty nuts. I weighed the Callaham block at work before I left, and it came in at 9.8 ounces, I'll weigh the MIM block tomorrow for comparison. I'm guessing it will be in the 7-8 range, it feels much lighter just hefting one in each hand.

As you can see in the pics, the Callaham block is much more substantial, and the built in "ferrules" you can see in one of the pics below is a nice touch.

 

[theodie]

Re: Comparison: Callaham vs. MIM bridge block

What tone differences have you noticed? That if you have tried it yet.

 

[\m/(00)\m/]

Re: Comparison: Callaham vs. MIM bridge block

im guessing the callaham is the bigger one

how much did it cost? i was thinking about getting a callaham trem for my strat someday

 

[FretFire]

Re: Comparison: Callaham vs. MIM bridge block

Well, considering the pic below shows how far my project has progressed I haven't exactly had a chance to play it yet .

I only bought the block, which was $55 from Callaham's site.

 

[Farkus]

Re: Comparison: Callaham vs. MIM bridge block

After you get her put back together, I'd like to know how it sounds...I've been considering getting a block for my MIA strat as well as a whole vintage trem for my project axe.

Mark

 

[Boston Joe]

Re: Comparison: Callaham vs. MIM bridge block

The Callaham block with give you more of that Strat clang and twang with traditional single coils. Better harmonic overtones, too.

 

[FretFire]

Re: Comparison: Callaham vs. MIM bridge block

After you get her put back together, I'd like to know how it sounds...I've been considering getting a block for my MIA strat as well as a whole vintage trem for my project axe.

Mark

Well, this guitar is arriving to me in pieces, so I won't really have a reference to compare against since I'm building it from the ground up. But I'll definitely be posting my impressions .

 

[jeremy]

Re: Comparison: Callaham vs. MIM bridge block

my mim block weighed 150 grams, the callaham weighs about 280. i think their full size block weighs about 350 or so

 

[benji657]

Re: Comparison: Callaham vs. MIM bridge block

does it make a difference if you block the trem?

benji

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Comparison: Callaham vs. MIM bridge block

does it make a difference if you block the trem?

benji

Yes it does...the extra mass makes the tone much better.

 

[Artie]

Re: Comparison: Callaham vs. MIM bridge block

does it make a difference if you block the trem?

benji

I don't know about blocking the trem, but adding two more springs, and tightening down the claw, made a noticable improvement in my Johnson Strat. Also, improved tuning stability.

 

[FretFire]

Re: Comparison: Callaham vs. MIM bridge block

Just weighed the MIM block, it came in at 4.8 ounces... huge difference.

 

[badco33]

Re: Comparison: Callaham vs. MIM bridge block

I put a complete Callaham bridge assembly on my strat project (Fender Highway 1 body) and I love it. It gave the guitar a much more twangy/articulate tone. I really like the trem arm that comes with the unit as well. It's a little shorter than the current Fender models and and is real smooth.

I also added the steel plate that Callaham sells to the bottom of my Antiquity Custom Hot bridge pickup and I really like the results. It tamed some of the high end and gave me the tone I was looking for. It's now on par with a twangbanger but is a little lower output and not as overpowering as the twangbanger I have in my other strat.

 

[jmh151]

Re: Comparison: Callaham vs. MIM bridge block

I replaced my Licensed Floyd (Ibanez Edge) with an Original Floyd Rose Pro on my Ibanez RG570. The block on the original floyd was alot bigger and had more mass, like comparing the 2 blocks above. After installation, the guitar sounded alot better, with more of a strat tone in the 2,3,4 positions.

The disadvantage- the block is too big to use the cover plate with

 

[FretFire]

Re: Comparison: Callaham vs. MIM bridge block

I never have the cover plate on with Floyds anyhow . I can see your point though.