Filling a Trem Rout

[SabbathFan0220]

I want to convert a Strat body with a trem into a hardtail, any ideas? It's a MIM (alder body) and I have enough alder from a Warmoth body blank to fill it with. I was thinking of doing it with two blocks...one where the bridge block hangs (after routing it to a more regular shape) and one where the springs attach. Any ideas on how I would go about this? I know Paul Gilbert's signature Ibanez has had this same job done (you can actually see the edges of the filler block on his). I just wonder how to attach the blocks so they can withstand the tension on the new bridge...

 

[millsart]

Re: Filling a Trem Rout

Just put the bridge flush with the top, put 5 springs on it with lots of tension and use one of your wood blocks as a shim on the block and you've got for all intensive purposes a hardtail.

Everything Ive heard says that works better than trying to fill in the route and putting a new bridge etc. I guess when you try to glue in new smaller blocks of wood they just dont resounate or as well or something.

Clapton for example I think blocks his strat this way to make it into a hardtail

The tremolo (as long as you have a good block) actually contributes a ton of mass that a hardtail bridge doesnt have, and many argue the springs add a bit of the strat sound as well.


Given the woodworking you've need to do to mount a hardtail and have it look good, you'd be better off getting a new body thats not routed


Though as I said, nearly everyone, even those who dont use the trem, still have a trem and just block it.

If there was a real advatnage to hardtail strats I think we'd see more of them

 

[Mr 9finger]

Re: Filling a Trem Rout

Filling a trem route is a royal PITA. More often than not, it's more trouble than it's worth and if it's not done properly, it's quite ugly. I'd go w/ the advice of just blocking the trem.

 

[CaughtLikeFire]

Re: Filling a Trem Rout

block both sides of the sustain block, setting the trem parallel to the body (assuming it's a 2-point floating trem). if you block it right, you only need one spring to keep your ground connection (wire soldered to tremolo claw). I find that laying a 2-point trem flat against the body puts the saddles at a steeper angle than I'd like.

it's not worth trying to fill in the rout when you can get a top quality Strat body routed for a hardtail for less than $200.

 

[SabbathFan0220]

Re: Filling a Trem Rout

Can blocking the trem really be as effective as screwing a bridge into solid wood? It looks like there's a consensus here, I'm surprised.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Filling a Trem Rout

Can blocking the trem really be as effective as screwing a bridge into solid wood? It looks like there's a consensus here, I'm surprised.

Of course, all you are doing is having the bridge make full contact with the body. As a bonus the springs give you that "strat" sound.

 

[scottish]

Re: Filling a Trem Rout

i think clapton uses a bit of wood in the trem route. i remember reading somewhere he liked the way it feels having the bridge slightly floating but didnt want any of the whammy bar action

 

[trevorus]

Re: Filling a Trem Rout

I use 5 springs and just leave it that way. Sounds great and it doesn't move. I also do that with my Reverend Jetstream HB with the Wilkinson trem.

 

[millsart]

Re: Filling a Trem Rout

Can blocking the trem really be as effective as screwing a bridge into solid wood? It looks like there's a consensus here, I'm surprised.

I think its mostly to do with the fact that a good trem has that big sustain block which has way more mass than a hardtail bridge.

Also Ive heard that the springs and that cavity play at least a small part in giving a strat that classic strat sound that a solid body with hardtail wouldnt have. You can certainly feels the springs resounant a bit if you take the back plate off.

I know very few people who actually use the bar, but all of them have still bought strats with the classic trem bridge instead of hardtail.

I think its just part of the design/sound


If you want a hardtail you get a tele, if you want a start, you get one with trem, or so seems to be the popular theory

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Filling a Trem Rout

I think its mostly to do with the fact that a good trem has that big sustain block which has way more mass than a hardtail bridge.

Also Ive heard that the springs and that cavity play at least a small part in giving a strat that classic strat sound that a solid body with hardtail wouldnt have. You can certainly feels the springs resounant a bit if you take the back plate off.

I know very few people who actually use the bar, but all of them have still bought strats with the classic trem bridge instead of hardtail.

I think its just part of the design/sound


If you want a hardtail you get a tele, if you want a start, you get one with trem, or so seems to be the popular theory

i'm a huge strat (with trem) fan but for some reason and i have no real idea why but a 50's 2-tone sunburst hardtail i love the looks of... it gives me GAS... i have a few home made strat hardtail bodies...

but i just love the sound of a floating trem a lot these days too...

 

[SabbathFan0220]

Re: Filling a Trem Rout

i'm a huge strat (with trem) fan but for some reason and i have no real idea why but a 50's 2-tone sunburst hardtail i love the looks of... it gives me GAS... i have a few home made strat hardtail bodies...

but i just love the sound of a floating trem a lot these days too...

WhoFan, I'm the same way. I'm really into both styles...considering this Strat I'm talking about working on is Strat #4, I thought I could use the variety (it sounds like it might not be worth all the work though).

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Filling a Trem Rout

I use 5 springs and just leave it that way. Sounds great and it doesn't move.

Ditto...

 

[brit84]

Re: Filling a Trem Rout

i totally just read the title as "filling a trout"

 

[Hellion]

Re: Filling a Trem Rout

Here's another alternative, but still accomplishes kinda the same end result as blocking it. I think they look kinda cool (but I'm old), but my main problem with them is that you lose the springs and stuff. Still, it'd be a hard tail bridge, just a top loader.

http://www.customshopparts.com/bridges/convertable-bridge.html or this
http://www.customshopparts.com/bridges/drop-top-bridge.html