First strat build...Callahan tremolo?
- Thread starter elrodphil
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DavidRavenMoon
New member
Re: First strat build...Callahan tremolo?
I wouldn’t spend that much for a tremolo bridge. Get the Gotoh.
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I wouldn’t spend that much for a tremolo bridge. Get the Gotoh.
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Gtrjunior
Well-known member
First strat build...Callahan tremolo?
Callaham makes good stuff but it is expensive.
I have a set of his compensated tele saddles and I have no complaints.
Check out Joe Barden bridges as well. The website lists them all out.
I was looking at a tele bridge on their site today and then found it for $20 cheaper on Reverb.
Callaham makes good stuff but it is expensive.
I have a set of his compensated tele saddles and I have no complaints.
Check out Joe Barden bridges as well. The website lists them all out.
I was looking at a tele bridge on their site today and then found it for $20 cheaper on Reverb.
Jeff_H
Dean Hardtail Fanologist
Re: First strat build...Callahan tremolo?
I did one strat build and one only. I decided to go fairly high end, so I went with a translucent color and a true nitro finish. I also went top end with the hardware and did the whole Callaham hardware kit. Bridge, tuners, string tree's.....every bit of hardware, including pickguard and pickguard shield. I think for everything it was under $300, but that was back in 05'. However, not once have I ever regretted buying the Callaham hardware or spending the money. It has worked flawlessly for the past 14 years and it will long outlast me.
My body was drilled for the vintage trem, just as yours is. I decided to go 100% Callaham not only for the quality, but to make sure everything worked together. Ironically, I bought the last full set of gold hardware they had. I can't even get replacement screws from them now, not that I've needed any. A couple months later I bought what he had left in stock in gold, just a couple small bags of screws.
I'd recommend it, because I enjoyed the experience, the quality was beyond reproach and even if I did overpay by $100 or so compared to other hardware, so what? 14 years later with no issues says something. It all still works as it did day one. The peace of mind knowing everything was made to work with everything else was nice, for me. I realize most stuff will work together, but I didn't want to bother sourcing everything separately. One order and I knew everything was there.
Good luck and let us know what you end up doing.
I did one strat build and one only. I decided to go fairly high end, so I went with a translucent color and a true nitro finish. I also went top end with the hardware and did the whole Callaham hardware kit. Bridge, tuners, string tree's.....every bit of hardware, including pickguard and pickguard shield. I think for everything it was under $300, but that was back in 05'. However, not once have I ever regretted buying the Callaham hardware or spending the money. It has worked flawlessly for the past 14 years and it will long outlast me.
My body was drilled for the vintage trem, just as yours is. I decided to go 100% Callaham not only for the quality, but to make sure everything worked together. Ironically, I bought the last full set of gold hardware they had. I can't even get replacement screws from them now, not that I've needed any. A couple months later I bought what he had left in stock in gold, just a couple small bags of screws.
I'd recommend it, because I enjoyed the experience, the quality was beyond reproach and even if I did overpay by $100 or so compared to other hardware, so what? 14 years later with no issues says something. It all still works as it did day one. The peace of mind knowing everything was made to work with everything else was nice, for me. I realize most stuff will work together, but I didn't want to bother sourcing everything separately. One order and I knew everything was there.
Good luck and let us know what you end up doing.
Last edited:
ItsaBass
New member
Re: First strat build...Callahan tremolo?
I have used the Callaham and the Gotoh. The Callaham performs better and seems better made, but if you won't use the vibrato much, you'll be fine with the cheaper of the two.
I have only used the Callaham as a replacement bridge for MIM Strats, not on fresh builds.
I have used the Callaham and the Gotoh. The Callaham performs better and seems better made, but if you won't use the vibrato much, you'll be fine with the cheaper of the two.
I have only used the Callaham as a replacement bridge for MIM Strats, not on fresh builds.
Jeff_H
Dean Hardtail Fanologist
Re: First strat build...Callahan tremolo?
Wow, I just checked the site and a full hardware kit is only $247. The upcharge for gold was almost $100 IIRC. Maybe $75-$80, I can't remember exactly. Not a bad price. I would have expected more change in price over 14 years.
Edit...Mine was strictly vintage. Vintage spacing, everything. I wanted it to be as close to a 57' strat as possible. The only thing that I did not splurge on, that I should have, was the neck. I really wanted a beautifully flamed maple neck, but at the time I was torn between my love of rosewood fretboards and the authentic maple fretboard. I decide to just get a regular neck until I could figure out what I wanted in a forever neck. Life priorities changed in 07' and I really haven't been able to re-envision the project since. One day I'll buy the body the neck it deserves.
2 7/32" bridge spacing and string spacing, I believe. The stuff for his Vintage S stuff.
Wow, I just checked the site and a full hardware kit is only $247. The upcharge for gold was almost $100 IIRC. Maybe $75-$80, I can't remember exactly. Not a bad price. I would have expected more change in price over 14 years.
Edit...Mine was strictly vintage. Vintage spacing, everything. I wanted it to be as close to a 57' strat as possible. The only thing that I did not splurge on, that I should have, was the neck. I really wanted a beautifully flamed maple neck, but at the time I was torn between my love of rosewood fretboards and the authentic maple fretboard. I decide to just get a regular neck until I could figure out what I wanted in a forever neck. Life priorities changed in 07' and I really haven't been able to re-envision the project since. One day I'll buy the body the neck it deserves.
2 7/32" bridge spacing and string spacing, I believe. The stuff for his Vintage S stuff.
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Jeff_H
Dean Hardtail Fanologist
Last edited:
eclecticsynergy
Well-known member
Re: First strat build...Callahan tremolo?
Callaham stuff is very very good. I don't think you'd be sorry.
However, if you're looking in that price range, MannMade makes a PRS style trem bridge for Strats that's absolutely excellent. Well worth considering unless you really want the vintage look.
Callaham stuff is very very good. I don't think you'd be sorry.
However, if you're looking in that price range, MannMade makes a PRS style trem bridge for Strats that's absolutely excellent. Well worth considering unless you really want the vintage look.
Jeff_H
Dean Hardtail Fanologist
Re: First strat build...Callahan tremolo?
Yeah man, I've seen that bridge and one other that I can't recall the name now, but killer new 2 point trem systems. There are some really nice innovations out there, but definitely more modern in function and design.
Yeah man, I've seen that bridge and one other that I can't recall the name now, but killer new 2 point trem systems. There are some really nice innovations out there, but definitely more modern in function and design.
YeRedHouseOverYonder
New member
Re: First strat build...Callahan tremolo?
I have a Babicz 6 Hole FCH trem on my strat. Vast improvement from the Wilkinson bridge I had. Notes sing and ring louder. I just don't know if it's made in the US.
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I have a Babicz 6 Hole FCH trem on my strat. Vast improvement from the Wilkinson bridge I had. Notes sing and ring louder. I just don't know if it's made in the US.
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Re: First strat build...Callahan tremolo?
I used a SuperVee Bladerunner on my Warmoth. It was expensive, but hey, it is a really nice guitar. Great action that stays in tune really well.
I used a SuperVee Bladerunner on my Warmoth. It was expensive, but hey, it is a really nice guitar. Great action that stays in tune really well.
LLL
New member
Re: First strat build...Callahan tremolo?
The answer is "yes" and "get the Callaham".
Did a Warmoth strat way back in (oh hell I don't remember... late 2K's?).
Bought the Callaham 6 holer kit, plus H/SRV pickups.
Callaham makes awesome stuff, does an awesome job, and it sounds awesome.
Also bought Callaham Am Std Strat kit for my beater Strat guitar -saddle pieces, block, arm and springs.
Again, the answer is "yes" and "get the Callaham".
You can get cheaper ones that work fine, or you can get his killer hardware.
The answer is "yes" and "get the Callaham".
Did a Warmoth strat way back in (oh hell I don't remember... late 2K's?).
Bought the Callaham 6 holer kit, plus H/SRV pickups.
Callaham makes awesome stuff, does an awesome job, and it sounds awesome.
Also bought Callaham Am Std Strat kit for my beater Strat guitar -saddle pieces, block, arm and springs.
Again, the answer is "yes" and "get the Callaham".
You can get cheaper ones that work fine, or you can get his killer hardware.
DavidRavenMoon
New member
Re: First strat build...Callahan tremolo?
Yeah, no. It’s over priced. It’s not made any differently from Gotoh, etc. If you want US made I go with Hipshot. And everyone swears by TonePros, and that’s Gotoh (as is Wilkinson).
There’s lots of snake oil peddlers in the guitar hardware market. Others include FU, Alessandro, and any company that makes paper in oil caps or anything out of titanium. Lol.
And I’m speaking as a luthier, so I get stuff wholesale. [emoji2]
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Yeah, no. It’s over priced. It’s not made any differently from Gotoh, etc. If you want US made I go with Hipshot. And everyone swears by TonePros, and that’s Gotoh (as is Wilkinson).
There’s lots of snake oil peddlers in the guitar hardware market. Others include FU, Alessandro, and any company that makes paper in oil caps or anything out of titanium. Lol.
And I’m speaking as a luthier, so I get stuff wholesale. [emoji2]
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
