Floyd big block
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jmh151
Active member
Re: Floyd big block
None. You won't get it to sound exactly like a Fender 6 point trem. That's why people who are after the vintage strat tone on low to medium gain settings prefer either a 6 point vintage trem, or a 2 point fender trem with vintage bent steel saddles.
Here's what a big block does. Some feel a Floyd, as compared to a Fender trem, thins out the tone. A big block adds back the low end that's lost, adds sustain, but it still won't make it sound exactly like a Fender trem, since it's a lot heavier trem made out of hardened steel.
None. You won't get it to sound exactly like a Fender 6 point trem. That's why people who are after the vintage strat tone on low to medium gain settings prefer either a 6 point vintage trem, or a 2 point fender trem with vintage bent steel saddles.
Here's what a big block does. Some feel a Floyd, as compared to a Fender trem, thins out the tone. A big block adds back the low end that's lost, adds sustain, but it still won't make it sound exactly like a Fender trem, since it's a lot heavier trem made out of hardened steel.
jmh151
Active member
Re: Floyd big block
To my knowledge, there is no steel big block for a Floyd being made by anyone. The tone would be too thin. The only ones out there now are brass, tungsten, titanium, and copper.
Vintage Fender trems- the good ones- do use a steel block. But no one is making one for a Floyd
To my knowledge, there is no steel big block for a Floyd being made by anyone. The tone would be too thin. The only ones out there now are brass, tungsten, titanium, and copper.
Vintage Fender trems- the good ones- do use a steel block. But no one is making one for a Floyd
Rockstar216
New member
Re: Floyd big block
I doubt you can get a Floyd to sound like a Fender trem just for the simple fact of how they are made. Two different styles of trems for different styles of playing.
I doubt you can get a Floyd to sound like a Fender trem just for the simple fact of how they are made. Two different styles of trems for different styles of playing.
Re: Floyd big block
http://angela.com/fenderfloyddeluxelockingbridgesteeltremoloblock.aspx
so you guys didn't give me an answer
which block?
http://angela.com/fenderfloyddeluxelockingbridgesteeltremoloblock.aspx
so you guys didn't give me an answer
which block?
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Rockstar216
New member
Re: Floyd big block
You still don't have the same saddles as a fender trem also a Floyd still has a bit more metal then a Fender trem. You can try that block to see how far it gets you but I think it would make it a bit to thin. I put a brass block on mine and now it feels like a hardtail.
You still don't have the same saddles as a fender trem also a Floyd still has a bit more metal then a Fender trem. You can try that block to see how far it gets you but I think it would make it a bit to thin. I put a brass block on mine and now it feels like a hardtail.
vinta9e
New member
Re: Floyd big block
Yes, there are steel blocks for floyds. Might give a kind of a fenderish ring to the sound. I am afraid it is the first and last step you can make to color the tone in that direction. Regardless of the block, a Floyd will never sound exactly like a vintage trem because they are just too different, as jmh and Rockstar noted.
Yes, there are steel blocks for floyds. Might give a kind of a fenderish ring to the sound. I am afraid it is the first and last step you can make to color the tone in that direction. Regardless of the block, a Floyd will never sound exactly like a vintage trem because they are just too different, as jmh and Rockstar noted.
Re: Floyd big block
there isn't THAT much of a difference ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOLQjC5s6ZU
so there must be a way to make them just a little more similar...
tungsten, titanium, and copper anyone?
there isn't THAT much of a difference ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOLQjC5s6ZU
so there must be a way to make them just a little more similar...
tungsten, titanium, and copper anyone?
crusty philtrum
Vintageologist
Re: Floyd big block
The Gotoh-equipped one doesn't sound particularly Stratty to start with, and the absence of the folded saddles may have something to do with that, they are an important part of the Strat sound. A better demo would be two actual S/S/S Strats, one with a vintage-style bridge and one with a Floyd. Under those circumstances the differences would be very evident.
What you want to achieve has probably been the aim of many before you, and there's obviously going to be a limit to how close you can get. I think you might need to orientate your search towards finding people who have installed Floyds onto Strats. It is worth keeping in mind what such people think of as a Strat sound ... these days, so many Strats have humbuckers in the bridge and get used with so much gain that they don't sound much like Strats anyway.
The Gotoh-equipped one doesn't sound particularly Stratty to start with, and the absence of the folded saddles may have something to do with that, they are an important part of the Strat sound. A better demo would be two actual S/S/S Strats, one with a vintage-style bridge and one with a Floyd. Under those circumstances the differences would be very evident.
What you want to achieve has probably been the aim of many before you, and there's obviously going to be a limit to how close you can get. I think you might need to orientate your search towards finding people who have installed Floyds onto Strats. It is worth keeping in mind what such people think of as a Strat sound ... these days, so many Strats have humbuckers in the bridge and get used with so much gain that they don't sound much like Strats anyway.
vinta9e
New member
Re: Floyd big block
The difference between solid saddles and bent is a rather big one. I don't think bent steel saddles would make any sense on a Floyd. Furthermore, a vintage trem has a lighter, more flexible baseplate that lies on the guitar body at all times. Floyds do not.
The difference between solid saddles and bent is a rather big one. I don't think bent steel saddles would make any sense on a Floyd. Furthermore, a vintage trem has a lighter, more flexible baseplate that lies on the guitar body at all times. Floyds do not.
Rockstar216
New member
Re: Floyd big block
Schaller is basically the same as a OFR. Neither will sound like typical or vintage strat. You might want to ask Zerberus about getting a Floyd closer to a strat sound but he might reiterate whats already been said.
As far as the Tungsten, Titanium, Copper, Brass they all offer different tonal factors at different prices. Brass is what I have and it made the guitar sound fuller, more sustain, more lively, and rounded the high end a bit but it's far from dull.
Titanium from what ive heard boost everything treble,mids,bass. Acts like a steroid almost but it's also expensive.
Copper and Tungsten im not sure about.
Schaller is basically the same as a OFR. Neither will sound like typical or vintage strat. You might want to ask Zerberus about getting a Floyd closer to a strat sound but he might reiterate whats already been said.
As far as the Tungsten, Titanium, Copper, Brass they all offer different tonal factors at different prices. Brass is what I have and it made the guitar sound fuller, more sustain, more lively, and rounded the high end a bit but it's far from dull.
Titanium from what ive heard boost everything treble,mids,bass. Acts like a steroid almost but it's also expensive.
Copper and Tungsten im not sure about.
jmh151
Active member
Re: Floyd big block
Tungsten is used when you need the advantage of a Big Block in a smaller size- such as for a floating trem, or some guitars that are routed in such a way that a Big Block would restrict movement. I used a Tungsten, it was an improvement over the stock Floyd block, but had a brightness I didn't care for over a brass big block.
Copper is close to brass
Tungsten is used when you need the advantage of a Big Block in a smaller size- such as for a floating trem, or some guitars that are routed in such a way that a Big Block would restrict movement. I used a Tungsten, it was an improvement over the stock Floyd block, but had a brightness I didn't care for over a brass big block.
Copper is close to brass
Rockstar216
New member
Re: Floyd big block
Sounds like I might like the Tungsten Block but I got my brass block from Floyd Upgrades and it's the 37mm big block I have a full floating trem and still have full range up and down.
Does the tungsten block have the fullness and sustain and body like brass but just a bit brighter?
Sounds like I might like the Tungsten Block but I got my brass block from Floyd Upgrades and it's the 37mm big block I have a full floating trem and still have full range up and down.
Does the tungsten block have the fullness and sustain and body like brass but just a bit brighter?
jmh151
Active member
Re: Floyd big block
I have an unfair comparison on the Tungsten. I had a Brass Big Block installed on a Charvel San Dimas style 2- the tele shaped one- the guitar was medium weight, and it sounded awesome.
I then got a Socal body (strat shaped) that was noticeably lighter- so I transplanted the guitar body, and this time installed the Tungsten. I didn't like it, it sounded full but brittle and un musical- but it may have also been the different guitar body- same tone wood, but different body shapes and weight. That's another variable, but I didn't like the combination
I have an unfair comparison on the Tungsten. I had a Brass Big Block installed on a Charvel San Dimas style 2- the tele shaped one- the guitar was medium weight, and it sounded awesome.
I then got a Socal body (strat shaped) that was noticeably lighter- so I transplanted the guitar body, and this time installed the Tungsten. I didn't like it, it sounded full but brittle and un musical- but it may have also been the different guitar body- same tone wood, but different body shapes and weight. That's another variable, but I didn't like the combination
