Guitar Fetish GFS USA Strat 2 Point Upgrade Trem - Anyone Try It?

[Charlie Boo]

I am getting close to the "assembly" part of a Warmoth Strat build and the last piece I have to make a decision on is a modern American strat tremolo. I don't like screw in tremolo arms, as I much prefer the adjustable push in arms - so I am looking for an alternative to the licensed Fender Strat tremolo system, but want to retain as much of the look/style as possible. The Deluxe Fender trems would work, but they don't sell them in COMPLETE kits (with stud inserts, etc.) and I'd have to piece together a couple of ebay auctions and/or parts sites.

I found this kit while searching the net, and it seems to be the closest thing to what I'm looking for (adjustable push in Trem, modern strat looks, full sized steel sustain block, stainless steel saddles):

http://www.guitarfetish.com/USA-Strat-2-Point-Hardened-Steel-Upgrade-Tremolo-System_p_775.html

My problem is the cost. LOL. It's on sale for only $42. So far, other than my choice to finish/paint the guitar myself, I haven't spared any expense on the build, so I don't want to screw it up with a crappy budget trem. Based on the specs, the components are better than the stock standard USA trem, but I'd feel a lot better if somebody gave me a "thumb's up" on the quality of those components. Anyone?

Thanks!!!

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Guitar Fetish GFS USA Strat 2 Point Upgrade Trem - Anyone Try It?

I have not tried that one in particular but it looks like the trem on my USA Fender.

View attachment 68209

I prefer the Fender USA 2 point tremolo over any other (if setup correctly then tuning issues go out the window.) If the description is honest then it sounds like a very good bridge...if you get it put a magnet up to the trem block to make sure they are not lying about it being 100% steel. lol

 

[Charlie Boo]

Re: Guitar Fetish GFS USA Strat 2 Point Upgrade Trem - Anyone Try It?

Sweet strat! I always dug the white on white with Rosewood look. For $42, I think I may just cross my fingers and hope it's legit. If it sucks or seems cheap, I can return it and buy something different. If it's legit and truly is an "upgrade", I'll spread the word because there aren't a lot of reviews out there on this item - maybe we are all just missing out on a sweet deal.

 

[Brandenburg]

Re: Guitar Fetish GFS USA Strat 2 Point Upgrade Trem - Anyone Try It?

guitar fetish sells quality parts.. dont care where they are made.. hell... everything that says made in usa is probably made in china as well LOL

i bought a import v-trem w/ brass block .. works great.. also bought some sperzel like locking tuners that has smoother operation than my stock jackson tuners or the grovers on my SG .. seriously thinking about some more of these tuners

now i probably wouldnt trust the switches/pots as much but hardware.. yea..

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Guitar Fetish GFS USA Strat 2 Point Upgrade Trem - Anyone Try It?

Solid stainless steel saddles, the full thickness sustain block and a push-in arm are exactly the feature set of the Fender American Deluxe two-point vibrato. For the asking price, it is a no-brainer.

The alternative source that springs mind is Callaham.

 

[scottish]

Re: Guitar Fetish GFS USA Strat 2 Point Upgrade Trem - Anyone Try It?

ive used their 6 point vintage trems before and been nothing but happy.

 

[Christopher Caruana]

Re: Guitar Fetish GFS USA Strat 2 Point Upgrade Trem - Anyone Try It?

Super Vee makes a cool tremolo system called the "bladerunner" that works on a zero friction point system

 

[Shooter.556]

Re: Guitar Fetish GFS USA Strat 2 Point Upgrade Trem - Anyone Try It?

guitar fetish sells quality parts.. dont care where they are made.. hell... everything that says made in usa is probably made in china as well LOL

i bought a import v-trem w/ brass block .. works great.. also bought some sperzel like locking tuners that has smoother operation than my stock jackson tuners or the grovers on my SG .. seriously thinking about some more of these tuners

now i probably wouldnt trust the switches/pots as much but hardware.. yea..

Agree 100% The pots are all Alpha from GFS and the Switches. You can do better than them with CTS or Bourns and Switchcraft but their hardware and pickups are pretty dang sweet if you're building
on a budget..
I am big in the belief that quality pots and switches are important and I am also big into the belief that the Chinese and Korean hardware is pretty good stuff.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Guitar Fetish GFS USA Strat 2 Point Upgrade Trem - Anyone Try It?

Sweet strat! I always dug the white on white with Rosewood look. For $42, I think I may just cross my fingers and hope it's legit. If it sucks or seems cheap, I can return it and buy something different. If it's legit and truly is an "upgrade", I'll spread the word because there aren't a lot of reviews out there on this item - maybe we are all just missing out on a sweet deal.

Thanks man! And if you do get it please let us know what you think!

 

[Charlie Boo]

Re: Guitar Fetish GFS USA Strat 2 Point Upgrade Trem - Anyone Try It?

Finally put my project together and just set it up ... The guitar fetish US 2 pt tremolo is a fantastic deal. It's a real steel block and the construction seems really solid. Installed in a snap. It sounds and plays great, so I'd highly recommend the savings for this tee upgrade part.

 

[Brandenburg]

Re: Guitar Fetish GFS USA Strat 2 Point Upgrade Trem - Anyone Try It?

Agree 100% The pots are all Alpha from GFS and the Switches. You can do better than them with CTS or Bourns and Switchcraft but their hardware and pickups are pretty dang sweet if you're building
on a budget..
I am big in the belief that quality pots and switches are important and I am also big into the belief that the Chinese and Korean hardware is pretty good stuff.

yea.. i buy all my electronic parts from allparts or occasionally ill buy them from the pup vender.. alot depends on the shipping though.. if im buying $49 or more.. yeah.. its allparts because shipping is free if your order is over $49

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Guitar Fetish GFS USA Strat 2 Point Upgrade Trem - Anyone Try It?

Finally put my project together and just set it up ... The guitar fetish US 2 pt tremolo is a fantastic deal. It's a real steel block and the construction seems really solid. Installed in a snap. It sounds and plays great, so I'd highly recommend the savings for this tee upgrade part.

Cool info! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Shooter.556]

Re: Guitar Fetish GFS USA Strat 2 Point Upgrade Trem - Anyone Try It?

I am getting ready to order a GFS trem upgrade and the stainless saddle for my mim..
I have just been busy with work and my projects are on hold at the moment.

 

[dotsdad]

Re: Guitar Fetish GFS USA Strat 2 Point Upgrade Trem - Anyone Try It?

The GFS trems are good upgrades for most Squires. The blocks are a cost- effective upgrade for Mexi Strats. I would not use it on a spare no expense project though. The arm threads strip easily and the bar will woblle in the slot a lot.

Callahams cost more but they are much better made. And, yes, I have used both. If you can afford it, get a Calli. If you cant afford anything else, GFS is at least serviceable.

 

[Shooter.556]

Re: Guitar Fetish GFS USA Strat 2 Point Upgrade Trem - Anyone Try It?

The GFS trems are good upgrades for most Squires. The blocks are a cost- effective upgrade for Mexi Strats. I would not use it on a spare no expense project though. The arm threads strip easily and the bar will woblle in the slot a lot.

Callahams cost more but they are much better made. And, yes, I have used both. If you can afford it, get a Calli. If you cant afford anything else, GFS is at least serviceable.

I don't use the bar, I block my trems anyway so I think I'll go cheap.. I really liked the looks of the Babicz a lot as well but I don't want to put a ton of cash into a Mexican Strat I have $300 in..

 

[PCollen]

Re: Guitar Fetish GFS USA Strat 2 Point Upgrade Trem - Anyone Try It?

I have not tried that one in particular but it looks like the trem on my USA Fender.

View attachment 68209

"..if you get it put a magnet up to the trem block to make sure they are not lying about it being 100% steel."

Not necessarily:

Steels are classified by several names, some have magnetism and some do not. Steel in its basic form is ferritic and magnetic. The addition of chromium and carbon makes steel harder and places it into a category of martensitic. These steels are still magnetic. Higher amounts of chromium and the addition of nickel place steels in the category of austenitic. The nickel in these steels renders them non-magnetic.