How to "block off " a strat???

[1ManGarageBand]

Hi all--

I'm an OLD tele player; know nothing about strats.

Just bought a 2004 MIM relic strat (rosewood fingerboard).

I won't use the whammy. After much reading of forum posts there seems to be a consensus that a strat converted to hardtail doesn't sound like a strat: "blocking" is better.

Would someone please explain to me how to "block" a strat???

Any advice on upgrading the MIM would be much appreciated too!

Thanks--

 

[Dru Edwards]

Re: How to "block off " a strat???

I've also read that blocking is better than a hardtail but I'm sure you'll hear from both sides. Eric Clapton blocks his tremolo.

Basically, you take a measured piece of wood (or anything solid I guess) and put it in the tremolo cavity between the tremolo block and the end of the routing. That way you can't move the tremolo because a piece of wood is blocking movement. I'm planning on doing it just to give it a try since I don't use it.

 

[Diego]

Re: How to "block off " a strat???

What Dru said. Easy mod, took me 15 minutes.

However, don't forget to keep at least one spring between the trem block and the claw... otherwise you'll lose the grounding and you'll get massive hum.

 

[Rich_S]

Re: How to "block off " a strat???

Dan Erlewine had a good method for blocking a trem in one of his books, but I can't remember which one. It showed a good way to figure out the size & shape of the wooden wedge(s) needed to fill the cavity and securely block the trem.

 

[shawnr]

Re: How to "block off " a strat???

Just use something a little more substantial than what was blocking the Squier I bought a couple weeks ago--a pad of Post-it notes.

 

[ErikH]

Re: How to "block off " a strat???

Make sure there's 5 springs on it and screw the trem claw down tight. That's it. 2 minutes.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: How to "block off " a strat???

Make sure there's 5 springs on it and screw the trem claw down tight. That's it. 2 minutes.

Yep, that's all it takes. Very simple and very stable. Don't bother with the block of wood - it isn't going to do anything whatsoever.

 

[Sanford]

Re: How to "block off " a strat???

Any advice on upgrading the MIM would be much appreciated too!

Thanks--

Most people change the pickups out, maybe the pots and wiring as well. I'd say play it for a while first, figure out if there's something that needs to change.

+1 to the 5 springs and screwing down the bridge idea, but if you feel the need to totally immobilize the bridge just about anything rigid that fits behind the block in the trem rout will be ok. I once used a big block style eraser...worked fine and was easy to remove when I wanted to use the vibrato bar again.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: How to "block off " a strat???

ya all i do is make the trem flush with the body, use some slightly stronger tention from the springs to keep the bridge flush... reset the saddle heights and intonate if needed.... most times i don't need to intonate..

on a few MIM strats i have i had to tighten the trems 6 pivot screws down a little as the bridge was moving up the screws for some reason... since i don't use the trem on that guitar often i set it up so the 2 outside screws are flush with the trem plate to keep it in place..

 

[jdm.nsmc]

Re: How to "block off " a strat???

I have also used the block of wood method and found that it worked great and cheap. But i have a deluxe strat and don't use the tremolo any. i experimented with a block of brass to block it off. Slightly more expensive but it helped out a great deal with the tone and added a little moremass to the body and created some great sustain. May want to try that.

 

[benji657]

Re: How to "block off " a strat???

the springs are an essential part of a strat's sound..

 

[guitarded]

Re: How to "block off " a strat???

Make sure there's 5 springs on it and screw the trem claw down tight. That's it. 2 minutes.

That is how I do it. I have a read so much about the springs being part of the Strat tone. 5 strings is usually enough to stabilize it to where only the most insane bends will pull the rest of the strings flat, unless you are using super heavy in which case I wouldn't know because I play 10's.

 

[alkeys]

Re: How to "block off " a strat???

Sell it and get a hardtail is always what I'd do if I was never going to use the tremolo

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: How to "block off " a strat???

Make sure there's 5 springs on it and screw the trem claw down tight. That's it. 2 minutes.

That's what I do and I sound awesome!

 

[JacksonMIA]

Re: How to "block off " a strat???

Make sure there's 5 springs on it and screw the trem claw down tight. That's it. 2 minutes.

Don't forget to loosen the strings first, though. If your bridge is sitting above the body like mine you might break the strings.

You'll probably need to do a quick setup (check saddle height, intonate), too. It may not be an issue if your bridge isn't floating, though.

 

[dystrust]

Re: How to "block off " a strat???

On a vintage-style trem, I use 5 springs and screw it all the way down. With a Floyd Rose, I use an oversize brass trem block with an additional wood block in front so the bar only goes down.

 

[Dru Edwards]

Re: How to "block off " a strat???

Sell it and get a hardtail is always what I'd do if I was never going to use the tremolo

I don't think Fender sells a MiA hardtail strat anymore.

 

[nightwing122087]

Re: How to "block off " a strat???

Hey guys, I'm a strat player who never , ever uses the tremolo bar either. Can you fill me in on how springs, or a block of wood, or just blocking off the tremolo bar in general improves your tone? I've heard of 'blocking' the tremolo off but i didn't know it was a simple thing to do. Thanks

 

[nightwing122087]

Re: How to "block off " a strat???

Oh yeah..

Also, does it matter what type of wood at all?

 

[ErikH]

Re: How to "block off " a strat???

Simple answer.... more bridge/string contact with the body. It doesn't make it totally like a string-thru but it helps it feel more solid if you don't like the bridge floating 1/8" off the body like the trems were designed to be set.

If you put a block of wood in the back to block it, make sure it's not too soft. Don't use basswood or balsa wood. Maple, alder, cedar, ash. Anything like that will work fine.