Let's talk blocks!

Mincer

Mincer

Administrator
Staff member
I've never experimented with swapping out blocks on a Strat before. My Strat is a Warmoth, that is slightly neck heavy due to a swamp ash body and a wenge neck. I am thinking of swapping out the tuners to save a few ounces, and possibly swapping out the block in my Bladerunner trem. The stock block weighs 3.3oz, and they make a brass one at 9.3oz, and a carbon steel one at 10.3oz. While switching to a heavier block and swapping in lighter tuners will likely solve the neck issue, I am not sure what it will do to the sound. Assuming these are high-quality blocks, what can I expect the changes to be between brass or carbon steel?
 
When I swapped blocks on my Strat, the sustain is what changed. Heavier gave me longer decay time. Mine sustained almost like my Les Paul. But one thing to watch out for is the thickness of the block. If it's thicker, it restricts the travel of the vibrato when it hits the body in the route for the block.
 
beaubrummels said:
When I swapped blocks on my Strat, the sustain is what changed. Heavier gave me longer decay time. Mine sustained almost like my Les Paul. But one thing to watch out for is the thickness of the block. If it's thicker, it restricts the travel of the vibrato when it hits the body in the route for the block.
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Thanks for that! This is the kind of info I am looking for. What was your new block material? I am not worried about the size of the block, as these are made by the same company as the trem system, and sized to swap out easily.
 
I think the block makes a much bigger difference on a Floyd because there's no bridge to wood contact to limit the excess vibrations of the bridge. With a nonfloating bridge I think it makes a much smaller difference. For this same reason it would reason to make a larger difference the lighter your strings are.

Vegatrem comes with a built in block that's small and designed not to limit the range of motion on the trem at all. With lighter strings, it sustains a decent amount, with heavier strings it sustains quite a bit. My Wolfgang has a down only Floyd, and when I replaced the block to a heavier one without changing strings I didn't notice much a difference. Doesn't mean it's not there however, I wasn't particularly listening for one.
 
Mincer said:
Have you ever compared brass vs steel?
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I have. Brass block will give a noticeable increase in sustain as well as a warmer more rounded tone. A heavy steel block with also give more sustain but has a brighter snappier tone. You do need to be aware of the block size though as they can be slightly longer and hit the back plate or hit the inside of your rout. Block type makes a noticeable difference in both tone and sustain with a floating trem in particular.
Might want to look at the old Kahler Pro systems info as they offered different cams for different responses in those. Had steel brass and if I remember right titanium as options plus the cams were interchangeable.
https://kahlerusa.com/product-category/guitar-bridges/guitar-tremolos/
 
This is on a Super Vee Bladerunner trem, which has more in common with regular Strat bridge than it does with a Floyd. Mine does float a bit, allowing about 1 step pulling up. But the way it is designed has the front part of the trem (the screws) bolted tight to the top. So it isn't just hovering on posts or the screws' edges. The Bladerunner uses spring steel in place of a knife edge, and that's what pivots. You can read more about it here.

Blade2.jpg
 
Every time I have changed a block, the change in sustain was most notable, not any major changes in the guitar's tone. Even when I switched from the Floyd to the Sophia, the most noticeable changes were in function and sustain, the guitar kept its original mojo. I am sure there is a change in tone, but in my case, it was so subtle I would have had to do a before and after A/B comparison to diagnose any difference. Which would have been more work than installing the new trem and for what? The guitar plays and sounds glorious.

GT_Pro_Rear_shot_sg_480x480.jpg
 
Mincer said:
This is on a Super Vee Bladerunner trem, which has more in common with regular Strat bridge than it does with a Floyd. Mine does float a bit, allowing about 1 step pulling up. But the way it is designed has the front part of the trem (the screws) bolted tight to the top. So it isn't just hovering on posts or the screws' edges. The Bladerunner uses spring steel in place of a knife edge, and that's what pivots. You can read more about it here.

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2 things. First the increased mass of the block should improve sustain alone. Secondly the block matter because of how it affects vibration so your Blade runner should respond similarly to a regular floating Strat trem. Have swapped the zink stock Mex blocks for steel a couple of times on Strats and have seen both increased sustain and a stronger overall resonance from the guitar. Should be the same for yours and IMO a worthwhile swap.
 
Mincer said:
Thanks for that! This is the kind of info I am looking for. What was your new block material? I am not worried about the size of the block, as these are made by the same company as the trem system, and sized to swap out easily.
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Honestly, it was so long ago I'd have to look up the documentation on it to find the weight. I think it was coated/chromed brass? They looked the same (original and replacement), so I'm not 100% sure on the material. I don't believe it was steel or anything else. Basically, the original arm broke off in the bridge, so I was replacing the whole works with a 'better' one, so I wasn't only focused on the block, but the block was part of why I chose the replacement bridge system. But I could feel the weight difference when I hung the guitar on my shoulder. Slight, but noticeable.
 
Securb said:
Every time I have changed a block, the change in sustain was most notable, not any major changes in the guitar's tone. Even when I switched from the Floyd to the Sophia, the most noticeable changes were in function and sustain, the guitar kept its original mojo. I am sure there is a change in tone, but in my case, it was so subtle I would have had to do a before and after A/B comparison to diagnose any difference. Which would have been more work than installing the new trem and for what? The guitar plays and sounds glorious.

GT_Pro_Rear_shot_sg_480x480.jpg
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What does the wheel do?
 
Ascension said:
Have swapped the zink stock Mex blocks for steel a couple of times on Strats and have seen both increased sustain and a stronger overall resonance from the guitar. Should be the same for yours and IMO a worthwhile swap.
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ive done the same. i swapped the stock zink block for a callaham block and there was a noticeable difference in sustain and the tone seemed more full frequency in a good way
 
I think that's actually a fine tuner on the bridge angle. Beats using the trem claw screws and wearing out the screw holes.
 
GuitarDoc said:
So, all 6 strings can go either sharp or flat by exactly the same amount?
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Not sure where you live but up here in NE yes, it happens all the time. They are not "exactly the same amount" stings might be off by a couple of cents but when you have to pull them all in because of a temperature change especially live, this is an awesome tool. Then fine-tune as needed.
 
Depending on the guitars primary tone, yes, i use different kinds of blocks. My most favourite is titanium alloy. It reflects the natural tone of the guitar while brass also shapes the sound by modifiy the eq. For some guitars, i need that shaping (especially on thin sounding guitars) so that i prefer well manufactured brass is the best.

Thats my favourite brand;
https://www.instagram.com/hantugcustomguitars/
https://hantug.com/
Hantug
 
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