My StoneTone block review has begun
- Thread starter Securb
- Start date
Re: My StoneTone block review has begun
If the neck pup was very thin, exactly under the 24th fret node, and ideally sensed strictly only vibrations perpendicular to the pup, then in theory you should hear complete silence from neck pup when playing the 5th fret harmonic, no matter what. This has nothing to do with the bridge type. It is very easy to verify this by experiment. If some bridge tremolo block, by some magic, manages to create vibration around the 24th fret, it won't be the the same harmonic any more.
If the neck pup was very thin, exactly under the 24th fret node, and ideally sensed strictly only vibrations perpendicular to the pup, then in theory you should hear complete silence from neck pup when playing the 5th fret harmonic, no matter what. This has nothing to do with the bridge type. It is very easy to verify this by experiment. If some bridge tremolo block, by some magic, manages to create vibration around the 24th fret, it won't be the the same harmonic any more.
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Funkfingers
Guest
Re: My StoneTone block review has begun
It is a problem that a builder of guitars with 33⅓ frets is unlikely to ever encounter.
It is a problem that a builder of guitars with 33⅓ frets is unlikely to ever encounter.
Re: My StoneTone block review has begun
Well, Im keeping an open mind, but not rushing out to switch anything over until I get some evidence that it is, indeed an improvement. As I said, Ive already spent the money to upgrade all my other floyd guitars to brass (except one that I have a Ti block to try on it. Gotta get that done one of these days. Just hard cuz the guitar is in storage in another city.
Well, Im keeping an open mind, but not rushing out to switch anything over until I get some evidence that it is, indeed an improvement. As I said, Ive already spent the money to upgrade all my other floyd guitars to brass (except one that I have a Ti block to try on it. Gotta get that done one of these days. Just hard cuz the guitar is in storage in another city.
kramersteen
PowerMetalRaph
Re: My StoneTone block review has begun
Thats not true man. I know exactly what you're talking about and i want the impossible. Range plus the sweet spot.
It is a problem that a builder of guitars with 33⅓ frets is unlikely to ever encounter.
Thats not true man. I know exactly what you're talking about and i want the impossible. Range plus the sweet spot.
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Funkfingers
Guest
Stonetone® Products
New member
Re: My StoneTone block review has begun
Robert, I for one appreciate you offering a discount.. We have big mouths around here and Im sure you know many of us are on multi forums. So it'll help word get around.. But Im sure you already know that... ; )[/QUOTE]
Of the several forums I've posted this forum has been the most productive for obvious reasons.
This discount is intended for SD members and will be good up until July 4th 2016. :unitedsta
Robert, I for one appreciate you offering a discount.. We have big mouths around here and Im sure you know many of us are on multi forums. So it'll help word get around.. But Im sure you already know that... ; )[/QUOTE]
Of the several forums I've posted this forum has been the most productive for obvious reasons.
This discount is intended for SD members and will be good up until July 4th 2016. :unitedsta
Masta' C
Well-known member
Re: My StoneTone block review has begun
I have to laugh at the random Zinc-bashing in this thread. The truth about all these different block materials is that they ALL affect the sound and response of a guitar in different ways. Depending on the specific instrument and each player's subjective idea of what constitutes "best", it's possible for ANY of them to be better suited than the rest.
Zinc gets discredited a LOT in the guitar world, because it's not particularly sexy as a bare metal and it's one of the least expensive materials to acquire and form. Guitarists usually (and often erroneously) associate cost and/or rarity with being better/best, but Zinc definitely has its place. Not only is it used to make many top-grade hardware components that most players would never suspect (ex: the famous Schaller Floyd, most modern tuners, most Tune-o-Matic bridges, etc), but as a sustain block, Zinc has its own tonal properties that make it the ideal choice in some cases.
You think when Ibanez set out to completely redesign the Floyd Rose concept from the ground up in the mid-'80s with their renowned EDGE models, that they got down to the block and said "eh, no one will see it...just toss on whatever's least expensive"? Heck no! And those same Zinc blocks were featured on all of their premium and ultra-premium instruments, as well as those made in their L.A. Custom Shop. Ibanez wasn't ashamed of Zinc blocks, even during their "Golden Age", when cost was much less a factor than it seems to be these days.
We like to think of Zinc as soft and dead, but, interestingly enough, Zinc has a hexagonal crystalline molecular structure that is very similar to Titanium. Of course, they are still very different elements. Nonetheless, Zinc blocks tend to be fairly balanced sounding, not too bright, not too warm. I have actually gone to a Zinc block before to get a Floyded guitar's sound "just right".
The right tool is the one that gets the job done, regardless of what others think.
Now, is the Stone Tone the one tool to destroy them all? We shall see
I have to laugh at the random Zinc-bashing in this thread. The truth about all these different block materials is that they ALL affect the sound and response of a guitar in different ways. Depending on the specific instrument and each player's subjective idea of what constitutes "best", it's possible for ANY of them to be better suited than the rest.
Zinc gets discredited a LOT in the guitar world, because it's not particularly sexy as a bare metal and it's one of the least expensive materials to acquire and form. Guitarists usually (and often erroneously) associate cost and/or rarity with being better/best, but Zinc definitely has its place. Not only is it used to make many top-grade hardware components that most players would never suspect (ex: the famous Schaller Floyd, most modern tuners, most Tune-o-Matic bridges, etc), but as a sustain block, Zinc has its own tonal properties that make it the ideal choice in some cases.
You think when Ibanez set out to completely redesign the Floyd Rose concept from the ground up in the mid-'80s with their renowned EDGE models, that they got down to the block and said "eh, no one will see it...just toss on whatever's least expensive"? Heck no! And those same Zinc blocks were featured on all of their premium and ultra-premium instruments, as well as those made in their L.A. Custom Shop. Ibanez wasn't ashamed of Zinc blocks, even during their "Golden Age", when cost was much less a factor than it seems to be these days.
We like to think of Zinc as soft and dead, but, interestingly enough, Zinc has a hexagonal crystalline molecular structure that is very similar to Titanium. Of course, they are still very different elements. Nonetheless, Zinc blocks tend to be fairly balanced sounding, not too bright, not too warm. I have actually gone to a Zinc block before to get a Floyded guitar's sound "just right".
The right tool is the one that gets the job done, regardless of what others think.
Now, is the Stone Tone the one tool to destroy them all? We shall see
Re: My StoneTone block review has begun
Hmm the report is two days overdue already. Lets hope that Securb is well and kicking, (and hopefully finish the review some day)
Now, is the Stone Tone the one tool to destroy them all? We shall see
Hmm the report is two days overdue already. Lets hope that Securb is well and kicking, (and hopefully finish the review some day)
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Funkfingers
Guest
Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
Re: My StoneTone block review has begun
I could not agree more. I try to stress this all of the time around here. Everyone's tone is different. We all use different tools to get tone. I guess most of our guitar heroes of the 70's and 80's had zinc blocks and played and sounded just fine with them. Still, it is nice that we have options these days. It is nice to experiment and try different things. The Stone block is one of those things I am glad I tried out. I love it.
Day job! I have three major projects sitting on my desk; I got one knocked out today. Add to that my band is auditioning drummers and writing a set of originals, and I am a busy man. I am hoping to finish this up this weekend. Sorry man life gets in the way.
I did get the chance to pop in the brass. The Stone Tone is going back in. The best I can describe it is the Stone Tone sounds more natural. I hear more of the pickup with the Stone Tone it seems to bloom and sounds more open.
I could not agree more. I try to stress this all of the time around here. Everyone's tone is different. We all use different tools to get tone. I guess most of our guitar heroes of the 70's and 80's had zinc blocks and played and sounded just fine with them. Still, it is nice that we have options these days. It is nice to experiment and try different things. The Stone block is one of those things I am glad I tried out. I love it.
Day job! I have three major projects sitting on my desk; I got one knocked out today. Add to that my band is auditioning drummers and writing a set of originals, and I am a busy man. I am hoping to finish this up this weekend. Sorry man life gets in the way.
I did get the chance to pop in the brass. The Stone Tone is going back in. The best I can describe it is the Stone Tone sounds more natural. I hear more of the pickup with the Stone Tone it seems to bloom and sounds more open.
Masta' C
Well-known member
Re: My StoneTone block review has begun
Yes, on a Schaller Floyd, the sustain block is plated brass (same block as the real Floyds), but the whole bridge is made of Zinc!
That's why they use hardened steel inserts at the pivot points and have steel inserts for the intonation/saddle hold down screws! The older late-'80s/early-'90s versions used to strip out over time :biglaugh:
Yes, on a Schaller Floyd, the sustain block is plated brass (same block as the real Floyds), but the whole bridge is made of Zinc!
That's why they use hardened steel inserts at the pivot points and have steel inserts for the intonation/saddle hold down screws! The older late-'80s/early-'90s versions used to strip out over time :biglaugh:
Leon Of Late
New member
Re: My StoneTone block review has begun
That settles it. I'm getting one. Oh, and I don't hate the Romans either.
That settles it. I'm getting one. Oh, and I don't hate the Romans either.
jmh151
Active member
Re: My StoneTone block review has begun
Based on this, I will be getting one for my Korina shredder to replace the big brass block
Based on this, I will be getting one for my Korina shredder to replace the big brass block
Lucy Diamond
New member
Re: My StoneTone block review has begun
Based on the subjectivity of guitar playing and tone, all I wanna read is "I changed the block...yes it is different or nope...sounds the same."
Maybe possibly a short commentary on feel if applicable.
Other than that, there shouldn't be a whole lot to say.
Based on the subjectivity of guitar playing and tone, all I wanna read is "I changed the block...yes it is different or nope...sounds the same."
Maybe possibly a short commentary on feel if applicable.
Other than that, there shouldn't be a whole lot to say.
Masta' C
Well-known member
Stonetone® Products
New member
Re: My StoneTone block review has begun
I'm sure that this review will be the most thorough of all that's been done to date. Many thanks Bruce from all of us @ Stone Tone and Floyd Rose. :headbang:
I'm sure that this review will be the most thorough of all that's been done to date. Many thanks Bruce from all of us @ Stone Tone and Floyd Rose. :headbang:
Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
Re: My StoneTone block review has begun
And the review is done. The bottom line is I really like the product. The guitar sounds full and there is a favorable shift in the tone of the guitar and the fell.
http://www.tmrzoo.com/2016/69816/guitar-gear-stone-tone-tremolo-block-hands-on-review
And the review is done. The bottom line is I really like the product. The guitar sounds full and there is a favorable shift in the tone of the guitar and the fell.
http://www.tmrzoo.com/2016/69816/guitar-gear-stone-tone-tremolo-block-hands-on-review