Question for guys who use Big Blocks on their Floyds

[Agileguy_101]

Re: Question for guys who use Big Blocks on their Floyds

I wasn't already familiar with what string dampener are but after googling them, I'd have to disagree. That reverb/ringing continues for a second or two even after I muffle the strings with both hands. The reverb is coming from the springs and block, not the strings.

Spring dampener, not string dampener.

I just take the piece of foam under new SD pickups and stick it between the spring and the cavity cover. I've done it on all of the trem-equipped guitars I've had (excluding my first POS guitar) since I started playing, probably 5-6 guitars. It works perfectly.

There are also noiseless springs, but I've never needed those as there's always been a piece of pickup foam lying around my place.

 

[vinta9e]

Re: Question for guys who use Big Blocks on their Floyds

Spring, Sir. Rubber sleeves fitted over the metal coils, or cylinders fitted inside the helix. Reverb killers. :fing2:

Uncle Google is just a stupid bot that didn't get it. For correct results, it needs to be fed the search phrase: "floyd rose silent noiseless springs". Philadelphia Luthier Tools has them, and so does FU-Tone and Diablo Tuning.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Question for guys who use Big Blocks on their Floyds

Never used any big blocks, nor will I ever dampen the springs...part of the sound to me!

 

[rumy22]

Re: Question for guys who use Big Blocks on their Floyds

I'm fully aware of how different materials change the tone. I'm more interested in difference of feel between bigger and smaller blocks.

Another angle here, I block all my floyds and have them set for dive only. Two reasons and one big benefit: 1. I rest my hand on trem and hate the incidental vibrato of a floating trem; 2. I use D-tunas and that kills the idea of pulling upwards. The wooden block puts the trem and body in direct contact and ands some nice sustain. I have this set up on a Charvel mia San Dimas and a mij So Cal.

 

[RorySquier]

Re: Question for guys who use Big Blocks on their Floyds

I wasn't already familiar with what string dampener are but after googling them, I'd have to disagree. That reverb/ringing continues for a second or two even after I muffle the strings with both hands. The reverb is coming from the springs and block, not the strings.

 

[Top-L]

Re: Question for guys who use Big Blocks on their Floyds

If you have a spring that is making weird noise, wrap a small loop of electrical tape around it.

 

[Top-L]

Re: Question for guys who use Big Blocks on their Floyds

Edit: Post was not funny, on to serious advice.

I have a kramer with one of those big brass blocks. I would do it again without any hesitation. I noticed a big difference but maybe it's just me. Went from "good sound, woody, fast decay" to "wow wow wow, sustain forever, less woody".

YMMV. I just really really liked the effect of the big block on mine.

I went straight from one of those small zinc blocks to the large brass black - it transformed the guitar. It feels very rich... But, I'd like to try a regular brass block because while the big brass filled out the bottom, it may have warmed up the top strings a bit too much. I think the big brass absolutely sounds better in room, and chords are fuller, but it may detract from lead playing and supress pinch harmonics.

I think there is a reason they went with the original brass block way back when. I think for the typical superstrat shredder, the big block may be too dark.

 

[Ashurbanipal]

Re: Question for guys who use Big Blocks on their Floyds

I've kept the 41mm zinc blocks in my Ibz, don't see a point in changing. I think a brass block would take away attack, as I play with a pretty warm sound.

As for noisy springs, well, I keep the rear cover off, so when I'm playing the guitar rests against me, so they're dampened.

 

[epi]

Re: Question for guys who use Big Blocks on their Floyds

No I did notice when I took the block out it sounded more natural though I got it used and it came with a block since the guy I got it used from used the block since he had no clue how to set Floyd's so I did it up and I was IMPRESSED it sounds much richer and fuller in my opinion.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Top-L]

Re: Question for guys who use Big Blocks on their Floyds

I've kept the 41mm zinc blocks in my Ibz, don't see a point in changing. I think a brass block would take away attack, as I play with a pretty warm sound.

As for noisy springs, well, I keep the rear cover off, so when I'm playing the guitar rests against me, so they're dampened.

The ibanez trems themselves have more mass in the baseplate than the floyd. I never before thought about changing the blocks -- now I'm trying to get a floyd to sound like a lo pro. The big brass block darkens it too much for my taste. I know 95% of people would see it as an improvement - and overall the guitar has a nicer tone.

 

[Jack_TriPpEr]

Re: Question for guys who use Big Blocks on their Floyds

Spring dampener, not string dampener.

I just take the piece of foam under new SD pickups and stick it between the spring and the cavity cover. I've done it on all of the trem-equipped guitars I've had (excluding my first POS guitar) since I started playing, probably 5-6 guitars. It works perfectly.

There are also noiseless springs, but I've never needed those as there's always been a piece of pickup foam lying around my place.

Ahh, thank you. Sorry for the earlier mix-up.

 

[Top-L]

Re: Question for guys who use Big Blocks on their Floyds

I'm starting to hate the big brass block. It simplifies the tone. It puts this big rounded mid -thud- right out in front, all the articulations, the squeals, the pinches are rounded off and made to sound less prominant. It makes the fundamental tone stronger, but overall much simpler. If this was considered a better sound, they would have made the stock block that size years ago. I understand how some people would think its better, but the instrument is less articulate than it was.

 

[rumy22]

Re: Question for guys who use Big Blocks on their Floyds

I'm starting to hate the big brass block. It simplifies the tone. It puts this big rounded mid -thud- right out in front, all the articulations, the squeals, the pinches are rounded off and made to sound less prominant. It makes the fundamental tone stronger, but overall much simpler. If this was considered a better sound, they would have made the stock block that size years ago. I understand how some people would think its better, but the instrument is less articulate than it was.

Yes, indeed. For the reasons you stated, I do not use them.

 

[Top-L]

Re: Question for guys who use Big Blocks on their Floyds

the large block is a must on a Floyd.

I just compared a 32 Big Brass vs 32 Std Brass, and for a shred guitar, the standard brass is better.

The big brass destroys all the harmonic content. With the standard brass, I can get pinch harmonics anywhere on the neck, like my Ibanez guitars.

With the big brass, the tone it more resonant and rounder with a low mid hump, but pinch harmonics sound very small. Its a night and day difference.

 

[MkIII Renegade]

Re: Question for guys who use Big Blocks on their Floyds

I'm starting to hate the big brass block. It simplifies the tone. It puts this big rounded mid -thud- right out in front, all the articulations, the squeals, the pinches are rounded off and made to sound less prominant. It makes the fundamental tone stronger, but overall much simpler. If this was considered a better sound, they would have made the stock block that size years ago. I understand how some people would think its better, but the instrument is less articulate than it was.

Glad I was able to find this discussion for some counterpoint. I'm still struggling with the idea of a big block or not when I setup my new San Dimas with Jackson Schaller licensed Floyd.

 

[Top-L]

Re: Question for guys who use Big Blocks on their Floyds

I'm selling the 32 big block if anyone wants it, PM. $20 shipped obo

 

[speed2dirt]

Re: Question for guys who use Big Blocks on their Floyds

I ended up replacing my entire cheap Floyd Special with a German-made Floyd Pro. Holy smokes! I hate to say it, but that Special should not be allowed to bear the Floyd name. The tone I was getting from the Special made the whole guitar bright and piercing. I was contemplating replacing the pickups, but just changing out the tremolo made the biggest tone difference. The stock pickups don't sound too bad now. I'm not sure if it was the zinc block or the zinc saddles, but one of those killed the tone. The stock Pro comes with a standard brass block that is nickel plated. Not sure if there is any need to go bigger than the standard brass block because the tone is killer.

Plus side, I LOVE the Pro string spacing!

 

[Top-L]

Re: Question for guys who use Big Blocks on their Floyds

Adding a standard brass block to the special makes a huge difference.