I currently have a Squier Bullet Strat and was wondering how much of a difference would replacing the Trem block be, acoustically and plugged in? It has those zinc blocks, and I was looking at GFS and was thinking of pulling the trigger on one of their brass blocks for that "vintage" vibe. Your thoughts?
Strat Question
- Thread starter RGZ184
- Start date
Silence Kid
New member
Re: Strat Question
It makes a difference; but more noticeable if you float your trem.
It makes a difference; but more noticeable if you float your trem.
Re: Strat Question
What he said.
Better Squiers can be worth putting a few upgrades into.
Bullet? No. Minimal return for what the cost is compared to the value of the guitar.
What he said.
Better Squiers can be worth putting a few upgrades into.
Bullet? No. Minimal return for what the cost is compared to the value of the guitar.
Jacew
New member
Re: Strat Question
Bullet has regular sized body, but it's basswood. Affinity strats have thinner alder body.
Block definitely makes difference. But I'm not sure if bullet strat is worth upgrading either. They're cheapest Squiers out there and two I've tried have felt just that. Affinity strats I've tried have been significantly better.
Of course that's just experience based on very few examples I've tried.
Bullet has regular sized body, but it's basswood. Affinity strats have thinner alder body.
Block definitely makes difference. But I'm not sure if bullet strat is worth upgrading either. They're cheapest Squiers out there and two I've tried have felt just that. Affinity strats I've tried have been significantly better.
Of course that's just experience based on very few examples I've tried.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: Strat Question
I just refinished a Bullet Strat and they are a thinner body made of plywood.
I just refinished a Bullet Strat and they are a thinner body made of plywood.
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: Strat Question
I thought Bullets were thin.
GFS has a shorter block that won’t stick out the back of the Bullets and Affinities.
I’d rather have a Vintage Modified or Classic Vibe than a modded Bullet.
I thought Bullets were thin.
GFS has a shorter block that won’t stick out the back of the Bullets and Affinities.
I’d rather have a Vintage Modified or Classic Vibe than a modded Bullet.
FuseG4
Our Neighbor Totoro
Re: Strat Question
My bullet is thin, it's indonesian and 2013
and yeah instead of putting a single mod in my bullet I bit the "bullet" and got a used mexican Classic Series strat.
My bullet now sits against the wall mainly as a decoration.
if you're OK with the block sticking out the back, it should sustain better.
However I would rather spend the money on pickups if it were my bullet. If your amp is good and your bullet is a good specimen in my opinion anything more than pickups and maybe a nice nut is lipstick on a pig and better spent on something else in the signal chan or a better strat that'll start with more of what you want and take off the shelf upgrades better.
and tuners. If anything's garbage on the bullet I'd say it's the tuners. But good luck.
My bullet is thin, it's indonesian and 2013
and yeah instead of putting a single mod in my bullet I bit the "bullet" and got a used mexican Classic Series strat.
My bullet now sits against the wall mainly as a decoration.
if you're OK with the block sticking out the back, it should sustain better.
However I would rather spend the money on pickups if it were my bullet. If your amp is good and your bullet is a good specimen in my opinion anything more than pickups and maybe a nice nut is lipstick on a pig and better spent on something else in the signal chan or a better strat that'll start with more of what you want and take off the shelf upgrades better.
and tuners. If anything's garbage on the bullet I'd say it's the tuners. But good luck.
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Jacew
New member
Re: Strat Question
Ok. I was pretty sure the Bullet I tried years ago had thicker body than Affinities, but haven't actually compared it to regular sized body...
Ok. I was pretty sure the Bullet I tried years ago had thicker body than Affinities, but haven't actually compared it to regular sized body...
ItsaBass
New member
Re: Strat Question
If anything, I'd replace the entire bridge. Replacing just the block, you still have your crummy Squier baseplate and saddles, which are the worst part of the stock bridge assembly IMO. Unless you plan on upgrading any time soon, a guitar like that is fine to mod. Just put your priorities in order. IMO, hardware, fretwork, and a properly crafted string nut are the most lacking things on them. You have a *ton* to gain in feel and durability with the installation of decent hardware, a professional fret dressing, and a professionally crafted nut. Electronics would come after the thing has nice hardware and fretwork.
If anything, I'd replace the entire bridge. Replacing just the block, you still have your crummy Squier baseplate and saddles, which are the worst part of the stock bridge assembly IMO. Unless you plan on upgrading any time soon, a guitar like that is fine to mod. Just put your priorities in order. IMO, hardware, fretwork, and a properly crafted string nut are the most lacking things on them. You have a *ton* to gain in feel and durability with the installation of decent hardware, a professional fret dressing, and a professionally crafted nut. Electronics would come after the thing has nice hardware and fretwork.
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Benjy_26
25's Nemesis
Re: Strat Question
My brother recently got himself a Squier SE Strat (the ones that come as part of a starter pack with an amp). It plays well and resonates very well acoustically. After a fret dressing, set up, a Rio Grande Stelly, and moving the tone pot from the middle to the bridge pickup, it's a pretty nice guitar. Nicer than the Bullets and Affinities for sure. If I was in your shoes, I'd look for a SE in local pawn shops. My brother got his for 40 bucks after talking the shop down from 75.
My brother recently got himself a Squier SE Strat (the ones that come as part of a starter pack with an amp). It plays well and resonates very well acoustically. After a fret dressing, set up, a Rio Grande Stelly, and moving the tone pot from the middle to the bridge pickup, it's a pretty nice guitar. Nicer than the Bullets and Affinities for sure. If I was in your shoes, I'd look for a SE in local pawn shops. My brother got his for 40 bucks after talking the shop down from 75.
Re: Strat Question
Thanks everyone so far for your insights. I actually quite like the feel of the neck and weight of this guitar. I'm sure it would be better to upgrade to a better quality Squier or even a Fender, but I originally had this as a learning guitar to mod on, but it's slowly becoming one of my favourites to play. I'll consider on replacing the whole bridge plate and block. I know GFS sells a shorter trem block that shouldnt butt out in the back. and hopefully I won't have to do some minor sanding.
I'll post a picture of what I've done soon.
Thanks everyone so far for your insights. I actually quite like the feel of the neck and weight of this guitar. I'm sure it would be better to upgrade to a better quality Squier or even a Fender, but I originally had this as a learning guitar to mod on, but it's slowly becoming one of my favourites to play. I'll consider on replacing the whole bridge plate and block. I know GFS sells a shorter trem block that shouldnt butt out in the back. and hopefully I won't have to do some minor sanding.
I'll post a picture of what I've done soon.