Strat Trem Block Upgrade
- Thread starter LukeW
- Start date
Re: Strat Trem Block Upgrade
i had the GFS brass block. Didn't hear any difference in relation to the cheapo asian tiny zinc block. In fact, presicion of fitting plays some role as well. The greatest components will suck if not fitted perfectly.
i had the GFS brass block. Didn't hear any difference in relation to the cheapo asian tiny zinc block. In fact, presicion of fitting plays some role as well. The greatest components will suck if not fitted perfectly.
DreX
New member
Re: Strat Trem Block Upgrade
Drugs??! Whaaa? That's for weighing envelopes and trem blocks.
Drugs??! Whaaa? That's for weighing envelopes and trem blocks.
Dr. Vegetable
New member
DreX
New member
Re: Strat Trem Block Upgrade
If the new block is taller and holds the strings further from the saddle than the old block, then your strings will be that much shorter, so it would depend on how much extra string you have wrapped on the tuners, but note that trying to stick a twisted string end into the string holes of a trem block and expect them to poke up through the saddles is going to be a biitch.
If the new block is taller and holds the strings further from the saddle than the old block, then your strings will be that much shorter, so it would depend on how much extra string you have wrapped on the tuners, but note that trying to stick a twisted string end into the string holes of a trem block and expect them to poke up through the saddles is going to be a biitch.
Re: Strat Trem Block Upgrade
I got the parts installed today. I made two recordings, before and after. I used both my bridge pickup (JB Tembucker) and neck pickup (Fender Tex-Mex). I recorded through a Pod HD 500 with both a clean and crunchy Soldano patch without any effects. This is my first recording for public consumption so I apologize if they don't sound right because of some rookie mistake. I take full credit for the mediocre riffs
https://soundcloud.com/lwolford/sets/tremolo-block-and-saddle-comparison
I got the parts installed today. I made two recordings, before and after. I used both my bridge pickup (JB Tembucker) and neck pickup (Fender Tex-Mex). I recorded through a Pod HD 500 with both a clean and crunchy Soldano patch without any effects. This is my first recording for public consumption so I apologize if they don't sound right because of some rookie mistake. I take full credit for the mediocre riffs
https://soundcloud.com/lwolford/sets/tremolo-block-and-saddle-comparison
DreX
New member
Re: Strat Trem Block Upgrade
Wow, I'm surprised the difference is so audible despite the bridge plate having been flat against the wood in both cases. Is the guitar lighter or heavier, relatively speaking?
I found that I had to go to five springs. With three I could still pull back on the trem arm and hear a significant improvement, and this was with numerous Strats, not just one. Do you hear any benefit in tone and sustain if you lift up on that whammy, or are the three springs working well enough?
Wow, I'm surprised the difference is so audible despite the bridge plate having been flat against the wood in both cases. Is the guitar lighter or heavier, relatively speaking?
I found that I had to go to five springs. With three I could still pull back on the trem arm and hear a significant improvement, and this was with numerous Strats, not just one. Do you hear any benefit in tone and sustain if you lift up on that whammy, or are the three springs working well enough?
kramersteen
PowerMetalRaph
Re: Strat Trem Block Upgrade
FYI Real guitarist dont call it a ''whammy'' :laugh2: whammy is what your mum,dad, sister brother or neighbor would call it but never the guitarist.
FYI Real guitarist dont call it a ''whammy'' :laugh2: whammy is what your mum,dad, sister brother or neighbor would call it but never the guitarist.
Re: Strat Trem Block Upgrade
I'll have to try pulling the bar back next time I play. It doesn't feel especially heavy or light. The body is made of poplar if that helps.
I'll have to try pulling the bar back next time I play. It doesn't feel especially heavy or light. The body is made of poplar if that helps.
Re: Strat Trem Block Upgrade
I pulled on the bar and didn't notice anything. I think this block is taller than the last one so there is a lot of tension to use the trem bar. I may have to back it off a bit. Also, the hole for the trem bar is angled back which puts the bar higher than I'm used to. I may try to float the bridge but I've never liked having to tune each string several times just to get it in tune. If anyone has any tips on tuning a floating bridge (other than learning how sharp to tune a string so it is in tune when you finish) that would be great.
I pulled on the bar and didn't notice anything. I think this block is taller than the last one so there is a lot of tension to use the trem bar. I may have to back it off a bit. Also, the hole for the trem bar is angled back which puts the bar higher than I'm used to. I may try to float the bridge but I've never liked having to tune each string several times just to get it in tune. If anyone has any tips on tuning a floating bridge (other than learning how sharp to tune a string so it is in tune when you finish) that would be great.
Kais
New member
Re: Strat Trem Block Upgrade
is hipshot anywhere in this discussion?
This is what I have installed in my strat right now: http://www.ebay.com/itm/CHROME-NARROW-TREMOLO-KIT-FOR-IMPORT-FENDER-STRAT-SB-5212-010-/230988427186
But I'm not satisfied, its very difficult to use the tremolo, and my sustain isn't that great.
I was thinking about upgrading to one of these hipshots:
http://store.hipshotproducts.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=181
http://store.hipshotproducts.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=190
are those worth the $100+ price tag, or should I go another route?
is hipshot anywhere in this discussion?
This is what I have installed in my strat right now: http://www.ebay.com/itm/CHROME-NARROW-TREMOLO-KIT-FOR-IMPORT-FENDER-STRAT-SB-5212-010-/230988427186
But I'm not satisfied, its very difficult to use the tremolo, and my sustain isn't that great.
I was thinking about upgrading to one of these hipshots:
http://store.hipshotproducts.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=181
http://store.hipshotproducts.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=190
are those worth the $100+ price tag, or should I go another route?
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