Strat Trem Block Upgrade

[DreX]

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.

How is your trem difficult to use? I don't know that another trem unit would improve sustain unless the one you have uses a wimpy block.

 

[Kais]

Re: Strat Trem Block Upgrade

How is your trem difficult to use? I don't know that another trem unit would improve sustain unless the one you have uses a wimpy block.

It's very difficult to use the tremolo arm, its not as easy as my other mim strat with the stock bridge. Do springs usually take a bit to break in?

 

[DreX]

Re: Strat Trem Block Upgrade

It's very difficult to use the tremolo arm, its not as easy as my other mim strat with the stock bridge. Do springs usually take a bit to break in?

Do you have three or five springs installed? Try only three springs, and if that's not enough, loosen the screws on the trem claw by a few turns.

Springs do wear out, it takes a few years though. A lot of factors determine how much pressure you must use to operate the whammy, there's how far back the trem claw is, the springs themselves, the number of springs, whether they're installed straight across, or at an angle, the height and weight of the trem block and the location of the spring mount points on the trem block, the length and stability of the trem arm, and how securely the arm attaches to the block, and the string gauge, but regardless of all that, you should be able to get it how you want by adding/removing springs, or adjusting how far the trem claw is screwed in to the body.

I decided I like sustain more than easy trem operation, so I installed 5 springs on all my strats. The ones with the steel Callaham trem blocks needed 5 springs and also to have the trem claw screwed in to get the bridge plate properly decked.

 

[Kais]

Re: Strat Trem Block Upgrade

Do you have three or five springs installed? Try only three springs, and if that's not enough, loosen the screws on the trem claw by a few turns.

Springs do wear out, it takes a few years though. A lot of factors determine how much pressure you must use to operate the whammy, there's how far back the trem claw is, the springs themselves, the number of springs, whether they're installed straight across, or at an angle, the height and weight of the trem block and the location of the spring mount points on the trem block, the length and stability of the trem arm, and how securely the arm attaches to the block, and the string gauge, but regardless of all that, you should be able to get it how you want by adding/removing springs, or adjusting how far the trem claw is screwed in to the body.

I decided I like sustain more than easy trem operation, so I installed 5 springs on all my strats. The ones with the steel Callaham trem blocks needed 5 springs and also to have the trem claw screwed in to get the bridge plate properly decked.

it's a 3 spring setup. I'll have to take a look at the trem claw then, I'm sure that will solve the problem. Also I could use lighter gauge strings, that will relieve some tension.

I'm seriously looking at the callaham bridge upgrade for my mim, but I also saw the stock mim system for $30. So I'm wondering if it's really worth the $130 price difference. Haven't heard anything negative about callaham yet...

 

[DreX]

Re: Strat Trem Block Upgrade

I'm seriously looking at the callaham bridge upgrade for my mim, but I also saw the stock mim system for $30. So I'm wondering if it's really worth the $130 price difference. Haven't heard anything negative about callaham yet...

That's a tough call. If you're replacing a very tiny trem block like LukeW had

then either the $30 MIM or the Callaham will be a big improvement, because that tiny trem block weighs about an ounce where as the MIM zinc full block will weigh over 8 ounces and the Callaham will weight about 10 oz, huge step up in mass either way. LukeW's soundcloud demos confirm in my mind that a replacement is a good investment in that case.

MIJ Strats have a door wedge shaped trem that weighs just over 6 oz, in which case the difference is noticeable, but again, not necessarily worth $80-$150. This is mostly what I've worked with, IMO it just makes the guitar a little brighter, brighter than might be necessary. I think I might even like these stock trem blocks better than the full sized ones.

If you already have a full sized zinc block, then I personally don't think it's worth it. IMO, there are far better ways to spend $150, or even $80 if you can just get away with replacing the block. Simply changing out from zinc to steel with the same block dimensions is a trivial, possibly inaudible difference, especially if your trem is decked. I have a MIM with a full sized zinc block and I can't really tell it apart from Callaham trem. Both are adequately bright and have a long sustain.

 

[LukeW]

Re: Strat Trem Block Upgrade

I got my block from http://www.guitarfetish.com/Upgrade-Steel-and-Brass-Tremolo-Blocks_c_219.html. I got the brass one for $24.95. Steel goes for $21.95. Keep in mind if you listen to my demos that I also changed the saddles to Graph-Tech Stringsaver Originals also. They could have added to the sound difference as well as the block. Oh, I also had to buy a new arm since the threads were different with my stock one for $3.99.

 

[greekdude]

Re: Strat Trem Block Upgrade

i wonder, did anyone actually measure any improvemnt in sustain, volume, tone by changing blocks alone? IMHO one badly cut nut slot or saddle slot is enough to kill the sound. So one could spend a fortune and still have a bad sounding guitar. Also if the wood does not want to sing, no trem upgrade will make it do so.

 

[DreX]

Re: Strat Trem Block Upgrade

i wonder, did anyone actually measure any improvemnt in sustain, volume, tone by changing blocks alone?

Physics says there will be some sort of difference, but do you have to have a dog's hearing to notice is the question. All anyone really has to do for a rough estimate is go to a guitar store, strum a MIM Strat with a zinc block, then strum a comparable MIA Strat with a steel block and decide for yourself if there's a noticeable acoustic difference in terms of tone or sustain.

IMHO one badly cut nut slot or saddle slot is enough to kill the sound. So one could spend a fortune and still have a bad sounding guitar.

I think that's a distinction in dealing with a damaged trem/nut versus upgrading one that is cheaper in design and materials, but is otherwise undamaged.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Strat Trem Block Upgrade

Physics says there will be some sort of difference, but do you have to have a dog's hearing to notice is the question. All anyone really has to do for a rough estimate is go to a guitar store, strum a MIM Strat with a zinc block, then strum a comparable MIA Strat with a steel block and decide for yourself if there's a noticeable acoustic difference in terms of tone or sustain.

No i disagree with that, the only true test is on the same instrument. If its not then you might as well compare a v against a strat because everyone of them is different.

 

[DreX]

Re: Strat Trem Block Upgrade

I said rough estimate, not true test. Still better than nothing IMO.

 

[LukeW]

Re: Strat Trem Block Upgrade

I went with the cheap gfs since I have a cheap (SVK) strat. I'm sure the callaham would be a good addition though, I just didn't want to spend that much for a block.

 

[DreX]

Re: Strat Trem Block Upgrade

As long as the block is full size, I think that was a good choice.