Strat Tremolo Blocking Help

R

Robbiedbee

New member
Hey all

I'm having trouble thoroughly blocking the tremolo on my Strat. I have added the extra two springs, making 5 in total, and I have screwed the plate the springs are hooked onto as far as I physically can. The tremolo block still sits about 5mm away from the body of the guitar. I found this picture around here a while ago. This is what I want to achieve, with the block making contact with the body of the guitar. Am I overlooking something?

hardtail.jpg
 
Re: Strat Tremolo Blocking Help

You probably have the 6 screws on top too tight. You need to loosen them a bit. Let the outter most two screws have a turn or two before touching the plate and the other inner screws can be almost or barely touching the plate.
 
Re: Strat Tremolo Blocking Help

Is the bridge plate sitting flush against the top of the body? If so, that's as far as you're going to get. If not, check the bridge mounting screws (if you indeed have 6 of them) and make sure they are not too tight like tone? mentioned.
 
Re: Strat Tremolo Blocking Help

Are the mounting screws the ones that sit underneath the saddles (I have 3 of those) or the ones in front of the saddles? (I have 6 of those)
 
Re: Strat Tremolo Blocking Help

A longer screwdriver will allow you to get more toque. You should be able to drive those screw all the way in. I haven't blocked a six-screw, but with my two-point trem I had to screw the claw in and then tighten the top screws down last.
 
Re: Strat Tremolo Blocking Help

...and yes, the bridge is flush tight to the body. I'm guessing my best bet is to stick a piece of wood in her?
 
Re: Strat Tremolo Blocking Help

The six screws closes to the pickup are the bridge mounting screws. The ones under the saddles attach the plate to the sustain block.

Since it's already flush on top, a piece of wood will work. If you want it totally blocked, put a block on the other side as well (the big space).
 
Re: Strat Tremolo Blocking Help

ErikH said:
Since it's already flush on top, a piece of wood will work. If you want it totally blocked, put a block on the other side as well (the big space).
Click to expand...

Or better yet, how about next month I don't blow all my money on DVDs and buy a Callaham tremolo block, which is about twice the size.
 
Re: Strat Tremolo Blocking Help

Robbiedbee said:
Or better yet, how about next month I don't blow all my money on DVDs and buy a Callaham tremolo block, which is about twice the size.
Click to expand...

That's not a bad idea either. It won't fill the entire area but it should make it flush against the body on the spring claw side.
 
Re: Strat Tremolo Blocking Help

Just reviving this thread, because I never got round to doing anything. Further questions ensue...

Just how much of a difference would sticking a piece of wood in there do? Would it make the guitar resonate much? Will any old block of wood do the trick?
 
Re: Strat Tremolo Blocking Help

Robbiedbee said:
Just reviving this thread, because I never got round to doing anything. Further questions ensue...

Just how much of a difference would sticking a piece of wood in there do? Would it make the guitar resonate much? Will any old block of wood do the trick?
Click to expand...

I've done that ... it made absolutely no difference to my ear. At one point during a pretty vigorous set, the wood block got knocked out. I didn't even notice.
 
Re: Strat Tremolo Blocking Help

as long as the bridges trem plate is flush to the guitar face and the strings are done up tight it should act as a blocked trem anyways.... no real need for all the other wood to block it... can't imagine any tone differences
 
Re: Strat Tremolo Blocking Help

I agree with the last 2 posts, if the plate is against the body, anything else will probably not be noticeable. I have mine against the body with 3 springs, I don't see a reason to add more.
 
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