The Guitar Fetish Tremolo Block

[Jet-Jaguar]

In the Callaham block thread, I posted the following:

I just noticed that Guitar Fetish has replacement Strat trems with all-steel blocks - for less than $40. They have vintage and 2-point versions, and even have them in gold and Black. I wonder how it compares to the Callaham.

They'll also sell you the block separately:

So I got one, and well, I really should have looked at what I already had in my Hwy 1 Stratocaster, because a) I ordered the wrong model and the screw holes don't line up, and b) the block I had is really similar.

Unlike the picture above, the difference is very very slight:

In this picture, my stock Fender bridge is on the left, and the Guitar Fetish bridge is on the right. The fender is a smidgen taller, and the GF block is a smidgen wider (but would still fit.) They seem to weigh the same, although I didn't put it on the scale. The fender looks cast, not sure about the GF although it does have machine-marks.

I guess the question now is, do I return the GF block for store credit or for a bridge of the right size?

 

[Diego]

Re: The Guitar Fetish Tremolo Block

I think the difference between both would be negligible. So I don't think it would be worth to buy the correct size. I've got a Guitar Fetish all-steel trem and block in my Squier and the difference is inmense, but it did have a crappy zinc block and cheap trem unit. The Hwy1 trem and block are pretty good.

Does GF sell brass blocks? If you're gonna use store credit, I'd say that would be a worthy upgrade if you're willing to shell out some bucks. Assuming they would fit in your trem unit, of course.

 

[prophetofthor]

Re: The Guitar Fetish Tremolo Block

it appears fender is noticing after market tremelo blocks. the newer MIM standards have a bigger block and the sticker on the guitar lists the bigger block as a feature.

hwy1 is american made. i got one of the first ones (1st year of introduction, 2002, something like that). it has a bigger block than the one pictured. i would assume the american standards have always had a big type block.

all that said, size is nothing compared to tone. i would take a skinny block if it was space age material and it sounded better.

pop that sucker in and let your ears judge. and come back and tell us!

you stated you have the wrong size. i would return it for the right size and still try it. nothing ventured, nothing gained.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: The Guitar Fetish Tremolo Block

Depending on how old your Hwy 1 is, You may already have a steel block.

 

[ErikH]

Re: The Guitar Fetish Tremolo Block

i would assume the american standards have always had a big type block.

Nope. My 1994 American Standard has a small block and even the 2008's have the same block.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: The Guitar Fetish Tremolo Block

Definitely get the correct size.

All the newer Fender Strats, be they US or Mexico, have large trem blocks comparable in size to a Callaham. The question is though: are these blocks truly steel or not? More importantly, does it actually matter? All I know for certain is that they're WAY bigger than the awful pot metal trem blocks used in the mid 90's.

Please let us know what sort of differences you notice.

 

[ErikH]

Re: The Guitar Fetish Tremolo Block

Did Fender upgrade the MIA's for 2009? Last time I looked at them when I tested a couple out (pretty sure they were 2009 models) they had a small tapered block, not a straight one like pictured above. I know for a fact the 2008 models I tried had a small tapered block.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: The Guitar Fetish Tremolo Block

Did Fender upgrade the MIA's for 2009? Last time I looked at them when I tested a couple out (pretty sure they were 2009 models) they had a small tapered block, not a straight one like pictured above. I know for a fact the 2008 models I tried had a small tapered block.

No, you're right ... it's not a straight block like the 09 MIM's have. It is tapered slightly.

This is the American Standard I'm talking about btw. Clearly the Hwy 1 uses a different trem block. Actually, the one taken out of the Hwy 1 in the pic up above looks pretty much identical to the block in my 09 MIM Standard.

 

[wolf5150]

Re: The Guitar Fetish Tremolo Block

Never mind them.. take a look at these I'm expecting, custom made and engraved with my name by Killerguitarcomponents.com

 

[ErikH]

Re: The Guitar Fetish Tremolo Block

No, you're right ... it's not a straight block like the 09 MIM's have. It is tapered slightly.

This is the American Standard I'm talking about btw. Clearly the Hwy 1 uses a different trem block. Actually, the one taken out of the Hwy 1 in the pic up above looks pretty much identical to the block in my 09 MIM Standard.

Yup, all I touch are the American Standards or Deluxes anymore, and the MIM Standards. In fact, the Deluxe I had been eyeing also had the small tapered block.

I'm tempted to snag the replacement bridge GF sells for $40 that fits MIA's apparently. Gotta double check the spacing first.

Chances are the Highway 1 block is the same as the MIM block. They use MIM Deluxe hardware on the Highway 1 series Strats. Always have. American necks/bodies with Mexican hardware and electronics.

 

[ErikH]

Re: The Guitar Fetish Tremolo Block

Never mind them.. take a look at these I'm expecting, custom made and engraved with my name by Killerguitarcomponents.com

Gimme an update on that. Did you get yours? If so, how is it?

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: The Guitar Fetish Tremolo Block

I looked at the www.killerguitarcomponents.com site ... spelling mistakes galore. That never makes me feel good about a company. If they can't be bothered to run their website through spell check, what else are they forgetting to do?

 

[jhale667]

Re: The Guitar Fetish Tremolo Block

I looked at the www.killerguitarcomponents.com site ... spelling mistakes galore. That never makes me feel good about a company. If they can't be bothered to run their website through spell check, what else are they forgetting to do?

...My thought exactly. :werd:

 

[ErikH]

Re: The Guitar Fetish Tremolo Block

Oh, come now, Matt. The maker of the blocks might not even manage the site leaving it to some techie guru to take care of. My guess is he runs the business out of his house like most small ventures. Sure, it needs some spellcheck correction but I wouldn't dismiss it just because of that.

 

[wolf5150]

Re: The Guitar Fetish Tremolo Block

Let me get this right .. he doesn't look at the pics and admire the workmanship.. he moans about SPELLING ?????????????


Matt do Sandy a favour and DON'T order from him... . :thumbsdow

As for me, I'm totally impressed with his work and all the communication I've had before, during and after I placed my order.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: The Guitar Fetish Tremolo Block

Oh, come now, Matt. The maker of the blocks might not even manage the site leaving it to some techie guru to take care of. My guess is he runs the business out of his house like most small ventures. Sure, it needs some spellcheck correction but I wouldn't dismiss it just because of that.

Yeah, true. I'm sure they make great blocks, but seriously ... show some pride in your business and make sure your website is read-able. There's no excuse for that, and it makes a bad impression.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: The Guitar Fetish Tremolo Block

Let me get this right .. he doesn't look at the pics and admire the workmanship.. he moans about SPELLING ?????????????

Do Sandy a favour and DON'T order from him... noone needs customers like that.

:thumbsdow

I'm sure Sandy would be very glad to have someone like you out there telling a guy with three Strats and disposable income to not order from him.

Anyway, it's completely moot, since I don't see any left-handed blocks on there.

 

[wolf5150]

Re: The Guitar Fetish Tremolo Block

Erik
Yes I've received them.. even had my name engraved on them as a security measure.

The strings anchor at the base of the block, unlike my existing blocks and this has a very positive effect on the tone too.

I hated the steel blocks that came as standard.. very cold sounding, these are full and warm.

Fantastic.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: The Guitar Fetish Tremolo Block

These GFS blocks are even the new Fender blocks are proof positive that in this case size doesn't really matter...they coudl make the block 100 times bigger than it was but if it's made of crap metal it's still not gonna have the tone...

 

[wolf5150]

Re: The Guitar Fetish Tremolo Block

I'm sure any small buisness would prefer someone who appreciates the quality of the product 1st and foremost.

As for spelling, I'm from the UK and we spell many things differently to the USA.. does that have any reflection on either's intelligence or ability to do a job ??

Albert King couldn't even write his name.. did that have any bearing on his ability to make music ??

I came on here to let people know that I've received a fantastic product from a fantastic company, not to get them criticized over something so petty.

It's a crowded market, if you want your goods from an English professor rather than an artist, good luck in your search.

As for left handed... he didn't make blocks for my bridges, I sent him one of my originals and he copied it, I'm positive he could accomodate you.