Upgrading my Strats trem block....

FenderBender03

FenderBender03

New member
Hey folks.... Just wanted to know if anyone had a good idea on where to get a good replacement trem block thats not the cheaper "pot metal" found on todays Fenders. What i have now is an '05 HWY 1 Strat that i'm doing a total "under the hood vintage overhaul" on, and i want an actual fully steel trem block. I've heard these make a world of difference in sustain and overall harmonics.

I've read about the ones Callaham Guitars is offering and they sound very very good, but i think i may shop around a little more before i drop $55 on one.

Also, back in the winter sometime i recall someone saying that the blocks that come factory on the '62 American Vintage Strats are really good too....anyone remember saying that??

Any ideas are appreciated!!



FenderBender
 
Re: Upgrading my Strats trem block....

I think the general consensus is that the Callaham blocks are the best. I've been told those Fender blocks are a not-too-distant second.

I've never tried either, though.
 
Re: Upgrading my Strats trem block....

Thanks Jackson. So, has anyone did an A/B comparison with a stock HWY 1 (MIM Classic Series) block and maybe an American Vintage one? Is there really a huge difference? I'm sure there is with the Callaham, but how much difference is there between the two Fender ones?




FenderBender
 
Re: Upgrading my Strats trem block....

There is SOME improvement over the stock Hwy 1 block when you go to a USA standard block. I wasn't blown away when I tried it in my Hwy 1. I was very impressed when I upgraded to a Callaham block, then later upgraded to Callaham saddles. In retrospect, I should have just bit the bullet and bought the whole Callaham bridge assembly.

It's worth the $$ to go Callaham.
 
Re: Upgrading my Strats trem block....

Ditto on the Callaham. I keep hearing great things about those. One of the main things I hear about is a nice increase in sustain.
 
Re: Upgrading my Strats trem block....

I have a Steel block on my MIJ Squire ('86) and the tone is awesome.
 
Re: Upgrading my Strats trem block....

I installed a Callaham in an '85 Squier. With the '74 Strat pickup in the bridge, it has the tone of an old 60s Strat and the kick of a Tele. Even the stock Squier pickups sound very good.

I have a Callaham block in a '74 Stat as well, and the tone is very harmonically rich, full, chimey and even has the kind of sustain you would associate with a Gibson.
 
Re: Upgrading my Strats trem block....

Callaham Callaham Callaham.........


just get the whole trem and do yourself a favor.

I have one on my Mahogany strat and it rocks. a real piece of work
 
Re: Upgrading my Strats trem block....

I agree w/Callaham voters here-get the new, improved trem assembly if you can swing it. (BTW-their tele bridge is fantastic!)

Another option, which I believe is just as good would be the Wilkinson vintage 5+1. They make an all steel, heavier block with a different take on the screw hole design. This one's a tad cheaper-but what's 20 bucks in the end anyway???
 
Re: Upgrading my Strats trem block....

Thanks for all the tips.... it looks like the Callaham is the best bet here, even though they're asking $55 just for the block. It really does sound worth it though. Right now, i think my Hwy. 1 does sound pretty good, but i do feel like a little something's missing when i'm playing it, like the sound could be a little thicker or more full.

I think i'll fix that problem when i install the 3 Duncan Vintage Staggered p/ups i've been hanging on to, all cloth wiring, new CTS pots, Orange Drop capacitor, Switchcraft jack, CRL switch, '57 single ply white pickguard, and one of these new Callaham all steel blocks.

Man i love Stratocasters!

P.S. Check out my gear page in my signature to check out what my strat looks like right now.



FenderBender
 
Re: Upgrading my Strats trem block....

Jeff_H said:
One more table dance, Dave. :dance:
Click to expand...

Got it bad-got it bad-got it bad... :cool2:

FenderBender-

All of those upgrades will bring your strat to life. Taking each at a time will help you see just how those upgrades affect your tone. Not the electronics so much, per se, but the trem and pickups will amaze you. Have fun, bro!
 
Re: Upgrading my Strats trem block....

dude when you get the Callaham tell us the difference from the old block.

do a review.

Although i really do think you should get the whole trem. it is a real piece of work. the saddles and all make a difference. strings last a long time on my strat with them.
 
Re: Upgrading my Strats trem block....

I think one of those Callaham trem assemblies would be the way to go, really. I'm sure there is a noticeable difference in the quality and sound of the saddles and even the bridge plate, not just the block.

The only thing is, should i replace my pickups and wiring and leave the stock trem in there first or should i replace the trem assembly and leave the stock p/ups and wiring in there first? Decisions, Decisions!


Thanks for all the help. All these upgrades will hopefully give me a pretty nice strat that, for once, i can stay satisfied with and not feel that i need a better one!



FenderBender
 
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