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Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
 Posted - 01/23/2009 : 19:22:07
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I have a couple of strats with zinc alloy tremolo blocks, MIM and MIJ.
Have anybody tried to put a steel block in one that originally had a zinc one? Was the result worth the effort and money?
Callaham blocks are quite expensive but there are much cheaper alternatives around. Any tips?
As you know I like to tweak and fiddle with my guitars all the time  |
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zerksies
Double Platinum Member
USA
3406 Posts |
Posted - 01/24/2009 : 00:06:42
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| what are you exactly looking to do. i have done many mods and have alot of ideas for strats |
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FRANZONI
Double Platinum Member
Ireland
3543 Posts |
Posted - 01/24/2009 : 00:30:58
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This is something that i was thinking about for the Squier strat....some people have claimed it makes a big difference.....is there any other alternatives out there...?? another mod i had considered was changing the bridge plate on the Squier silver series tele for a vintage 'ashtray' one and drilling the body so the strings go through like a real tele... |
Edited by - FRANZONI on 01/24/2009 00:32:43 |
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timbo
Silver Member
Australia
252 Posts |
Posted - 01/24/2009 : 02:23:52
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| ive heard about this too. ive been thinking of getting a brass block for my floyd... but i need more convincing. can you get one made? |
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zerksies
Double Platinum Member
USA
3406 Posts |
Posted - 01/24/2009 : 04:12:17
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quote:
Originally posted by timbo
ive heard about this too. ive been thinking of getting a brass block for my floyd... but i need more convincing. can you get one made?
they do make retro fit kits for flyods and other guitars. the heavier the guitar the better that it sustains. |
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Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
Posted - 01/24/2009 : 08:50:29
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quote:
Originally posted by zerksies
what are you exactly looking to do. i have done many mods and have alot of ideas for strats
I�m looking for better tone, sustain and attack. I think a steel block would give more twang too, but I don�t know.
I have strats with steel block but any diffrences could be due to many other factors. |
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Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
Posted - 01/26/2009 : 10:40:02
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I have ordered a complete strat tremolo, including a stell block, it was cheaper tahn ordering a separate block. Price about US $40, not too much.
I will come back as soon as it has arrived, hopefully today 
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 01/26/2009 : 14:34:30
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Hi Goran
Can I ask who you ordered it from Goran?
Was it a Callaham one?
Regards Dr. Bob |
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Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
Posted - 01/26/2009 : 15:06:08
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quote:
Originally posted by Dr. Bob
Hi Goran
Can I ask who you ordered it from Goran?
Was it a Callaham one?
Regards Dr. Bob
I ordered it from
www.gitarrdelar.se
a Swedish guitar parts company. It�s not a Callaham, they are much more expensive. I suppose the one I ordered is Korean or from China, but I�ve heard that they are of good quality.
Minor typo in link edited by Moderator |
Edited by - Dr. Bob on 01/26/2009 15:16:59 |
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 01/26/2009 : 15:14:15
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Hi Goran
That link doesn't seem to work.
You accidently added a ./ after the se
I will go edit your post if you want?
This version works,
http://www.gitarrdelar.se
Regards Dr. Bob |
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pedals 4 pv
Platinum Member
Canada
1351 Posts |
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Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
Posted - 01/27/2009 : 07:36:45
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quote:
Originally posted by pedals 4 pv
These guys have them at a reasonable price
http://store.guitarfetish.com/tremelos.html
That�s the source of mine, I�m sure, got it yesterday.
Couldn�t wait�. So I took a close look and saw that the top-plate was of thicker steel than the Mexican Fender one. To me this tremolo looked to be of very good quality, well made. So I used all parts from the new trem except the saddles (I like the originals because they are stamped with Fender). Of course I polished every area that is important to trem function, grades and imperfections, used my �Leo Fender� glasses to find the spots needing polish.
After mounting and tuning (you know how long time it takes to restring/retune a strat with floating trem�) I played acoustically to hear any differences against the original alloy block.
This is hard as it�s far from an A/B test� but I did hear a more brilliant and fast attack.
Plugged in the faster attack was even more noticeable, no doubt it was there. As for sustain and tone I can�t say anything for sure, but I felt that the tone was a little �bigger�, a little less mushy and more brilliant. I think this is noticeable mostly when playing clean, but the attack is there even when using distortion.
Was it worth it? Moneywise and the trouble involved I can say that if you�re really serious about tone and perfection you should do this. I did this on a MIM Classic 50�s strat, they are very good stock.
If you have Standard MIM or a Squier I think the upgrade would do much more to the guitars sound and functionality.
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pedals 4 pv
Platinum Member
Canada
1351 Posts |
Posted - 01/28/2009 : 07:43:29
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Hi Goran I like your new avatar. Is there an easy way to tell if your trem block is steel or zinc? |
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Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
Posted - 01/28/2009 : 08:23:14
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quote:
Originally posted by pedals 4 pv
Hi Goran I like your new avatar. Is there an easy way to tell if your trem block is steel or zinc?
Yes there is (of course), use a magnet� |
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pedals 4 pv
Platinum Member
Canada
1351 Posts |
Posted - 01/28/2009 : 09:00:13
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Thanks |
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FRANZONI
Double Platinum Member
Ireland
3543 Posts |
Posted - 01/28/2009 : 09:59:12
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As well as the magnet...zinc is usually a dirty grey colour...you call sort of tell the difference between then even by looking....
Goran....i like your avatar as well............. |
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Topic |
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Steel block stratocaster
