Guitar guys.. best way to block a Fender tremolo?

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

I was just wondering if anyone had any ideas of what would be the best way to block a Strat tremolo? I never use them and would like to improve the tone at the same time.

I've heard a few different things. Obviously the easiest way would be to run 5 trem springs and tighten the plate down all the way.

I've also heard of people using blocks of wood behind the trem. It seems that this would help the tone of the guitar by allowing more contact area for the bridge to resonate. In this case, wouldn't it be beneficial to use something like brass? This Strat has a die-cast bridge, which I'll eventually replace.

Does anyone make a solid trem block/bridge that fits snug in the cavity?

any ideas?

[Sonic dB]

Jared. I have a Fender Clapton sig model. It came setup from the factory with a block of wood blocking off the Trem (apparently this is due to EC using this setup). I also tightened the springs as much as possible so I wouldnt get any intonation issues when bending multiple strings at the same time or when bending one high string with a low open string ringing. It works very well. The piece of wood is cut to the perfect size and thickness to sit behind the trem from underneath).

I also have a trem on my Tele but I tighten that down so it gives no more than 1/2 step
either way....

IMO the wood blocking the strat trem has 0 effect on the tone. In fact...that particular EC strat is my least fav guitar because its pickups sound really bad... dark and muddy...but thats another story

[LWJ]

Jared,

I have had a number of strats. I had one that had the bridge screwed down with the standard three strings that was solid. I think it was a 62 reissue. Could have been an Am Std. Not sure. I didn't have any need to do anything more. I think the tone won't change. A lot of gizmos are sold on "tone" and the really can't help a poor sounding axe much.

I personally did like the screwed down bridge as it didn't go out of tune when I hit it with my hand. Strat tremolos never stay in tune for me.

Report back.

Larry

[Rick Lee]

I've used a refigerator magnet before as a spacer between the bridge and body. I think the magnet actually interfered with the pickups and made it sound better.

[WolfeMacleod]

Originally Posted by Sonic dB

I also have a trem on my Tele but I tighten that down so it gives no more than 1/2 step

Shame
on
you

[ramonesfreak]

my opinion is that this is a total waste of time. just take the trem arm off and forget it. I will bet you 1 million dollars you would not hear any tone improvement by blocking or locking it solid due to inherent design of the bridge to begin with. If there is any reason to block the bridge, its to prevent accident bending of notes up or down when your palm hits or rests on the bridge.

[JMPRO]

Sorry Jared, you will not notice a differance in tone by blocking. You will have a more stable bridge that holds tune better. Bill Callaham makes some fine aftermarket bridges for the Strat but I am not sure you will notice a big differance in tone with them. My old Strat has been blocked for 57 years. If Strats were better with a blocked trem then Fender would not have discontinued the hard tail.

Mine was blocked because the old style 3 spring trem didn't work very well.

[nostatic]

learn to use the trem and get the guitar set up properly. A decent Strat will stay in tune if you learn how to work with it. Every strat is a little different - but if the setup is lousy it'll never work.

Have a Grosh Electrajet showing up today with a trem. They are supposed to have incredibly stable trem systems and perfect setup so we'll see.

Using a strat without having the trem at your disposal? Heresy...

[Sonic dB]

Originally Posted by WolfeMacleod

Shame
on
you

when you can play you dont need more than 1/2 step either way on the bar...



yeah its a Tele with a trem... maybe there is the shame???

[HowlerMonkey]

I use a ball catch alongside the springs which allows the block to have a stop but you can still pull it up if you want.

You can play with spring tension of both the ball catch and the tremolo to arrive into your happy zone where bent strings don't cause the others to go flat.

It's called the howlermonkey mod.

Second only to the "howlermonkey flange" in popularity.