Callaham block for strat

[bluesmonkey]

Firstly i intend to get a warmoth bridge for my project

can i fit this bridge to my mexi body? Warmoth Direct - Bridges

and, I want to get this bridge assembly and also fit a callaham bridge to it. which block should I order?

More to the point is the callaham block going to make much difference? thanks

 

[lightice]

What mexican body you have?

Check for string spacing.

2 1/16 or
2 7/32

If its 2 1/16 , it won't fit.

 

[bluesmonkey]

thanks mate,

so ill take the bridge off and measure the holes? because i have a non standard tremelo on at the moment

 

[lightice]

You can just measure the high E to low E strings at the bridge or the middle of the high E screw to middle of the low E screw. No need to remove the bridge.

And yes Callaham's bridge does have a noticeable difference if you're using a block that is non steel.

 

[bluesmonkey]

thanks mate. but, I am just using a random bridge that i found and bolted it to my mexi body, and also I will be getting a warmoth neck, 1"11/16 as well if that makes any difference, can I still measure the e to e?

spacing from top e to bottom E bridge to body screw is 54mm, or 2.1 inches i think(this could be wrong)

is that how i check? thanks and be gentle im new to this thanks!

 

[Whitestrat]

More to the point is the callaham block going to make much difference? thanks

The Callaham block is made of milled steel. Simply that. It's only effective if you have an MIM Fender, or some MIJ Fenders which comes with a zinc block. Zinc blocks apparently don't sustain as well, so the steel blocks are supposed to be the remedy.

Then again, this is an age old debate. Almost as old as argueing that Thin Nitro lacquers allow the body to resonate better than Poly coats.

Your mileage may vary.:mrgreen:

Of course, you could go the extreme route and get the titanium blocks from deTemple.:twisted:

 

[lightice]

thanks mate. but, I am just using a random bridge that i found and bolted it to my mexi body, and also I will be getting a warmoth neck, 1"11/16 as well if that makes any difference, can I still measure the e to e?

spacing from top e to bottom E bridge to body screw is 54mm, or 2.1 inches i think(this could be wrong)

is that how i check? thanks and be gentle im new to this thanks!

Not top to bottom.

Middle to middle is the exact measurement.

 

[guitarsan]

I replaced the bridge and zinc block of my MIJ Fender '62 RI with Callaham steel. The difference is quite audible - notably clearer, brighter and sustain longer.

 

[ShredCow]

hmmm... do they have titanium blocks for floyds? hehehe.

 

[bluesmonkey]

thanks guys

lol the detemple blocks start at 225$US!

so how do I measure properly, middle of which string to where? or screw holes?

Thanks

 

[fgl]

sorry to hijack this thread but I have a mint US org Fender block for sale - anyone wants can PM for details

 

[bluesmonkey]

is it middle of E saddle screws to middle of bottom E saddle screws?

 

[fgl]

mexi body - if I'm not mistaken wont fit coz most of the replacement blocks, including mine are for USA models - yeah I know ..the mim blocks kinda cannot make it.

My best advise to U if U dowan refill / redrill new bridge holes is to get a wilkinson bridge

 

[bluesmonkey]

yeah I know, dont know whether its the actual wood piece or the block, are mexi bodies the same as usa?

i might just get the whole kit from callham the "Mexican Model Strat Bridge Assembly"

Callaham Vintage Guitars and Parts

Cheers guys

 

[Whitestrat]

yeah I know, dont know whether its the actual wood piece or the block, are mexi bodies the same as usa?

No, they're not. Apparently according to some sources, MIM bodies aren't exactly full wood pieces. They're made up of blocks glued together, and sometimes would have a veneer over them for the transparent finishes. Look at the back. The tummy cut would have been covered in paint if this were the case.

The MIAs on the other hand are made of 2 to 3 pieces of wood for the body. The tummy cut would have the wood exposed on trans finishes.

 

[ShredCow]

hmmm... do they have titanium blocks for floyds? hehehe.

Oh CRAP.

They DO have titanium floyd blocks.

260USD.

37mm Titanium Sustain Block 37mm Titanium Sustain Block [TSB001] - $259.00 : FloydUpgrades.com!, Floyd Rose Tremolo Upgrades

 

[lightice]

2 ways to measure it

1) E string to E string
2) Middle of 1st screw to middle of last screw

Its the same thing, just depends if you have strings on the guitar or not.

If you have an MIM standard body, you can get Callaham's replacement block in 2 1/16 string spacing. Cost the same as his regular one.

Or better still, get his full bridge assembly.

 

[bluesmonkey]

damn like this:

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i184/zora350/CIMG5905.jpg

im thinking about getting this, person claims its full steel block, any ideas?

2008 USA Fender Strat NITRO BODY & HARDWARE Complete - eBay (item 360040059843 end time Apr-14-08 14:46:08 PDT)

Thanks

 

[lightice]

damn like this:

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i184/zora350/CIMG5905.jpg

im thinking about getting this, person claims its full steel block, any ideas?

2008 USA Fender Strat NITRO BODY & HARDWARE Complete - eBay (item 360040059843 end time Apr-14-08 14:46:08 PDT)

Thanks

First picture, measure middle of first screw hole to middle of last screw hole. Use a ruler with a transparent edge so you can put the ruler over the holes.

2nd picture, that is a highway 1 body, the string spacing will measure 2 1/16 and it is NOT a full steel block. Its more likely a zinc block, unless they retro fitted a callaham or 3rd party one on there. But I doubt so.

Oh, btw, if you're looking to recreate a vintage style guitar.
I'd recommend you get a MIJ body with 2 7/32 string spacing and get a callaham bridge assembly. Or if you can find a 2nd hand pre 2005 fender HWY 1 strat, it'll also be 2 7/32.

If I were just swapping out pickups and the bridge assembly, I'd be on the lookout for a pre 2005 HWY 1 strat. It makes for a really good modding base.

 

[bluesmonkey]

42.25-43mm probably closer to 43 is what I got, does that sound right to you?

I know this is a very subjective question but which will sound better:

1.my mexi body with callaham bridge
2.highway 1 with zinc bridge

and highway 1 wood is similar to usa? I love the look of highway1 actually..

ive come to a dilemma, because I have just a mex body with noiseless pus, but deciding whether to ditch the body altogether and go with H1. Also thinking about whether to get a wenge neck from warmoth(reverse CBS style) or USA neck from stratosphere. Damn decisions, just want to end the saga and play the damn thing haha. Btw if anyone knows whether stratosphere have decent gear, please let me know(I wonder why they part out so many seemingly good guitar parts>)