Fender Strat Steel Block Machined Or Poured? Which One To Get?

[SnorkelMonkey]

I've been on the hunt for a cold rolled and machined steel trem block. I've read some boutique manufacturers claim that Fender does not make a cold rolled machined steel block. I've also read some Fender techs state that they do in fact make them out of cold rolled steel, machined on the same equipment they made the originals back in the 50's.

If this is true does anyone know the part number for that one?

Here's a recent shot of them being made at the Fender Corona factory.

http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af45/SnorkelChimp/steelblock.jpg

[walterw]

(http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/gbridge_tremblocks.htm)001-9473-000 (http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/gbridge_tremblocks.htm)

[SnorkelMonkey]

Hey Walter, Have you heard about that Eric Johnson trem block they use in his sig strat? Part number 0068938000. I was reading something (not confirmed btw) that this block is the only one that is made to the exact specs as the originals. Is that BS or is there some added mod they did to design it to his specs hence the different model number?

[walterw]

it has shallower string holes; other than that, i'm not sure.

if you're looking for boutique, you can't go wrong with the callaham. the nylon bushing he puts in the trem arm hole to prevent looseness and breakage is alone worth the price.

[buddastrat]

Fender Custom Shop is finally using a vintage style (EJ?) block on some of it's strats. The limited ones, so far. I'm sure they'll use it more. It's certainly taken them a long time to get it to correct vintage standards!

But I like the regular Fender USA block. Sounds good and works fine. The EJ's all have a stiffer feel and more hi-fi tone, and some say thing about the Callaham too, it has a more pingy tone. Maybe because of more steel? Just a guess. Some guys say because the block's shallow holes, strings feel stiffer. But some vintage guitars feel nice and slinky and of course they have shallow drilled holes.

I think all these are good, just gotta try a few out for yourself to see.

[SnorkelMonkey]

So shallow holes are on the 001-9473-000 and not the callaham or vs vs? Did the originals have shallow holes?

[SnorkelMonkey]

Just a bump on that last question. ;)

[Chris Scott]

Save for the obvious advantage of the Callaham block re. the trem arm, the block that came in my '56 Custom Shop Strat is every bit as good sonically as the Callaham.

...I reckon there are those that beg to differ though.

[Chris Scott]

So shallow holes are on the 001-9473-000 and not the callaham or vs vs? Did the originals have shallow holes?

can't say, but the originals had deep string holes.

[buddastrat]

No. Originals (vintage strats) had shallow drilled holes, not deep. Like on the EJ strat blocks.

[Rod]

Not to confuse things but if you want a fatter tone from your Strat, guitarfetish now sells solid brass term blocks. They sound great, but then again, I don't want vintage tones

[Baxtercat]

I got one of their steel blocks to upgrade a cheapo Strat bridge. Good sound now. Like you say, heavier blocks may be a bit more 'solid' than vintage freaks would like.