Callaham vs. Hipshot for American Standard Strat?

[overunderdrive]

I'm going to replace the bridge and block in my Am. Std, and I was wondering if anyone has compared the Callaham to the Hipshot.

Any thoughts on quality, tone, etc. would be helpful.

Thanks!

[trishoot]

These are both great systems. Iwould also recommend looking at the Blade Runner tremelo from Super Vee. Great tone and super smooth operation.

[overunderdrive]

Any thoughts on how they compare?

The Hipshot block looks like it tapers--like the Am. Std Block--but it's hard to tell from the pics.

Also, is the Hipshot a drop-in replacement?

[aaland_brian]

They are both great, I have the hipshot on my american stat, it is a drop in replacement and works with the factory studs. You can't go wrong with either, I went hipshot because I wanted black, but I have also had callaham blocks and they were great too. The hipshot is floating but designed for dive only if that matters.

[muffinMan74]

what I did was purchase the full Callaham Am Std. replacement (block, saddles, you name it) and then I got a Tremo-NO for doing the fixed/dive-only/float thing. Turned my very average '97 Am Std into a ridiculously stellar one (the Kinman woodstocks also helped).

[overunderdrive]

Thanks, y'all...

I would have ordered the Callaham long ago, but I don't like the bent saddles with the screw on the side. I have them in my hardtail Am. Std. and I'm not crazy about that saddle design.

The Hipshot looks great, but can anyone confirm the quality of the block?

In the pics it looks like it's tapered.

[aaland_brian]

There are two options, one is I think zinc, but the other is steel that I would say is as good as the callaham. I also recommend the tremsetter to go with it, properly setup it will stay in tune doing huge bends and double stops. I really like hipshot, and the stuff can be had for reasonable prices new on ebay.

[stratguy23]

I have the Callaham and I am happy with it. It definitely added some weight to the guitar, seems very solid.