Callaham hardware for old Fenders-why?

[johnfindlay]

Wondering if anyone has retro-fitted their old Strats or Teles with any Callaham harware. ??

What are the benefits?
Tonal??

Most of my hardware is not new-its whatever got thrown on over the years..

JF

 

[alderbody]

i don't have an old guitar, but i have callaham hardware on it and they deliver A LOT!

i would suggest you got a callaham bridge or at least the tremblock.

you will gain lots of sustain, bell-like tone and an overall upgrade.
(if you have a strat...)

These days i'm expecting a neck plate and screws, plus bridge mounting screws from callaham, which are said to contribute a lot, too.

when i fit them, i'll know for sure...

But all i have to say is that Callaham stuff are highly recommended.

 

[johnfindlay]

Thanx alot.
I guess my only concern is more holes made for new hardware-my Strat especially has been drilled alot-must have been thru at least 4 sets of tuners!

I recently had to route out for new pu's
[harmonic Design's].

JF

 

[mainsale]

I took a new American Standard Tele and put Callaham Cryo pickups, wiring, controls and vintage compensated brass saddle bridge on it. When I plugged it in I was stunned at the huge improvement in the tone. It has become my #1 Tele. It was a great upgrade, fun to do, and I highly recommend it to anyone!

 

[sanhozay]

Originally posted by Ian Hurtt
If you have one of the zinc blocks on your trem then the Callaham would be helpful. His stuff is nicely made, though.

I have a zinc block on my Don Grosh guitar and it sounds fantastic. I actually have tried both zinc & steel and on certain guitars a zinc block can sound warmer and fuller, maybe not quite as punchy and strident. On the Grosh the zinc is perfect.

Regarding, Callaham hardware: I have a tele control plate with his standard tall & heavy curled knobs and they are top notch. Easy to grab, great taper and solid craftmanship.

 

[johnfindlay]

Well my block is whatever they put on in 1960 -can I tell what it is by looking at it??

noticable tone change ??? WOW!


JF

 

[John Hurtt]

Originally posted by johnfindlay
Well my block is whatever they put on in 1960 -can I tell what it is by looking at it??

noticable tone change ??? WOW!


JF

If the block is stock in your Fender you replaced the cold rolled steel block, with another cold rolled steel block.

I don't think that the block change did much for you. Did you change anything else at the same time?

 

[johnfindlay]

Sorry Ian I wasnt implying that the block had been changed.

It *is* stock-1960 Strat stock.

So then its cold-rolled steel?

JF

 

[John Hurtt]

Originally posted by johnfindlay
Sorry Ian I wasnt implying that the block had been changed.

It *is* stock-1960 Strat stock.

So then its cold-rolled steel?

JF

Sorry John, I either misread or misunderstood! The material should be the same, and pretty much made the same. A stock 60's strat, I'm an envious guy!

 

[johnfindlay]

No prob-

I still want OR wanted a lentz tho!

JF

 

[alderbody]

i don't think you need to change anything since it is a 60's original...

unless something is damaged beyond repair...

Callaham hardware should just be direct replacements.


...60's strat huh? ...pre-CBS?...


lucky man!

 

[johnfindlay]

I guess it is pre CBS...?
A long time ago I had a letter from Fender
dating it between 59-60...
no idea where the letter is now.
I got it in about 71 or 72.

Just think...it was only 10 years old then...

so was I!

Besides the trem block and related stuff-I have NO other original parts except one tone knob.

Dont ask!

anyhow Im thinking of the saddles and tuners more than anything.


JF

 

[alderbody]

if it is an early '60 (till mid '64) it's a so called pre-CBS strat and it's
highly sought after... (and you are a lucky man!)

maybe a picture could be more illuminating about the state your strat is in.

anyway, if it needs a restoration job, you should be very carefull who you're gonna trust to do it.

there are many "savages" out there who could ruin the instrument... (ask John Phillips, he's a member in this forum. he knows very well about ruined strats...)

btw, callaham offers bridge saddles and kluson style tuners.

my advice is if you are to replace them, just don't throw away the originals. keep them somewhere. you never know...


good luck!

 

[John Hurtt]

Good advice from above! Finding the correct era parts is not too difficult, but really expensive. Well, I guess you need to be careful as there are forgeries like crazy out there taking advantage of the masses.

If it was mine , I would likely just replace any necessary hardware with stock Fender stuff, aged a bit. You can either do it yourself or buy it aged. There are a number of places that can do an good job. I wouldn't refinish or anything unless it's been resprayed already.

....and I would love to see it too!

 

[alderbody]

and you can always find original replacements, but you will have to pay MUCH...

and always be careful for forgeries.

a great source for vintage info:

http://www.provide.net/~cfh/fender.html

search and find all you need to identify the good ones...