Trem Block, what did you change to?

[TheGrooveking]

I am looking into a few different trem blocks for a few strat style guitars and was wondering what your experience with this has been. I've been looking at the DeTemple Titanium and also a few brands of steel blocks. What did you guys have and change to and what happened to your tone?

TheGrooveking

 

[VaughnC]

Going from pot metal to steel makes a big difference...notes have more oomph behind them. Going from brand X steel to brand Y steel made little to no difference to my ears...however, the shallow drilled Callaham does sound better to my ears than a deep drilled Fender (more metal=more oomph?). Never tried titanium or brass.

 

[Mullet Kingdom]

I changed a zinc block to a Callaham steel block and it made as much difference as a new set of pickups does.

I tried a brass block on a friend's guitar and that was *really* cool! Wish I could find one for my guitar.

A friend of mine, who's a total gear-head, put a titanium block in his strat and he didn't like it at all. He went back to the zinc block he'd been using previously until he got a steel block -- which he was much happier with.

I haven't tried a titanium block so I can't comment, but based on all I've read and heard on the subject -- it's a waste of money.

 

[aidan7737]

I made the zinc to steel change (Callaham) about a year ago and suspect that VaughnC hit the nail on the head. Just a bit more oomph to the strat sound (not in a muscular or overpowering way, just "how it should be")

 

[pennylink]

I made the zinc to steel change (Callaham) about a year ago and suspect that VaughnC hit the nail on the head. Just a bit more oomph to the strat sound (not in a muscular or overpowering way, just "how it should be")

Same here. Much improved sustain too.

 

[adamzappa]

I put an All Parts steel block in my strat. I dont know if its as good as a Callaham but its much cheaper and it made my strat sound MUCH better.

 

[fastburn430]

Callaham Steel block for me. It made a big difference in making the guitar ring like a bell. Highly recommended.