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Post subject: Callaham Bridge and Tremolo Block For MIM Strat
Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 11:54 am
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I have heard differents comments about the improvement in tone and sustain on a MIM Strat by adding a Callaham bridge and trem block. I asked a local guitar luthier about this and he said the improvement was minimal. Anyone out there that has made this change? Any optinions?
I have changed the pickups to the SCN Strat pickups and they did make a big difference in sound.


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Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 2:12 pm
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Just spoke with the lady at Callaham. She said it's more important what the bridge is made out of rather than just the sheer weight or mass of it. I guess they use cold rolled steel. Their site does guarantee improved sustain however. But I guess anyone can say that...

I'm thinking of getting one myself. Don't know though.


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Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 2:24 pm
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I am going to check on this subject more in the coming days. I'll post any new information I get. And, thanks for your reply.


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Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 4:01 pm
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I did the Callaham upgrade on my MIM Strat a few years ago and I think it was worth it. It does add sustain although it's a subtle difference. It will make your guitar a little heavier. When I removed the factory block, it weighed about 1/3 of what the Callaham does. That extra mass adds sustain and does seem to improve the tone. I bought the kit with new saddles and the trem bar included. I think its a great upgrade for any MIM Strat, because the factory bridge is probably the weakest part, IMO.


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Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 9:36 pm
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My new Malmsteen Strat came with a steel block. But I put the Callaham bridge and block on. They make high quality stuff that's for sure. The lady at Callaham told me that they used cold rolled steel and it's pure steel. This is what the block needs to be made out of.

You can buy Fender steel blocks from Guitar Parts Resource but it's very possible that there are other metals mixed in with those blocks which would degrade it somewhat.


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Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2009 5:01 am
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The difference between a standard MIM block and a Callaham is NOT minimal IF:

The guitar is setup right, the nut is cut right, the body is a nice, resonant body, etc.

If you have a nice, lively, resonant guitar, then the Callaham block will increase sustain and chimey goodness like you wouldn't believe (I've done this to my main guitar and it's awesome). But just swapping out the trem block will only minimally improve a guitar that is improperly set-up or simply dead to begin with.


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Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:15 pm
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I have heard good stuff about the callaham block I have never owned one but if one day I feel the need for one I will not hesitate to get it :)


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