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Post subject: Callaham VN bridge or what?
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 2:32 am
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Aspiring Musician
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Hi all. Had a look at a surf green American Special yesterday. Nearly new and a reasonable price with some upgrades already fitted (lockers and CS '69's). If I bought it, I'd fit the Callaham VN trem as the final upgrade. I do have a spare AmStd trem unit, but of course that's 2-post.

I was surprised at the quality - the neck felt great, even though I understand that's one of the areas where money's been saved. It even had a bit of figuring on it, and the jumbo frets didn't bother me at all. To be honest, it sounded and looked just as good as an AmStd to me.

What I couldn't get past, though, was the (bent-steel) saddle height-adjustment screws. They were really sharp and would definitely have cut my palm with spirited or extended playing. Neither could this have been 'adjusted out' - well, not without shimming the neck, and I don't really want that.

My question is - can anyone running the Callaham tell me whether their screws are 'smoother' to the touch? Or any other solutions, please?

I have a SuperVee Bladerunner on my Plus, and while it'd fit fine and has block saddles, I don't want another one. (The 'Plus' one was fitted as a repair rather than a mod). I'd rather keep the Fender look.

Thanks - Peter.


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Post subject: Re: Callaham VN bridge or what?
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 2:44 am
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Peter S wrote:
What I couldn't get past, though, was the (bent-steel) saddle height-adjustment screws. They were really sharp and would definitely have cut my palm with spirited or extended playing. Neither could this have been 'adjusted out' - well, not without shimming the neck, and I don't really want that.

My question is - can anyone running the Callaham tell me whether their screws are 'smoother' to the touch? Or any other solutions, please?

Screws are screws, at least I haven't noticed any difference between Callahams & others.
But the simple solution is to shorten the screws; either buy a shorter set or grind the existing screws.

On the to shim or not to shim subject, sometimes shimming the neck & adjusting the saddles high has positive effects (real or psychological...) on play feel and/or sound. Leo chose to use the bolt-on neck, so why not utilize it to the max :wink:


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Post subject: Re: Callaham VN bridge or what?
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 3:14 am
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Aspiring Musician
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Quote:
Screws are screws


Well, not really - it depends on the time/money/effort spent machining them. I wondered if the cost of a Callaham over the standard AmSpecial trem meant an improvement in quality to the extent that the screws were smooth to the touch. From what you say, the answer is no, so thanks for that!

Yes, I've ground screws and/or fitted shorter ones in block saddles, so the concept isn't new to me. But you've got less 'meat' to work with on these saddles, haven't you? 'Burying' the screws probably isn't an option. But I could buy a set (cheap enough) and experiment, I suppose.

I need to consider whether I want to buy the guitar and take a chance that I can sort this - for me - major snag! Obviously it'd be an expensive mistake if I couldn't!

Re shimming - I don't disagree with you, but it's not for me, thanks! Cheers - Peter.


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Post subject: Re: Callaham VN bridge or what?
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 4:14 am
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The Callaham screws are shorter and don't stick out as much as the MIM and Squier guitars. The 2 E saddles have even shorter screws, nothing sticking out to catch on your hand, very smooth to the touch.

And yes, the Callaham screws are SS, not so with some other bridges. :wink:

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Post subject: Re: Callaham VN bridge or what?
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 6:09 am
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Aspiring Musician
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Sounds good, Shimmi!

I don't mind the bent steel saddles as such, as long as the screws (a) aren't 1/8th" proud, and (b) they aren't jagged.

Just have to weigh up whether I want to pay £600 for the Strat plus £150 for the bridge. A new Special in the UK is only £775, but of course that wouldn't have the CS '69's or the locking tuners, both of which are expensive over here. And I can sell the original TS's he's including.

The upsides are obvious - bridge excepted, it's a very nice (lightweight) Strat in new condition, and I cannot for the life of me see where the pennies have been pinched by Fender!

All my other Strats are AmStd or above, but I'd guess a Callaham on the Special would pretty much equal an AmStd...? Decisions, decisions!

Cheers - Peter.


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Post subject: Re: Callaham VN bridge or what?
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 4:07 pm
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I recently bought American Special in candy apple red, and it a wonderful guitar, I couldn't find where they skimmed on cost but it feels great all around, specially the neck. Great instrument. And I love jumbo frets.
However, I have no problem with saddle bolts sticking out, it's set up to 1.6mm action height as Fender recommends and bolts ain't sticking out gonna post a pic. Maybe someone tampered with saddles since is not new?


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Post subject: Re: Callaham VN bridge or what?
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 4:10 pm
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Take a look, it's new and properly set up.

Image

Image


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Post subject: Re: Callaham VN bridge or what?
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 4:17 pm
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Quote:
I do have a spare AmStd trem unit, but of course that's 2-post.


The good thing is that Special has also an AmStd steel trem block (not zinc) just six screw one, like I had on my 79 standard.
Take a file to the screws and shorten em a bit, also round the top so it's not sharp.


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Post subject: Re: Callaham VN bridge or what?
Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 1:24 am
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Peter S wrote:
Yes, I've ground screws and/or fitted shorter ones in block saddles, so the concept isn't new to me. But you've got less 'meat' to work with on these saddles, haven't you? 'Burying' the screws probably isn't an option.

Actually, the extra screw length above the saddles plays no part in "meatiness".


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Post subject: Re: Callaham VN bridge or what?
Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 2:36 am
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jmattis wrote:
Actually, the extra screw length above the saddles plays no part in "meatiness".


I think you misunderstand me, J - I'm referring to the saddle. A bent-steel saddle (obviously) has less metal - or thread length if you like - in which to 'bury' the screw than a block saddle. Which means the screw length is more critical if one wants to avoid the problem I describe.

Waymore - nice pics! Yes - your saddle screws look fine, and I'll be trying a bit of fettling before replacing the unit.

Having already played it, although the owner is a novice, it's actually set up pretty well right now. A spot of top string choking when 3- or 4-fret bending high up the neck, otherwise good - and his action's a bit lower than I like. However, his saddle screws are either far longer than yours (unlikely), or there's a fundamental difference in setup caused by manufacturing tolerances. From memory, his saddle height is certainly a lot lower than yours, and - as I say - I wouldn't be raising it much. Certainly not enough to get the screws as per yours.

As you've probably guessed, I've now bought this surf green Strat and pick it up this afternoon! I cannot pass up such a nice guitar!!! If some work with grinder/file/emery cloth doesn't do it, I'll replace the trem with either a Callaham or SuperVee and have done with it.

Cheers - Peter.


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Post subject: Re: Callaham VN bridge or what?
Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 3:21 am
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Quote:
Having already played it, although the owner is a novice, it's actually set up pretty well right now. A spot of top string choking when 3- or 4-fret bending high up the neck, otherwise good


Probably combination of low action and not enough neck relief, I set mine at . 010 and action is 4/64 so around 1.6-7 mm at 17th fret,perfect spot for me...
Enjoy it!


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Post subject: Re: Callaham VN bridge or what?
Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 5:28 am
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Peter S wrote:
A bent-steel saddle (obviously) has less metal - or thread length if you like - in which to 'bury' the screw than a block saddle. Which means the screw length is more critical if one wants to avoid the problem I describe.

In my very humble opinion, if one can't shorten a screw to a certain, pre-checked measure, it's better to leave the job to a professional.


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Post subject: Re: Callaham VN bridge or what?
Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 6:05 am
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I'm not saying I can't shorten a screw! As a qualified engineer (albeit a few years ago), I can make a screw from a lump of metal, let alone cut a bit off it. What I'm saying is that the bent metal saddle doesn't have a lot of tolerance in it compared to the block type.

However, whether I actually WANT to spend a lot of time on something, when I can luckily now afford to buy a superior unit, is another matter entirely!

Cheers - Peter.


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Post subject: Re: Callaham VN bridge or what?
Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 6:11 am
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Peter S wrote:
I'm not saying I can't shorten a screw! As a qualified engineer (albeit a few years ago), I can make a screw from a lump of metal, let alone cut a bit off it. What I'm saying is that the bent metal saddle doesn't have a lot of tolerance in it compared to the block type.

However, whether I actually WANT to spend a lot of time on something, when I can luckily now afford to buy a superior unit, is another matter entirely!

Cheers - Peter.


It's not rocket science to shorten a screw, it's what you prefer, I prefer bent steel saddles, Peter may prefer block sadles.
However Peter I think you can get what you want from this bridge in matter of an hour or two shortening the screws and setting up the guitar. I would personally use 2 hours to fiddle with it.
Cheers.


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Post subject: Re: Callaham VN bridge or what?
Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 7:00 am
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Peter S wrote:
However, whether I actually WANT to spend a lot of time on something, when I can luckily now afford to buy a superior unit, is another matter entirely!

There are options to Callaham, where you don't even have to worry about if the screw tops are sharp or not; check e.g. these: Highwood Contoured Saddles


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