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Post subject: Tremolo Blocks (Blocking the Trem)
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 4:42 pm
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Is there any advantage to blocking the tremolo with wood over using extra springs? Other than maybe some spring noise, what advantage could there be over using enough springs to keep the tremolo flush to the guitar's body?

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Post subject: Re: Tremolo Blocks (Blocking the Trem)
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 6:33 pm
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FWIW....I use both. I block all my guitars and use all five springs and then a wood block. I have been using this method on every Strat I have owned over the last 40+ years, this keeps everything tightened right up.

T2

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Post subject: Re: Tremolo Blocks (Blocking the Trem)
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 6:51 pm
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I use 5 springs for the extra stability and better tuning. I like the flexibility of a floating trem though I rarely use it. For me, it's an overall improvement and I prefer not to block it.


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Post subject: Re: Tremolo Blocks (Blocking the Trem)
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 7:00 pm
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Either method will yield a similar result although the wood block method precludes ever using the trem so long as it is in place. If you're certain you'll never have need to "woggle" you might consider a hardtail Strat.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Tremolo Blocks (Blocking the Trem)
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 7:12 pm
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I don't block anything.

Being a rythm player, I never really use the trem arm.

I do play lead on occasion, but I get all the vibrato I need using myfingers, never really FELT the need to block the tremolo. My strats satisfy me all right with their bridges set up to float.

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Last edited by de Melo on Fri Aug 19, 2016 3:40 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Tremolo Blocks (Blocking the Trem)
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 11:45 pm
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T2Stratman wrote:
FWIW....I use both. I block all my guitars and use all five springs and then a wood block. I have been using this method on every Strat I have owned over the last 40+ years, this keeps everything tightened right up.

T2


Isn't the idea of blocking that the tension of the strings jambs the wood block between the trem block and the back of the cavity so you are better off with less tension in the springs?

Picking up on the original question - The advantages of blocking (good enough for EC) are reputed to be:-

Better sustain - With a floating bridge the springs will act as dampers

Tuning stability - A floating trem is a system in equilibrium set so it is neutral with all the strings in tune. If the tension changes with the strings sharper or flatter the the block will pivot up or down.

Less loss of bending effort - Bending the note increases the string tension and you can (subject to bend) see the trem block rise requiring greater bending. I actually tend to consider this gives a more fluid bend with my hardtail feeling a bit sterile in comparison.

All good for blocking and all the same for "decking"

If the question is between blocking and decking the answer is a bit more subjective. It also depends if you block with the springs tight of loose. Some will say the springs add to the harmonic character of a Strat. Perhaps they do but it is in the realms of the tonewood argument.

If you block you can still adjust the height of the trem base plate if needed. You can spring the block and return to float easier if the plate isn't decked as well. Blocking negates the damping of the springs giving a further contact patch to transfer the vibrations into the body.

The only real disadvantage of blocking is you have to make yourself a block :-)

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Post subject: Re: Tremolo Blocks (Blocking the Trem)
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2016 4:24 am
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I blocked the tremolo on my Strat with a few quarters (US coins). I prefer to get my vibrato from my fretting hand, and the added tuning stability and sustain is nice, too.

But that's just me...YMMV.

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Post subject: Re: Tremolo Blocks (Blocking the Trem)
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2016 4:30 am
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This is something I've never really had any problems with. I use the 3 springs that come with most new guitars....screw the spring tensioner into the body as far as I can....and leave it be.

I do not use the tremolo; never have, never will---and with just the 3 springs, my guitars (Mexican, Korean, Indonesian) stay in tune just fine....and I do a lot of bending.


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Post subject: Re: Tremolo Blocks (Blocking the Trem)
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2016 7:42 am
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John Sims wrote:
T2Stratman wrote:
FWIW....I use both. I block all my guitars and use all five springs and then a wood block. I have been using this method on every Strat I have owned over the last 40+ years, this keeps everything tightened right up.

T2


Isn't the idea of blocking that the tension of the strings jambs the wood block between the trem block and the back of the cavity so you are better off with less tension in the springs?

Picking up on the original question - The advantages of blocking (good enough for EC) are reputed to be:-

Better sustain - With a floating bridge the springs will act as dampers

Tuning stability - A floating trem is a system in equilibrium set so it is neutral with all the strings in tune. If the tension changes with the strings sharper or flatter the the block will pivot up or down.

Less loss of bending effort - Bending the note increases the string tension and you can (subject to bend) see the trem block rise requiring greater bending. I actually tend to consider this gives a more fluid bend with my hardtail feeling a bit sterile in comparison.

All good for blocking and all the same for "decking"

If the question is between blocking and decking the answer is a bit more subjective. It also depends if you block with the springs tight of loose. Some will say the springs add to the harmonic character of a Strat. Perhaps they do but it is in the realms of the tonewood argument.

If you block you can still adjust the height of the trem base plate if needed. You can spring the block and return to float easier if the plate isn't decked as well. Blocking negates the damping of the springs giving a further contact patch to transfer the vibrations into the body.

The only real disadvantage of blocking is you have to make yourself a block :-)


FWIW, Clapton did not use a block of wood (Blackie for example), just the trem claw tightened down all the way. His reasoning was that when set up that way, it added something to the sound that you can't get with a hardtail. Oddly enough, the Clapton Strats come with a wooden block. :lol:

I think the term "blocking" is sometimes used when the term "decking" would be more appropriate, ie no actual wooden block, but the trem is "blocked" from movement.

In this recording (at the end), you can hear the sound of the vibrating springs through the pups. The guitar is "decked", ala Clapton, and plugged into a POD, so the sound of the springs is only what comes from the pups.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pG-98OfBI7I

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Post subject: Re: Tremolo Blocks (Blocking the Trem)
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2016 9:41 am
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White Dog wrote:
This is something I've never really had any problems with. I use the 3 springs that come with most new guitars....screw the spring tensioner into the body as far as I can....and leave it be.

I do not use the tremolo; never have, never will---and with just the 3 springs, my guitars (Mexican, Korean, Indonesian) stay in tune just fine....and I do a lot of bending.



That's what they call "decking" the bridge, not the same thing as blocking with a piece of wood...

I think it's ok to deck it like you do. I wouldn't tighten the claw "as far as you can", just tighten the screws until the bridge is fully decked and you're good to go.

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Post subject: Re: Tremolo Blocks (Blocking the Trem)
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2016 9:54 am
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John Sims wrote:
Isn't the idea of blocking that the tension of the strings jambs the wood block between the trem block and the back of the cavity so you are better off with less tension in the springs?


I'll preface my answer by saying I've never really seen a blocked stratocaster, never played one, so my observations may be very naive or overly simplistic.

My understanding is yes, the idea of the block of wood is to "firmly" wedge the trem block with the guitar's body using string tension. One or more springs would be counterproductive to upward forces caused by the tension of the strings. That all makes sense.

Thinking it through, my question was really is there a difference/preference in preventing the trem moving "up" with a block of wood versus pulling the trem "down" with extra springs. Isn't it a net-neutral discussion?

Also -- and remember, I've never seen/played a blocked stratocaster before -- doesn't the block (or roll of quarters, whatever) fall out of the cavity every time strings are changed? Isn't it a PIA to have to reposition the block, somehow hold it in place from below while you try to string and tune?

Or does the block have to be fitted tightly enough that this is not an issue.

Really, I'm just thinking out loud...


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Post subject: Re: Tremolo Blocks (Blocking the Trem)
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 7:11 am
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I block. A nice little mahogany wedge.
Not for any nonsense as vibration transference. Just because I set my strats up to float. However I don't always want them to float. So I block one and re-tune it. Use the other for trem stuff. Then swap when I want. It's a simple matter of remove the block and re-tune. Put the block in the other guitar and re-tune.

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Post subject: Re: Tremolo Blocks (Blocking the Trem)
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 11:05 am
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I have 3 Strats at the moment and only one has been trem-disabled; my '98 American Deluxe Fat Strat Locking.
My other 2 Strats both float and have been set up with the angled claw method for added tuning stability.
The '98 has the angriest bridge pup of any of my Fenders so I use it as my hard rocking guitar.
I started by using 5 springs and cranking up the claw tension on the springs to deck the bridge plate.
It gave me stability but I did not notice any perceivable increase in sustain until I fabricated two precisely planed hardwood blocks, one for each side of the trem-block and one of which I gave a slight taper to so it had to be driven in with a soft mallet.
It was a painstaking job getting them to precisely the right thickness and if I recall correctly I think I had two "culls" before I got it right.
The "inside" block required the removal of the springs before it could be installed and it is significantly thinner than the other block.
With the contact between the trem block and the body wood being forced under pressure I then measured a slight increase in sustain of maybe an extra second, which is not a lot but some is better than none when that's what you're aiming for.
In retrospect, the '98 has the locking bridge and LSR roller nut and as such prolly should have been one of the ones set up for float but I've grown accustomed to it being solid and likely won't switch them.
Using hardwood and driving the last one in with a mallet could have made future removal of the blocks problematic but I considered that before the operation and put a system in place prior to final blocking.
I drilled two pilot holes into the tapered hardwood block close to the ends, maybe ⅜" from the ends.
The plan is, should I ever decide to remove the blocking I can install a pair of #6 wood screws into the holes and using a towel or other kind of softener to prevent marring the finish I can employ a claw hammer to pull the tapered block.

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Post subject: Re: Tremolo Blocks (Blocking the Trem)
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 3:53 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
Either method will yield a similar result although the wood block method precludes ever using the trem so long as it is in place. If you're certain you'll never have need to "woggle" you might consider a hardtail Strat.

Arjay


I have often thought that a hard tail would be good, but you just don't run across them to often. If I ever run across one, I will give it a thorough once over and see if I like it. Until then, my blocking process has served me well, I've never had a tuning issue...Hmmm.

T2

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Post subject: Re: Tremolo Blocks (Blocking the Trem)
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 6:37 pm
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Interesting about the hardtail because i read they offered Clapton the hardtail option as his signature strat and he said no he wanted the tremolo bridge because, although he didn't use the bar, he felt the whole bridge setup added to the sound he wanted. I think i read that in a book by a guy called Andre Duchoiser (wrong spelling i think) about the strat. I don't think you'd be able to tell any difference between using the wood block as opposed to using the full 5 springs and tightening the claw up.


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