It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 8:40 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 20 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2
Go to page Previous  1, 2
Author Message
Post subject: Re: Tremolo Blocks (Blocking the Trem)
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 7:56 pm
Offline
Roadie
Roadie
User avatar

Joined: Mon Dec 22, 2014 10:34 am
Posts: 208
nikininja wrote:
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.



Seems logical

_________________
Sérgio

thefenderforum.com


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Tremolo Blocks (Blocking the Trem)
Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2016 2:02 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2014 2:07 pm
Posts: 303
I have a 2 pivot bridge. I do enjoy using the trem, but it's too much maintenance and most of my playing has me with an aggressive and heavy picking hand, which leads to notes and chords going sharp.
So, I decided to initially "block" by using an actual piece of wood along with tightening the 3 springs claws that came with the Strat setup.

A year ago I decided to try a full set of 5 "vintage raw" springs and tightened that larger wider claw so that it "decked" the bridge with no block. There was a POSITIVE change in tone to my ears. I prefer the vintage raw springs tightened to deck the bridge vs using an actual block of wood.
I think there is something about those springs that add something good to the tone.
I've considered dong a "hard tail" bridge using no block and no springs just to hear if there is a tonal difference, but I haven't done it because I really like the tone with the vintage raw springs and the decked bridge as it is right now.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Tremolo Blocks (Blocking the Trem)
Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2016 9:03 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:20 pm
Posts: 9640
Location: Indiana
Rverb wrote:
...I prefer the vintage raw springs tightened to deck the bridge vs using an actual block of wood. I think there is something about those springs that add something good to the tone...


Yep, you, me, and EC.... 8)

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Tremolo Blocks (Blocking the Trem)
Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2016 6:00 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician

Joined: Sat Aug 23, 2008 2:01 pm
Posts: 1598
I know this thread is getting a tad bit older, however I wanted to toss my own .02¢ in here...

To me, this whole subject is really more about personal taste than anything...what a given player prefers ( and for whatever reason). I've probably tried every configuration listed there at one point or another...I've done the decking the trem thing (all the claw screws tightened all the way in), I've done the jamming a block of wood in the cavity (I tired both maple and ash) and I even had a hard tail once (a humble Squier). For myself, my own style of playing and the type of music I mostly play (classic rock, blues & oldies), I finally settled into a configuration that uses the floating trem (with a full size steel trem block of course), with 4 springs. I'm not terribly heavy-handed with the trem...when I feel the urge to do dive bombs, I usually just break out my old Kramer...but I do like having the floating trem to add a bit of "expression", both in terms of my lead and rhythm playing. I do have my trem a bit flatter than a lot of folks...I don't need to pull up a lot, but I do like about half a pitch or so of room there. I also prefer the 4 springs because of "feel"...for myself, that's a HUGE factor. 3 springs feels too loose to me and 5 springs is just way too stiff.

My advice to the OP is to play with it...try a couple of different configurations and see what works best for you and your own style of playing. Try decking the trem and see if you like it...if not, back the screws out again (same goes for blocking the trem...cut a piece of wood and stick it in there to see what happens...if you don't like it, take it back out), but DO remember, the guitar will likely need a good setup in either direction. The only real way to find out what works best for you is to experiment a little and actually find out what works best for you.

8).

Again, just my own opinions.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Tremolo Blocks (Blocking the Trem)
Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2016 6:40 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Feb 02, 2009 12:58 pm
Posts: 53
lomitus wrote:
My advice to the OP is to play with it...try a couple of different configurations and see what works best for you ...


Thanks. I will - and here is the result. Expensive project by the time I purchased the basic tools to cut, shape, and sand the wood, but pleased with the results so far. I've removed one of the springs since photo was taken. Feels like a keeper.

One final question. Many have talked about changing the angle on the claw, angling it so that the treble side is closer to the body than the bass. I believe this improved intonation and, to some degree, stabilised tuning. I'll assume that once blocked, these benefits are negated, or is there still value in varying the claw?

Sorry about img size!


Image


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 20 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2
Go to page Previous  1, 2

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: