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Post subject: Replacement Tremolo Block
Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 10:09 am
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Aspiring Musician
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The tremolo arm broke off inside my American Special, so I need to replace the block and get a new arm. The brass and steel blocks at Guitar Fetish are half the price of the Callahams.

Does anyone have any experience with the blocks from Guitar Fetish? I'm curious how they compare to Callahams and original Fender replacement?


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Post subject: Re: Replacement Tremolo Block
Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 11:43 am
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I have the Callaham in 2 of my strats and would not use anything else. I Would never tell you which to buy, but you get what you pay for.


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Post subject: Re: Replacement Tremolo Block
Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 11:48 am
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Aspiring Musician
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Location: Cambridge UK
No idea about Guitar Fetish blocks, but are you sure you can't get the arm out? Have you tried an auto repairer?

If not, did you like the sound of the Special with the original block? I do, and if you do as well, then buy the Fender replacement - the PW36 - and keep it original. It's also quite cheap, even in the UK, but get in quick as I was recently told by Fender GB that they were discontinued (unlikely though that sounds).

You might find the Callaham doesn't fit. I bought their VN trem, which presumably has the same block, and it fouled the rout. Had to return it.

Cheers - Peter.


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Post subject: Re: Replacement Tremolo Block
Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 12:05 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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Peter S wrote:
No idea about Guitar Fetish blocks, but are you sure you can't get the arm out? Have you tried an auto repairer?


I haven't tried a repair shop. I figured I was probably better off just replacing it. Cost wise for the GFS (~$22) or Fender is probably the same as labor. Callaham obviously a little more.


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Post subject: Re: Replacement Tremolo Block
Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 12:06 pm
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Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2017 8:24 pm
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Location: Indiana
Peter S wrote:
You might find the Callaham doesn't fit. I bought their VN trem, which presumably has the same block, and it fouled the rout. Had to return it.

Cheers - Peter.

Then you bought the wrong one. Bill makes a trem for all applications.


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Post subject: Re: Replacement Tremolo Block
Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 2:48 pm
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Rock Star
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Skydog6653 wrote:
Then you bought the wrong one. Bill makes a trem for all applications.
Not all.
All MIM & MIA, I expect but not all Strats.
Your comment likely does apply to the OP but not to everyone.
He does not carry one for my Korean made Strat.
After inquiring if he had plans to start making them, he was non-comittal about it.
I'm not holding my breath.

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Post subject: Re: Replacement Tremolo Block
Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 5:22 pm
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BMW-KTM wrote:
Skydog6653 wrote:
Then you bought the wrong one. Bill makes a trem for all applications.
Not all.
All MIM & MIA, I expect but not all Strats.
Your comment likely does apply to the OP but not to everyone.
He does not carry one for my Korean made Strat.
After inquiring if he had plans to start making them, he was non-comittal about it.
I'm not holding my breath.

Why would you "Callaham" a MIK Strat?


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Post subject: Re: Replacement Tremolo Block
Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 5:59 pm
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Really?

:roll:

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Post subject: Re: Replacement Tremolo Block
Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 7:52 pm
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Skydog6653 wrote:
Peter S wrote:
You might find the Callaham doesn't fit. I bought their VN trem, which presumably has the same block, and it fouled the rout. Had to return it.

Cheers - Peter.

Then you bought the wrong one. Bill makes a trem for all applications.

+1


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Post subject: Re: Replacement Tremolo Block
Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 5:04 am
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Aspiring Musician
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Joined: Fri Apr 15, 2011 4:49 am
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Location: Cambridge UK
Skydog6653 wrote:
Peter S wrote:
You might find the Callaham doesn't fit. I bought their VN trem, which presumably has the same block, and it fouled the rout. Had to return it.

Cheers - Peter.

Then you bought the wrong one. Bill makes a trem for all applications.
No, I didn't. I bought the VN which states it's suitable for the American Special. From their website...

V/N Strat Bridge Assembly
Mexican Standard Block
(6 pivot, 2 7/32" mounting with 2 1/16" string)
(6 pivot, 56mm mounting with 52mm string)

- Highway 1 (2006 and later)
- American Special


The GB importer (Charles Guitars) also confirmed it was the right one. Callaham themselves didn't answer my emails.

But you believe what you like. All I was trying to do is warn OP that the Callaham block MAY not be a drop-in fit.

Cheers - Peter.


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Post subject: Re: Replacement Tremolo Block
Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2017 6:39 pm
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I have a Guitar Fetish block in my Sea Foam Green 50s Classic Series Strat and it is a huge improvement over the stock cast block. Very much worth the change.

T2

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Post subject: Re: Replacement Tremolo Block
Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2017 4:52 am
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Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2017 8:24 pm
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Location: Indiana
T2Stratman wrote:
I have a Guitar Fetish block in my Sea Foam Green 50s Classic Series Strat and it is a huge improvement over the stock cast block. Very much worth the change.

T2

What block was standard in that model, T2?


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Post subject: Re: Replacement Tremolo Block
Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2017 6:16 am
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The broken arm can be drilled and tapped out....wouldn't take much either, because they are not "lock tight" in. If you wanna keep it original, that's the direction I'd go.

But; don't be afraid to buy a GFS block. They are nice. Bought a Solid Steel one for my 2015 MIM, and it is fantastic. Floating tremolo with the sustain of a hard-tail.


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Post subject: Re: Replacement Tremolo Block
Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2017 1:20 pm
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Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2017 8:24 pm
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Location: Indiana
White Dog wrote:
The broken arm can be drilled and tapped out....wouldn't take much either, because they are not "lock tight" in. If you wanna keep it original, that's the direction I'd go.

But; don't be afraid to buy a GFS block. They are nice. Bought a Solid Steel one for my 2015 MIM, and it is fantastic. Floating tremolo with the sustain of a hard-tail.

You're mentioning the wrong tool; a tap is used to cut threads, an ez-out is used to remove a broken off threaded piece, both after drilling the appropriate hole, of course.


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Post subject: Re: Replacement Tremolo Block
Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2017 1:27 pm
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Location: Colorado Springs
Everything I have seen from Guitar Fetish has been good quality, considering the low price point.

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