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Post subject: Steel Block Hype?
Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2018 5:32 pm
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Would someone please enlighten me on how a steel block upgrade has an effect on a strats sustain/tone? I honestly don't understand how it does.

The way I see it is the string only vibrates between the nut and saddle. The vibration is transferred through the nut, down the neck to the body as wells as through the saddles into the base plate, to the screws and then body as well. Based on my theory, the block would only contribute to a difference in weight.

What am I missing or don't understand?


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Post subject: Re: Steel Block Hype?
Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2018 10:29 pm
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And the strings vibrate between the nut and saddles disrupting the existing magnetic field established by the pickups, which induces currents (following the right-hand rule if I remember correctly) which are then amplified. The tremelo block has a part in holding one end of the strings which "seemingly" could affect the "string vibration". I am not the Mechanical Engineer here, so I am not the one to positively describe the effects, but it seems to make sense that a stronger block could make a difference. (?)

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Last edited by 01GT eibach on Mon Jan 29, 2018 7:58 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Steel Block Hype?
Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2018 2:42 am
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If it were merely a case of nut - strings - saddle and pickups everything else would be completely irrelevant. Body wood, neck wood, etc all irrelevant..... except it isn't.

The PUPs pick up the string vibration but everything (and it is everything) else has an impact on how the strings vibrate. Harmonic empathy, or discordance, will encourage, or dampen, or change, the continuation of vibration within the strings.

You do have a point of transfer - saddle/plate/mounting screws but, if your bridge is floating, you also have saddle/plate/block/springs/claw/screws.

Even if your trem is decked the block will still be part of the harmonic system and will enhance or dampen what is happening.

And then, also very importantly, you have feel. Steel blocks have more inertia than the light, white metal budget nonsense fitted to the low end guitars. While a floating trem is held in equilibrium by the springs, a heavy block will soften the way the springs work (if that makes sense). Any movement applied to the trem via whammy bar or string bending not only works against the springs but against the mass of the trem block.

If your trem block had infinite mass (aside being a black hole which might make playing a little tricky/trippy) the springs would be irrelevant as no force could move the block any way.

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Post subject: Re: Steel Block Hype?
Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2018 7:56 am
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Well put John.

I use Callaham blocks in most of my guitars, and can attest to the increased sustain and clarity. These blocks have more density and mass, so the string vibrations are not dampened, but allowed to ring out.

The typical, stock block in many guitars, even the best blocks, are softer, less dense steel, and they dissipate vibrations.

The differences in sound when upgrading a block can be from subtle to noticeable, depending on the quality of the stock block. But in just about any case, a Callaham block will be an improvement.

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Post subject: Re: Steel Block Hype?
Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2018 4:50 pm
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I appreciate the input. In full disclosure I am not completely convinced but I ordered one from GFS today. I have been putting off ordering a replacement block and the GFS steel block was actually cheaper than the Fender one. In fact, Fender doesn't even sell a replacement block for the American Special. I was only able to find one site that sold them from spare tremolos and they cost more than the GFS blocks. I'm interested to see if I notice a difference.


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Post subject: Re: Steel Block Hype?
Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2018 6:16 pm
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I tried to be very scientific when I replaced the full-size zinc block with an AllParts steel block on my MIM Classic'50s.

My son plays guitar a little but he's not a gearhead -- doesn't read forums or anything like that. So I recruited him to be an independent observer.

First I put new strings on and played it unplugged and then plugged in with him listening. Then I cut those strings off, changed the block, put on another new set of the same strings, and played again.

Asked him if it sounded different, and if so, in what way.

He said "snappier bass, more definition of notes in chords".

Pretty much what I heard, and pretty much what the internet hype says.

While I much prefer the way steel makes the wound strings sound, for the high E and B strings I slightly prefer the thicker duller sound of the stock block. Overall the steel is better, but not totally without a trade-off.
--------------
A related side note: on the Gibsons I've owned, some sounded better with aluminum stopbars while others sounded better with zinc stopbars. No idea why, but I suspect the same might be true for Strats -- maybe the perfect block for my particular Strat would be brass or titanium. (But it's so close to my ideal Strat tone that I'm done throwing money at it.)


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Post subject: Re: Steel Block Hype?
Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2018 6:37 pm
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Interesting observations Strayedstrater. I've been in a love hate relationship with this guitar for several years so I am interested to see what, if any affect this will have. Granted I needed a new block no matter what.


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Post subject: Re: Steel Block Hype?
Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2018 8:16 pm
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The GFS block is a soft, leaded steel, not nearly as good as the Callaham. The GFS block is probably very similar to the stock block on your guitar, but hopefully it will be an improvement for you.

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Post subject: Re: Steel Block Hype?
Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2018 5:12 am
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Hey guys I agree, it's a real thing. The mass and type of metal makes a difference to the block's inherent resonant frequencies also, as some above have noticed to a degree.
There maybe slight changes, you like or don't like, depending on the metal used, weight and size. But I don't care what I like, because I can adapt if it's better, ha!
Real brass or a good steel preferably stainless, as I live near the sea with buckets of salty air blowing all over my precious players hung on the walls :/
There are all sorts of junkyard metals masquerading as blocks, careful of cheapies, or fully dried compressed poop dipped in shiny metal.
But I do know that the brass blocks I ordered from GFS (Guitarfetish) are solid & what they claim to be, all the way thru, as I drill my block string holes deeper, to about 15mm from the top of the block, less string stretch from block to the saddles, just helping for better whammy tuning stability. Go ahead, jump in & try it :)
I need to know who supplies good quality stainless steel blocks, if anyone here has actually bought and used stainless blocks. The Callaham is cold rolled steel, could be fine and maybe I'll try one, but stainless has a vibe.

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Post subject: Re: Steel Block Hype?
Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2018 7:11 am
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shimmilou wrote:
The GFS block is a soft, leaded steel, not nearly as good as the Callaham. The GFS block is probably very similar to the stock block on your guitar, but hopefully it will be an improvement for you.


As long as it is at least the same as my original I will be happy. I had to replace the original since my trem arm snapped off inside it and I couldn't drill it out. The original block was a Ping (PW-36). It was magnetic but not solid steel. You could tell just from the looks of it. I only found 1 place that is selling the OEM (for $36), so the GFS for $22 is worth the shot.


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Post subject: Re: Steel Block Hype?
Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2018 7:31 am
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Johnny Soniq wrote:
.....
I need to know who supplies good quality stainless steel blocks, if anyone here has actually bought and used stainless blocks. ....


Stainless is a real swine to work compared to mild steel or brass. I can understand people being less inclined to produce them on spec as I doubt most would want to pay the extra costs involved in manufacturing them.

Also noting there are 5 or 6 versions of the block, subject to type and place of origin. This being the case multiplying stock just to cover one expensive type when brass and steel will be lapped up isn't probably very appealing to most suppliers.

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Post subject: Re: Steel Block Hype?
Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2018 9:01 am
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djwhitjr wrote:
shimmilou wrote:
The GFS block is a soft, leaded steel, not nearly as good as the Callaham. The GFS block is probably very similar to the stock block on your guitar, but hopefully it will be an improvement for you.


As long as it is at least the same as my original I will be happy. I had to replace the original since my trem arm snapped off inside it and I couldn't drill it out. The original block was a Ping (PW-36). It was magnetic but not solid steel. You could tell just from the looks of it. I only found 1 place that is selling the OEM (for $36), so the GFS for $22 is worth the shot.


Yeah, I would say that the GFS block is at least as good as the stock block on an Am Spcl, if not a tad better.

Many of Fender’s stock blocks are cast, and not even solid steel. The one that was on my Am Std was a “copper infused”, cast block, and changing to a Callaham was a notable improvement in both sustain and definition.

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Post subject: Re: Steel Block Hype?
Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2018 12:06 pm
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as for me...

I'm still thinking about playing a strat with black hole in it.....

I get distracted easily..


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Post subject: Re: Steel Block Hype?
Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2018 9:53 pm
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:lol:

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