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Post subject: 2013 Mexican Made Stratocaster Tremolo
Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 8:17 pm
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Hi,
I have had this 2013 MIM Strat for 6 years now. Last year I changed the pickups to TexMex and put a 3 way switch in it. Love the tone even more now. Lost the Humbucker in the bridge position, but I like it better this way. I'm thinking about replacing the bridge with possibly an American Strat Vintage or a Gotoh vintage. I float it. Have always done this. Is it an upgrade or is the original still worthy? I like the idea of having real steel in there as opposed to possibly pot metal or Zinc. Not sure what came with the '13 MIMs. Anybody know?

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Post subject: Re: 2013 Mexican Made Stratocaster Tremolo
Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 11:18 pm
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No "vintage" bridge will fit your guitar without some surgery due to the difference in string spacing. The MIM Standard Strats feature 2-1/8" spacing while the true vintage spec bridges use the original 2-7/32". Thus, the mounting-screw locations for the bridge plate are different. A simpler way to get some real steel under it is to merely replace your existing alloy trem block. GFS and Callahan both offer steel blocks for reasonable $$$. It is a worthwhile upgrade IMO.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 2013 Mexican Made Stratocaster Tremolo
Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 11:24 pm
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You should have a bridge assembly with part number 0071014049 (previously 0071014000), and the trem block should have the PW-29 stamped in the bottom. That's the so called "high-mass" block.
And you should find dimensions (string/screw spacing etc.) and suitable replacements pretty easily by some googling with the part number.

Now, different trem block materials, weights, sizes and their effects on sound, sustain, volume, global warming etc. are an endless source of web conversations.
But with this particular MIM HSS - you have played the guitar with a floating trem for six years, "loving the tone even more" - so you tell me, if the trem block is useless... :wink:


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Post subject: Re: 2013 Mexican Made Stratocaster Tremolo
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 4:05 am
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Quote:
you have played the guitar with a floating trem for six years, "loving the tone even more" - so you tell me, if the trem block is useless...
JM has a good point here. While I agree with Arjay that a block upgrade is usually worthwhile, it may not make a difference in the direction you want to go.

I have an American Special on which I've tried several good-quality trem units (inc blocks), and I've come back every time to the original PW-36. It's a cheap Far Eastern unit (although said to feature a steel block; certainly a magnet sticks to it) but I love the sound on that particular guitar! It rather sounds like you may be in the same boat...?

But if you avoid Callahan (in the UK anyway) it's a cheap-enough mod. Just don't expect the Earth!

Cheers - Peter.


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Post subject: Re: 2013 Mexican Made Stratocaster Tremolo
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 8:33 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
No "vintage" bridge will fit your guitar without some surgery due to the difference in string spacing. The MIM Standard Strats feature 2-1/8" spacing while the true vintage spec bridges use the original 2-7/32". Thus, the mounting-screw locations for the bridge plate are different. A simpler way to get some real steel under it is to merely replace your existing alloy trem block. GFS and Callahan both offer steel blocks for reasonable $$$. It is a worthwhile upgrade IMO.

Arjay


I was thinking the same thing after posting, browsing the Fender site I came across this...
https://shop.fender.com/en-US/parts/bri ... 73049.html
Would that work? I know Callahan makes nice stuff too.

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Post subject: Re: 2013 Mexican Made Stratocaster Tremolo
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 8:44 am
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jmattis wrote:
You should have a bridge assembly with part number 0071014049 (previously 0071014000), and the trem block should have the PW-29 stamped in the bottom. That's the so called "high-mass" block.
And you should find dimensions (string/screw spacing etc.) and suitable replacements pretty easily by some googling with the part number.

Now, different trem block materials, weights, sizes and their effects on sound, sustain, volume, global warming etc. are an endless source of web conversations.
But with this particular MIM HSS - you have played the guitar with a floating trem for six years, "loving the tone even more" - so you tell me, if the trem block is useless... :wink:

Yep. P29 stamped on the bottom. Never noticed that.

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Post subject: Re: 2013 Mexican Made Stratocaster Tremolo
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 8:47 am
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Peter S wrote:
Quote:
you have played the guitar with a floating trem for six years, "loving the tone even more" - so you tell me, if the trem block is useless...
JM has a good point here. While I agree with Arjay that a block upgrade is usually worthwhile, it may not make a difference in the direction you want to go.

I have an American Special on which I've tried several good-quality trem units (inc blocks), and I've come back every time to the original PW-36. It's a cheap Far Eastern unit (although said to feature a steel block; certainly a magnet sticks to it) but I love the sound on that particular guitar! It rather sounds like you may be in the same boat...?

But if you avoid Callahan (in the UK anyway) it's a cheap-enough mod. Just don't expect the Earth!

Cheers - Peter.

So it does make a difference in tone. Interesting...

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Post subject: Re: 2013 Mexican Made Stratocaster Tremolo
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 10:08 am
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fenderguy4life wrote:
I was thinking the same thing after posting, browsing the Fender site I came across this...
https://shop.fender.com/en-US/parts/bri ... 73049.html
Would that work? I know Callahan makes nice stuff too.


No.

"Fits most Stratocaster tremolo systems with vintage (2 3/16") mounting spacing"

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 2013 Mexican Made Stratocaster Tremolo
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 11:55 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
fenderguy4life wrote:
I was thinking the same thing after posting, browsing the Fender site I came across this...
https://shop.fender.com/en-US/parts/bri ... 73049.html
Would that work? I know Callahan makes nice stuff too.


No.

"Fits most Stratocaster tremolo systems with vintage (2 3/16") mounting spacing"

Arjay

Thanks, and thanks for your specs. I will continue shopping.

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Post subject: Re: 2013 Mexican Made Stratocaster Tremolo
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 12:11 pm
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fenderguy4life wrote:
So it does make a difference in tone. Interesting...

That is a perpetual question. Opinions vary, so there is not one right answer. Some get along quite nice with zinc (or even the 70's pot metal) blocks, some need steel/brass/titanium, some say the high-end, high-priced (milled and "tuned" steel) blocks are the hol(l)y(wood) grail.

Feel free to mod the guitar, if you feel it needs it and you think the block makes a difference.

Price wise, I think guitarfetish blocks can't be beaten. Brass under 25$, steel just above 20$.


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Post subject: Re: 2013 Mexican Made Stratocaster Tremolo
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 8:51 pm
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Apologies all around. It seems this subject has been discussed ad nauseam here and around the web. The consensus I've come to is a steel block will deliver a brighter sound.
Seems like this will work?
https://shop.fender.com/en-US/parts/str ... 19000.html

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Post subject: Re: 2013 Mexican Made Stratocaster Tremolo
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 9:56 pm
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fenderguy4life wrote:
Apologies all around. It seems this subject has been discussed ad nauseam here and around the web. The consensus I've come to is a steel block will deliver a brighter sound.
Seems like this will work?
https://shop.fender.com/en-US/parts/str ... 19000.html

Same answer as the block.
If your string spacing is not 2-3/16, it will not fit.

http://www.callahamguitars.com/tech_com ... _strat.htm
2-3/16 is just shy of 2-7/32... not even close to 2-1/16.

Image

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Post subject: Re: 2013 Mexican Made Stratocaster Tremolo
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 10:24 pm
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But why does it say "Bridge assembly for use with U.S.- and Mexico-made Stratocaster models that take a vintage-style bridge,..."?

Edit: I'm not being argumentative, I'm just a little confused. Really wanna find a good steel block or block and bridge assembly that will fit this guitar. It's a little dark for me still.

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Post subject: Re: 2013 Mexican Made Stratocaster Tremolo
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 10:32 pm
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Something good that has come from this is I've just done my yearly setup last couple nights and made a few minor adjustments to claw and string height and I've got it playing easy. Really nice action.

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Post subject: Re: 2013 Mexican Made Stratocaster Tremolo
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 11:28 pm
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fenderguy4life wrote:
But why does it say "Bridge assembly for use with U.S.- and Mexico-made Stratocaster models that take a vintage-style bridge,..."?

Because *some* Strats (both MIA and MIM) still use Leo's original-spec bridge, those guitars being any US-made re-issue from the '50s, '60s, and '70s, plus the Ensenada-made Classic Series Strats (again, the '50s, '60s, and '70s Series but NOT the Classic Players which rely on the two-point tremolo bridge).

Semantically, "vintage style" does not equate to "vintage spec"......an important distinction.

Arjay

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