I'm done modding my 1996 American Strat, now. The Dimarzio pre-wired pickguard with the Area pickups was a mod I was very satisfied with and bragged about here, before.

Today, I installed a GFS tremelo. I've read so much here about the deficiency of the standard trem with its zinc saddles and epoxy/metal sustain block that I decided to give the GFS a whirl.

Of course, I considered the much more expensive Callaham, too. Bottom line was I wanted a STEEL sustain block and STEEL saddles. The Callaham and the GFS are both steel.

I decided to get the GFS...$40.00 for the complete setup.

Got today. Quality is good. Overall appearance and finish seems to equal the Fender. The block is steel. The saddles are stainless steel. And after all, steel is steel. It's not like a good sustain block has to be teflon coated titanium in a uranium matrix...it's just plain steel...the stuff they make railroad tracks out of.

Result: WOW. I'd read many opinions here of what a steel sustain block does for a Strat. We're always hoping for dramatic impovements when we upgrade and this was dramatic. Yes, sustain is improved. Not in Les Paul territory, but noticeably improved. Overall sound is very noticeably improved. Very much so on the lower stings, particularly on the lower three strings when below the fifth fret. Focused and snappy.

I wondered if the steel parts would really make a difference or if I'd just send the trem back to GFS. It made the guitar livelier, punchier, with more jingle jangle, and just plain made it sound more Stratty.

IMHO, of course.