Well, since I managed to strip the block on my Squier Affinity Strat it looks like I'm going to need to find a replacement tremolo. I wanted one before, but now I actually need it. Since it's thinner than a Fender, Fender replacement blocks won't fit. Is it possible to grind the block down to fit? And string spacing is also an issue, since the Squier has some weird measurement. My guitar tech recommended a Wilkinson tremolo that may fit, if I wanted to replace it.

1. Is it worth replacing? As much as I hate to say this, should I give up on it and save for a better Fender? I love my Squier, but maybe I'd be better off leaving the tremolo as it is and using the Squier as a backup. Or maybe I could get a Fender body and attach the Squier neck to it, since the neck is the main reason why I like it.

2. Are there any other bridges besides the Wilkinson that have the potential to work?

3. Have any of you tried replacing a tremolo on a Squier Bullet or an Squier Affinity Strat?

4. The block that's broken now is zinc. How will the sound change if I get something with a steel block? What are some other materials used besides steel and zinc?

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Is there anyway you can use a block for a newer (2006+) MIM ? I know there are a few sites selling the Callaham or GFS blocks.
I have a Callaham steel block and it definitely makes a difference tone.
I have seen some blocks advertised as being made of aluminum but I just don't think it would resonate well. I think it would sound very, very thin and weak.

'Sounds as if you are getting mighty well along, educated, knowlegeable and maybe have outgrown the Squier.

'Thinking maybe it's time to save up and get yourself a big-person guitar...?

hey man,
i just received a tremelo assembly from guitarfetish.com yesterday.
it came with claw, two claw screws, four springs, steel full size block, trem plate, bent steel saddles, six stainless screws, trem arm, and the little hex wrench to adjust string height! The thing is amazing! I have a 95 MIM squire and it fit perfectly. It took about thirty minutes to install, including polishing and installing new strings. i used my old trem to set up the new one, matching height and saddle position to get a close starting point for installing. I set the intonation using my tuner in about ten minutes. It did alter the tone, to a fatter, thicker fuller sound, sustain is much improved. I'm blown away by the quality and machining of the peices, they appear to be top notch. (have to give it the six month test to see how it holds up). I highly recommed this as a solution to your woes. The whole package with shipping set me back a whole $42.00. Worth checking out. I'm not knocking callaham, love their stuff, just on a tight budget right now.

Thanks for posting stratgm. Do you know if your guitar is the same thickness as normal Fenders or is it thinner? Mine is thinner, which is the main problem since normal blocks will be too big (unless I can grind them down a bit). My Dad was recently laid off so I'm on an almost non-existent budget right now. I couldn't have picked a worse time to break the tremolo. But I'm sure things will be back to normal in the near future.

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Hi Texas,
Measuring from the backside of the baseplate, the guitarfetish block is 1 11/16" deep. Thats the D45 model. My original zinc block is a little shorter, measures 1 9/16". String spacing on the original one, from "e" saddle grove to "e" saddle grove is 2 1/16" wide. I'll be happy to mail you the zinc block and arm if it will work on your guitar. Let me know if it will fit.

Hi Tex: It's not the thickness of the guitar you need to worry about. It's the spacing of those six screws, which is deliberately made to be different on Squiers so that it's hard to upgrade them.

You need to measure from center to center of the outmost of the six screws and then compare that measurement to those given on sites such as this:

http://www.wdmusic.com/tremolos.html

From vague memory I have an idea the trem labelled "OEM Strat Tremolo Chrome" is the one that will fit your guitar - it has a screw spacing of 52.5 mm. Check that measurement:

http://www.wdmusic.com/oem_strat_tremolo_chrome.html

The good news is that the few replacement trems that fit Squiers are not too expensive - that one is $37.50. The bad news is that you are unlikely to get any options on the block; you'll have to take what you're given on that. I'm 95 % sure Callaham don't sell a replacement steel block that fits a Squier bridge - but check to be sure.

As you know, there's also a large range of Wilkinson trems at a big price spread:

http://www.wdmusic.com/wilkinson_tremolos.html

But at a quick glance I don't think any of those have the right screw spacing for you. Though again, check to be certain.

Good luck - C

FWIW, I have one of those thin blocks lying around in one of my bins off an old Squier and I honestly have no idea if it would direct fit your's.

To me, you have to draw the line somewhere. As most know by now where Squier in general is concerned, depending on the year, the Asian contract, etc. you never know what size and specs the parts will be and if and what on the market will replace them without all sorts of modifications. Granted, Wilkinson is trying to accommodate with a, "one size fits all" unit but is the investment worth the return and again, premising that the unit will work properly in the first place?

If I were you, I think I'd start looking around for a used MIM. It would probably cost the same as the Wilkinson and it's installation and not only would you have a functional guitar, but replacement parts are plentiful and accurate.

YMMV.

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You dig?

The string spacing is 2 1/16" across, or roughly 52 mm. The block is 1 5/16" deep and the tremolo cavity is 1 7/16" deep.

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Well, 2 1/16" is the same string spacing on the MIM. I measured my stock one and it is 1 5/8" deep X 9/16" wide.

Hi again: don't be rough, be accurate. If your screws are 52.5 mm apart, center to center, then that trem I linked to will fit and you are up and sailing for less than $40:

http://www.wdmusic.com/oem_strat_tremolo_chrome.html

Then you have a functional Strat to use whilst looking around for that next MIM that Martian refered to. And the Squier can be a handy second guitar for you for years to come. Win-win.

Cheers - C

I found someone on another message board who can get me another Squier tremolo. Eventually I'm going to either find a good upgrade or replace the entire body, but right now I don't have the time or the money for that. I'll just have to be more careful with it and make the new tremolo last a few more months.

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