Hello, check this guitar, its an american fender but something strange there, its a 96 fender and has a rusty trem block thin like mexicans guitars.

http://www.instrumentosusados.com.br/pe ... digo=21235

They come this way. My '99 AmDlx had the same block until I swapped it for a Callaham.

You'll likely find on closer inspection that the inertia block is genuine and the angle of the photo is misleading. Only VRI guitars have a flat based block. Gatornavy ought see Mike ELdreds response to the suggestion of callaham blocks on the 54 masterbuilt strat thread in the customshop forum. He reckons the steel grades are exactly the same and that callaham are lying. If so the only improvement made by callaham is the lack of upward pressure on the trem arm threads. I'd expect also should the claims be true on fenders behalf that some legal action will commence.

For the record i plane the top of my inertia blocks flat as per callaham specs and fender Usa blocks are steel, underneath the powdercoating. I dont know why they use that powdercoat though.

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They used to paint them.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

I think that appears to be bad this kind of trem block, all vintage fenders use very strong trem block. But maybe fender changed to deluxe trem block, that I think is different, but good?

I'm not trying to start an argument. All I know is I changed out the block in my AmDlx, and although it sounded good before, it's much improved now (to me at least). Fender makes great products and I absolutely love my American Deluxe and DRRI. Best hard-earned money I ever spent.

Oh and I just ran into a photo of a Mexican made block, they are actually much thinner than the ones put in the American made guitars. The one pictured in the link is the correct American block. And yes, they are good.

Here is a trem block from a road worn. So the trem blocks on American Strats are thinner?

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http://www.youtube.com/user/gmlasam

Yep! At least they were in 1999 when my guitar was built. I've got the 2 point trem too.. dunno if that makes a difference in what block they use. Here's a better picture of one, they are tapered: http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Fender-AMERICAN ... dZViewItem

my 04 deluxe and 06 custom classic both have the tapered block. I believe its used so you can get lower dives out of the trem or some other nonsense. My vintage hotrod has the slab of steel (unpainted).

Gatornavy I wasnt accusing you of trying to start a argument and I wasnt trying to start a argument with you. I simply stated a couple of facts that I've found and an opinion i've read.

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Sweet! So we're cool nikininja?

Well, fender uses now thin trem block for deluxe and american standard. Check out: http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/gbri ... blocks.htm

Callaham bridges/blocks are superior to what Fender gives. I gave my Fender the magnet test and the magnet stuck to it so I assumed it was a steel block. But soundwise the Callaham wins. Much better tone. More creamy and focused. Very solid. Maybe Fender mixes some other metal in with their blocks that kills the tone.

Looking at the pictures of the MIA steel blocks they look like they are all cast. That may explain the difference. It's not as dense as a milled piece of forged billet steel.

all chilly with icicles and frost.

its never my intention to pick a fight i can only apologize if i came across that way.

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Yeah, ME called it "snake oil" (my favorite term for the expensive tone enhancing aftermarket parts).

Are all Fender blocks steel? Then what's with the marketing hyperbole Fender used with the last American Standard upgrade:

How much copper is in cold rolled steel?

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.