Blocking off the tremolo on a USA Strat?

92Fender · **Joined:** Tue Sep 08, 2009 2:47 pm **Posts:** 45

I have decided I want to block off the tremolo on my 2004 USA Standard Stratocaster.

I never use it, and the side effects are relly starting to annoy me such as accidently hitting it when sitting down (I rest my hand on the bridge) and when you bend a string and hold it every other string goes flat.

What I would like to know is how I go about blocking it so these side effects are eliminated? Or do I need to take it to the local guitar shop to get it done?

I can post any photos you need to help

Thanks for any replies!

filerj · **Joined:** Thu Aug 09, 2007 6:23 pm **Posts:** 191

How many springs do you have on the block? I don't use mine very much so I put 5 springs on it. It stays in tune well with the bends I do. You might want to try adding more springs first, but if you want to block it; take the back cover off measure the distance from the trem block to the body. Cut a piece of wood the same size ( it must fit tight ) and place it between the trem block and the body. It should eliminate the tuning problems when string bending.

Good lick,
filerj

01GT eibach · **Posted:** Tue Sep 15, 2009 7:02 pm

Yes, having five springs and screwing in those claw screws will have the same effect. I have only four springs with no claw screw adjustment, and my bridge is flush with the body (very stable) but still usable for trem if I ever decide to use it (which I never do...)

stratoBobster · **Joined:** Wed Apr 23, 2008 11:21 am **Posts:** 959

I am a 2004 Am. Std. hardtail player and think you will be glad you left the problems associated with the trem behind. Block it or join me and just get a real hardtail. They stay in tune for days and ring like a bell!

cwpainter · **Posted:** Tue Sep 15, 2009 11:05 pm

I could be wrong... But, I think that you can special order the special block from the Clapton Strat. That would be ideal if you are not handy or do not have access to good tone wood.

Al 87 · **Joined:** Mon Sep 14, 2009 7:26 am **Posts:** 616

Hi 92Fender

Ive blocked both my guitars, im no expert but i just cut a couple of pieces
of wood to jam in either side of the block although i guess you can adjust the springs to get away with one piece of wood.

Like others have mentioned it does away with quite a few issues ,if you do altered tunings even better!

FenderGuy53 · **Joined:** Wed Dec 05, 2007 6:04 pm **Posts:** 186

I own a 2006 American Strat and I wholeheartedly agree with those who say to add springs.

I originally had 3 springs, then added 2 more when I decided to clamp my tremolo. The added springs, along with a twist or two on the trem claw screws, planted the bridge plate firmly on the wood surface of the guitar. Voila! No more floating tremolo.

Randy1 · **Posted:** Wed Sep 16, 2009 7:10 pm

Count me in as a member of the 5 spring club. Its an easy fix that provides great tuning stability, yet the trem will still work if you decide to use it. My 2004 strat always had tuning issues before I added the springs, yet my 2007 stays in tune fairly well with only the 3 springs.

Powdered Toast Man · **Posted:** Wed Sep 16, 2009 7:16 pm

Add 2 springs. Cheap. Easy. Done.

No messing around with wood or blocks or ordering new bridges and all that blah blah blah.

I had the tech deck my bridge before I even took my Highway 1 home.

straycat113 · **Posted:** Wed Sep 16, 2009 8:46 pm

The block on a Clapton is nothing but a piece of wood=Ihave one. I also have my Beck blocked but that was using springs and tightning as that trem is way to sensitive. Funny thing is I always have the bar in though I never use it.

92Fender · **Joined:** Tue Sep 08, 2009 2:47 pm **Posts:** 45

Thanks for all replies!

Fitting springs seems the way to go for now, if that doesn't work then out comes the saw.

Where would I buy springs? How much?

And I am assuming fitting them is a fairly easy task?

ZZDoc · **Posted:** Thu Sep 17, 2009 12:19 pm

straycat113 wrote:

The block on a Clapton is nothing but a piece of wood=Ihave one. I also have my Beck blocked but that was using springs and tightning as that trem is way to sensitive. Funny thing is I always have the bar in though I never use it.

They must remember that there are differences in the sizes of the mass blocks. At one time I had a '97 EC, a '97 MIA, and an MIM BG polka dot, all blocked, and each required a different sized piece of wood. :wink:

Doc

filerj · **Joined:** Thu Aug 09, 2007 6:23 pm **Posts:** 191

Stratobosbster, Was that the last year they made a hard tail? I wanted to get one but cash at the time was tight and now Fender doesn't make a hard tail. I hesitate to buy off ebay and I haven't found used at any of the local shops I deal with.
filerj[/quote]

jmr986 · **Joined:** Mon Feb 02, 2009 10:53 am **Posts:** 560

Do a search on the site. Someone posted exact dimensions for a wood block a while ago.

ZZDoc · **Posted:** Thu Sep 17, 2009 9:05 pm

jmr986 wrote:

Do a search on the site. Someone posted exact dimensions for a wood block a while ago.

I posted the dimensions of the block in my Clapton. We also had another link offered as well as a drawing.

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