Hey Ya'll,
As some of you may know, I recently picked up an '85 MIJ E series Squier Strat. Over-all, excellent guitar and I am quite happy with her but I'm thinking about changing the trem block...she has a full size block but it's one of those zinc suckers and I'd like to put a real steel block in her. The question is, does this thing use a "vintage" trem? I just measured it out against my '96 MIM and it is wider indicating that it could be standard vintage size but obviously being of Japanese origin, I could be wrong (I half expected it to be the same metric size as my MIM). Also being Squier and not Fender, is this going to make a difference? As far as I can see based on everything I've read, there's no real difference at all between the two with the MIJ's but I'm certainly no expert here.

My big issue is just that I don't want to order one of these blocks and then have it not fit. So...can I use something like the Callaham (or equivilant) vintage block on this sucker? Obviously I will contact whoever I buy one thru and ask but I thought I'd check with the experts first .

Thoughts?

As always, thanks!
Jim

Call Callaham and ask them if their replacement blocks will fit a Japanese Strat. This is one reason I've been wary of purchasing Japanese Strats.

If I remember correctly when I had to replace the trem block in my 1986 MIJ 72RI Strat I replaced it with a trem block from the Vintage Style Bridge on a Highway 1.

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

I had to replace the whole tremelo unit on my 1987 Squire MIJ E series Strat. You have to be a little careful in measuring the 6 hole spacing, and the block to trem plate hole spacing. It is unique. Here is a photo as to WHY I had to replace the tremelo. It was pretty rough when I bought it used.
Nice trem huh?! I got a nice vintage style replacement with bent steel saddles from Guitarfetish, which has the proper spacing for the narrow Squire neck.

Yea...that's just a tich nasty there. I've only seen rust that nasty a couple of times and it was usually from a basement/studio flood.

In my case, the bridge on mine is actually in really decent shape...I just wanna get a steel block on there. It's that whole "unique" thing that has me a bit worried. Callaham has a block for the "MIJ Reissue"...here's what they say...

"Vintage Repro Block enhanced
Note: Japanese reissues have varying tolerances through the years. 95% of the blocks bolt right in, but some may need the 3 mounting screws holes enlarged because of heavy plating on the top plate. Also check for 2 7/32 string spacing.
Replaces Zinc block.

Now mine does have the '62 reissue neck but I don't think the body is an actual reissue...at least from what I've been told in another thread. Also I'm not sure if the whole Squier thing throws another monkey wrench in the cogs here...I know that modern Squiers are quiet different but I don't know about the MIJ's. As far as I have been able to research, the MIJ's all came off the exact same assembly line at Fujigen as the "real" Fenders. According to the Squier website, the only real difference they state is "These high-quality models featured minimal design changes, including a small Squier logo on the headstock where the “Original Contour Body” decal normally appeared, and a more cost-effective zinc tremolo block in place of the usual steel one". Now the first obvious question here is how exactly do they define "minimal design changes"? More specifically, if they just used zinc blocks on the old plates, then I shouldn't have any problems. If they changed the plates however...and so far I haven't found anything particularly decisive either way....that's going to be a different issue.

I guess I'll have to break down and measure it out and send the specs to Callaham or whoever I go with...also considering Angela...and see what they have to say.

Peace,
Jim