Hey everybody,

I installed the Callaham Am Del premium upgrade (massive trem block amd 64 size bar, vintage type saddles, springs) and here is what I think: The guitar definitely sounds more resonant unplugged and when plugged it is "strattier" than before. The pu positions differences are accentuated (if this is the right word). More aggressive also, I felt like playing some Henderson/SRV/Hendrix overdriven blues, which didn't use to be my first choice when I grabbed this guitar BC (before Callaham). This trem arm sits right where you want it (just like the original) and the smaller size is a lot better for me. The trem arm tip is approx. under the picking hand's pinky, which is very convenient.
The attack is so much better now but the difference in sustain is not so big as others say IMO.
The trem springs are silver and harder than the black originals, so I use only two now, which is better, I strongly recommend that 3spring users try a 2spring setup. I don't think they'll look back. I feel (I don't really know though) that when the tension is applied to only two springs, the whole thing works more smoothly. I set up the trem Fender style, by the way (the bridge slightly up so that when trem pulled out you get a semitone up in high E).
Overall, the kind of "muffled" sound I've been complaining about seems to be (almost?) gone now and I think it was worth the money. Any other comments?

Of course. I'm a proponent of Callaham bridges and blocks because I've heard the difference in my own guitars. They definitely improve tone. Highly recommended.

Sometime when you feel like it, raise your action a hair, take the baseplate down flush to the surface of the body and slap 5 springs in there. Of course the trem action will be really stiff, but the payoff is a huge increase in tone; more than a pickup swap can do when you count the callaham mods in as well. The SCN's come to life and you'll hear none of the muffled nonsense, just pure, bell-like traditional strat tone the drips off the guitar with tons of sustain and resonance.

Of course your setup is what you have to live with, but for my Am Dlx, I will happily sacrifice a bit of trem bar mobility for all the above, plus a way more solid tuning stability. Cheers!

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60th Anniversary AD Strat, Deluxe Nashville Tele, Player's P Bass. Mesa/Boogie Mk IV combo, Marshall JCM800, 1960A cab, Genz Benz El Diablo 60, Genz 2x12" cab, too many neat little practice amps and kit projects!

I wasn't brave enough to go the whole upgrade pack, but even with the Calaham vintage style STD/DLX saddles, the sound is clearer and brighter than before.

I don't use the trem so I have 5 springs in the back with the bridge flush against the body, am considering a high mass block though, as I have no issues with trem smoothness or it hitting the inside of the cavity with the block!

The only fault I can pick is that the D saddle sits on an angle because it is adjusted further out than the rest, so the string crosses over the saddle close to the lower height adjustment screw.

I guess this problem has to do with the offset saddle (intonation) screw. If Callaham made a bridge plate with regular screw holes, things would be better. I'm happy with the upgrade, so if they ever make a plate I'll buy it.

To Joelski: your idea has been in my mind for a long time now but I haven't tried it yet because I want to do it with a proper piece of wood fitting between the body and trem block. As soon as I do it I'll let you know. Thanks for the input.

I don't like the idea of blocking because if you don't match the surfaces precisely, you'll wind-up with a muffling effect. My theory is that if I put the baseplate flat against the face of the guitar and use spring tension to essentially render the guitar a hard tail, it will achieve the max amount of sustain and resonance that the guitar possibly can. Obviously, EC uses blocks to great effect, but I can have a fully functioning trem in minutes; Clapton's blocks are glued in place.

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60th Anniversary AD Strat, Deluxe Nashville Tele, Player's P Bass. Mesa/Boogie Mk IV combo, Marshall JCM800, 1960A cab, Genz Benz El Diablo 60, Genz 2x12" cab, too many neat little practice amps and kit projects!