It is currently Tue Mar 17, 2020 12:28 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 8 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Callaham block in Korean-made Special Edition Lite Ash Strat
Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 7:45 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sun Nov 08, 2009 5:59 pm
Posts: 7
Has anybody ever put a Callaham block in a Korean-made Special Edition Lite Ash Strat, and had to widen the body cavity to make it possible? And if I have the work done by a good shop, is there any reason why this is a bad idea? And if it’s not a bad idea, how much should I expect to pay?

The stock block looks about 2 27/32" wide, and the Callaham Lite Ash Block looks about 3" wide. The string spacing looks correct, it fits the bridge plate fine, and the 5/32" width difference looks evenly distributed on both sides of the strings. Resale value is not really a concern, but this is turning out to be a little more invasive than I had in mind for my first modification. I’m hopeful that the plastic cover can still completely hide the cavity. Also, the cavity is painted with the same finish as the body exterior, so bare wood from the additional routing will be pretty obvious whenever the cover is removed.

Thanks for any advice.


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 7:59 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2008 12:58 pm
Posts: 7714
Location: Planet Earth
I thought they made a block specifically for the Korean Ash Stratocaster and the only thing was you could not use the trem arm that come with the guitar. It needed a American trem arm which make me think they are the same.

_________________
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 8:06 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:27 pm
Posts: 1151
Location: In.
If I were you I would e-mail them or call and see if they have a direct replacement. I bet they do.

_________________
"My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives." Blazing Saddles...


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 8:19 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sun Nov 08, 2009 5:59 pm
Posts: 7
cvilleira wrote:
I thought they made a block specifically for the Korean Ash Stratocaster and the only thing was you could not use the trem arm that come with the guitar. It needed a American trem arm which make me think they are the same.
You're correct. Callaham does make one specifically for the Korean Ash, and that's what I ordered, and that's what the invoice and label said when it arrived along with an arm that fits nicely. Maybe the "Lite Ash" label was on the wrong block when it shipped.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 8:28 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2008 12:58 pm
Posts: 7714
Location: Planet Earth
orczillabot wrote:
cvilleira wrote:
I thought they made a block specifically for the Korean Ash Stratocaster and the only thing was you could not use the trem arm that come with the guitar. It needed a American trem arm which make me think they are the same.
You're correct. Callaham does make one specifically for the Korean Ash, and that's what I ordered, and that's what the invoice and label said when it arrived along with an arm that fits nicely. Maybe the "Lite Ash" label was on the wrong block when it shipped.
WOW thats strange they do say on there site you would think it's a direct replacement. I would give them a ring just to ask before doing any mod work. I have not done any blocks on these Korean ash guitars so what they say would be of interest.

_________________
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 8:23 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sun Nov 08, 2009 5:59 pm
Posts: 7
cvilleira wrote:
I would give them a ring just to ask before doing any mod work. I have not done any blocks on these Korean ash guitars so what they say would be of interest.
Bill Callaham got back to me today, and responded that all of their blocks are 3" wide, and that size was ok in the past when tested. He did offer to narrow the block for me, and I'm leaning towards taking him up on his offer, rather than transmuting part of my guitar into sawdust. Even with a bit ground down off each end, the non-tapered Callaham steel block would still be more substantial than the tapered stock zinc block.

(He also speculated that Fender had changed the routing pattern, which to me sounds weird but plausible. I don't think it's just a matter of paint thickness.)


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 8:35 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:27 pm
Posts: 1151
Location: In.
orczillabot wrote:
cvilleira wrote:
I would give them a ring just to ask before doing any mod work. I have not done any blocks on these Korean ash guitars so what they say would be of interest.
Bill Callaham got back to me today, and responded that all of their blocks are 3" wide, and that size was ok in the past when tested. He did offer to narrow the block for me, and I'm leaning towards taking him up on his offer, rather than transmuting part of my guitar into sawdust. Even with a bit ground down off each end, the non-tapered Callaham steel block would still be more substantial than the tapered stock zinc block.

(He also speculated that Fender had changed the routing pattern, which to me sounds weird but plausible. I don't think it's just a matter of paint thickness.)

They are very helpful there. I recently installed their premium upgrade block & saddles kit and I really like it.

_________________
"My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives." Blazing Saddles...


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 8:37 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2008 12:58 pm
Posts: 7714
Location: Planet Earth
orczillabot wrote:
cvilleira wrote:
I would give them a ring just to ask before doing any mod work. I have not done any blocks on these Korean ash guitars so what they say would be of interest.
Bill Callaham got back to me today, and responded that all of their blocks are 3" wide, and that size was ok in the past when tested. He did offer to narrow the block for me, and I'm leaning towards taking him up on his offer, rather than transmuting part of my guitar into sawdust. Even with a bit ground down off each end, the non-tapered Callaham steel block would still be more substantial than the tapered stock zinc block.

(He also speculated that Fender had changed the routing pattern, which to me sounds weird but plausible. I don't think it's just a matter of paint thickness.)

Thats some good service! I would take them up on the offer and see how it go's instead of doing anything to your guitar like you said best leave that alone. Thanks for sharing the information and keep updated on what you decide and how it works out. This is the kind of stuff that keeps others informed down the line who may run into the same issue.

_________________
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 8 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: