callaham saddles and block? really?

01GT eibach · **Posted:** Tue Dec 29, 2009 12:28 pm

BigJay wrote:

... I just got the Callaham block upgrade for my AmDlx bridge ...

... But thats what I hope to demonstrate with my little test. I hope to show that either the Callaham block affects the tone/sustain of my guitar (AmDlx 2pt bridge/block) or it doesnt ...

Hey, man, I'm all for increasing the knowledgebase. While you're at it ... maybe Fender can provide you with a MIM Standard mule to do your test on that model, too.

BMW-KTM · **Posted:** Tue Dec 29, 2009 12:31 pm

Sorry, must have missed that point.

I've used garage band. Simple but effective tool.

Ceallach · **Joined:** Thu Aug 27, 2009 7:13 pm **Posts:** 1633

I know Mike Ellred frequently refers to them as Snake Oil.

budglo · **Joined:** Fri Jan 02, 2009 3:17 pm **Posts:** 1986

BigJay wrote:

Ceallach wrote:

I know Mike Ellred frequently refers to them as Snake Oil.

"Them" implying Callaham?

LOL...well if I was Fenders chief ambasedor, I'd probably say the same thing or something similar about a competitor.

I believe Fender uses different grades of steel or composites for various blocks. I believe the AmDlx block is made from cast 1040 grade steel. Might be wrong about that. New AmStd blocks are a composit material, steel and copper (isnt that brass?).

Anyway, its hard to know what resonant properties each block is designed to enhance. Sustain? Some tonal frequency? Both? The more pure and more dense the block, the less "distortion" of the vibrations. Like I said, those distortions cause various sounds and designing a block to enhance could imply some tonal objective. So which is better? That's for you to decide.

But a harder and more pure block should enhance sustain. The Callaham block is made of 1080 grade steel. This is harder than the 1040. I dont know exactly what 1040 or 1080 measures, but obviously its a measure of mass. 1080 is more massive than 1040. IF the numbers are indicative of scale, then the 1080 is 4% more massive per unit of volume than the 1040. Plus, the Callaham block is more volumus (real word?). Its bigger. Its not cut off at an angle on one end.

Theoretically, higher density/mass and higher volume should resonate differently causing different sound. We shall soon see, hopefully.

Actually ,brass is copper and zinc ,not copper and steel.As we well know brass is a very soft metal.It is true that the 1080 is harder, but how much stronger?Does it make a difference in tone?Cant really say.I would like to hear them side by side to tell the difference.I bet a bar full of drunks cant tell the difference.

budglo · **Joined:** Fri Jan 02, 2009 3:17 pm **Posts:** 1986

Like I said ,on a cheaper mim, sure,but on an american deluxe ?Not sure if any difference will be noticed.If you go to harmonycentral the reviews are mixed.The ones that thought it made a difference put them on mims.

ZZDoc · **Posted:** Tue Dec 29, 2009 2:56 pm

[quote="lomitus"]I'm another MIM owner who can attest to the Callaham blocks making a huge difference on my guitar. I certainly recommend it to ANYONE who owns an MIM (especially an older one). Next to the pickups, this was really the single biggest improvement in regards to sound, tone and sustain. I didn't even get the saddles...I'm back to my original saddles on my MIM, but the block was just the difference between night and day.

Certainly, the mass of an MIM block is a total absurdity, which certainly supports your observations as to the benefit of the conversion. It's certainly irksome to the cogniscenti when the company commits what appears to be an 'el cheapo'.

We know that Strats representing 'vintage' years will have the heavy mass block typical of that period. The new MIA's block containing fused copper, was obviously an attempt to correct what they came to recognize as a deficiency. Whether or not they've equalled the Callaham block in that regard in the opinion of those who took the time and made the investment swapping them in would be interesting to know.

gatornavy · **Joined:** Sat Apr 25, 2009 6:39 am **Posts:** 91

I have a 1999 American Deluxe that I put a Callaham block and saddles in about a year ago. It definitely changed my tone. To my ears, and many others, it changed the tone for the better. Much better. I'm pretty sure the current Am Dlx's use the same block and saddles mine came with. I guess you have to try it to believe it though.

BMW-KTM · **Posted:** Tue Dec 29, 2009 4:13 pm

Tone is about harmonics that piggyback along with the fundamental frequencies. It's also about dynamic response or what is known in some circles as transient response. (Look that up because there's not enough room to explain it here) The effect of dynamic response reaches in two directions. It is related to tone but it is also related to sustain. The hardness of the materials used in any guitar will affect tone, sustain and transient response and this does not just apply to the body and neck woods but also to the hardware. In the world of acoustic guitars these issues are far more critical. I am assuming the differences here will be small because "amplified tone" is 80 - 90% amp and pickups (all else like hands and FX being equal) however even at 10 - 20% I think the change will noticeable. It all depends on the difference in hardness of the two blocks.

Don't keep us waiting too long BigJay. You're stirring up quite a commotion.

:wink:

ZZDoc · **Posted:** Tue Dec 29, 2009 7:03 pm

[quote="BMW-KTM"]Tone is about harmonics that piggyback along with the fundamental frequencies. It's also about dynamic response or what is known in some circles as transient response. (Look that up because there's not enough room to explain it here) The effect of dynamic response reaches in two directions. It is related to tone but it is also related to sustain. The hardness of the materials used in any guitar will affect tone, sustain and transient response and this does not just apply to the body and neck woods but also to the hardware. In the world of acoustic guitars these issues are far more critical. I am assuming the differences here will be small because "amplified tone" is 80 - 90% amp and pickups (all else like hands and FX being equal) however even at 10 - 20% I think the change will noticeable. It all depends on the difference in hardness of the two blocks.

May explain why Clapton heard something different in a "stopped" mass block, as opposed to a conventional hardtail. Interestingly enough, none of the photos of the old 'Blackie' show a block of wood between the rout and mass block.

ZZDoc · **Posted:** Tue Dec 29, 2009 9:04 pm

BigJay wrote:

BMW-KTM wrote:

Tone is about harmonics that piggyback along with the fundamental frequencies. It's also about dynamic response or what is known in some circles as transient response. (Look that up because there's not enough room to explain it here) The effect of dynamic response reaches in two directions. It is related to tone but it is also related to sustain. The hardness of the materials used in any guitar will affect tone, sustain and transient response and this does not just apply to the body and neck woods but also to the hardware. In the world of acoustic guitars these issues are far more critical. I am assuming the differences here will be small because "amplified tone" is 80 - 90% amp and pickups (all else like hands and FX being equal) however even at 10 - 20% I think the change will noticeable. It all depends on the difference in hardness of the two blocks.

Don't keep us waiting too long BigJay. You're stirring up quite a commotion.

:wink:

Hey man, thats really great info. Im not an engineer and dont know enough about the physics of guitars. I'd like to read more if you care to explain it. Thank you.

I'm a little busy with the holidays, but Im messing around with GarageBand, hopefully to learn more about how to produce the data. Once I figure it out, I'll load new strings and record the old block. Then load more new strings and record the new block. I'll do it ASAP, but it might be a few days.

Incidentally, while I appreciate the data and learning, I also like causing trouble. I see this little experiment as a great way to chap some hides. Either Fender wont like it, or Callaham wont like it and, likely, many people on these boards wont like the results. There are so many aspects to this that appeal to me, I cant wait! :twisted:

If you've ever wondered how they contrive to pass the time up on the U.S.'s norther tier, while waiting for the Spring thaw, now you know.

BMW-KTM · **Posted:** Tue Dec 29, 2009 10:30 pm

BigJay wrote:

... I also like causing trouble. I see this little experiment as a great way to chap some hides. Either Fender wont like it, or Callaham wont like it and, likely, many people on these boards wont like the results. There are so many aspects to this that appeal to me, I cant wait! :twisted:

LOL!!

I hear ya, Buddy!!

OK let me rephrase. Don't keep me waiting....

:lol:

Twelvebar · **Posted:** Wed Dec 30, 2009 9:05 am

BigJay wrote:

Incidentally, while I appreciate the data and learning, I also like causing trouble. I see this little experiment as a great way to chap some hides. Either Fender wont like it, or Callaham wont like it and, likely, many people on these boards wont like the results. There are so many aspects to this that appeal to me, I cant wait! :twisted:

I can't think of any better reason to do it. Personally I predict a marginal change at best, but I have never done any kind of A/B on them, so I really have no idea.

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