I'm looking to buy a new American Standard Stratocaster guitar but don't use or need a tremelo (I'm new to Strats having played a Yamaha SG2000 for many years).

Do Fender still make 'hard tail' versions of these guitars? If so, then what are the model numbers so that I can order one.

If they are no longer available, then is there a way that I can 'block' or fix down the bridge (or replace it)?? Or is there some sort of block available which would fit into the tremelo/spring cavity onto which the strings would be fixed?

All suggestions are most welcome!

Thanks,

Marz

Fender produced hardtailed US Standards and US Series Strats in the past, as well as HH versions with two humbucking pickups (the latest incarnation had an S-1 switching system). These guitars are no longer made.

You can buy the Mexico Cray Standard or its expensive Custom Shop version if you like hardtail Stratocasters. The Clapton had already the tremolo blocked off from the factory.

Pity they don't make them any more.

I'm looking for a maple neck with single coil pickups. I guess the only way will be for me to buy an American Standard guitar and block the bridge myself. Can anyone help me find information on how to do this?

Buy an Eric Clapton model!



This guitar has the SSS setup, a factory blocked tremolo and a maple neck.

Note: this baby has an active mid-boost circuit. If you want more attitude during a solo, this is the guitar for you.

Of course, you can remove the active electronics and the noiseless pickups and add the pickups of your choice.

Or if you want a true hardtail, get the Billy Corgan. It has a maple neck and is a true hardtail ie not blocked.

Thanks for the advice. I'll try and find these two models and try them out.

How can I fix/block the bridge in case I go with an American Standar model? (What do they do to fix the bridge on the EC odel?)

You really don't have to block the bridge if you're not going to use it. Just load it up with 5 springs, set the bridge flush, and don't screw in the trem bar. Do this and the bridge won't really move and you shouldn't have any problems with tuning stability.

What Yogi said. I did the same (5 springs) on one of my Am Std Strats and added a block of wood. I just cut a block of wood and sanded it to fit. Pretty cheap and easy to do.

I second the idea of getting a normal Strat and blocking the tremolo one way or another. This way you could undo the modification when your playing style changes in any way to use the tremolo more. Adding/removing the block to suit your taste will be easier (in some ways) than buying a new guitar.

[quote="marz35"]Thanks for the advice. I'll try and find these two models and try them out.

[u][i][b]Wildwood Guitars is showing a '59 Relic Hardtail Masterbuilt by Todd Krause and asking $3999. If that's a bit too strong for you, the other options listed are a pathway. You can find a used MIM Cray on the Music Zoo website at a very reasonable price.[/b][/i][/u]

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i would personally recommend the robert cray model, very good guitars that are under-rated in my opinion

I've been looking for a Hadtail for a while now and not had much luck either. I wouldn't mid trying either the Cray or Corgan and then moding them to be a little different. Maybe change the pickguard or domething.

This usta be a Robert Cray......



I replaced the neck with a CIJ '65 re-issue with white binding then dropped in a loaded AmStd pickguard with SCN's and S-1 switching. Not a difficult conversion.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

Looks great, That's the sort of thing I'm looking at. Just wish there were a bit more options with the colours. Not to keen on the Inca silver. The Burst always looks nice tho.

Indeed. And that violet blue doesn't do a thing for me either.

Another option might be to grab one of the Tom Delonge hardtails. Those have been made in a variety of colors over the years and many (but not all) of the bodies are routed H/S/H beneath the pickguard -- which makes conversion back to a traditional 3-pickup Strat pretty easy.

HTH

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY