I went and blocked the tremolo.

I had purchased a rock maple block on E-Bay for $7.00 (including shipping). However, when I went to fit it in the space between the body and the metal trem block, I discovered it did not fit. In fact, it was twice a thick as it needed to be. I tried cutting it down the middle but without anything to guide my cut, it ended up crooked and useless. So I pitched it.

I then did a search of all my junk drawers and cabinets in the house, looking for something to use. After a lengthy search, I found just what I was looking for. It was a heavy chunk of black anodized aluminum. It was the perfect length and width, I just had to sand it a little bit to get it to wedge in between the factory trem block and the body (opposite side of the springs). After sanding, I wedged it in and retuned. WOW! The sustain is amazing. My Strat doesn't want to stop singing after striking a note. Ok. That's a little exaggerated, but the sustain has increased noticably. It really does sound nice. I also moved thethree factory trem springs from a trapeze configuration to three parallel springs. I am getting some additional springs and will try it with 5 springs.

I am really happy with the sound through my Frontman 25R. Flip the pickup switch to use the neck and center pickup, and she puts out a really sweet tone. Now I just have to relearn to play after a 20 year absence.

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Bill

I'm going to give it a shot on mine, I never use the trem. Never tried it before, so theres a first time for everything.

Interesting... While I've never blocked my trem, I've had it both floating and flat against the body.

What I find interesting, I've never heard of anyone using aluminum for the block..... only wood.

I wonder if that would add to block better than wood and give it more tone/sustain?

I think I gotta try it for myself! Thanks for the idea!

Oh, dont feel bad about being out of it for 20 years. I started playing again about two and half years ago after almost 31 years of absence. I'm having a ball with it now!

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'00 American Deluxe Stratocaster (Kinman Hx pups)
'08 Ibanez AS73 (Gibson Burstbuckers)
Fender DeVille 410

I have only seen wood blocks, but if it worked. I know the extra weight will add mass and could increase sustain.

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

The way I figure it, regardless of if you use a wood block or metal block, you are still dealing with a metal to wood interface. I can definitely say the sustain has been improved. You can hear the difference quite easily plugged in or unplugged.

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Bill

I have some Strats blocked both ways and I think tightening the springs is a lot easier and does just as good a job.