Couple of questions about the Callaham tremelo block for a 2009 MIM Strat.

How easy/difficult is this to install?
Can someone give me a quick overview of the installation procedure?
Does it really make a difference in tone/sustain?
I don't really use the tremelo, so I don't need the whole tremelo assembly. I just thought I might get the block if it's relatively easy to insall and if it really helps improve the sustain.

If you don't use the tremolo I would not worry about changing the block.
Is your tremolo floating or flush with body?

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Chet Feathers

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

Chet I'm curious why you say that, asking from lack of knowledge not to be smart. It seems to make sense that the blocks in our guitars are made from inferior steel mixed with lead or zinc or something to cut cost, why wouldn't a good steel or even brass block be better?

In my personal opinion if he is not using the tremolo and has in 5 springs and the claw screwed in so that the bridge sits flush against the body the block is not going to make that much of a difference.
The Callaham Tremolo's (and parts) are excellent. I use one. But I also use my Tremolo.

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Chet Feathers

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

I swapped one out on my AmDlx and it made a very big difference. The swap is easy. Take your strings off and the trem off. Remove the saddles. Remove the two screws that hold the block, remove and replace with new block. Reverse procedure.

Since you are removing and replacing your saddles, you will need to redo your intonation as well.

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AmDlx HSS
62 Hot Rod
Luke w/Piezo
Carvin Belair

I have done block swaps without removing the saddles or the entire trem. Just remove the strings. The saddles will turn sideways enough to remove/replace the screws holding the block in place.

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Chet Feathers

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

Now you tell me.
It's ok, it was nice to take the bridge apart and clean under tehre anyway.

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AmDlx HSS
62 Hot Rod
Luke w/Piezo
Carvin Belair

You know for next time.

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Chet Feathers

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

I don't use the tremelo, the bridge is flush to the body, and it has 5 springs. My understanding was that even with that setup, a new all-steel block will help with sustain. This is basically what I'm trying to find out. Will a Callaham block make a noticeable difference in sustain? If so, how hard is it to install? If I have to remove the saddles and do all the setup and intonation to do it, I need to know if all that effort would be worth it, or if the difference would be negligible. If it doesn't make a significant enough difference, then there's no point in going thru the effort, let alone the expense.

I have heard some say that it made their tone very bright, some even changed back but I am sure it's all personal flavor. It shouldn't be hard to switch without messing up everything. Just take strings off and move saddles over... in theory, I haven't done this yet. Good luck!

The Callaham cold-rolled blocks are excellent and will improve an instrument's sustain to varying degrees. However, there is absolutely nothing at all wrong with the genuine Fender steel blocks either. And they're significantly cheaper. My four trem-equipped Strats all have them and I've installed a number of them in various customers' guitars.

HTH

Arjay

Opinions vary. Only your ears can tell you if it is worth it.

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Bill

I once put a Callaham block in a JV strat and decided that the Fender block was bigger, heavier and sounded better. I sold the block. On a related issue... I always pull my new or used strats apart and plane the top of the block using a whetstone to remove any paint and to maximize the union between the block and the bridge plate.

Well, if it makes any difference, my guitar is a 2009 MIM Strat. I understand the block for that particular model is a combo of zinc and steel, is it not? Would an all steel block, whether Fender or Callaham, be better than a combined zinc/steel one?