So as some of you read, I recently purchased a brand spankin' new Mexican Classic 50's strat which I have come to love. However, the novelty of the floating bridge has worn off already. Despite the fact that I play plenty of 50's rock and blues along with surf music, I have absolutely no use for the tremolo. My Clapton CS came blocked from new so I did not have the chance to get my hands (at least partially) dirty doing it myself. And thus starts my first mini-project with the new strat. I'm shooting for the absolute minimum in terms of bridge movement.

A few questions for the pros:

1. Should I block the tremolo or slap a hardtail on? I've heard discrepancies regarding tone between tremolo and hardtail bridges. Anyone have any thoughts on the issue?

2. Any preferences on wood type? I know I'm splitting hairs here, but if Colombian high-altitude oak with a hint of pine, of which there are only 7 and a half trees in the entire world, blah blah blah, will produce a better tone... you get the picture.

3. Is it even necessary for me to block the tremolo or should I just add springs and tighten the claw? Or should I use some combination of added springs and a block? I've currently got three springs in, for what it's worth.

I know this is a birdshot approach, asking all the questions at once, so I really appreciate any help!

Cheers!
-Chris

I've considered this as a temporary fix, Nevin. I'd like to see how it works out in the meantime. The real issue is that I've been having a slight tuning problem. I play rather aggress- er, spirited, shall we say with my bends and whatnot. I've noticed some play from the bridge on bends, etc. followed by the G, B, high E strings pulling flat after a few songs. I don't play with the bar in, so I know that's not jostling anything around.

Thanks for the input, Nevin!

If you are having a slight tuning problem you need to solve that issue before you worry about whether to block your trem or not. The trem may not be the cause of that problem and you could make it worse.

I have never used an actual block in any of my Strats. I have always just used 5 springs and tightened down the trem claw. I have never had any issues doing it that way.

_________________
Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
Authorized WD Music Products Dealer
F/A Official Southpaw Compliance Certification Tester http://faamps.com/

http://www.facebook.com/cafeathers


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

To install a hardtail would require you to make a wood block to fill in the tremolo space, to do it right you would need to remove all the paint and it would need to fit tight and be glued in place.

And it will not resonate like it would if it was a hardtail to begin with.
It would be easier to buy a new body, but really it is allot of cost for little gain.

Like you, I rarely use my tremolo, most times I don't even install the arm. I also like to play surf and blues so bending in very important, so let me tell you how i set mine up and I think it will work fine for you as well.

The first thing i would suggest is to replace the tremolo block as the MIM ones are mostly made of Zinc, and are tone killers.
(You can test yours by using a magnet, if it sticks, it's steel and a good one)
ASSUMING yours is Zinc, I would replace it with a Brass block, it give you a bit deeper darker tone, steel will brighten your guitar some, it depends on your guitar. My guitar was bright out of the box and needed a bit of darkening, so Brass was the right call for this one.
Here is a link to get the block......
http://store.guitarfetish.com/Upgrade-Steel-and-Brass-Tremolo-Blocks_c_219.html

Once you get this sorted out (You might want a set of the stainless steel string blocks as well, it another 12.00 bucks) and you get the tremolo all assembled, now install 5 springs, adjust the spring tension so a full bend on the high "E" or "B" will not change the tuning on the low "E" string.
This will stay in tune even if you break a high e or b string and will be as stable as a hardtail but if you install and bar, you can still use the tremolo.

_________________
Marriage is like playing cards...

At first all you want are Hearts and Diamonds.

But in the end, all you really want is a Club and a Spade.

I'll add another vote for 5 springs and tighten trem claw screws. I agree that doing this will add to the tone better than making it a hard tail Strat. The hard-tail Strat sounds more like a Tele to me.

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.

Of course if you already have a Clapton Strat, you could measure the block of wood that's in there and make a duplicate block for your new guitar.

I think the one in the Clapton is made from maple.

Personally I've had guitars done both ways and prefer to have the piece of wood in there...but I have no logical reason to prefer it, the 5 springs + bridge decked is just as stable and I don't think the lump of maple makes any noticeable difference to the tone of the guitar...

_________________
How did it sound to you?

This is great guys!! All awesome information. I've got some time off this week so I think I'll start tinkering with some of these ideas.

@Nevin: I think this is at least partially the problem. I usually play with a heavy hand with plenty of palm muting for rhythms.

@Jeffy: Great suggestion!! I've been doing some research on your method and I really dig it. I might have to message you to ask a few more questions if I go this route, if you don't mind.

@Shimmilou: That's what I was figuring. I was up for a project if the hardtail seemed like the proper choice, but to be honest, I didn't want to go through the trouble of stripping the guitar down, etc. etc. Not to mention the tone would be sacrificed in the process!!

Cheers!
-Chris