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Post subject: brass block....
Posted: Tue Oct 29, 2013 2:52 pm
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are they worth it? does changing out the stock trem. block with one make that much difference in the sound of a strat? opinions.


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Post subject: Re: brass block....
Posted: Tue Oct 29, 2013 4:25 pm
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Brass was a fad a very long, long time ago. Seems to me all those knobs on the guitar and amp change the tone a lot quicker and cheaper.

If brass was any good you would think the makers would be all over it by now! Right. We would have brass nuts too, don't forget those.

Yes they change the tone, but not exactly in a good way IMO. Now if your looking to create a totally unique sound for your instrument give it a try mate.


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Post subject: Re: brass block....
Posted: Tue Oct 29, 2013 4:41 pm
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Depends what's currently in your guitar. If it's a cheap lightweight flimsy piece of cast zinc then that needs replacing immediately. I did that on a partscaster and it made as much difference as a new set of pickups.

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Post subject: Re: brass block....
Posted: Tue Oct 29, 2013 5:35 pm
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i have a standard block for a 2011 mim strat. larger variety mass i guess. would it make the strat have a brighter "clangy" sound and more sustain or is that just snake oil b.s. ? the strat i'm considering changing has 57/62 pups, blocked bridge, standard wiring(no bridge tone control) and a .1uf cap, rosewood fret board. don't beat me up over the cap, it works with the 57/62 pups. just wondering if the addition of a brass block will add something extra to the tone of the guitar. after all $80 is a lot to spend to just "try" one.


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Post subject: Re: brass block....
Posted: Tue Oct 29, 2013 5:40 pm
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I can't really say how changing the block will affect your guitar, just that I've done it on a couple of Strats with cheap trem blocks and it made a huge difference. With a decent quality MIM component the difference may be marginal.

On a Korean guitar it's night and day. Think of the sound of hitting a zinc plated trashcan compared to hitting a solid steel or brass plate.

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Post subject: Re: brass block....
Posted: Tue Oct 29, 2013 6:04 pm
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i understand, maybe it's the "ringing" tone i should say i'm after. hmmm...this could be the icing on the cake.


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Post subject: Re: brass block....
Posted: Wed Oct 30, 2013 12:02 pm
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I swapped a solid brass block from GFS for the stock zinc one in my MIM Strat. Made all the difference in the world. Woke those stock ceramic pic ups right up. Highly recommended.


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Post subject: Re: brass block....
Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2013 11:30 am
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No.
But, buying a larger, full size block ie; Eric Johnson, or C.Shop that cost 1/4 the price is worth it. Plus brass blocks are heavy and add considerable weight to your guitar. I learned the hard way......save your money


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Post subject: Re: brass block....
Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2013 6:13 pm
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shinkicker wrote:
i have a standard block for a 2011 mim strat. larger variety mass i guess. would it make the strat have a brighter "clangy" sound and more sustain or is that just snake oil b.s. ? the strat i'm considering changing has 57/62 pups, blocked bridge, standard wiring(no bridge tone control) and a .1uf cap, rosewood fret board. don't beat me up over the cap, it works with the 57/62 pups. just wondering if the addition of a brass block will add something extra to the tone of the guitar. after all $80 is a lot to spend to just "try" one.


What is the something extra you want to hear that's not there now. The block you have now is on a par with the American Strats blocks from 1986 to 2008. You might want to check out some "Raw Vintage Springs" on the internet for a tone change. Sustain can be increased by having a great setup done on your guitar.


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Post subject: Re: brass block....
Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2013 9:50 pm
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GilgaFrank wrote:
I can't really say how changing the block will affect your guitar, just that I've done it on a couple of Strats with cheap trem blocks and it made a huge difference. With a decent quality MIM component the difference may be marginal.

On a Korean guitar it's night and day. Think of the sound of hitting a zinc plated trashcan compared to hitting a solid steel or brass plate.

What kind of korean guitar would that be? A lot of companies now have guitars made in Korea.

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