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So gang, here's the deal. I never use my Jagmaster's strat trem, but I know the huge difference a thick, steel trem block makes. Do you think it would be worthwhile to buy a "good" trem block from Guitar Fetish when I order my GFS pups? They're 19 bucks...

I've only heard of better sustain coming from a good tremblock, but then again if you don't want to buy one you can always cut a piece of wood and shove it behind your stock trem block and hardtail it.

Thats what I did to a cyclone I owned once...

more springs? it was a must for me due to my 12 gauge string obsession i had. works better that way if you ask me, atleast with more springs you can still use if it you need to and you won't have to pry out a wedge of wood

yes, the steel block makes a difference. I have the GFS one in my strat and it was a very noticeable improvement. The whole guitar is just louder. and less plinky.

More Cowbell wrote:I've only heard of better sustain coming from a good tremblock, but then again if you don't want to buy one you can always cut a piece of wood and shove it behind your stock trem block and hardtail it.

Thats what I did to a cyclone I owned once...

BEST idea. The block of wood transports resonance to the body which is otherwise lost, both two fulcrum trems and six screw models lose lots of resonance and sustain.

soo rather than getting the tremblock (and popping 20 bucks ) i should block it with wood instead?

I would. But feel free to try one, its the best way to learn about this kind of stuff and you may be happy with a new trem block and optional tremolo.

Everyone wants their strats to sound as good as a vintage one, but what they don't realize is that early strats had 5 springs attached to the block pulling it against the body...which will work if you use light guage strings, where heavier guaged may pull the block off the body when tuned.

The block of wood just slips in place behind it and when you tune up the guitar the block squeezes against the block of wood, so in order to get the block of wood back out you just have to loosen the strings enough to take the tension off and it will fall out.

ok last question, do you think the wooden block would get rid of the springs vibrating and creating that annoying ringing sound? Or at least lessen it? I hate that sound.

Markn951 wrote:ok last question, do you think the wooden block would get rid of the springs vibrating and creating that annoying ringing sound? Or at least lessen it? I hate that sound.

no. wrap some felt strips or newspaper in between the springs. that should stop the sympathetic vibrations.

good stuff guys, thanks!