MIM Strat sustain block

HAL9000

I've  recently swapped out the sustain block on my MIM Std Strat for its Callaham equivalent. I'm guessing that the old block is of no use as it wouldn't count as an upgrade on any Fender, and I believe that Squiers have thinner bodies so it's of no use there either. It's annoying me that it's just sitting on a shelf doing nothing - so... any use for anything other than a dull grey paperweight?

p90fool

Nope. 

Sassafras

You could paint it. Make it a bit less dull paperweight.

ICBM

What's the string spacing on these? I need a replacement shit alloy one for a MIJ '62 RI - I have a customer who's stripped the arm socket and specifically *doesn't* want a steel block... he likes the sound of the guitar as it is and doesn't want to change it.

HAL9000

@icbm String spacing is 2 1/16". PM me if any use. I've also got the vibrato arm if you need it.

normula1

If Hal9000's doesn't work out, I've one you're welcome to,
My digital calipers have gone walkabout but my trusty ruler has the string holes at 54mm end to end and the three mounting screws approx 14.5 mm end to end.

crunchman

As far as I can ascertain the new Classic Series guitars have a steel block these days.  Is that correct and does anyone know when they switched?

ICBM

HAL9000 said:

@icbm String spacing is 2 1/16". PM me if any use. I've also got the vibrato arm if you need it.

normula1 said:

If Hal9000's doesn't work out, I've one you're welcome to,
My digital calipers have gone walkabout but my trusty ruler has the string holes at 54mm end to end and the three mounting screws approx 14.5 mm end to end.

Ah… damn! The MIJ '62s have the vintage-correct 2-3/16" (56mm) spacing so neither of those will fit unfortunately.

Thanks for checking anyway .

johnhe

Have you noticed a big difference in sound with the Callaham?

Kebabkid

johnhe said:

Have you noticed a big difference in sound with the Callaham?

If it helps, I swapped out mine for a Callaham on my MIM and the difference was huge. More sustain and fuller tone.

HAL9000

johnhe said:

Have you noticed a big difference in sound with the Callaham?

Yes, more sustain. Also a noticeable difference in tone - hard to describe but I think brighter and more 'zingy' if that helps. First time you pick up a Callaham block you'll be surprised that something that small can be as heavy as it is - I suspect that it distorts space-time and that light bends around it.

olafgarten

It's like the time at a venue when there was an audio cable with thick gold sheilding, it was cheap gold,  but the cable was really heavy, and completely inflexible.