Screw upgrades

DefaultM

I was looking at getting a brass block for my Ibanez edge, and while looking around the site also found that they sell a set which let's you replace all the screws in your strat with brass ones.
Fair enough if you want the brass look, but they're also claiming that this will enhance your tone. To be clear, that's complete bullshit, right?
It was the screws for the pickguard and tuners etc.

Its sort of put me off getting the brass block upgrade for the trem because their description of that could quite easily be exaggerated as well.

olafgarten

DefaultM said:

I was looking at getting a brass block for my Ibanez edge, and while looking around the site also found that they sell a set which let's you replace all the screws in your strat with brass ones.
Fair enough if you want the brass look, but they're also claiming that this will enhance your tone. To be clear, that's complete bullshit, right?
It was the screws for the pickguard and tuners etc.

Its sort of put me off getting the brass block upgrade for the trem because their description of that could quite easily be exaggerated as well.

I think the Trem Block will make a difference to your tone but the screw thing is absolute crap. If the brass screws made a difference it would be indiscernible. 

ICBM

Not only total bullshit, but worse engineering - steel screws are much stronger and less likely to strip their threads, chew up their heads or break leaving a stump which is very difficult to get out… all of which brass screws do.

Sassafras

They've obviously got a boatload of brass screws they can't even give away.

UnclePsychosis

Sometimes I really despair at the sheer bollocks musical instrument retailers are prepared to spout. 

Bridgehouse

Mmmm gotta love me some brass screw tonez 

Jack_

Is it Wudtone?

Brass made with pre-CBS materials, blended with 100% unicorn jizz.

Bidley

I replaced the crappy pot metal block on my Edge Pro with a big brass one. Definitely worth doing.

I'd be amazed if brass scratchplate screws make any tangible difference. I suppose theoretically they all add to the mass of your guitar, but practically I can't see how they affect things.

Strangefan

Jesus h Christmas,  that's the daftest thing I have heard that has not come out of Andy p wudtones  mouth,  there is no such thing as a screw upgrade,  unless you truly hate money and have no intelligence. 

DefaultM

Here we are

http://www.killerguitarcomponents.com/store/parts-hardware/screws/fender-screws/brass-screw-kit-for-stratr-detail

They also do a brass trem claw. Will that do anything? 

maltingsaudio

Just saying my local hardware shop does brass screws individually you get served by a bloke in a brown coat and a paper bag to take them home in. Far more tone in them than those American ones

Sporky

Modern brass isn't the same as pre-70's brass, so it won't give you authentic vintage tones.

ICBM

DefaultM said:

They also do a brass trem claw. Will that do anything? 

Waste even more money.

DefaultM

Haha thought it might. I could do with a new block because when I was changing strings last time a spring popped out and took a bit of the block with it.
I just have the trem blocked anyway so I think I can afford to get a really thick one.

ICBM

The *block* does change the tone - that's a completely different thing. The mass and resonance of the block is directly attached to the strings and vibrates - more so if the bridge is floating, but still a bit even if it's blocked. So brass may well sound different/better compared to what's in there, especially if it's cheap alloy.

But applying that to other parts - even the claw, which is pretty effectively isolated from the bridge by the trem springs - is typical extension-marketing BS.

DefaultM

Unfortunately I can't have the bridge floating because it won't stay in tune. I think the knife edges might be wrecked. For some reason I thought that having it blocked would make the biggest difference.

ICBM

DefaultM said:

Unfortunately I can't have the bridge floating because it won't stay in tune. I think the knife edges might be wrecked. For some reason I thought that having it blocked would make the biggest difference.

It does change the tone, yes. The block material does as well though, especially between cheap alloy and a harder, denser metal like steel or brass. I haven't directly compared steel to brass but it wouldn't surprise me if there's a difference too.

When you say it won't stay in tune, do the strings stick in the same direction (sharp or flat) as the last bridge movement, or the opposite?

DefaultM

I think it was that they always went down in pitch, because I remember that I'd have to turn the fine tuners right in to the bridge and if I forgot to take my allen key to the gig I'd be out of luck.

MattFGBI

Don't knock it 'till you've tried it. I've seen this a/b tested and it does make a difference. It was a Les Paul with steel screws vs a Tele with brass. Massive difference in tone, obviously because of the screws. 

ICBM

DefaultM said:

I think it was that they always went down in pitch, because I remember that I'd have to turn the fine tuners right in to the bridge and if I forgot to take my allen key to the gig I'd be out of luck.

That does sound like worn knife edges sticking, yes. If they stick sharp after a down bend it's something at the nut end.

Bridgehouse

MattFGBI said:

Don't knock it 'till you've tried it. I've seen this a/b tested and it does make a difference. It was a Les Paul with steel screws vs a Tele with brass. Massive difference in tone, obviously because of the screws. 

I thought it was nails not screws in a tele?