Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster ‘50s Fiesta Red

[John Boyd]

Abel,
I have just measured the mounting screw spacing on my Classic Vibe strat and it seems to be 2 1/16 inches.
This should be the same as a Mexican Standard Strat, but as Jim N suggests, the block on those trems is
made from some cast metal - not very good. Replacement solid steel blocks are available, often on 'the bay'
and a very good seller is DBG-guitar.
Another option would be to look at a trem advertised by Guitar Fetish as fitting Imports and Mexican strats - and,
it has a solid steel block.
Hope this helps some.
Cheers,
JB

[John Boyd]

Hello again Abel,
Check this out.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fender-MIM-Vint ... 5ae4e3d266

Cheers,
JB

[abel]

Thank you much John.
That's the one Russet mentioned too.

I don't know what difference that would make, sustain, balance or tuning improvement?.

Blessings,
Abel

[Didier]

Thank you much John.
That's the one Russet mentioned too.

I don't know what difference that would make, sustain, balance or tuning improvement?.

Blessings,
Abel

The main improvement of machined steel over zamak cast alloy is that it conducts vibrations better (damping factor is lower), hence more sustain and better tone.

There are also some good ones from Callaham : http://www.callahamguitars.com/partsstr ... e_hardware but they are quite expensive.

Didier

[hilsfuchs]

Hello Abel,
I got a Steel Trem Block from Kevin Hurley (kevin(at)khurley.orangehome.co.uk) for my Simon Neil Squier.
I paid incl. postage (Germany) 28,74 GBP.
Regards
Peter

[51 Relic]

Hi i read your comment with intrest regarding ZAMAG trem blocks .Below is the specification and discription for the Point Tech Trem system fitted on my Drifter

"The combination saddle platform/tone bar is a high quality, one piece, completely uniform casting of zinc-magnesium alloy (ZAMAG #3), noted for its excellent sound conduction properties.

This systems block is not steel and works a treat just an observation

[JimN]

Hi i read your comment with intrest regarding ZAMAG trem blocks .Below is the specification and discription for the Point Tech Trem system fitted on my Drifter

"The combination saddle platform/tone bar is a high quality, one piece, completely uniform casting of zinc-magnesium alloy (ZAMAG #3), noted for its excellent sound conduction properties.

This systems block is not steel and works a treat just an observation

What is Zamag? Is it a patented casting alloy like Mazak? I ask because several people have mentioned it.

I recall that 1970s Strats (the large headstock, bullet-adjuster model) had one piece cast tremolo bridges. Well, one piece plus the saddles, springs, screws and arm - a total of twenty-six components not including the springs and claw (thirty-two including them). And that one-piece unit was made of Mazak, which was also widely used for things like car door handles, etc. It was OK - you could tighten up the threads by using cotton, etc - but it wasn't like the original 1960s Strats before the CBS cost-cutting exercises...

JN

[51 Relic]

Improved Sound Conduction -- Casting & Plating
The combination saddle platform/tone bar is a high quality, one piece, completely uniform casting of zinc-magnesium alloy (ZAMAG #3), noted for its excellent sound conduction properties. The string saddles are likewise cast of the same alloy, creating a uniform composition and density of metal throughout. Additionally, the entire body of the tremolo is plated, rather than just the saddles and saddle platform, producing an extremely smooth surface for optimum sound conduction

Cheers Nigel

[Didier]

Hi i read your comment with intrest regarding ZAMAG trem blocks .Below is the specification and discription for the Point Tech Trem system fitted on my Drifter

"The combination saddle platform/tone bar is a high quality, one piece, completely uniform casting of zinc-magnesium alloy (ZAMAG #3), noted for its excellent sound conduction properties.

This systems block is not steel and works a treat just an observation

They main virtue of zamak (also spelled zamac or zamag), a zinc based alloy, is that it's very easy to cast, which allows cheaper manufacturing. You can have a near finished part in a single casting operation. Zamak has long been used for motor carburetors.
Of course Point Tech is not going to write it has inferior sound properties !
All of those I know who repaced a zamak tremolo bloc by a machined steel one on a Strat reported a sound improvement. A/B comparative tests should be made to confirm...

There are different grades of zamak. Mazak is more or less the same as zamak, but obtained in a different way.

Didier

[ecca]

I swapped the original diecast sustain block on my Mexican HM strat for a hardened steel one from Callaham and didn't notice one scrap of difference with regard to sustain or anything else,
Ecca