Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster ‘50s Fiesta Red

[John Boyd]

Abel,
The steel block needs to be one that fits a MIM Standard bridge with 2 1/16 inch string spacing.
The Mexican Classic bridge has the vintage style 2 3/16 (or sometimes quoted as 2 7/32) string spacing.
Check out eBay listing 390387192422 - I have had excellent service from this seller.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
JB

[abel]

Hi Russet and everyone,

I hope you are doing Ok.
A question:

Will this Trem unit fit my Squier 50s vibe?:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FENDER-ORIGINAL-MEXICAN-STANDARD-STRAT-TREMOLO-BRIDGE-/370595247066?_trksid=p4340.m1374&_trkparms=algo%3DUPI.GIROS%26its%3DI%252BC%252BS%26itu%3DUCI%252BUCC%26otn%3D10%26pmod%3D200737529389%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D7889210327571020061

Thank you much,
Abel

[JimN]

A question:
Will this Trem unit fit my Squier 50s vibe?:
[snip eBay URL]l

Abel, my friend:

Whether or not it fits - don't buy it!

The hardware on Mexican Strats is part of what lets them down and distinguishes them from The Real Thing (like your sunburst Strat). The block will be made of cast Mazak or worse (notice how they don't claim it as steel?) and would not be much of an improvement (if an improvement at all) over the item fitted to the Squier at the factory. And the material has a depressing tendency to strip along the tremolo arm thread, rendering the trem function useless and requiring another replacement block in ny case.

The simplest quality replacement would be an American vintage trem assembly, complete with a guaranteed-to-be-steel tremolo block and an arm which will fit it. However, they tend to be expensive (around £90 in the UK - and probably $120 in the USA). A cheaper alternative of excellent quality is the Wilkinson replica, with a steel block and a push-in arm. They sell for about £26 here (complete with arm, all screws, springs plus spares and claw) and if available in the USA, should be less than fifty dollars. I have a Wilkinson replacement system on my Jagmaster - it's every bit as good as the genuine Fender vintage reissue parts on my USA Strats.

Take a look at this one for $39.95 plus shipping from Chicago:

http://tinyurl.com/7kl992m

Best of luck with the upgrade!

JimN

[dave robinson]

I have the Classic Vibe Tele in Butterscotch Blonde and I love it. At the moment it's getting played more than my MIM Stratocaster. Would benefit from a trem though!

I have the same guitar in the lighter blonde finish and have recently fitted the STETSBAR Vibrato system - What a transformation it has made, I use it all the time now.
The STETSBAR is expensive, but it does the job and I prefer it to the Fender and Bigsby Vibratos that are on other instruments own.

[ecca]

I concur with Jam Nugent re. Wilkinson trems.
Excellent.

[dave robinson]

A question:
Will this Trem unit fit my Squier 50s vibe?:
[snip eBay URL]l

Abel, my friend:

Whether or not it fits - don't buy it!

The hardware on Mexican Strats is part of what lets them down and distinguishes them from The Real Thing (like your sunburst Strat). The block will be made of cast Mazak or worse (notice how they don't claim it as steel?) and would not be much of an improvement (if an improvement at all) over the item fitted to the Squier at the factory. And the material has a depressing tendency to strip along the tremolo arm thread, rendering the trem function useless and requiring another replacement block in ny case.

The simplest quality replacement would be an American vintage trem assembly, complete with a guaranteed-to-be-steel tremolo block and an arm which will fit it. However, they tend to be expensive (around £90 in the UK - and probably $120 in the USA). A cheaper alternative of excellent quality is the Wilkinson replica, with a steel block and a push-in arm. They sell for about £26 here (complete with arm, all screws, springs plus spares and claw) and if available in the USA, should be less than fifty dollars. I have a Wilkinson replacement system on my Jagmaster - it's every bit as good as the genuine Fender vintage reissue parts on my USA Strats.

Take a look at this one for $39.95 plus shipping from Chicago:

http://tinyurl.com/7kl992m

Best of luck with the upgrade!

JimN

For a Strat I would totally agree with this, good value and they feel good to play.

[abel]

Hi Jim and all,

Thank you much for your help. I wouldn't have known.

After reviewing all the answers, I am a bit confused.

RUSSET said this:

Abel,
The steel block needs to be one that fits a MIM Standard bridge with 2 1/16 inch string spacing.
The Mexican Classic bridge has the [b]vintage style 2 3/16 (or sometimes quoted as 2 7/32) string spacing.
Check out eBay listing http://www.ebay.com/itm/390387192422 - I have had excellent service from this seller.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
JB[/b]

It sounds like a 2 1/16 inch spacing is needed.

JIM,

Your listing mentions this:
String Spacing is 2 1/8" and
screw hole spacing is 2 3/16"

Are they the same?.
In which case, I would like to please know which of these 2 golden ones is OK:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wilkinson-WV2SB-Guitar-Tremolo-Bridge-Steel-Block-Gold-/150764182619?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item231a3edc5b

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GOLD-Wilkinson-WV6SB-Vintage-6-Screw-Guitar-Tremolo-Bridge-Steel-Sustain-Block-/150704829144?_trksid=p4340.m185&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC.NPJS%26its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3DUA%26otn%3D5%26pmod%3D160783955725%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D7903775150905092886

Thank you much and sorry for my ignorance,
Abel

[John Boyd]

Abel,
Check out the Guitar Fetish website for Wilkinson trems in the US. They provide a very good service.
I am wary of that HK seller, after receiving a dud.
Cheers,

JBl

[JimN]

Hi, Abel,

The exact string spacing is only crucial if you are fitting a new or replacement block to an existing installed bridge unit. If you are simply fitting the whole bridge unit as a single item (as you would be with a Wilkinson), the string spacing is important, but not critical. After all, the new block and the new bridge plate have been made for each other!

When fitting a new bridge, the screw spacing (that is, the six screws along the front of the bridge plate) are the more important measurement (and the only really crucial one). The Wilkinson will fit alright...

If you want a gold-finished item, then Guitar Fetish may have just what you need:

http://store.guitarfetish.com/Gold-Wilkinson-Vintage-Tremolo-Pop-In-Arm-Steel-Block_p_406.html

Best wishes,

JN

PS: I agree with John: you can get the item in the States; you don't need to buy from Hong Kong - and make sure you get one with SIX screwholes along the leading edge...

[abel]

Thank yo much for the tips and info.
Now I can make a more informed choice.

It's great to have you around.

Blessings,
Abel