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Callaham Tremolo Block Details 2006 Enhanced Available for Purchase Here Block & Bridge Compatibility |
Callaham Enhanced Tremolo Block |
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Block and Arm Design
The original design of the sychronized tremolo although revolutional at the time has several flaws. These flaws have never been addressed by Fender and they even carry these flaws into the American Standard Tremolos and their Mexican models. The problem is the .205 DIA x 3/16 long counterbore in the top of the block. | |
The photo to your right shows a sectional view of a current Fender vintage block to illustrate the counterbore. This counterbore is also in American Standard blocks. The counterbore creates a tremendous stress riser on the first thread of the trem arm, the weakest section of the arm, because the arm is completely unsupported at the top of the block. The forces developed when using the trem are applied directly to the threaded section of the arm. It doesn't matter if the arm is made from high strength materials, it will eventually fail right at the first thread. The counterbore also reduces the leverage over trem springs. Fender arms also have significant play in the threads making the bridge very slow to respond and making subtle vibrato effects difficult. The Fender solution is a heavy spring in the bottom of the block. This spring causes the threads to gall and suddenly the arm is locked in the block and the only way to remove it is to break it off. |
Sectional view Fender Vintage block |
To correct these flaws all of our blocks are produced with a zero-clearance fit Delrin bushing that supports the arm all the way to the top of the block. |
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Cutaway view Callaham Block with No Arm |
Cutaway view Callaham Block with Callaham "64" Virtual Pop-in Arm |
Cutaway view Callaham Block with Traditional Arm |
This significant improvement makes the arm nearly unbreakable. We say nearly, because the only true way to break an arm off in our blocks would be intentional misuse or abuse. For those of you that play 13's with 5 springs screwed all the way down; play with confidence that our block won't let you down. The other advantage to this change is the arm will have zero play and will have more leverage over the springs. This will make the tremolo extremely touch sensitive, controllable, and smoother. The arm we use in our bridge assembly and the one we suggest you use with our enhanced blocks is the Callaham "64" Virtual Pop-in stainless steel arm. We call it a virtual pop-in because the threads on the end only serve to keep the arm in the block when in use. A true 3/16" pop-in arm could be used, but could be pulled out if played too aggressively. We have been producing the best sounding bridge available for years. This change makes our bridge even farther ahead of any vintage bridge and rivals the sensitivity of modern two pivot bridges. |
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Block Material
If you have an import guitar, your block is more than likely zinc (pot metal). Zinc kills both sustain and clarity and your sound. If you have a U.S. made guitar, you may have a steel block but it is either a hot rolled leaded steel, or in the case of the American Standard bridges, a soft cast steel block.
We guarantee you will hear an improvement in both sustain and clarity after installing our block.
We have always gone to great lengths in our machining to produce a near mirror finish on the mating surface with the top plate to obtain the best fit possible; a very important detail missed on almost all factory blocks. | |
How do I install the Tremolo Block? 1.) Disassemble the bridge (make a note of saddle location for ease of reintonation). 2.) Start all 3 mounting screws and install trem arm* into block. 3.) Tighten 3 mounting screws firmly. 4.) Reinstall saddles and bridge and reintonate instrument. Make sure to carefully reintonate your instrument.
Please note: |
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Vintage Bridge Compared to Fender American Standard Bridge. . . |
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Vintage Strat 6-Pivot Bridge 2 7/32 center to center b/w E strings. 2 7/32 center to center between outside pivot mounting screws. |
Fender American Standard 2-Pivot Bridge Cast saddles 2 1/16 string spacing |
Side view of a Callaham Block retrofitted on a Fender American Standard bridge |
Side view of a stock Fender Cast Block w/ rear bevel on a Fender American Standard bridge. | |
Note: We do NOT make an American Standard Bridge. | ||
We were interviewed in the December 2000 issue of The ToneQuest Report. |
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Block Prices | ||
For Ordering Instructions and Shipping Rates, go to our Order Direct page. |
Prices and Content subject to change without notice. |
© 1996-2018 by Callaham Guitars™. All rights reserved. This website is protected by copyright and trademark laws under U.S. and International law. All images and content may not be reproduced without written permission of Callaham Guitars™. Stratocaster®, Strat® & Tele® are registered trademarks of Fender Musical Instruments Corp. Callaham Guitars™ is not affiliated with Fender Musical Instruments Corp. This page last modified January 10, 2018 |
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