Callaham Blocks

[MacGaden]

does callaham make a setup that is identical to vintage strats? I'd be buying whatever is exactly like an original spec, not modified to be better in any way.

That is what the standard version is. Check their website.

As for "Graphtech Ferraglide / Stringsaver saddles." =Major Tonekillers. Dead sounding. If it

[Yngve]

Thnaks for the post Deuterium!!!! Now that you have this and have witness the true effect of the swap over, then what is Strat78 is talking about?

[Deuterium]

does callaham make a setup that is identical to vintage strats? I'd be buying whatever is exactly like an original spec, not modified to be better in any way.

That is what the standard version is. Check their website.

As for "Graphtech Ferraglide / Stringsaver saddles." =Major Tonekillers. Dead sounding. If it

[Deuterium]

DO NOT buy the V/N bridge!!! They are spaced way too close together (unless you are making a 3/4 guitar for your 7 year old). If you have problems with the strings flopping over the edge simply have a wider neck made by either Warmoth or Musikraft. Allot of the swagger and rhythmic vibe that is achieved doing riffs or solos comes from the classic Fender spacing on a strat. The V/N is a total wast of cash and an over all bad idea. -Not gospel, but just my personal experience here.

Strat 78. I have to disagree with you on this. Most of the Fender Strats in production use a 2-1/16" E to E string spacing, including all the current American Standards, Highway One, etc. I wouldn't characterize these top selling models as being for "seven year olds". The "High E string" problem has arisen precisely because of the fact that Fender continues to use a vintage tremolo w/ vintage spring spacing (2-7/32") on guitars that no longer have as wide a neck as the true vintage Strats. The only solution to this problem, is to covert to a tremolo that has a narrower E to E string spacing. I have identified to excellent solutions in my previous posts...the Callaham V/N, or the Wilkinson VSV400P.

Furthermore, I have had NO difficulty at all in adapting to the narrower string spacing. If anything, it made the necks on my YJM Strats feel even faster. Besides, it totally cured the high E string problem...which also gets back to helping improve speed and confidence.

IMHO, changing out the tremolo for one that uses a modern 2-1/16" string spacing is a more ideal a solution than replacing the entire neck with a Warmoth one.

[yngwie308]

Deuterium (John) is correct in his assumptions. He has done much research and technically experimented with these bridges and saddles.
The YJM Strats in particular suffer from the high E string of death and it majorly spoils the playing of the guitar and it isn't just resetting the neck in the pocket, ect.
That he is willing to experiment and offer his experiences to others in great detail, is to be applauded.
I wouldn't take seriously such remarks as a 3/4 guitar for 7 year olds.
I tend not to use the tremolos too much in my playing, but enjoy my Floyds for what they are.
The vintage Fender bridges are 54 years old and if you read about the original design process of them, it was a solution of a failed original design.
That technology can improve things there can be no argument.
Thanks John for your contribution.
yngwie308

[MacGaden]

does callaham make a setup that is identical to vintage strats? I'd be buying whatever is exactly like an original spec, not modified to be better in any way.

That is what the standard version is. Check their website.

As for "Graphtech Ferraglide / Stringsaver saddles." =Major Tonekillers. Dead sounding. If it

[MacGaden]

DO NOT buy the V/N bridge!!! They are spaced way too close together (unless you are making a 3/4 guitar for your 7 year old). If you have problems with the strings flopping over the edge simply have a wider neck made by either Warmoth or Musikraft. Allot of the swagger and rhythmic vibe that is achieved doing riffs or solos comes from the classic Fender spacing on a strat. The V/N is a total wast of cash and an over all bad idea. -Not gospel, but just my personal experience here.

Strat 78. I have to disagree with you on this. Most of the Fender Strats in production use a 2-1/16" E to E string spacing, including all the current American Standards, Highway One, etc. I wouldn't characterize these top selling models as being for "seven year olds". The "High E string" problem has arisen precisely because of the fact that Fender continues to use a vintage tremolo w/ vintage spring spacing (2-7/32") on guitars that no longer have as wide a neck as the true vintage Strats. The only solution to this problem, is to covert to a tremolo that has a narrower E to E string spacing. I have identified to excellent solutions in my previous posts...the Callaham V/N, or the Wilkinson VSV400P.

Furthermore, I have had NO difficulty at all in adapting to the narrower string spacing. If anything, it made the necks on my YJM Strats feel even faster. Besides, it totally cured the high E string problem...which also gets back to helping improve speed and confidence.

IMHO, changing out the tremolo for one that uses a modern 2-1/16" string spacing is a more ideal a solution than replacing the entire neck with a Warmoth one.

...the fact that Fender continues to use a vintage tremolo w/ vintage spring spacing (2-7/32") on guitars that no longer have as wide a neck as the true vintage Strats.

That does

[MacGaden]

....
The vintage Fender bridges are 54 years old and if you read about the original design process of them, it was a solution of a failed original design.
That technology can improve things there can be no argument.
Thanks John for your contribution.
yngwie308

Nobody has even seen the original design, except in a fuzzy pic of Bill Carson, and you cant really see what was going on.

The solution Leo Fender came up with, the original Strat trem, is excellent, it works, it has great tone and sustain when it

[yngwie308]

If you read the book "The Stratocaster Chronicles" by Tom Wheeler, which is what I was referring to, George Fullerton describes the original tremelo design which was changed around to what we have today.
With respect I have also been playing a Stratocaster since I was 12 years old, that makes it 42 years for me. I have owned a real 1965 Transition logoed Strat as my first guitar and my current '57 reissue since 1983.
I personally love the vintage bridge saddles and they work for me.
I feel that Deuterium's solution works well for what he is doing with his playing. I was referring to his troubleshooting methods, ect.
I think technology is a wonderful thing, but isn't necessarily the best solution.
I think if I had worded my post more accurately as you quoted, then you would understand what I meant.
There are some old hands here and yes all their experience and knowledge is to be respected, yet I myself learn something new everyday and if I knew it all, I wouldn't enjoy discussing guitars and such here.
I have seen and been around music both in Europe and the States and feel I have a wealth of experience to offer too.
I get irritated if newbees try and tell me something that I know is not true, but I have learned to let it go.
It is my hope that Metro Forum dosen't end up like LPF in the respect of old curmugeonly elders stating that's the way it will always be, ect.
There are those here, not necessarily you, that are somewhat stuck in their ways. Those that know me, know I am only motivated in trying to help others with what I have learned and to continually learn myself from others.
I am supporting Deuterium as he is earnest in his efforts to experiment and has found a solution for his own predicament.
I have resolved to finding my own solutions as well, that is the most rewarding way to do it.
That the 1954 Stratocaster is perfect as it is, their is no doubt.
yngwie308

[Yngve]

Right On Yngwie308! I am here to learn from all you people and hope to share some of my knowledge. Hope oneday to all meet.


What parts of Europe have you been?

[Strat78]

Good heavens! Like I said, this is not gospel but just my experience and if it does not resonate then who cares, I'm just trying to save some folks a little cash. Anybody ells here who actually owns a Callaham want to pipe in as well? Someone here recommended the Callaham V/N last spring so I bought one. However I found that playing with a V/N vs. the vintage Fender spacing is like trying to practice your golf swing in a phone booth, totally constricting. I have since bought the Callaham vintage and the whole panorama opened back up. I'm not just talking about the fret hand but keeping the right hand good and loose with lots of space for the wind up and fallow through which makes a riff swing with a nice sexy stride. The wider spacing on the fret board also gives soloing a nice snappy quality and less of that shread taint when playing faster passages. Also, it seems like much of the saucy bell like strat tone comes from the pressed saddles. Callaham uses hardened steel which seems to not form grooves as readily as AllParts, Warmoth etc.. Why fix the problem with the problem, like I said, buy a neck that has a little more elbow room and you will be better off all around. With all the awesome individual parts available, do people really buy strats over the counter these days? Why?

[Yngve]

Then you better forgetting the Fender guitar and buy a warmoth or a custom job. I guess we are talking here if we already own a strat from fender. Changing the neck is way too expensive