Got a full Callaham bridge setup

[worldoftone]

For my 1991 Japanese '72 RI Strat. We'll see how it works . . . it can't be any worse than the stock bridge on there.



- WOT

[shakti]

I have one in the mail too, but it's for a 1999 CS '60 Relic. Most people seem to think the Callaham is a significant upgrade also over the bridge/trem assemblies on CS Time Machine series guitars, so I am very anxious to try it. Based on the descriptions on what to expect, tone-wise, I think it's exactly what the guitar needs; more zing and bell-like response, particularly on the wound strings, improved sustain and increase in acoustic volume. We'll see.

[worldoftone]

I got it sitting here. Bought it for $100 new, unused and still in bag from someone I know. More concerned about it fitting correctly in that particular guitar.

- WOT

[thousandshirts]

Let me know how it goes, guys.

[philmanatee]

I put one in a tokai body, I thought it sounded great. Phil

[worldoftone]

I'll put it in tomorrow. Got stuck working late on a tricky trem(olo) problem. Eventually got it sorted out but there went my extra "guitar" time.

- WOT

[Roe]

the callaham bridge made my old japanese squire come alive

[worldoftone]

Took about 45-min from start to finish. ONE problem I had with the original bridge was that it was LOOSE from the tone block. No wonder the tone went to hell. D'OH! Should have tried screwing it down and retesting. Anyway, just got done with a quick test. Fatter bottom end, more pronounced midrange. Gave the guitar more of a 60's vibe. I have a '76 wiring harness/pickups in her too.

Played it through my '62 Bassman and my '59 Bassman. It is definitely an improvement. I think I can use this thing again finally!



- WOT

[flieger67]

That's cool to read.

Any improvement in tuning stability? Did the Callaham setup come with new springs and claw or was it just the bridge and an arm?

[worldoftone]

I installed all their hardware (screws, springs, claw etc.). I won't know about the stability until I get it intonated and setup more correctly. I can say that the sustain is a LOT better. Played it through a homebrew JCM-800 a customer brought over yesterday, and it really sounded so much better. Kinda rolled off the highs on this particular guitar, in a good way. Very odd but cool.

I'd say with this guitar the bridge shaped the tonality for the better. It wasn't to the OMG factor, but it certainly did help. The acid test will be taking it to a gig at some point.

- WOT

[flieger67]

Cool, WOT. Thanks for the response.

[BrianH]

I once had a reissue CIJ Strat that really benefitted from a Callaham trem block upgrade. Significant upgrade to the sustain and brightness.

[shakti]

Well, I am officially impressed! I just swapped the stock bridge on a '99 Relic 60s Strat, and I think it made a pretty big and significant improvement on this guitar. Maybe not a night and day difference, but immediately noticeable, and significant enough that I'd pay even twice the cost now that I know what improvements it made.

I always thought this was a very lively, resonant sounding guitar, which played like a dream. However, it was very warm sounding, to the point of sounding a little dull in some contexts.

After the change, I'd say that the guitar is even more resonant, but not necessarily brighter. The overtones are hugely improved, however, which is probably what some perceive as being brighter. This guitar is medium weight, and is voiced mellow enough to offset those overtones, so I don't hear it as being bright, just lively and full.

The other thing that's noticeably increased is sustain, all over the neck.

The increase in overtones and improved sustain leads to a more resonant, bell-like response. "Piano-like" is often used to describe Strat cleans, and this guitar is much, much closer to that now. I also found that it's even more effortless to play now, notes seem to roll out more readily, hammer-ons and pull-off ring more easily.

BTW, I found that screwing the two screws that hold the trem spring claw plate further into the body also made a significant improvement on the bass strings, which were much tighter once I got those screws a good way into the body.

[worldoftone]

Sweet! I "hardtail" my bridge FWIW (it sits all the way back so that it doesn't float).

- WOT

[shakti]

Yeah, no floating on my setup either. It's been many years since I last set it up floating, so I don't even remember what that sounds like...

I haven't tried the guitar plugged yet, am curious as to how much of the change comes through plugged. I have ordered a set of Don Mare "Josie/VaughnC" winds though, as I'm not thrilled with the stock CS 60s PUs...kind of dark and murky sounding, but it will be interesting to see how much of that was attributable to the mellow sound of the guitar.