https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/blocking-trem-on-strat-why/ Guitar Noise Discussion Board en-US Thu, 04 Jun 2026 11:53:22 +0000 wpForo 60 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/blocking-trem-on-strat-why/paged/2/#post-325181 Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:50:07 +0000
a guitar is a resonance system. with so many complicated parts, it become very difficult to predict how a single change will effect tone. gotta try to find out. and among the same model guitars, the results of a change may not be exactly the same. the guitar-to-guitar variations in woods, set-ups and even dimensions can cause a lot of interplay among the changes (such as blocking, locking, re-springing ...). this is why some of us picky jerks try out a many of the same model guitar before buying.]]> Guitar Repair and Maintenance gnease https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/blocking-trem-on-strat-why/paged/2/#post-325181 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/blocking-trem-on-strat-why/#post-325172 Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:03:26 +0000 Thankx for the reply.

Yeah, I'm sure any newer style floating trem system is designed to work much better than the Strats'.
I would also have to say that the newer systems are based on the basic design that Fender came up with for the Strat,
only, they have all the flaws in that system to use as a 'what not to do' blueprint :wink:

While Fender on the other hand, faced with keeping the Strat the iconic archtype that it is, has it's hands tied
when it comes to 'improvements'.
So, in reality - us Strat lovers are forced to accept a design that hasn't changed much since 1954.

And, unfortunately, they haven't always made 'improvements' over time.
From 54 - mid year 71, Strats had a wonderful bridge/inertia block/saddle system.
From 71 - 07 - a rotten set up.

I would say that maybe there isn't much of an actual gain in tonality when blocking off one of the thin cast inertia systems.
They just dont have good physical properties to begin with.
It would be like trying to get the newer style saddles to sound as good as stamped steel ones.... just ain't gunna happen.
I mean, you've got to have something to work with in the first place.

Blocking off the cast block trem would give you more stability and stuff like that.... for a tone improvement,
I would get a thicker steel block though, to start out with.

Ken]]> Guitar Repair and Maintenance CitiZenNoir https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/blocking-trem-on-strat-why/#post-325172 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/blocking-trem-on-strat-why/#post-325157 Fri, 03 Apr 2009 16:32:17 +0000
Back then I wasn't at the same experience level as I am now, so there is a chance I may have just had a bad tech and couldn't fix it myself, but I really did find a lot of evidence on the web to indicate blocking newer trems wouldn't help sustain and might hurt it. If I remember correctly, mostly for the ZR trem.]]> Guitar Repair and Maintenance jeffster1 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/blocking-trem-on-strat-why/#post-325157 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/blocking-trem-on-strat-why/#post-325044 Thu, 02 Apr 2009 18:37:54 +0000
I know this not only from reading, but from experience on a couple of different guitars. Hi Jeff.

I'd be interested to know more about your sources for this as well as your personal experience.
Are you talking about Fender Strats, and the stock Fender trems specifically?

On the newer Strats, I can assure you that the trem was not designed to increase sustain or resonance....
At least on ones made from 1988 - 2007 (and I mean MIA's).
In 2008, Fender finally addressed the Strat bridge/trem block/bridge saddle problem and they now come with a much better system.

Replacing the thin, stock, cast inertia block with a much thicker/heavier one will increase sustain and resonance.
Properly blocking it off will add to that by creating better transfer to the body.
Removing the paint from the block area will furthur increases.

Ken]]> Guitar Repair and Maintenance CitiZenNoir https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/blocking-trem-on-strat-why/#post-325044 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/blocking-trem-on-strat-why/#post-325033 Thu, 02 Apr 2009 16:59:57 +0000 Guitar Repair and Maintenance RoundI https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/blocking-trem-on-strat-why/#post-325033 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/blocking-trem-on-strat-why/#post-325029 Thu, 02 Apr 2009 16:03:26 +0000
I just checked the specs on the fender site and it lists the bridge as "Vintage Style Synchronized Tremolo"

Pardon my ignorance but does this mean it should NOT be aligned with the backplate and is the bend down only type. I have not used it much but it does only seem to bend down and doesn't seem to move if I pull up. The intonation does not seem to be off either. When I plug in the tuner and check the strings at the 12th fret the little green light is on and the needle is just a little above the center.

Gnease: Thankd for the book recomendation I will pick it up not a problem if it's vintage sychno. that is bend-down only, and everything is as it should be. completely agree with TR (except for the imaginary reverb on a down only trem :wink: ): you really do not need to block this trem. just tighten the springs (screw spring claw further into wood) to make sure the bridge is firmly pulled to the body. you could also add a spring to do the same thing (a la TR's rec).

as for the hole misalignment: annoying but not fatal. sounds as if Fender got a bit lazy on that. if you bend down, they probably align -- 'course that does not help you much (no arm). you could have the holes/slots lengthened.

TR: the little spring in the arm hole was added after Fender realized players were putting retractable pen springs in the hole to keep the arm from dangling freely.]]> Guitar Repair and Maintenance gnease https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/blocking-trem-on-strat-why/#post-325029 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/blocking-trem-on-strat-why/#post-325010 Thu, 02 Apr 2009 07:20:04 +0000 Guitar Repair and Maintenance TRGuitar https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/blocking-trem-on-strat-why/#post-325010 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/blocking-trem-on-strat-why/#post-324981 Thu, 02 Apr 2009 03:29:58 +0000
I just checked the specs on the fender site and it lists the bridge as "Vintage Style Synchronized Tremolo"

Pardon my ignorance but does this mean it should NOT be aligned with the backplate and is the bend down only type. I have not used it much but it does only seem to bend down and doesn't seem to move if I pull up. The intonation does not seem to be off either. When I plug in the tuner and check the strings at the 12th fret the little green light is on and the needle is just a little above the center.

Gnease: Thankd for the book recomendation I will pick it up]]> Guitar Repair and Maintenance RoundI https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/blocking-trem-on-strat-why/#post-324981 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/blocking-trem-on-strat-why/#post-324971 Thu, 02 Apr 2009 02:17:41 +0000
I also leave my back plate off. It got on my nerves. I've read Eric Johnson claims this improves tone. any idea why?]]> Guitar Repair and Maintenance U2Bono269 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/blocking-trem-on-strat-why/#post-324971 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/blocking-trem-on-strat-why/#post-324957 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 23:07:36 +0000
Having taken it off I observed that the trem block is pulled forward by the springs until it contacts the body of the guitar. Is this where it is supposed to be?
I have looked at other strats and the trem blocks line up perfectly with that slot in the back cover. I had previously assumed the cover was screwed on incorrectly.

How difficult is blocking the trem?

The guitar seems to stay in tune quite well but I do sometimes find it a little too bright but I credited this as being a strat trait and I am learning to adjust the tone on the guitar and amp to deal with it. I suspect this is mostly a problem with the guitarist not the guitar. really depends on which type trem. an older "vintage" style strat set up to float will probably have the misalignment you describe, as it was not originally supposed to float. but bend-down-only vintage style or two-point floating or six screw :modern" (Squier and some others) made to float should have the string replacement holes line up with the inertia block (part of trem). yours is probably one of the latter, and that means your bridge plate is not properly angled under properly tuned string tension. it may also mean your intonation is off. (high frets out of tune?) For a two-point floating trem, the bridge plate should float parallel to the guitar body, and the inertia block will be roughly centered in its body cavity. if this is not the case, your strat needs a set up for the trem and intonation. you should either buy one of the Dan Erlewine books on guitar repair and set-up (Guitar Player publications) book and learn to do this or take it to a good tech.]]> Guitar Repair and Maintenance gnease https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/blocking-trem-on-strat-why/#post-324957