Is there any difference between Tremolo types?

Is there any difference in the tremolos on Strats that come with the MIM Stds and the other MIA Vintage Strats?

Narrower string spacing on the MIMs -- the strings won't line up with vintage-type (or aftermarket) pup polepieces. Check the polepieces on a MIM strat; the spacing is narrower... (they may have changed this recently, but it used to be the case)

Smaller block, made of zinc -- unplugged sound is weaker, less sustain and brightness when plugged up. American Vintage block is much heavier and made of steel. Put a magnet on a MIM block and test....

Also, the spacing on the mounting screws (which are in-line with the saddles) is narrower on the MIM trem, so you'll have to dowell and re-drill if you swap.

I had a MIM vintage-style trem on a project strat I built, but swapped it out for the AV trem. I had all of the problems listed above, but the AV bridge took care of them. Doweled holes weren't noticeable after installation.

I have a Jimmy Vaughan Strat - MIM , the bridge is exactly the same size as the USA models.
While it's true that the older early year MIM Strats were different, the newer MIM Strat for several years now should be the same as the USA and the same size too - other than having the zinc trem block
Mark Davis would know , he's up on all the USA/MIM/MIJ Fender specs.
The USA/MIM bodies and necks are all cut out here in the USA, so they are the same, other than some MIM are made out of poplar, though I believe lately they are all alder / ash depending on finish.

I believe the JV strat is an exception to the rule, i.e. better hardware..

Mike

The MIM Classic series have a ping bridge same size as the American vintage bridge which is used on the 57/62ri Strats. The Jimmie Vaughan is the only MIM guitar with same exact bridge and tuners the AV series uses also Custom Shop models all use this same Gotoh made bridge steel block. The MIM ping bridge has a zinc cast block. Both bridges will interchange perfectly just a bolton. I've done this to several 50's 60's Classic Strats and it works great.

I personally havent tried this on an MIM STD like noted above the older ones did have a different string spacing but I think the newer ones are the same ping bridge as used on the 50's 60's Classic Strats. I'll do somr parts number comparisons and see what they might have changed on the new MIM STD's. I know the newer MIM STD Teles can interchange with a 52ri Bridge now and they used to not fit so maybe they changed the Strat also.

Did some parts number chashing here is what I came up
with.

0054619000 Ping Vintage Bridge

Used on 50's 60's Classic MIM's and the Highway 1 series of Strats.

0019642000 Gotoh Vintage Bridge

Used on 57/62 ri AV (American Vintage) Strats also the MIM Jimmie Vaughan Signature Strat.

0037449000 Listed as the Standard Strat bridge no mention of ping.

Used on the $350 MIM STD.

So now all we need is someone with a 12/10/2000 or newer MIM STD to measure their string spacing thats when they did the upgrade to the STD Strat and changed to Alder body etc.

I have a '60s Classic, and when I bought it, Callaham had it laid out pretty clear on his site which replacement system to buy for each model - and the difference really is amazing. I don't see the same list on his site now, but I'm sure they offer one for any USA/MIM/CIJ or Korean garbage that you might have.

Mexican standards are 2 1/16" screw and string spacing.
The higher end Mexi models use American spaced bridges, which is 2 7/32"
The newer Hiway 1 models use a 2 7/32" screw space but a 2 1/16" string space.

If you have a wider nut like on the American necks, the 2 1/16" aligns well over the poles.
If you use a narrow, vintage or Mexi nut size neck, the 2 1/16" tends to move the strings inside the poles at the neck p/up more than anything.

I've used both string spacings on my Hwy 1 and although it looks funny, the misaligned poles really don't affect the sound all that much, if at all. Gotta remember there's a magnectic field across that whole width, at least that's what I reasoned.

I put a Callaham narrow setup on my first Mexi a few years ago, and then got some Bill (and Becky) narrow spaced p/ups just for it, and truthfully, they didn't make all that much difference ~ to my ears, anyway, but they LOOKED better.

Holy resurrected threads, Batman! 5 1/2 years between posts!

Wow just noticed that. Wouldn't have without your post tho superchicken. Glad it did tho good info in here.

Mexican standards are 2 1/16" screw and string spacing.
The higher end Mexi models use American spaced bridges, which is 2 7/32"
The newer Hiway 1 models use a 2 7/32" screw space but a 2 1/16" string space.

If you have a wider nut like on the American necks, the 2 1/16" aligns well over the poles.
If you use a narrow, vintage or Mexi nut size neck, the 2 1/16" tends to move the strings inside the poles at the neck p/up more than anything.

I've used both string spacings on my Hwy 1 and although it looks funny, the misaligned poles really don't affect the sound all that much, if at all. Gotta remember there's a magnectic field across that whole width, at least that's what I reasoned.

I put a Callaham narrow setup on my first Mexi a few years ago, and then got some Bill (and Becky) narrow spaced p/ups just for it, and truthfully, they didn't make all that much difference ~ to my ears, anyway, but they LOOKED better.
Zombie thread...lol
I have a 2nd gen lg headstock highway one strat body with an American STD neck. Do you think the ping bridge p/n 0054619000 will work well? Do you have any pix of the hwy 1 w/ 2 3/16 bridge on it? Thanks.