Vintage Style Tremolo's

I'm running down the final pieces for my partscaster, (Is it still a partscaster if its all Fender?)

Looking at vintage style tremolo's. Not doing anything from china. Are the Mexican/Japanese trems worth a damn? Or stick with made in USA? I have a wilkinson on another strat and I like it but I'm thinking it needs to say Fender somewhere.

mannmade usa tremolo makes some of if not the best nonlocking tremolo unit around.

he is the original supplier to paul reed smith guitars.

he makes PRS original replacement tremolos, 2 point and vintage spec tremolo for strats.

i just bought 1 for my parstcaster.

I'm running down the final pieces for my partscaster, (Is it still a partscaster if its all Fender?)

To my knowledge : "Partcaster" = not stock, not as it was produced, not as it went out of the factory (strings replacement excluded).

A replaced broken part (neck or body excluded, because all the original dates and codes inscriptions will be gone) by it's identical time correct replacement does not make it a "Partcaster".

I bought a used Strat that was advertised as a Highway One and the serial number submitted to Fender prior to the deal confirmed it.
But I later found that the body was MIM and a year older and the tuners were from a '70s model. So I consider it a "Partcaster". But it is considered by many as the best of my 3 MIA Strats!!!!.

"Partcaster" is only lowering the value and finally it was not "THE" deal I thought it was when I spent CAN $350 for this one, but still a reasonable price.

Thanks guys

I guess its just a Strat. I bought a Fender 50th anniversary neck from Joe Glaser about 12 years ago, it had his "pro" setup. Some studio guy had Joe Make another neck and traded this one in.
One of the few times I have been in GC, one of the sales kids had this candy apple red authentic Fender strat body. Someone had dropped it and chipped some paint off the lower bout. I jokingly offered him $50.00 & got it for $80.00.

I'm leaning towards the Callaham at the moment. Also looking at whats available used on fleabay.

In my opinion, Callaham is an excellent choice.

Some will criticize them as being rather expensive, but based on owning and playing one for the last year on my USACG Strat, I ordered another today.
I especially like the Vintage Narrow option... 2 7/32" mounting screw spacing with a 2 1/16" saddle spacing. It brings the outside E strings just a hair inboard away from the neck edge. A HUGE Thumbs Up from me.

Make sure you measure and order the correct unit for your guitar.

If you haven't visited their website, they have pics and info. I like the correct bevel on the underside bridge plate that allows the bridge to pivot correctly without hanging up.

The Callaham is a beautiful piece of stainless steel gear that just feels smooth and solid.
It makes the modern stock vintage-style Fender tremolos feel like toys.
The extra co$t is worth it , to me.
YMMV

Others have recommended the Bladerunner trem units. Never used one, myself but it does vary from the vintage-style appearance somewhat, if that is important to you.

P.S. Don't get hung up on it being "just" a partscaster...unless you HAVE to have an authentic Fender decal. Many folks here (myself included) have assembled and finished incredible guitars from quality "parts"...in many cases much superior to what you can buy from Fender.

As a southpaw, I like the ability to choose individual preferences (body color, neck radius, thickness, fret size, etc.) and finish it in the color I choose, instead of the 3 colors that Fender makes for lefties.

Ain't life grand?!?!? :grin:

I'm still leaning toward the Callaham tremolo.

Neck is a Fender neck, decal and all, got a 50th anniversary decal too.

My next one I will build from scratch. I just want to get these loose parts into a guitar.

Will be doing some careful measuring and probably will call the vendor when I order.

Thanks everyone.