New 2008 American strat - Callaham block?

[axg20202]

Hi,

no sooner have I bought a new axe than I find myself wanting to mod it? Addict! Seriously though, don't get me wrong, I love this guitar, but the trem block still has the poorly designed screw in trem bar, which is wobbly and sluggish because of the way it threads into the block - it's the only negative point I've found with this guitar, which is excellent IMO.

I know some people rave about the Callaham replacement blocks and trem arm upgrades, but a lot of the reviews are based on upgrading older strats (before Fender's supposedly improved block - improved material anyway) or lower spec MIM strats where the upgrade probably has more impact. I wonder if the only advantage on a 2008 US std would be the improved fit of the trem bar seeing as the block itself is not bad other than the whammy bar fitting.

Has anyone made this upgrade to the new 2008 strat model and, if so, did it also change the tone, sustain, whatever?

[Jakedog]

I don't know about the Callaham block, I don't use a trem, and mine sounds just fine as is. I was thinking though, if you wanted to snug up the fit of the bar a little, a piece of teflon thread tape might just do the trick. Plumbers use it on pipe threads to get a nice snug, sealed fit. You can get it at any hardware store, and with bar screwed in, it wouldn't show. One layer around the bar's threads would most likely do it.


Jake