2009 TDPRI Giveaway Winners List is available HERE

craigfowler · April 25th, 2008, 02:54 AM

I just have to know (now that it's on sale!)...has anyone used Glendale's new strat bridge? Any thoughts on it?

I don't have anything to put one on right now, but I've been curious for a little while now.

boris bubbanov · April 25th, 2008, 05:49 AM

The brass version ought to work great of my Highway One; I just need to cross reference the radius of the fretboard I have on there against the effective radius of these saddles. My neck may be too flat, I may have to switch it out with one of the others I've finished and assembled.

That's a real fair price, but my other strat bodies are either the way I like them already or they are 2 post modern design. Or hardtail.

When did the price reduction take effect?

mowcheeba · April 25th, 2008, 09:25 AM

Now it is a fair price, I thought 250 USD was a bit too much
for a Strat bridge.
Would love to try one on my future Strat build.....

boris bubbanov · April 25th, 2008, 01:46 PM

$ 250 was a fair price, I just think folks were a bit nervous about getting to far ahead of the pack.

$ 149, you betcha I ordered one. These are the same screw spacing just like any other Fender 6 screw body would take, and of course the string array at the bridge is like any vintage tele, it is tweakable.

Glen doesn't have too many brass blocks on hand, so don't wait too long. Depending on how it sounds, I may do another trem body from Tommy as I have the neck and loaded pickguard ready to go.

mowcheeba · April 25th, 2008, 07:44 PM

Well maybe I look at prices different being outside U.S. With taxes and
fees that "Chimemaster" bridge was close to 400 USD.
I'm not criticizing Glendale I love his products and price is such a relative
thing.
For a an educated middle class man in U.S the price might be fair but
for a working class "hombre" from Argentina it might seem expensive...

telemomo · April 27th, 2008, 05:55 PM

I could not find any reviews online of the Glendale Chimemaster. But, being a compulsive idiot myself, I ordered one! Plus, who can resist a good sale.

I know Glendale makes some of the finest guitar parts on earth. I doubt they would produce anything that was not first rate. I already have an awsome reissue Strat, so I can take a chance with the Partsocaster this will be used on.

We will see...

In the mean time, I would love to hear what anyone that has used one has to say.

Mike

craigfowler · April 27th, 2008, 06:24 PM

It's been interesting reading these takes on the chimemaster - I'm also curious to hear from anyone who's already played with one. I *really* want to order one, but even at the sale price, am having a hard time justifying it! I just put a Callaham trem on a partscaster strat, so I don't even have anything crappy to replace, or a new build to put one one! Still, I wants one! When his tele bridges/saddles are so good, I'm dying to play with his strat goodies!

mowcheeba · April 27th, 2008, 06:49 PM

I know it is not the same thing but one could drill 3 holes in between
the 6 holes on a Strat trem bridge in order to use Glendale Tele saddles.

Or am I tripping?

telemomo · April 27th, 2008, 07:20 PM

Mowcheeba:

You may be "trippin", because one has to factor in the Glendale solid brass block, the thin CNC machined plate, and I am assuming the Chimemaster's saddles are a different spec than the Tele saddles.

The optimist in me wants to think that Dale slashed the price on the Chimemaster to get a buzz started on his amazing new product. Because, thus far, no one has anything to say.

The pessimist in me worries that the Chimemaster is not finding wide appeal, so the sale reflects a need to move stock and move on.

A 40% discount helps make it worth the risk.

Mike

boris bubbanov · April 28th, 2008, 01:28 AM

I have a buddy on the Squier 51 modders forum who has installed the three brass barrel mod on a Squier Strat with a trem bridge plate, and was very satisfied with the results.

There's a mod done to various Squier hardtail bridge plates which got started by Mike Levitt here at TDPRI in November, 2004 which involves grafting 3 brass barrels onto the existing bridgeplate. It is growing in popularity and IMO dramatically improves the top loader Squier 51, both in sound and in playability.

Glen's Chimemaster is an extension of this 3 brass barrel concept onto a MIM or MIA vintage specs Stratocaster. I think the concept is great. I think the #1 reason why it hadn't happened sooner is most guys who like 3 brass barrels also insist on a Tele format. Conversely, guys who insist on a Strat format simply refuse to pay homage to any attribute so clearly identified with the Telecaster. Call it "sibling rivalry" or whatever you like, I refuse to be trapped in this fashion.

As everything I have bought from Glen Dale Clark has met or exceeded my expectations so far, and as I was intending to buy this product at $ 249 soon enough, I decided now would be good, also.

mowcheeba · April 28th, 2008, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by telemomo

Mowcheeba:

You may be "trippin", because one has to factor in the Glendale solid brass block, the thin CNC machined plate, and I am assuming the Chimemaster's saddles are a different spec than the Tele saddles.

The optimist in me wants to think that Dale slashed the price on the Chimemaster to get a buzz started on his amazing new product. Because, thus far, no one has anything to say.

The pessimist in me worries that the Chimemaster is not finding wide appeal, so the sale reflects a need to move stock and move on.

A 40% discount helps make it worth the risk.

Mike

I did not mean one could drill 3 holes and put Tele saddles on a regular Strat
bridge and think it's as good as Glendale's Chimemaster.
I know it is more to his Chimemaster than the Tele saddles and as
far as quality Glendale is second to none.

boris bubbanov · April 28th, 2008, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mowcheeba

I did not mean one could drill 3 holes and put Tele saddles on a regular Strat
bridge and think it's as good as Glendale's Chimemaster.
I know it is more to his Chimemaster than the Tele saddles and as
far as quality Glendale is second to none.

I think you could try and mod a stock Strat plate, and I might've been tempted to try that at $ 249 before buying, but at $149 I had to buy the real thing.

The kit is here, it includes everything, and the most mindful thing I can mention is that the saddle diameter is not 5/16s but 1/4, I sure for setup reasons, and this will enable me to use the neck I have on the guitar at present. The brass block is chrome plated, and the whole assembly comes across as fine jewelry. I haven't built it out yet, but it seems like a really nicely made product, as usual.

mowcheeba · April 28th, 2008, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

I think you could try and mod a stock Strat plate, and I might've been tempted to try that at $ 249 before buying, but at $149 I had to buy the real thing.

The kit is here, it includes everything, and the most mindful thing I can mention is that the saddle diameter is not 5/16s but 1/4, I sure for setup reasons, and this will enable me to use the neck I have on the guitar at present. The brass block is chrome plated, and the whole assembly comes across as fine jewelry. I haven't built it out yet, but it seems like a really nicely made product, as usual.

Please post a report once you get it all together....I have not decided bridge
for my future Strat build, too many option.....regular hardtail, Glendale Chimemaster, or Callaham's vintage trem bridge.

boris bubbanov · April 29th, 2008, 12:23 AM

Ok, I have it set up on a Highway One Upgrade with a Warmoth Fatback 1 + 11/16ths rosewood board, 4 trem springs, about .050 clearance between the top of the Callaham hardened mount screws and the Glendale chromed stainless plate, about a sixteenth inch of float, D'Addario 10-46s. Gotoh "klusons", graphtech 1 + 11/16ths precut nut, 6105s in silver nickel.

Standard tuning, no pedals, through a 65 reissue Twin at about 4. Excellent, excellent, excellent. The 10-16 radius means the saddles are slanted but just barely tilted, very good string height and action, intonation right on. Big acoustic Strat tone, some Tele flavor but this is still a trem Strat, no doubt. Big juicy sound, warm friendly tone at high volumes, loads of sustain and the strings, the notes seem very manageable, very user friendly.

Only thing left to do is maybe a Callaham base plate on the bridge pickup. I am not a wild whammy guy, so I can't predict how long a chromed steel whammy bar threaded into a brass block will do, but otherwise I am very very impressed.

telemomo · April 29th, 2008, 01:07 AM

Boris:

That is GREAT news! My Chimemaster went out USPS today. I ordered the model with the brass saddles and block. That is what you have, correct? Also, were you able to use the same 6 tremolo screw holes already in the HWY ! body?

I am glad to hear one still gets a Strat tone too.

Wow, I am really excited to get my Partsocaster assembled. I have an Allparts FAT neck with a rosewood board being finished right now. I gotta feeling this is going to turn out GREAT!

Mike

mowcheeba · April 29th, 2008, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

Ok, I have it set up on a Highway One Upgrade with a Warmoth Fatback 1 + 11/16ths rosewood board, 4 trem springs, about .050 clearance between the top of the Callaham hardened mount screws and the Glendale chromed stainless plate, about a sixteenth inch of float, D'Addario 10-46s. Gotoh "klusons", graphtech 1 + 11/16ths precut nut, 6105s in silver nickel.

Standard tuning, no pedals, through a 65 reissue Twin at about 4. Excellent, excellent, excellent. The 10-16 radius means the saddles are slanted but just barely tilted, very good string height and action, intonation right on. Big acoustic Strat tone, some Tele flavor but this is still a trem Strat, no doubt. Big juicy sound, warm friendly tone at high volumes, loads of sustain and the strings, the notes seem very manageable, very user friendly.

Thanks for posting your thoughts.....interesting that the saddles are
different than the Tele ones and great that you did not experience
any intonation probems.

Quote:

Originally Posted by telemomo

That is GREAT news! My Chimemaster went out USPS today. I ordered the m

Wow, I am really excited to get my Partsocaster assembled. I have an Allparts FAT neck with a rosewood board being finished right now. I gotta feeling this is going to turn out GREAT!

Mike

You have got to post pictures when you are done with it....

boris bubbanov · April 29th, 2008, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by telemomo

Boris:

That is GREAT news! My Chimemaster went out USPS today. I ordered the model with the brass saddles and block. That is what you have, correct? Also, were you able to use the same 6 tremolo screw holes already in the HWY ! body?

I am glad to hear one still gets a Strat tone too.

Wow, I am really excited to get my Partsocaster assembled. I have an Allparts FAT neck with a rosewood board being finished right now. I gotta feeling this is going to turn out GREAT!

Mike

Glen sends you a trem claw, 5 springs, all the attachment hardware, a trem arm, everything you need for a scratch build except a cover ( who needs that ? ). Yes, I got the brass/brass but remember, the block will be chrome plated.

I used the hardened 6 mount screws from Bill Callaham, I don't know if the ones from Glen are hardened; they're still in the bag.

I like this sound better than my MIM with a Callaham steel block, better than a Cubic Zirc Strat with a big neck, and better than my Jimmie Vaughan. I am quite impressed especially with positions 2 and 4. Frankly 1, 3 and 5 are much better; I'm just able to run the guitar and amp so loud that the hum becomes a big factor, at least with these Highway One pickups.

telemomo · April 29th, 2008, 08:03 PM

Thank you Boris:

One question I did not make clear was:

Were you able to use the screw hole pattern that was (I assume) already drilled into your HWY 1 body from the original tremolo? If not, how did you fill the old screw holes?

The reason I ask, is that I may have to source a new body for this build now and I would like to get it right this time. I was originally hoping to use a brand new Squire Deluxe body I have. But, when I borrowed the neck from my CIJ 58 Reissue Srat to see if it fit the Squire body, it did NOT! The flat back portion of the CIJ neck laid flush against the flat portion of the pocket, but would not snug down into the pocket near the neck pup area and left a gap. I pressured it as hard as I dare and it was still a no go. The 4 neck screws would not line up due to this fittment issue. I am a little skeptical about the Allparts neck fitting when I get it. I may have to suck it up and spend more $$ to get an ALLPARTS BODY.

Do you have any advice on this?

Mike

boris bubbanov · April 29th, 2008, 09:56 PM

The Highway One bridge mount screw hole pattern was perfect and gave me a perfect fit. I would expect any reissue MIA Fender, MIM Jimmie Vaughan Fender trem Strat and maybe the Classic 50's and 60's to also accept this assembly with no difficulty. I can't guarantee you what other trem arms might work, but otherwise the saddles seem to articulate enough to accomodate any pole piece stagger or any fretboard radius from 7.25 to conical 10-16. With a string array of 1 + 3/8ths at the nut on a 1 + 11/16ths neck, string spacing along the neck is as well preserved as you will see on any vintage specs bridge assembly, and this means full optimal use of the fender us spread bridge pickup. Same ol same ol on the neck and bridge polepieces; the Keystone Strat pole piece spacing would be better but it would be on basically any Strat.
The plate is beautifully made and sits down sweet and low just above the trem rout, maybe a 32nds of an inch float with 4 springs and the claw in over half way. The plate is thick enough to be stiff but thin enough to let the rest of the guitar pieces have their say; the block is full sized and has plenty of heft. The whole thing went together with the minimum effort, no hassles. No "stiffness" at all in this setup; crisp and yet lounge-y.

I got a chance to play it a bit against my Am Se Cubic Zirc with the Callaham CG saddles, steel block and Gilmore trem arm (stock neck with Gotoh "klusons") and with the exception of the trem arm, I like the Chimemaster better at this point. And these are stock H1U Alnico 3 overwound pickups.
Sounds great cranked up though the RI Twin on 4.5, EQs around 7 each with the Strat tones and volume dimed.

Westerly Sunn · April 30th, 2008, 07:00 AM

As soon as I saw the Sale info., I didn't even read the next post before opening a new browser to go to Glendale and put one of those bad boys in the cart. I'll worry about a build for it to go on, later...

Arlo · April 30th, 2008, 11:41 AM

Boris,

I have been reading your posts with great interest. I was waiting for someone to tell the story on these things.

I want to use them is 3 builds I have going but that is a lot of money to spend on the unknown??

I ordered one for starters. It is going on a VERY special build that will get detailed on the Tele forum.

Thanks for the review and if there are anythings that I should be aware of regarding the Chimemaster go ahead and PM me.

Thanks again for the review.

Arlo

telemomo · April 30th, 2008, 10:45 PM

My Glendale Chimemaster arrived in the mail today. It is a beautiful apparatus. The level of quality is very high. And, although I have developed a love for the Stratocaster, I would definitely like to add a little Telecaster clarity, articulation, and chime to my assembly project.

I am pretty confident that the Chimemaster will be the most outstanding feature of my new guitar.

I am just waiting on my Allparts SRO_FAT neck to get things started.

Mike

boris bubbanov · May 2nd, 2008, 02:03 AM

I am really diggin on this thing; I really like this a lot, the most fun I've had playing a Stratocaster in a long time. A big twangy Strat, who'd a thunk it.
I am palming the bridge plate, which sit real low but is definitely floating, and getting some real nice expression out of it on top of the great tone with the Twin. Played through the Gibson GA-5 I have to turn it down a lot to keep it from breakin up the amp, way more than any other Strat and the pickups are not that high.
I do not have the trem arm on it at all at this point. I'm gonna let somebody else decide how durable this will be, a chromed steel arm screwed into a brass block.
If you want steel to steel, order Dale's steel block version.

boris bubbanov · May 4th, 2008, 10:57 PM

I think the trem arm Dale is supplying with this kit is an ordinary white tip US 10/32nds trem arm, chrome plated steel.

I tried substituting the Custom short trem arm from Bill Callaham's American Standard bridge assembly kit on the Chimemaster. It threads in just fine, except the height of the arm is maybe 5/8ths higher than Bill intended because of the radically different ( and better ) way Bill's arm recesses into the Callaham sleeved trem block. But it does work way better than the stock Fender one, none of that wobble we all despise. I just couldn't say how long it would last.

But it really doesn't matter in the end, because this sound is intoxicating and I find this Strat with the Chimemaster more rewarding to play than any of the other Strats I have, including my much loved Jimmie Vaughan in Oly White.

boris bubbanov · May 6th, 2008, 02:47 AM

I played this cranked up through my Peavey Classic 50 2 x 12 with the JJ tubes and the Weber Ceramic Blue Dogs.

Awful, awful nice. Yes, the Baja with 12s and the Jimmie Vaughan sound quite good as well, but this is a really nice lil bridge.

I gotta decide if I need a second one as well. Sale ends May 8.

telemomo · May 6th, 2008, 09:24 PM

Dang Boris, I have not even been able to try out the one I have and I found my self looking at the Glendale Website thinking I should get another before the sale ends...

Your posts have been a BAD influence on my fragile restraint!

Seriously, I am glad to hear the Chimemaster sounds so good. I had a strong feeling it would. That feeling got more certain after I received the little jewel in the mail. It really is executed well.

Mike

boris bubbanov · May 7th, 2008, 03:49 PM

Still thinking about that second one. Nice product.

boris bubbanov · May 10th, 2008, 12:06 AM

The price has now reset to $ 199.

Dale is working on another bridge as well, worth taking a look at.

boris bubbanov · July 19th, 2008, 07:46 PM

Here's a belated picture:

The brass version is out of stock for the moment.

sabby · July 20th, 2008, 05:41 PM

I sure wish he would sell just the bridge plates and saddles for those of us who already have upgraded blocks and a close relationship to our trem arms.

I'm sure he'd rather make money on both the blocks and the plates/blocks, but Callaham's delrin block is not coming off my guitar. When I wrote and suggested me might make a few more sales -- including mine -- selling bridge plate/saddles alone, he just thanked me for my interest.

boris bubbanov · July 20th, 2008, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sabby

I sure wish he would sell just the bridge plates and saddles for those of us who already have upgraded blocks and a close relationship to our trem arms.

I'm sure he'd rather make money on both the blocks and the plates/blocks, but Callaham's delrin block is not coming off my guitar. When I wrote and suggested me might make a few more sales -- including mine -- selling bridge plate/saddles alone, he just thanked me for my interest.

I give Dale lots of ideas as well.

I am not sure his plate will work with your block. More crucial, even if yours fits, and the next guys fits, and mine fits, there are always those 5 percent guys who try and mix match parts unwisely and wreck everything. Then they complain and complain about how Dale and Bill won't replace the parts they tore up themselves.

An excellent illustration is this: There's very little reason why the Am Se/Am Std replacement bridge plates for Tele offered by Glendale or Callaham Guitars needs to be so long, carrying over the IMO ugly proportions of the Am Se/Std stock plate. But there's a few unlucky guys who have damaged finish under the entire stock plate, which a few would insist must be concealed. And it is better for Dale and Bill to each lose my sale on this item (I won't buy either Am Se/Std Tele replacement plate the way they are even tho I've spent at least $ 750 with each guy) than it is to have guys buy the wrong plate by mistake because they are now too close in appearance to one another.

slimfinger · September 8th, 2008, 12:38 PM

Does Glendale make one of these for a tele?

goldenbuff96 · September 8th, 2008, 02:43 PM

I just talked to Dale over the phone. He said that the new "chimemaster" is slightly changed (for the better) from the older version.

1) the brass trem block is not chrome plated
2) the brass trem block is smaller size and lighter in weight

EDIT: I just ordered one for $149 (free shipping)

boris bubbanov · September 10th, 2008, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldenbuff96

I just talked to Dale over the phone. He said that the new "chimemaster" is slightly changed (for the better) from the older version.

1) the brass trem block is not chrome plated
2) the brass trem block is smaller size and lighter in weight

EDIT: I just ordered one for $149 (free shipping)

Yup, the new images clearly show it looks like brass now, and it is beveled to a degree in shape, maybe not as much as an Am Std block.

I hope he included a hardened steel insert in the block for the trem arm. If there was one thing wanting on the Chimemaster 1.0, it was that the brass block material itself, threaded to accept a trem arm, will never last on and on like the Callaham steel one would. Can't wait to get home and order a couple.

jrfrond · September 10th, 2008, 10:42 AM

My next Strat build is getting the ChimeMaster. I haven't heard it, but it just "looks right". Sometimes, when you see a piece of hardware and how it is designed, you know exactly how it is going to work. I can "hear" the ChimeMaster in my head.

boris bubbanov · September 24th, 2008, 04:14 PM

I've got 2 of the new Chimemaster assemblies in hand. Dale has done a superb job of grafting the Floyd style whammy assembly onto the original design, but had to reduce the width and hence the mass of the brass to make room for the Floyd connection. The block was 11 ounces, now it is a bit over 8 ounces.

Unfortunately I've left both finished guitars I wanted to try these Chimemasters on over in Florida, when Gustav ran me out of the New Orleans area, so I can't try these parts this week. Even the Highway One is over there.

By the way, the 6 hole pattern on the MIM Standard, possibly the MIM Deluxe and others is narrower, so you will have to dowel and redrill if you have those models. The only Strat I have handy is such a MIM, and I didn't intend to put it on that guitar to stay, so I'll have to report back later when my USACG ash body is further along with its body finish and can be assembled.

The polished brass looks very cool, better than the chrome of the first version.

TheBear · September 24th, 2008, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

By the way, the 6 hole pattern on the MIM Standard, possibly the MIM Deluxe and others is narrower, so you will have to dowel and redrill if you have those models.

I can confirm that the MIM Deluxe Players body is a perfect fit.

boris bubbanov · September 24th, 2008, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBear

I can confirm that the MIM Deluxe Players body is a perfect fit.

Yes, you were just telling me that a few weeks back.

I apologize.

TheBear · September 24th, 2008, 10:07 PM

No worries, I had not received it yet so I was only going with the fact that it had a vintage style bridge. I was unaware of there being an issue with the Deluxe series. I probably would not have ordered it had I known.

The only thing that is not absolutely perfect is that there is a tiny gap exposing the trem hole in the body where the trem bar area of the base plate is. In that corner where the flap of the trem bar insert area juts out from the plate. It is hardly noticeable, it may very well be a Fender problem.

Neer · October 16th, 2008, 01:49 PM

I recently purchased and installed one. Here's my recent post on The Gear Page of my first impressions:

I recently purchased a Chimemaster S-Style Tremolo/Vibrato System and finally got around to installing it today on an '81 Strat that I've always used as my experimental guitar. I am just submitting my impressions here.

Years ago, Ken Parker did a bunch of things to this Strat, like changing the neck, doing a fretjob, replacing the original tremblock, etc. (I believe the bridge was a Gotoh, or another Japanese brand). He also showed me many tweaks and tricks. Since then, I've done numerous things to the guitar and have never been satisfied with the sound of it. Even with a great set of OC Duff #1 pickups, I couldn't get what I wanted from this guitar. The 1st and 2nd strings sounded dinky and the guitar just didn't have any real resonance.

After installing the Chimemaster and tweaking the string length and getting the saddle heights right (I'm using SOB strings, vintage STMB), as I was tuning the guitar I could hear the springs reacting (good sign). I plugged in, and I swear, the guitar has a completely different sound than it had before--very much Stratocaster, but full of the midrange punch that you would expect to hear from a 50s Strat. Although the bridge is in the Telecaster style (3 brass saddles), it is still a Strat, no doubt about it. Maybe there's a little more twang, but it's a heartier twang. I'm a stickler for really getting my pickup height exactly the way I want it (I like them very low on the bass side), and prior to this, I had never had the guitar sounding anything like this. These pickups are finally blowing me away now after playing with them for 6 months.

There is the resonance that had been missing for so long, and with that, the guitar has great body and spank. The notes really jump out now and the quack is very pronounced, as well as the chime and sparkle. As long as I've been playing (35 years) and fooling around with guitars, I didn't really expect this much difference, but I was pleasantly surprised, even shocked at the outcome.

April 25th, 2008, 02:54 AM	#1 (permalink)
craigfowler TDPRI Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 32	Glendale chimemaster - any users? I just have to know (now that it's on sale!)...has anyone used Glendale's new strat bridge? Any thoughts on it? I don't have anything to put one on right now, but I've been curious for a little while now.

April 25th, 2008, 05:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 15,221	The brass version ought to work great of my Highway One; I just need to cross reference the radius of the fretboard I have on there against the effective radius of these saddles. My neck may be too flat, I may have to switch it out with one of the others I've finished and assembled. That's a real fair price, but my other strat bodies are either the way I like them already or they are 2 post modern design. Or hardtail. When did the price reduction take effect? __________________ When i listen

April 25th, 2008, 01:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 15,221	$ 250 was a fair price, I just think folks were a bit nervous about getting to far ahead of the pack. $ 149, you betcha I ordered one. These are the same screw spacing just like any other Fender 6 screw body would take, and of course the string array at the bridge is like any vintage tele, it is tweakable. Glen doesn't have too many brass blocks on hand, so don't wait too long. Depending on how it sounds, I may do another trem body from Tommy as I have the neck and loaded pickguard ready to go. __________________ When i listen

April 28th, 2008, 01:28 AM	#10 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 15,221	I have a buddy on the Squier 51 modders forum who has installed the three brass barrel mod on a Squier Strat with a trem bridge plate, and was very satisfied with the results. There's a mod done to various Squier hardtail bridge plates which got started by Mike Levitt here at TDPRI in November, 2004 which involves grafting 3 brass barrels onto the existing bridgeplate. It is growing in popularity and IMO dramatically improves the top loader Squier 51, both in sound and in playability. Glen's Chimemaster is an extension of this 3 brass barrel concept onto a MIM or MIA vintage specs Stratocaster. I think the concept is great. I think the #1 reason why it hadn't happened sooner is most guys who like 3 brass barrels also insist on a Tele format. Conversely, guys who insist on a Strat format simply refuse to pay homage to any attribute so clearly identified with the Telecaster. Call it "sibling rivalry" or whatever you like, I refuse to be trapped in this fashion. As everything I have bought from Glen Dale Clark has met or exceeded my expectations so far, and as I was intending to buy this product at $ 249 soon enough, I decided now would be good, also. __________________ When i listen

April 29th, 2008, 12:23 AM	#14 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 15,221	Ok, I have it set up on a Highway One Upgrade with a Warmoth Fatback 1 + 11/16ths rosewood board, 4 trem springs, about .050 clearance between the top of the Callaham hardened mount screws and the Glendale chromed stainless plate, about a sixteenth inch of float, D'Addario 10-46s. Gotoh "klusons", graphtech 1 + 11/16ths precut nut, 6105s in silver nickel. Standard tuning, no pedals, through a 65 reissue Twin at about 4. Excellent, excellent, excellent. The 10-16 radius means the saddles are slanted but just barely tilted, very good string height and action, intonation right on. Big acoustic Strat tone, some Tele flavor but this is still a trem Strat, no doubt. Big juicy sound, warm friendly tone at high volumes, loads of sustain and the strings, the notes seem very manageable, very user friendly. Only thing left to do is maybe a Callaham base plate on the bridge pickup. I am not a wild whammy guy, so I can't predict how long a chromed steel whammy bar threaded into a brass block will do, but otherwise I am very very impressed. __________________ When i listen Last edited by boris bubbanov; April 30th, 2008 at 01:39 AM.

April 25th, 2008, 09:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
mowcheeba Tele-Holic Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Pisco Elqui, Chile Age: 32 Posts: 846 63 Photos	Now it is a fair price, I thought 250 USD was a bit too much for a Strat bridge. Would love to try one on my future Strat build.....

April 25th, 2008, 07:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
mowcheeba Tele-Holic Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Pisco Elqui, Chile Age: 32 Posts: 846 63 Photos	Well maybe I look at prices different being outside U.S. With taxes and fees that "Chimemaster" bridge was close to 400 USD. I'm not criticizing Glendale I love his products and price is such a relative thing. For a an educated middle class man in U.S the price might be fair but for a working class "hombre" from Argentina it might seem expensive...

April 27th, 2008, 05:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
telemomo TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 65	I could not find any reviews online of the Glendale Chimemaster. But, being a compulsive idiot myself, I ordered one! Plus, who can resist a good sale. I know Glendale makes some of the finest guitar parts on earth. I doubt they would produce anything that was not first rate. I already have an awsome reissue Strat, so I can take a chance with the Partsocaster this will be used on. We will see... In the mean time, I would love to hear what anyone that has used one has to say. Mike

April 27th, 2008, 06:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
craigfowler TDPRI Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 32	It's been interesting reading these takes on the chimemaster - I'm also curious to hear from anyone who's already played with one. I really want to order one, but even at the sale price, am having a hard time justifying it! I just put a Callaham trem on a partscaster strat, so I don't even have anything crappy to replace, or a new build to put one one! Still, I wants one! When his tele bridges/saddles are so good, I'm dying to play with his strat goodies!

April 27th, 2008, 06:49 PM	#8 (permalink)
mowcheeba Tele-Holic Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Pisco Elqui, Chile Age: 32 Posts: 846 63 Photos	I know it is not the same thing but one could drill 3 holes in between the 6 holes on a Strat trem bridge in order to use Glendale Tele saddles. Or am I tripping?

April 27th, 2008, 07:20 PM	#9 (permalink)
telemomo TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 65	Mowcheeba: You may be "trippin", because one has to factor in the Glendale solid brass block, the thin CNC machined plate, and I am assuming the Chimemaster's saddles are a different spec than the Tele saddles. The optimist in me wants to think that Dale slashed the price on the Chimemaster to get a buzz started on his amazing new product. Because, thus far, no one has anything to say. The pessimist in me worries that the Chimemaster is not finding wide appeal, so the sale reflects a need to move stock and move on. A 40% discount helps make it worth the risk. Mike

April 29th, 2008, 01:07 AM	#15 (permalink)
telemomo TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 65	Boris: That is GREAT news! My Chimemaster went out USPS today. I ordered the model with the brass saddles and block. That is what you have, correct? Also, were you able to use the same 6 tremolo screw holes already in the HWY ! body? I am glad to hear one still gets a Strat tone too. Wow, I am really excited to get my Partsocaster assembled. I have an Allparts FAT neck with a rosewood board being finished right now. I gotta feeling this is going to turn out GREAT! Mike

April 29th, 2008, 08:03 PM	#18 (permalink)
telemomo TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 65	Thank you Boris: One question I did not make clear was: Were you able to use the screw hole pattern that was (I assume) already drilled into your HWY 1 body from the original tremolo? If not, how did you fill the old screw holes? The reason I ask, is that I may have to source a new body for this build now and I would like to get it right this time. I was originally hoping to use a brand new Squire Deluxe body I have. But, when I borrowed the neck from my CIJ 58 Reissue Srat to see if it fit the Squire body, it did NOT! The flat back portion of the CIJ neck laid flush against the flat portion of the pocket, but would not snug down into the pocket near the neck pup area and left a gap. I pressured it as hard as I dare and it was still a no go. The 4 neck screws would not line up due to this fittment issue. I am a little skeptical about the Allparts neck fitting when I get it. I may have to suck it up and spend more $$ to get an ALLPARTS BODY. Do you have any advice on this? Mike

April 29th, 2008, 09:56 PM	#19 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 15,221	The Highway One bridge mount screw hole pattern was perfect and gave me a perfect fit. I would expect any reissue MIA Fender, MIM Jimmie Vaughan Fender trem Strat and maybe the Classic 50's and 60's to also accept this assembly with no difficulty. I can't guarantee you what other trem arms might work, but otherwise the saddles seem to articulate enough to accomodate any pole piece stagger or any fretboard radius from 7.25 to conical 10-16. With a string array of 1 + 3/8ths at the nut on a 1 + 11/16ths neck, string spacing along the neck is as well preserved as you will see on any vintage specs bridge assembly, and this means full optimal use of the fender us spread bridge pickup. Same ol same ol on the neck and bridge polepieces; the Keystone Strat pole piece spacing would be better but it would be on basically any Strat. The plate is beautifully made and sits down sweet and low just above the trem rout, maybe a 32nds of an inch float with 4 springs and the claw in over half way. The plate is thick enough to be stiff but thin enough to let the rest of the guitar pieces have their say; the block is full sized and has plenty of heft. The whole thing went together with the minimum effort, no hassles. No "stiffness" at all in this setup; crisp and yet lounge-y. I got a chance to play it a bit against my Am Se Cubic Zirc with the Callaham CG saddles, steel block and Gilmore trem arm (stock neck with Gotoh "klusons") and with the exception of the trem arm, I like the Chimemaster better at this point. And these are stock H1U Alnico 3 overwound pickups. Sounds great cranked up though the RI Twin on 4.5, EQs around 7 each with the Strat tones and volume dimed. __________________ When i listen Last edited by boris bubbanov; September 24th, 2008 at 04:01 PM.

April 30th, 2008, 07:00 AM	#20 (permalink)
Westerly Sunn Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: S.E. North Carolina Posts: 1,704 46 Photos	As soon as I saw the Sale info., I didn't even read the next post before opening a new browser to go to Glendale and put one of those bad boys in the cart. I'll worry about a build for it to go on, later... __________________ My white hairs had you fooled, didn't they, son? Yes, Sir! Ha! Drive on!!!

April 30th, 2008, 11:41 AM	#21 (permalink)
Arlo Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Traded the van for 3000 sqft of Prime! Age: 51 Posts: 2,599	Boris, I have been reading your posts with great interest. I was waiting for someone to tell the story on these things. I want to use them is 3 builds I have going but that is a lot of money to spend on the unknown?? I ordered one for starters. It is going on a VERY special build that will get detailed on the Tele forum. Thanks for the review and if there are anythings that I should be aware of regarding the Chimemaster go ahead and PM me. Thanks again for the review. Arlo __________________ My music? It is free for my friends.

April 30th, 2008, 10:45 PM	#22 (permalink)
telemomo TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 65	My Glendale Chimemaster arrived in the mail today. It is a beautiful apparatus. The level of quality is very high. And, although I have developed a love for the Stratocaster, I would definitely like to add a little Telecaster clarity, articulation, and chime to my assembly project. I am pretty confident that the Chimemaster will be the most outstanding feature of my new guitar. I am just waiting on my Allparts SRO_FAT neck to get things started. Mike

May 2nd, 2008, 02:03 AM	#23 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 15,221	I am really diggin on this thing; I really like this a lot, the most fun I've had playing a Stratocaster in a long time. A big twangy Strat, who'd a thunk it. I am palming the bridge plate, which sit real low but is definitely floating, and getting some real nice expression out of it on top of the great tone with the Twin. Played through the Gibson GA-5 I have to turn it down a lot to keep it from breakin up the amp, way more than any other Strat and the pickups are not that high. I do not have the trem arm on it at all at this point. I'm gonna let somebody else decide how durable this will be, a chromed steel arm screwed into a brass block. If you want steel to steel, order Dale's steel block version. __________________ When i listen Last edited by boris bubbanov; May 2nd, 2008 at 05:16 PM.

May 4th, 2008, 10:57 PM	#24 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 15,221	I think the trem arm Dale is supplying with this kit is an ordinary white tip US 10/32nds trem arm, chrome plated steel. I tried substituting the Custom short trem arm from Bill Callaham's American Standard bridge assembly kit on the Chimemaster. It threads in just fine, except the height of the arm is maybe 5/8ths higher than Bill intended because of the radically different ( and better ) way Bill's arm recesses into the Callaham sleeved trem block. But it does work way better than the stock Fender one, none of that wobble we all despise. I just couldn't say how long it would last. But it really doesn't matter in the end, because this sound is intoxicating and I find this Strat with the Chimemaster more rewarding to play than any of the other Strats I have, including my much loved Jimmie Vaughan in Oly White. __________________ When i listen

May 6th, 2008, 02:47 AM	#25 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 15,221	I played this cranked up through my Peavey Classic 50 2 x 12 with the JJ tubes and the Weber Ceramic Blue Dogs. Awful, awful nice. Yes, the Baja with 12s and the Jimmie Vaughan sound quite good as well, but this is a really nice lil bridge. I gotta decide if I need a second one as well. Sale ends May 8. __________________ When i listen

May 6th, 2008, 09:24 PM	#26 (permalink)
telemomo TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 65	Dang Boris, I have not even been able to try out the one I have and I found my self looking at the Glendale Website thinking I should get another before the sale ends... Your posts have been a BAD influence on my fragile restraint! Seriously, I am glad to hear the Chimemaster sounds so good. I had a strong feeling it would. That feeling got more certain after I received the little jewel in the mail. It really is executed well. Mike

May 7th, 2008, 03:49 PM	#27 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 15,221	Still thinking about that second one. Nice product. __________________ When i listen

May 10th, 2008, 12:06 AM	#28 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 15,221	The price has now reset to $ 199. Dale is working on another bridge as well, worth taking a look at. __________________ When i listen

July 19th, 2008, 07:46 PM	#29 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 15,221	Here's a belated picture: The brass version is out of stock for the moment. __________________ When i listen

July 20th, 2008, 05:41 PM	#30 (permalink)
sabby Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Youngstown, Ohio Posts: 274	I sure wish he would sell just the bridge plates and saddles for those of us who already have upgraded blocks and a close relationship to our trem arms. I'm sure he'd rather make money on both the blocks and the plates/blocks, but Callaham's delrin block is not coming off my guitar. When I wrote and suggested me might make a few more sales -- including mine -- selling bridge plate/saddles alone, he just thanked me for my interest.

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September 8th, 2008, 12:38 PM	#32 (permalink)
slimfinger TDPRI Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bangkok Posts: 25	Does Glendale make one of these for a tele? __________________ www.myspace.com/tonicrays

September 8th, 2008, 02:43 PM	#33 (permalink)
goldenbuff96 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 207	I just talked to Dale over the phone. He said that the new "chimemaster" is slightly changed (for the better) from the older version. 1) the brass trem block is not chrome plated 2) the brass trem block is smaller size and lighter in weight EDIT: I just ordered one for $149 (free shipping)

September 10th, 2008, 10:42 AM	#35 (permalink)
jrfrond Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 538	My next Strat build is getting the ChimeMaster. I haven't heard it, but it just "looks right". Sometimes, when you see a piece of hardware and how it is designed, you know exactly how it is going to work. I can "hear" the ChimeMaster in my head. __________________ *John R. Frondelli*

September 24th, 2008, 04:14 PM	#36 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 15,221	I've got 2 of the new Chimemaster assemblies in hand. Dale has done a superb job of grafting the Floyd style whammy assembly onto the original design, but had to reduce the width and hence the mass of the brass to make room for the Floyd connection. The block was 11 ounces, now it is a bit over 8 ounces. Unfortunately I've left both finished guitars I wanted to try these Chimemasters on over in Florida, when Gustav ran me out of the New Orleans area, so I can't try these parts this week. Even the Highway One is over there. By the way, the 6 hole pattern on the MIM Standard, possibly the MIM Deluxe and others is narrower, so you will have to dowel and redrill if you have those models. The only Strat I have handy is such a MIM, and I didn't intend to put it on that guitar to stay, so I'll have to report back later when my USACG ash body is further along with its body finish and can be assembled. The polished brass looks very cool, better than the chrome of the first version. __________________ When i listen

September 24th, 2008, 10:07 PM	#39 (permalink)
TheBear Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: USA Posts: 590	No worries, I had not received it yet so I was only going with the fact that it had a vintage style bridge. I was unaware of there being an issue with the Deluxe series. I probably would not have ordered it had I known. The only thing that is not absolutely perfect is that there is a tiny gap exposing the trem hole in the body where the trem bar area of the base plate is. In that corner where the flap of the trem bar insert area juts out from the plate. It is hardly noticeable, it may very well be a Fender problem.

October 16th, 2008, 01:49 PM	#40 (permalink)
Neer TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 61	I recently purchased and installed one. Here's my recent post on The Gear Page of my first impressions: I recently purchased a Chimemaster S-Style Tremolo/Vibrato System and finally got around to installing it today on an '81 Strat that I've always used as my experimental guitar. I am just submitting my impressions here. Years ago, Ken Parker did a bunch of things to this Strat, like changing the neck, doing a fretjob, replacing the original tremblock, etc. (I believe the bridge was a Gotoh, or another Japanese brand). He also showed me many tweaks and tricks. Since then, I've done numerous things to the guitar and have never been satisfied with the sound of it. Even with a great set of OC Duff #1 pickups, I couldn't get what I wanted from this guitar. The 1st and 2nd strings sounded dinky and the guitar just didn't have any real resonance. After installing the Chimemaster and tweaking the string length and getting the saddle heights right (I'm using SOB strings, vintage STMB), as I was tuning the guitar I could hear the springs reacting (good sign). I plugged in, and I swear, the guitar has a completely different sound than it had before--very much Stratocaster, but full of the midrange punch that you would expect to hear from a 50s Strat. Although the bridge is in the Telecaster style (3 brass saddles), it is still a Strat, no doubt about it. Maybe there's a little more twang, but it's a heartier twang. I'm a stickler for really getting my pickup height exactly the way I want it (I like them very low on the bass side), and prior to this, I had never had the guitar sounding anything like this. These pickups are finally blowing me away now after playing with them for 6 months. There is the resonance that had been missing for so long, and with that, the guitar has great body and spank. The notes really jump out now and the quack is very pronounced, as well as the chime and sparkle. As long as I've been playing (35 years) and fooling around with guitars, I didn't really expect this much difference, but I was pleasantly surprised, even shocked at the outcome.