2007 MIM Standard block upgrade?

[mattio]

Maybe a silly question, but would my 2007 MIM Standard Strat benefit from a block upgrade a la Guitarfetish? The stock block doesn´t seem shabby to me but then again I have never changed these before. All input appreciated.

Mattio

[JayFreddy]

I like the heavier block on the new MIM's... It's definitely an improvement over the old ones. If it ain't broke...

[boris bubbanov]

Mattio, I think almost all here with an opinion would agree, a 2001 MIM Standard (tiny zinc block) would get a big boost from a GFS steel block, especially if you resurface the plate and block to fit together in a precision way.

But the 2007 Std. has a BIG zinc block; the GFS might please you, or leave you stuck as to whether it was worth the effort. The Callaham by comparison will impress anybody I would think; it'll be a big enough change to be worth the effort. If you do get the Callaham, get the hardened screws as well and a Callaham arm since you old metric arm will not work.

Steel is not all the same. And zinc is not evil in and of itself. I've got 2 almost identical G + L USA Comanches; one with a nice stock zinc block, one with a $ 60 high end steel Callaham block. Which one I prefer mostly depends on what sound I'm after. Nimble, or imposing?

[mattio]

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

But the 2007 Std. has a BIG zinc block; the GFS might please you, or leave you stuck as to whether it was worth the effort.

That´s kind of what I was thinking as well. I have a block on the way from
Guitarfetish. I know my Affinity Fat Strat will benefit from the upgrade.

[mattio]

...allrigth all, just to follow up for further interest if anybody else plans to do the same. I followed Boris´ advice and left the MIM block as is. It´s a 2007 and it feels and looks like pretty good quality. I did recieve the GFS block and put it in my 2008 Affinity FatStrat. It improves the sustain quite a bit and the all over feel of it seems to be affected.Feels like it kind of sings more than it did with the stock block. The GFS block seems to be a little on the big side for the Affinity so I might have to do something about that, but after some work I´m pretty happy with it.

Mattio

[chuckamok63]

Believe it or not, the one upgrade I've done on my Mexi-Strats is to change the trem screws for the stainless steel Callaham ones. I though it was a joke, but they do improve the tone somewhat, and they're a cheap upgrade.

[boris bubbanov]

Originally Posted by chuckamok63

Believe it or not, the one upgrade I've done on my Mexi-Strats is to change the trem screws for the stainless steel Callaham ones. I though it was a joke, but they do improve the tone somewhat, and they're a cheap upgrade.

They really do help, and they're only $ 5.00 a set of 6! They aren't gonna wear and create opportunities for trem slop either.

I hate to admit this, but since I know I have to have the hardened screws, it is simpler to pay shipping just once and buy everything on my shopping list from Callaham at that point.