Members thunder100 Posted January 4, 2009 Members Share Posted January 4, 2009 Dear Harmony Central community One question on Fenders Eric Clapton signatur models it has blocked tremolo As I rarely use mine on my Hwy1 I want to block too a.)Could anybody of you give me the dimensions of the blocking wood pieceb.)which wood is it?C.)Can I eventually get some photos how it is done? Thanks a lot Roland Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bubbluz Posted January 4, 2009 Members Share Posted January 4, 2009 Never measured,just cut to fit. This one is oak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members thunder100 Posted January 4, 2009 Author Members Share Posted January 4, 2009 Thanks a lot Start to understand Roland Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members wagdog Posted January 4, 2009 Members Share Posted January 4, 2009 The dimensions vary on where you want it blocked. Do you want your bridge on the body of the guitar? If so, tighten the trem claw first, then find something that fits. If not, find something fits in the front, and the back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members charsmit Posted January 26, 2009 Members Share Posted January 26, 2009 Pardon my ignorance, but what is the trem claw? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Patuney Posted January 26, 2009 Members Share Posted January 26, 2009 Here's mine. 100 years old black ash from an old table leif. A lot of guys use a 9 volt battery.(I would be afraid of acid leaking!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Promit Posted January 26, 2009 Members Share Posted January 26, 2009 So here's a question. If you're Eric Clapton and can afford to have two thousand guitars, why would you block your Strat tremolo instead of getting a fixed bridge Strat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Doctor49 Posted January 26, 2009 Members Share Posted January 26, 2009 So here's a question. If you're Eric Clapton and can afford to have two thousand guitars, why would you block your Strat tremolo instead of getting a fixed bridge Strat? because you can. and probably because to him it sounds or plays different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members shredtilurded Posted January 26, 2009 Members Share Posted January 26, 2009 Pardon my ignorance, but what is the trem claw? The trem claw is the piece to which the springs from the tremolo block are attached.They are secured to the body by two 1 1/2"-2" semi coarse threaded screws. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Promit Posted January 26, 2009 Members Share Posted January 26, 2009 I don't want to start an argument about it, so suffice it to say that LOTS of people think that the trem, with that big steel block and vibrating springs, makes a difference to the tone. EC also has always insisted on the classic bent/stamped steel saddles, never using the cast versions.I can believe it. I always felt that flattening the Strat tremolo was in itself a massive improvement, so I can see how a fixed bridge wouldn't be the same. EJ sounds a bit off the deep end, but I guess you're allowed to be when you sound like he does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Doctor49 Posted January 26, 2009 Members Share Posted January 26, 2009 EC also has always insisted on the classic bent/stamped steel saddles, never using the cast versions. He is well-known as someone who sticks with what works for him, whether its guitars, shoes, restaurants, cars, cycles, fishing rods or whatever. I guess most of us are eventually the same under all this GAS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fenderstrat7608 Posted April 5, 2010 Members Share Posted April 5, 2010 The reason clapton has a blocked bridge is because he prefers the sound of a hardtail strat. Also where the tremillo springs go on his strat he has a 9v battery mounted there to power the pre amp boost and active pickups in his guitar. I know becaust i did all of the to a custom guitar i built. enjoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members zuben Posted April 5, 2010 Members Share Posted April 5, 2010 I hardtailed my MIM Strat, but had loosened the claw so that the springs were held in place with little tension. Then I blocked the remaining cavity: The bridge now sits flush with the body, and no more floating trem, but was this the wrong method for this mod? /hijack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Josh S Posted April 5, 2010 Members Share Posted April 5, 2010 Also where the tremillo springs go on his strat he has a 9v battery mounted there to power the pre amp boost and active pickups in his guitar. I know becaust i did all of the to a custom guitar i built. enjoy I've got some news for ya - the trem springs are still in there on Clapton strats: there is simply a cut-out for the battery (and a custom trem cover with a moved hole to compensate) Here is a picture I just took of the actual trem cavity of my actual Clapton strat. This is completely stock, exactly how it came from the factory 21 years ago. I've opened it maybe three times in the last decade to change the battery; that's it. This should answer your questions. FYI, the block is about 1 3/8 of an inch in width, 3/8 of an inch tall, and 2 1/4 long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Wyatt Posted April 5, 2010 Members Share Posted April 5, 2010 So here's a question. If you're Eric Clapton and can afford to have two thousand guitars, why would you block your Strat tremolo instead of getting a fixed bridge Strat? The trem springs and the trem's limited connection to the body dampen the attack on the note, they add a noticeable sag when the note is picked. And the springs add an almost reverb quality to the tone (whihc is what EC mentions when asked about it). A hardtail has a much more aggressive attack on the note, it's a big step closer to a Tele in that regard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members AndrewGG Posted April 5, 2010 Members Share Posted April 5, 2010 On one of my old Strats I just tightened everything down hard; bridge pivot screws, trem claw screws-until the bridge was flat tight against the body. No need for wood blocks and I didn't notice a significant change in tone, certainly nothing that couldn't be fixed with a little eq.The guitar definitely felt different, less tight and more fluid bends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.