Author Topic: Blocking off a strat trem - whats the best way? (Read 16557 times)

_tom_ · « **Reply #15 on:** January 24, 2007, 06:28:55 PM »

Quote from: MDV

Another vote for the tremolno: does exactly what its supposed to. Makes your guitar sound better when locked too.

Sounds better than blocking it off with wood? More expensive than some wood though :lol:

I'm just gonna order some new springs first, as that only costs a few quid. Seems weird that my cheap strats bridge doesnt move as much as the charvel though which I'd have thought has better hardware, and it has one less spring!

edit - Another question! Does it matter how the springs are "laid out", at the minute, the outer 2 go straight up to the outer parts of the claw and middle goes to the middle one.

Is it better to have em in a triangle kinda shape, IE middle one straight up and outer springs to the bits on the claw next to the middle one? That was a bad description :lol:

Siadern · « **Reply #16 on:** January 26, 2007, 06:31:04 PM »

I used the simple approach with my Strat. Just fitted 5 springs and screwed the claw in tight. Bridge doesn't shift at all.

I even tried puting the tremlo arm back on to see if it would move at all. Bridge stayed put, tremo arm bent :roll:

_tom_ · « **Reply #17 on:** January 26, 2007, 09:12:52 PM »

Quote from: Siadern

I used the simple approach with my Strat. Just fitted 5 springs and screwed the claw in tight. Bridge doesn't shift at all.

I even tried puting the tremlo arm back on to see if it would move at all. Bridge stayed put, tremo arm bent :roll:

hahah! Perfect. I'll order new springs soon :D

Just noticed your sig - would you say Trilogies do both good clean and distorted sounds? I'm looking to get em for neck and middle in my Charvel (not decided on a bridge humbucker yet) and was hoping they'd do smooth Maiden-esque leads (think The Trooper) but also good cleans? How about a Mothers Milk middle to go with a neck trilogy?

MDV · « **Reply #18 on:** January 29, 2007, 12:28:46 AM »

Trilogies do fantastic clean sounds. You have to back them off a little, but when they're running a little cooler my uber-trilogies (wound a couple of k hotter) sound better to me than my Irish Tours. They're my go-to single coil for clean and distortion.

Of course all things arent equal there: the u-trils are in a custom shop dean with alder body and a maple neck, the ITs in a MIJ jackson (DX1) with basswood body and maple neck.

Siadern · « **Reply #19 on:** February 27, 2007, 08:10:11 PM »

Quote from: _tom_

Quote from: Siadern
I used the simple approach with my Strat. Just fitted 5 springs and screwed the claw in tight. Bridge doesn't shift at all.

I even tried puting the tremlo arm back on to see if it would move at all. Bridge stayed put, tremo arm bent :roll:

hahah! Perfect. I'll order new springs soon :D

Just noticed your sig - would you say Trilogies do both good clean and distorted sounds? I'm looking to get em for neck and middle in my Charvel (not decided on a bridge humbucker yet) and was hoping they'd do smooth Maiden-esque leads (think The Trooper) but also good cleans? How about a Mothers Milk middle to go with a neck trilogy?

Hi Tom. Sorry for not replying, only just noticed you asked me a question :oops: Better late than never I guess.

The Trilogy gives a very nice clean sound, and handles distortion very well, however I wouldn't say it was particularly Maiden like. I just tried my HM Strat (with Mothers Milks) and compared it to the Trilogy using a Marshall amp. The Mothers Milk is smoother than the Trilogy, and got a bit closer, but I'd still rather use a humbucker to get Maiden sounds, even if it means sticking to the bridge (just back the tone off).

Personally I'd go for 2 Mothers Milks rather than mixing, or if you really want Dave Murrays neck pickup sound, buy an SD Hotrail, as you'll struggle to get there with a proper single coil. Trilogy may be a nice match though with a neck hotrail and one of the hotter BKP humbuckers.

_tom_ · « **Reply #20 on:** February 27, 2007, 08:17:36 PM »

I actually got a neck Trilogy a while ago.. still undecided on it yet, I love it for cleans and bluesy stuff but it still doesnt seem high enough output/smooth enough for the Maiden-style leads :( Mothers Milk eh? I dont think I even considered that :oops:

Siadern · « **Reply #21 on:** February 27, 2007, 08:26:03 PM »

I wouldn't worry about swapping to an MM, you still won't get the tone you're after.

I should also say my MMs are Alnico IV, not Alnico V. Not sure if that contributes to them sounding smoother.

_tom_ · « **Reply #22 on:** February 27, 2007, 08:33:35 PM »

hmm ok. I may persevere, it could just be that its not close enough to the strings? How close is yours? Its a bit of a pain in the arse adjusting height in a Charvel because theres no simple adjustment, just foam to put under the pickup to raise it a bit.

Siadern · « **Reply #23 on:** February 27, 2007, 08:52:04 PM »

The MMs are flat profile and the distance between the strings and the neck one is about the thickness of two two pence pieces. The middle one is screwed right down as it gets in the way when I'm picking otherwise.

_tom_ · « **Reply #24 on:** February 27, 2007, 08:57:05 PM »

Ah, I see, thanks :) My TS neck is much lower than that, I think I'll have a go at varying the height with various pieces of foam!

Rick · « **Reply #25 on:** April 29, 2007, 04:07:00 AM »

Quote from: Mr Ed

You need one thing, one simply product...

http://www.tremol-no.com/

The Tremol-No is by far the best, most effective trem-blocker I've ever seen!

I don't agree. There is a similar unit... Tremconverter from StewMac.

I both purchased Tremol-no (cheaper) and the upgraded Tremconverter -as I think it makes sense to compare new stuff and form a personal opinion ( which I highly recommend doing).
INHO Tremconverter is superior to Tremolo-no. Yes it's more expensive and yes, you have to drill one hole (which is in the spring cavity..) -but it's totaly trouble free and faster to engage! I had a knob flying off Tremol-no, lossed some tremolo flutter and on one occasion the clamp came off the trem block..., and it couldn't hold heavy de-tunings in its dive-only mode...Similar stories can be seen by visiting the official Forum.
No such problems with Tremconverter: a great product!!

www.tremconverter.com

WezV · « **Reply #26 on:** April 29, 2007, 01:34:35 PM »

The tremconverter is good but i would definately recommend getting a pro to install it, it needs carefull measurement and can be a bit fiddly unless you have some extra long drill bits at hand. Once its in its great

i havnt tried the tremol-no so cant comment on that

I have tried a bock of wood cut to size on many guitars - that works great too!!

Rick · « **Reply #27 on:** April 29, 2007, 05:08:07 PM »

Yes, I totaly agree with you that the previous Tremconverter unit was difficult to install and couldn't be done without tech's help (which was the main reason for me to go for Tremol-no), but I'm talking Tremconverter Mk2 -which I installed without any help...a 30 min job. I can compare both systems; the new pin-style Tremol-no and the new Tremconverter Mk2.
The new Tremconverter is now the least fiddly when looking at the total package offered. I'm not only talking installation, but also adjusting and operating. It's very acurate and quick and works as it should, and does not change the tremolo feel at all! Not to mention that all parts stay put and are rock solid. But I know...so I can only (but highly) recommend to try both units -if you ever have the chance.

WezV · « **Reply #28 on:** April 29, 2007, 07:32:19 PM »

well it looks like i just missed out on the MKII because i only ordered mine before christmas.

It does look slightly easier to install but you still need a very long drill bit to get the hole for the brass pole to go into the body when the trem is in use. I had the problem with mine that i drilled that hole a bit steep and the pole would get caught as it went in and out of the hole. OK - now i know what i did wrong and can install it perfectly . . . and thats why i would advise people to go see there guitar tech for something like this, because it can be done wrong quite easily . . . but like i said - great once installed and i would use it again!!

the other issue i had with the tremconconverter is that the hook that goes into the trem block was awkward to set-up correctly - and yes, i made sure i had the right 'sustain clip' before hand,

BloodMountain · « **Reply #29 on:** April 29, 2007, 08:12:12 PM »

ah, maybe i should get one! i've always wanted to block off my trem, it annoys me LIKE HELL when restringing (see my thread...) and i only use it for dime squeeeeeeeeeels :P
can the tremconverter go into dimebomb only mode? oh, i should check the link :oops:
ah, it functions in the same way as the tremel-no! but it looks like you have to drill 2 holes..... and also, can you only have 2 springs on there at once???