Callaham Trem Block VS Brass Block?

[MrDan666]

So i have a Callaham trem block on my GMW. Just to clarify, this isnt a Floyded guitar, just a Fender 2-point USA trem.

I think the Callaham maybe made of Aluminium but im not sure.. Anyone?

How much difference would there be if i swapped it out and replaced it with a Brass Block?

 

[jski59]

I'm 99.9% sure all Callaham blocks are steel.

I put one in my Classic Player strat and it made a huge difference in tone...

 

[MrDan666]

I'm 99.9% sure all Callaham blocks are steel.

I put one in my Classic Player strat and it made a huge difference in tone...

Ahh my mistake, i'm pretty sure you're right, i think theyre made of Steel

I wonder what the difference would be between brass and the steel block?

 

[Inearthed]

I've owned several Callaham blocks on my Strats and always went back to the Fender stock ones, it was more of a tension difference that I preferred with the Fenders. For the Floyds, I like the brass blocks. There is a video demonstration by Bill Callaham between the brass and steel here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlrkUmMk3U4

 

[blackba]

I've owned several Callaham blocks on my Strats and always went back to the Fender stock ones, it was more of a tension difference that I preferred with the Fenders. For the Floyds, I like the brass blocks. There is a video demonstration by Bill Callaham between the brass and steel here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlrkUmMk3U4

Did you notice a difference in sustain with the Callaham blocks? I am not sure what you mean by tension difference either. I was strongly looking into the Callaham blocks, but haven't gotten around to it. Redoing the setup is not one of my strong points either.

 

[blackba]

Honestly, I did not notice a difference in sustain, maybe if I was on stage alone and held a note with the audience holding stopwatches, there could be a difference noted. Regarding the tension, when I replaced the Fender block with the Callaham, I could never set it up to get the same feel that I had originally. It has to be either where the holes are for the strings, size, etc. I couldn't pinpoint it and I just sold my last Callaham block a couple weeks ago. I would say that it would be a good upgrade if you have a guitar with a cheap zinc block but not worth upgrading if you already have a steel Fender.

Is there an easy way to tell what material your block is made out of?

I have a couple of MIA Strats '03 and '06 and a '93 MIM. I would assume the MIA would have steel blocks and the MIM would have Zinc, but I am not sure.

Changing the feel with the block, does concern me. I would like a touch more sustain on the MIM, but the others are good as is, but maybe I don't know any better....