Floyd Brass Block Review

[JakeAC5253]

I bought a big brass block for my floyd equipped guitar a few weeks back and I wanted to spend some time with it before giving it a proper review. I got the block from the guys at Killer Guitar Components and the guy I was speaking to was great to work with. I had a lot of questions going in, and he was able to answer them all quickly and accurately. I ended up going with the 3/4" block, which is supposed to be the type of block that you have no pull up room with, but with this particular guitar (Jackson RR3) I do have quite a bit of room to pull up if needed. I can also flutter at will also. I did not take before and after clips because doing so requires that you half-ass the floyd setup process and use the old strings, or use new strings and then it's not an A/B comparison. So I decided to screw the comparison, start from scratch, and clean and lube my bridge parts in the process.

The block from Killer Guitar Components is hand made from private machinery and uses their proprietary brass alloy which they believe to be the most musical (details can be read on the website). The block is heavy as hell and much more massive than the stock block, which is really more of an insert than a block really... In case you don't know what brass blocks are supposed to do, they are supposed to make your bridge appear more massive to the string so that less vibrational energy is deposited there and lost. The result, better tone and more sustain. I guess it's easy to think of the tone as being less "floyd" guitar sounding and a bit more "hardtail" sounding. More immediate and tighter for sure. I've heard that putting a brass block in a floyd guitar is not always an improvement, but it was in this guitar because I've always thought that this particular guitar needed a sonic kick in the ass and pickups weren't doing the job. The brass block wins!

 

[Gainzilla]

Good to hear, Im in the process of putting a partsocaster together on a recessed floyd strat body with single coils and I want the bridge to sound more vintage than floyd. Ive heard from many that the brass block does the trick and I hope thats the case with me..

 

[OUTLAW1969]

I am about to get the "L" shaped 42mm block from Floyd Upgrades, myself. I have used these before, with GREAT results.

 

[cardinal]

I've got a FU block on one of my guitars. Didn't notice an increase in sustain, but it did mellow the guitar. Took some of the "zing" off and made notes sound a bit thicker. Also took a bit of the edge off of the attack. These were all things I was looking for in this case, so I'm very happy with it.

 

[Ventura]

They work. I was amazed. I bought one to simply prove it was snake oil. I was wrong.

Love mine. Every trem equipped guitar oughta go big block

Mo

 

[bravedude2]

i stuck a fu 42mm block on my rg and it sounds real full and growls on the bass notes.

 

[JakeAC5253]

I've got a FU block on one of my guitars. Didn't notice an increase in sustain, but it did mellow the guitar. Took some of the "zing" off and made notes sound a bit thicker. Also took a bit of the edge off of the attack. These were all things I was looking for in this case, so I'm very happy with it.

That's what I heard about the FU blocks, they mostly add low end. The thing with the KGC blocks is that they are supposed to add more of everything in a more balanced manner, so I took a shot with one of those.

 

[cardinal]

Interesting. Didn't realize there was a difference. KGC doesn't do 7 string blocks though, which is what I need. Too bad.

 

[snowdog]

Interesting. Didn't realize there was a difference. KGC doesn't do 7 string blocks though, which is what I need. Too bad.

It wouldn't hurt to ask, maybe they would make one for you.

 

[glip22]

I did find them as an improvement. I preferred the brass over the Tungsten. Mostly on OFR bridges though. I have no desire to install one on my Gotoh floyded Suhr.

 

[halford]

I have a 37 about to go into my Warmoth Star - very keen to see how this goes !!

 

[JakeAC5253]

Interesting. Didn't realize there was a difference. KGC doesn't do 7 string blocks though, which is what I need. Too bad.

It wouldn't hurt to ask, maybe they would make one for you.

Yes, and if you decide to ask, post back with the answer. I would be curious to know as a 7 string with floyd is on the horizon for me.

 

[Gainzilla]

Whats the deal with the sizes? I want my floyds to be able to pull up, what size should I order?

 

[Rogue]

I did find them as an improvement. I preferred the brass over the Tungsten. Mostly on OFR bridges though. I have no desire to install one on my Gotoh floyded Suhr.

Why not?

 

[Rogue]

Whats the deal with the sizes? I want my floyds to be able to pull up, what size should I order?

I thought the size was the length of the block.

 

[JakeAC5253]

Whats the deal with the sizes? I want my floyds to be able to pull up, what size should I order?

I thought the size was the length of the block.

There is size in millimeters, and that is the length of block. With your bridge floating and setup properly** (important point) stick a small ruler against the bottom of the bridge and see how much floating room is between the bridge and cavity opening. Choose a length that is closest to the limit without going over.

Size in inches is thickness. The thicker you go the less room you have to pull up. 3/4" will have less room to pull up, but will offer more of the upgraded block effect due to having the most mass. 5/8" is thinner with more pull up room at a cost of mass. KGC offers a tapered block which I think is called the brass block pro, which allows more pull up room. But as proven in my case, if your guitar is routed with enough space, you can pull up fine even with a 3/4" inch straight block.

 

[zee1usa]

Got a 42 in the san dimas and i did not hear the guitar before it was installed, but it sounds killer!!!

 

[OldSkoolNJ]

Whats the deal with the sizes? I want my floyds to be able to pull up, what size should I order?

I thought the size was the length of the block.

There is size in millimeters, and that is the length of block. With your bridge floating and setup properly** (important point) stick a small ruler against the bottom of the bridge and see how much floating room is between the bridge and cavity opening. Choose a length that is closest to the limit without going over.

Size in inches is thickness. The thicker you go the less room you have to pull up. 3/4" will have less room to pull up, but will offer more of the upgraded block effect due to having the most mass. 5/8" is thinner with more pull up room at a cost of mass. KGC offers a tapered block which I think is called the brass block pro, which allows more pull up room. But as proven in my case, if your guitar is routed with enough space, you can pull up fine even with a 3/4" inch straight block.

I have a 5/8" brass block from KGC, I am actually the reason they offer it because I requested it..
KGC will make any block custom if you have the size or spec's you need, Molten on here actually sent them a block for a guitar that no nobody offered a brass block for and I think they only charge $10 more for the custom block..
Same with the dude with the 7 string if he sent KGC his block they would make him a custom brass block for it either the same exact spec's or larger his choice..
But they will do it..

They will also do 5/8, 11/16, ect,ect what ever you want..

 

[JakeAC5253]

Whats the deal with the sizes? I want my floyds to be able to pull up, what size should I order?

I thought the size was the length of the block.

There is size in millimeters, and that is the length of block. With your bridge floating and setup properly** (important point) stick a small ruler against the bottom of the bridge and see how much floating room is between the bridge and cavity opening. Choose a length that is closest to the limit without going over.

Size in inches is thickness. The thicker you go the less room you have to pull up. 3/4" will have less room to pull up, but will offer more of the upgraded block effect due to having the most mass. 5/8" is thinner with more pull up room at a cost of mass. KGC offers a tapered block which I think is called the brass block pro, which allows more pull up room. But as proven in my case, if your guitar is routed with enough space, you can pull up fine even with a 3/4" inch straight block.

I have a 5/8" brass block from KGC, I am actually the reason they offer it because I requested it..
KGC will make any block custom if you have the size or spec's you need, Molten on here actually sent them a block for a guitar that no nobody offered a brass block for and I think they only charge $10 more for the custom block..
Same with the dude with the 7 string if he sent KGC his block they would make him a custom brass block for it either the same exact spec's or larger his choice..
But they will do it..

They will also do 5/8, 11/16, ect,ect what ever you want..

Awesome! Definitely give him a call once I secure that 7 string!

 

[Tone Ranger]

I have a KGC 32mm block being made for a Graphtech LB63 bridge (for Piezo and MIDI). Graphtechs are NOT OFR specs. Holes are too small. Should have it by this weekend. It's been an ordeal but Rick has been awesome to deal with.

I may look into their Mega Floyd Stopper as well.