The great Floyd Rose Big-Block Shootout.

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jhale667

jhale667

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Since over the past year and a half I've become addicted to FloydUpgrades Big-Blocks of both the Brass and Titanium variety, one of the questions I'm invariably asked is "What do they sound like? What are the differences?" Well, sometimes verbal descriptions fall short; something has to be heard to be truly appreciated, if not felt. It wasn't enough to merely tell someone how much either of them kicked ass over the standard, you really have to hear it and decide for yourself. Telling people even my DRUMMER noticed a difference was a head-turner, true :lol: :LOL: - but I wanted to document it once and for all.

BigBlockTestday.jpg


So I decided, since I had all three types lying around (I use the Brass and the Titanium as different flavors for different applications now, and have the originals as paperweights), I have Pro Tools and am only moderately afraid to use it ;) I'd throw together my own sonic shoot out of sorts. I decided to use my Koa Warmoth Strat as the test-bed for the experiment, since she has the most even tone of all my Floyd-equipped guitars.

First order of business was to reinstall the original (eww) standard 37mm block for the "reference riff/MP3". After slapping back on the standard, I recorded two sample riffs, one slightly dirty and one balls out to get a feel for their individual characteristics in regards to open chords, palm muting, and overall dynamics. For this test I used PODfarm and Recabinet - a Marshall Plexi and Soldano emulation both running into the same Recabinet "Green 4x12" with a single 121 mic emulation. I'd then repeat the process with the other two block types- same emulations, same settings, same guitar - different block each time.

Here's the riff(s) with the Standard block:

SoundClick artist: Jay's Gearwhore - page with MP3 music downloads

Once that was done, I also took the opportunity to install the FloydUpgrades Brass Spring Claw and Noiseless spring set for the two "upgraded" riff examples, as I wanted to illustrate the full tone-freak Floyd Rose overhaul process.

clawandsprings.jpg


Those were quickly swapped out, then it was on to the Brass Block. Here's how that one went:

SoundClick artist: Jay's Gearwhore - page with MP3 music downloads

You can tell in that clip the low end is now seemingly boosted, and the tone is fatter overall. Gone is the dreaded Floyd Rose "thinness" players long complained of, and note transfer seems to have improved as well. The mids seem thicker and the highs seem to have been warmed up as well, without becoming screechy. There's also a noticeable increase in sustain. Definite UPgrade.

Brass alone is impressive, (and one could certainly live with it) but - if you really want to go tonal crackhead with it, Titanium IS the push over the cliff. It is more like Brass' evil cousin. Everything Brass does, it seems to do "one louder". The sustain increase is most dramatic, making notes seem to jump off the fretboard...there's something more... aggressive about the highs too, but it's not at all harsh...check it out:

SoundClick artist: Jay's Gearwhore - page with MP3 music downloads

So now at least no one has to ask me to tell them what the different advantages of the blocks are now...you can hear them for yourselves... :)

I think the Brass claws are a useful addition as well. Seems as if I noticed a slight increase in the guitar's overall resonance, and I don't recall it sounding quite so good when it had the Brass Big-Block installed originally.
 
The brass and titanium are CLEARLY far superior to the original junk block. The titanium seems to be more focused/defined than the brass and a tad louder. I, too, am completely floyd overhauling my USA MX2, but I already have Titanium saddles on it (thanks psychodave) which are a HUGE improvement tonally across all categories. I was on the fence whether to drop the $$ on the titanium block, but you made me hop over!! I definitely want the titanium now. :yes:

Edit: After listening again and going back and forth 10+ times between the Brass clip and Titanium clip, I think I like the Brass more. It seems to sound a bit thicker and I like the high-end on it better than on the Titanium. The Titanium does indeed sound more agressive on the high-end than the brass.
 
Brass sounded bigger and stronger to me, with the Ti having a more aggressive high end with fewer mids and lows...at least thats how it comes across on these crappy computer speakers.

Cool experiment...and one that I wanted to do at some point (no need now, thanks :thumbsup: ). I've done similar tests in the past with pickups (direct mount vs rings) and tone woods so I appreciate the work that went into this...thanks!
 
Jay - Thanks for taking the time to do this! I think that you really nailed the point of what I do here. Great job - done perfectly and objectively! I love hou you just stated the facts and let people make up their ownminds for what would work best for them. The different combo of parts produce different tones - which is the best??? That is for the player to decide Tone is selective and personal.
Hats off for a job well done!
Cheers~
Adam
http://www.FloydUpgrades.com
 
I really like the Silent Springs idea... I need to pick up a set.
 
One thing I have questioned, and maybe Adam has already tried this, but what about a steel block? I mean everyone goes all gaga over having a steel block in the strat, so why not on a floyd? I have enough guitars with both the OFR, and the Ibanez/Gotoh to hear the difference in those tremolos. The one thing I have always disliked about the Ibanez was the pot metal block used.
 
There really is a difference. I personally like the brass better, seems to have more "meat" and fullness to it. :rock:

The Titanium is definitely cool, seems to be brighter, but brighter is not what I'm usually looking for in a Floyd equipped guitar. :lol: :LOL:

Hey Adam, where is my "nicked" block?? :hys:
 
Completely sold me. Way more of a difference than I was expecting. Thanks for putting in the effort :thumbsup:
 
Vrad":1g3jhsqv said:
I really like the Silent Springs idea... I need to pick up a set.
Click to expand...

+1 Glad I haven't ordered my block yet. I'll get that too.
 
Holy crap.....$450 for the Ti....Think I'll be going with brass :lol: :LOL:
 
Ayrton":32u5vqzo said:
One thing I have questioned, and maybe Adam has already tried this, but what about a steel block? I mean everyone goes all gaga over having a steel block in the strat, so why not on a floyd? I have enough guitars with both the OFR, and the Ibanez/Gotoh to hear the difference in those tremolos. The one thing I have always disliked about the Ibanez was the pot metal block used.
Click to expand...
Yes - I have beta tested different grades of steel - I will release one in the coming year. As I always say, tone is selective - I do not love the sound of it but I know some people would! I will always try new things and release what the masses want. Some guys love aluminum - I hate it... I will have to release it at some point... SO many things on the list and in beta testing - keep your eyes peeled...
Thanks again to all of my clients and friends who support FloydUpgrades. Special thanks to Jay Hale again for the huge effort - listening under headphones or good monitors will give you the real taste!
Cheers~ Happy New Year!
Adam
http://www.FloydUpgrades.com
 
Adam is a great guy to deal with. He will work with you on the price if you want a TI block. Shoot him an email. I just purchased three blocks(2 TI's and a brass) and hardware. He treated me great. I guess it didn't hurt that I live thirty minutes from him. I agree with the OP's assessment on the tonal differences of the blocks. Great work on the shootout.
 
thegame":3bsnay55 said:
From those clips, Ti was the clear winner for me.

I put some Ti saddles on a Tune-a-matic bridge and was quite pleased at the results.

If the block makes that much difference, imagine the improvement with Ti Floyd saddles :

http://floydupgrades.com/index.php?main ... cts_id=181

$750 :shocked:
Click to expand...
As I mentioned above I actually have titanium saddles, but only because I basically stole them. :lol: :LOL: They really do improve absolutely EVERYTHING. The only possible downside to them (besides cost, although they will last forever) is it adds a little bit of brightness, but I like that so it was a + for me!
 
Psshh I didn't need to hear the clips, I was sold when you said the drummer noticed a difference. :lol: :LOL:
 
Valtiel":292z0jgi said:
Psshh I didn't need to hear the clips, I was sold when you said the drummer noticed a difference. :lol: :LOL:
Click to expand...


:lol: :LOL:

Powerful testimonial right there, huh? :D Actually, my former drummer also emailed to congratulate me on the test ("except for the drummer crack") and indicated he can hear the difference too - so that's officially TWO drummers!! :yes:

That should be Adam's new sales chop - "Tonal improvement so dramatic even a drummer can hear the difference!" :thumbsup:
 
jhale667":3khetxyj said:
Valtiel":3khetxyj said:
Psshh I didn't need to hear the clips, I was sold when you said the drummer noticed a difference. :lol: :LOL:
Click to expand...


:lol: :LOL:

Powerful testimonial right there, huh? :D Actually, my former drummer also emailed to congratulate me on the test ("except for the drummer crack") and indicated he can hear the difference too - so that's officially TWO drummers!! :yes:

That should be Adam's new sales chop - "Tonal improvement so dramatic even a drummer can hear the difference!" :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

"That should be Adam's new sales chop - "Tonal improvement so dramatic even a drummer can hear the difference!" - PREPARE for new FU T-Shirt!!!! I love it!
Cheers~
Adam
http://www.FloydUpgrades.com
 
FloydUpgrades.com":v5djii70 said:
PREPARE for new FU T-Shirt!!!! I love it!
Cheers~
Adam
http://www.FloydUpgrades.com
Click to expand...


Oh, that's gonna be classic... :lol: :LOL: I come up with a good one every once in a while, huh? :D

Though I can think of at least two drummers that will want to kick my ass now... :gethim: hahahaha
 
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