Thinking about a brass "big block"...

[5150GSX]

I have Jackson PC-1 that I love the sound of, but was thinking of maybe snagging one of these. I'm concerned with not being able to dive all the way with one of these? How bad is trem travel affected?

Most people rave about these . . just wondering if they're worth the $40.

- Sam

 

[Laura]

I can't answer questions about dives, but the L block made a world of difference in my "floyded Jacksons". Highly recommend.

 

[OldSkoolNJ]

KGC
http://killerguitarcomponents.com/Our_Products_.html

 

[Death by Uberschall]

They work, have a FloydUpgrades brass block, love it.

 

[Klark]

I bought the KGC models for my Malmsteen and my new Warmoth Floyd equipped guitar. Tone wise, I don't believe they make a huge difference. Same with sustain, barely noticeable difference. I think it's probably more psychological and boner factor than anything.

When upgrading to the Floyd model, you cannot dive as far, or pull up as far, but how much dive and pull up does one need?? If your strings go slack, I would say that's enough, right? And this will allow slack strings, just not as slack as the stock block. Same with pull up - Just not as much as the stock block.

Here's the Malmsteen block..



And my new Warmoth with the Floyd block..

Bleh, those black springs look terrible..

 

[jasonP]

I bought the KGC models for my Malmsteen and my new Warmoth Floyd equipped guitar. Tone wise, I don't believe they make a huge difference. Same with sustain, barely noticeable difference. I think it's probably more psychological and boner factor than anything.

I beg to disagree. Maybe the people that hear the differences have more sensitive ears. ...or maybe the KGC blocks sound like crap?

Hey Dave,
You have to Ti block? Did you say that was brighter then the brass one? Can you compare and tell me if the brass one at least brighter then the the stock block or was it just warmer and louder sounding?

 

[Klark]

I beg to disagree.

No need to beg, you're free to disagree. Though you should notice that I said I don't believe they make a HUGE difference. There is a difference, but it's definitely not huge.

Maybe the people that hear the differences have more sensitive ears

A few of them? Yes. All of them? Not possible.

..or maybe the KGC blocks sound like crap?

On a Floyd system with no contact of the strings to the brass, brass is brass. With a Fender trem, where the strings actually ride in the brass, a higher grade brass may yield a minuscule amount of extra sustain or tone, but it's doubtful.

 

[moltenmetalburn]

KGC
http://killerguitarcomponents.com/Our_Products_.html

+1 On the KGC, it changed my guitars for the better.

 

[rupe]

Same with pull up - Just not as much as the stock block.

Explain how that is possible seeing as all of the extra mass is added to the back side of the block???

For the OP...it will not affect pull up at all, but it will affect divebombs as already mentioned, but not to the point that you can't do them (although your trem routing could affect this...ultimately depends on the amount of space behind the block).
Tonally I have noticed a big difference in sustain and additional bottom end fatness...it's the best thing that I've found to date for the "tinniness" inherent in Floyds.

FloydUpgrades is the original and great to deal with in my experience.

 

[Klark]

Same with pull up - Just not as much as the stock block.

Explain how that is possible seeing as all of the extra mass is added to the back side of the block???

KGC blocks are made bigger in every direction. If you're a no pull up kind of guy with a KGC block, you can add or tighten your springs so the trem is flat onto the body, and the block will pretty much ride against the claw side of the block route - Equaling much more mass in contact with the body. I tried for a few minutes and it does make a sustaining difference, but I like pull up so I didn't keep it that way.

 

[rupe]

Same with pull up - Just not as much as the stock block.

Explain how that is possible seeing as all of the extra mass is added to the back side of the block???

KGC blocks are made bigger in every direction. If you're a no pull up kind of guy with a KGC block, you can add or tighten your springs so the trem is flat onto the body, and the block will pretty much ride against the claw side of the block route - Equaling much more mass in contact with the body. I tried for a few minutes and it does make a sustaining difference, but I like pull up so I didn't keep it that way.

Got it. FloydUpgrades only add mass to the back side...the front is the same. I never tried a KGC, but I wouldn't think they could make it much bigger on the front side without special springs???

 

[moltenmetalburn]

Same with pull up - Just not as much as the stock block.

Explain how that is possible seeing as all of the extra mass is added to the back side of the block???

KGC blocks are made bigger in every direction. If you're a no pull up kind of guy with a KGC block, you can add or tighten your springs so the trem is flat onto the body, and the block will pretty much ride against the claw side of the block route - Equaling much more mass in contact with the body. I tried for a few minutes and it does make a sustaining difference, but I like pull up so I didn't keep it that way.

Got it. FloydUpgrades only add mass to the back side...the front is the same. I never tried a KGC, but I wouldn't think they could make it much bigger on the front side without special springs???

mine doesn't seem any thicker on the spring side. it is far thicker overall though. this pic shows the springs clearly and the space between them and the block surface.

 

[Klark]

mine doesn't seem any thicker on the spring side. it is far thicker overall though. this pic shows the springs clearly and the space between them and the block surface.

Well, gee, do you think the spring holes are just drilled closer to the edge of the block, and not in the center as normal??? YES!

This is actually causing me problems - I like the tension of two springs, but since the spring holes are 1/4" closer to claw side, I cannot get the tension right and have to use 3 springs. Anyone know where I can get shorter trem springs??

 

[moltenmetalburn]

Ahh yeah I hadn't thought of that as I don't have the original to compare to.

 

[5150GSX]

I got my big block installed today and all I can say is "wow what a difference."

My guitar is so much more "alive" and fuller sounding. It resonates in my hands so much better.

I highly recommend one of these to anybody who uses a trem-equipped guitar. It doesn't affect dives at all either since the strings are completely slack and flopping around when the trem gets blocked.