Callaham Strat Hardware

[HeeBGB]

Lots of great info in this thread. I think I am pretty much sold on trying the Callaham Bridge this time around. I already have a parts strat that I built 10 years ago from Warmoth parts with a Fender bridge on it.

I used to own a 2001 Am. Standard Strat and I can honestly say that the 2-post type bridge is not for me. It changed the tone and I simply prefer the original design plus the new project is already drilled for a 6-bolt vintage style anyway.

The RV saddles look interesting BUT they are almost 2x the price of the Callaham saddles which are probably already at a premium so i don't know if I would go that route. I also like the staggered tuners which I have had on a guitar before....but I would probably still add the string trees anyway....I am a vintage purist I guess.

[renshen1957]

I like Fender hardware. I like stock vintage style everything because it has a track record of being workable. I don't mind other people using whatever, but I only use stock vintage or vintage reissue.

Hi,

I would love to use vintage (original 1950's Strat Blocks and Tele Bridges) or use Fender's product if Fender still made stock stuff the way it is made back in the day.

I've used the Callaham Strat Block, bridge ect, for the Cold Rolled Steel trem block, etc, when fender was using hot-rolled leaded steel (cheaper) for US products and Pot metal (cast Zinc/Lead) for its off shore products. I've had more than one Guitarist try to walk off with my Strat.

I used a Glendale Tele Bridge (Callaham didn't make a bridge for the model I needed) and found the quality excellent, too.

Yes, it cost more, but A/B Fender's product with Callahams made me a believer.

Actually, we have a debt to post CBS Fender and Henry's Gibson as each company's Bean Counters kept cheapening the product aftermarket companies rose up to make better pickups, bridges, trems, bodies, necks, pots, caps, etc, to fill the take up the slack and build quality replacement products the old fashion way (and new products). We have better quality, in quantity, and at a less than vintage price.

However, RT you are not alone in using Fender bridges, Fender's custom shop products for the most part use the same hardware, pickups, and bridges as the US made Strats and Teles. For the extra money one shells out for the product you'd think the Custom Shop would have it's own line of parts, but I guess that would cost more money.

Best Regards,

Steve

[LeftyStrat]

I tried the bladerunner and didn't like it. The actual plate part is a cool idea but the rest of it just didn't appeal to me. The tremolo arm is anything but elegant--it is a 1/4 diameter rod affair that is big and clumsy. No other tremolo arm will work with their setup.

This is actually an advantage for me, since I have replaced three Fender bridges over the years since my '73 strat was "born," simply because the original arm broke off leaving a piece in the bridge that couldn't be drilled out.

[Mark]

http://www.ilitchelectronics.com/

I'm surprised Fender haven't jumped onto this. If it works it is a good ideal. I think Suhr uses this.

[vibratoking]

I often wondered what one does to break off the arm...pull on it until it is up against the stops and then keep pulling until it snaps?

I also wanted to mention that a Callaham block on a two point bridge will limit travel. The two point block from Fender has a taper on the back side, where the Callaham does not. So, if you don't remove wood, the travel is limited. Whether it is limited too much for you, I can't answer. I am using a Callaham and I am OK with it, but fundamentally I don't enjoy the limitation.

[billyz]

My friend Diego just replaced his Gotoh Vintage saddles with the "Raw Vintage" saddles and springs. It made a huge difference in tone. you could hear it without even plugging in. Much livelier , sweeter and richer all around.

[Mark]

Isn't Fender using the standard Gotoh vibrato bridge?

http://www.acmeguitarworks.com/Fender-R ... 6C348.aspx

http://ronbalesfx.blogspot.com.au/2010/ ... eview.html

[rogb]

I have just put together a USACG Tele with a full Callaham hardware set and I am very pleased with it in every way. The prewired control panel with heavy knurled knobs is really cool. Delivery was quick so I ordered a full Callaham set for a USACG Strat I have just started on today.

From what I can tell so far the Callaham bridge and tremolo fit seem far superior to all the USA, Japanese and Squier hardware I have had over the years.

The Tele is fitted out with Ron Ellis Broadcaster/ Mid Tall pickups and the Strat will be shod with a set of D.Allen's Hot Vintage 54/59's.

So 2 NGDs for me -yeah!

[HeeBGB]

You can't be serious? Your just gonna leave this out there without posting pics? I like the USACG stuff. That may be my next build! I have a Warmoth Tele neck that needs a home!

I have just put together a USACG Tele with a full Callaham hardware set and I am very pleased with it in every way. The prewired control panel with heavy knurled knobs is really cool. Delivery was quick so I ordered a full Callaham set for a USACG Strat I have just started on today.

From what I can tell so far the Callaham bridge and tremolo fit seem far superior to all the USA, Japanese and Squier hardware I have had over the years.

The Tele is fitted out with Ron Ellis Broadcaster/ Mid Tall pickups and the Strat will be shod with a set of D.Allen's Hot Vintage 54/59's.

So 2 NGDs for me -yeah!

[rogb]

Sure no problem.
I just finished fitting the Ron Ellis pups tonight and although I had to play quiet they sounded great
All I need to do is fit a bone nut. I put a Tusq in for now, but I have all the stuff to make em on the way from StewMac so I will make a custom polished bone nut when the files etc arrive.

The Strat arrived yesterday and I have started the finishing process on the body, a coat of sanding sealer and grainfiller which is drying up overnight.

The neck has been fitted with steel inserts today and tomorrow will be final sanded, and sprayed with 1 coat of sanding sealer, 1 of amber then 1 of gloss. A very thin finish same as the Tele.

[Mark]

What is the difference between Warmoth and USACG stuff?

I had long thought of building a Dave Gilmour #0001 Strat.

[HeeBGB]

Not a lot of difference between the Warmoth and USACG. USACG are a bunch of former Warmoth employees that branched out on their own. I haven't visited their site in a couple of years. When they started they did not have license to sell Fender headstock shapes and they would leave a little point at the bottom of the round portion of the headstock of a strat or Tele neck that you had to sand out. Maybe that has changed by now. But their stuff was very good quality other than the extra work to make the Fender shaped headstocks.

EDIT: They still don't have a Fender License. Here are the pics from their site

[Bear]

Anyone got a highly recommended affordable six-screw vintage-style stat trem for import spacing (10.5mm) mounting? I've got a Fernandes with a cheapo skinny trem block that the arm doesn't screw into. (The guitar is actually pretty damned nice for the $80 I paid, but working trem would definitely enhance the experience.)

[cbass]

rogb ,I like your tele a lot.Very nice.

[Structo]

Excellent job on the Tele Rog.

What did you use to finish it with?