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Converting from MIM to a vintage bridge?

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tremoloman

tremoloman

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Have any of you successfully converted a MIM to accept a vintage bridge? If so, how has it worked out? I'd love to see some pictures if anyone has some.

I'm having this done to a flip-flop Stratocaster by a professional, so I'll let you all know how it works out. Hopefully, it's a positive story! :)
 
I can't recall if the base plate mounting screw holes are the same as the vintage bridge. If they are, it would be easy to do. Make sure the new bridge has the steel trem block. They give a Strat that ringing sustain that makes it a Strat. It really does make a difference.
 
Well, the MIM's have 2 1/16" spacing where the vintage bridges are a tad wider. I shipped my guitar to Bill Callaham who is performing the upgrade for me. I should have the guitar back in my hands on Tuesday night, so I'll post and update and pics if interested.
 
If Bill Callaham is putting one of his tremolo bridges in your guitar, it'll be a noticeable improvement in tone. I think you're going to like it...a lot.
 
I've already installed Callaham bridges in my Powerhouse Strat & Squier '51/Strat Parts-O-Caster conversion. I'm a huge fan of Bill's products. I won't own a Strat guitar without one!

I'm having 2 made for my American Deluxe models right now. The difference in tone & sustain is night & day from the stock crapola that Fender dishes out. I may lose the cool pop-in arm, but the sound greatly outweights the pop-in arm benefits.

I'm very suprised Fender doesn't install high quality tremolo blocks in their american or american deluxe series guitars. If you are dishing out $1,000+ USD for a guitar, you would expect to have the best, right?
 
I just got my Flip-flop Strat back with the Callaham block & bridge assembly. He did the conversion flawlessly! You can't even tell it had been filled & redrilled! Sound is honestly 1000% better than stock, and it stays in tune no matter how much I drivebomb. LOVE IT! I'll post pics if anyone wants to see.
 
That reminds me. I've got to pick up a vintage trem from Bill Callaham for my next Strat project I got coming up. If you want that vintage look with the best in tone, there is no other choice IMO.
 
I got the guitar back from Bill last week. My God it doesn't even sound like the same guitar! This is the best sounding and playing MIM I've ever used now that the bridge & block have been installed! Pics to follow shortly! :)
 

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