Callaham steel block install question.

[6STRINGS 9LIVES]

Excellent Post T2TB ... the best bang for the buck guitar mod out there ..the saddles are worth the extra bucks too , the callaham tele bridge and compensated brass saddles are highly recommended too ..6S9L

[Nelskie]

Great post, T2TB. I know you and I have exchanged some dialogue re: the Callaham trem block awhile back, and I'm glad to hear you went ahead and changed yours out. The one I have in my MIM Classic 60's Strat has made a HUGE difference in tone, and I eventually plan on replacing the stock units on both of my (2) Squier Strats with Callaham blocks.

[Tone2TheBone]

Great post, T2TB. I know you and I have exchanged some dialogue re: the Callaham trem block awhile back, and I'm glad to hear you went ahead and changed yours out. The one I have in my MIM Classic 60's Strat has made a HUGE difference in tone, and I eventually plan on replacing the stock units on both of my (2) Squier Strats with Callaham blocks.

Thanks man for your help and input! Right now I'm talking Spud into them.

[Spudman***]

Thanks man for your help and input! Right now I'm talking Spud into them.

Ya, maybe I can set the record for the guy with the most Callaham tremolo blocks. I can see a new wing in the house opening up.

[Spudman***]

Bill Callaham replied to my question:

Will your tremolo blocks fit the two post Squier bridges?

Bill:

"Dear Steve,

Sorry, they do not.

Sorry we couldn't help,

Bill Callaham"

How is that for a wide open market? Any fretters want to go into business?

[Spudman***]

After some discourse with Bill Callaham he asked me to send him one of my bridges. So...we may yet see a replacement Callaham tremolo block for Squier two post tremolo bridges.

[Tone2TheBone]

Spudster - Trem said something about changing out the bridge entirely on the Squiers to a MIM in order to get the Callaham to fit. You could do that if you wanted to...unless Bill does make you a Squier block. I can't believe he doesn't make them now someone better jump on that production as you noted!

[Spudman***]

Bill sent me his address today so I'm sending in one of my 2 post Squier bridges.

The MIM bridges are a 6 screw design. I want to stay 2 post. Besides, this is a great new market for Bill. Just think of what I might be starting. "Gonna be starting something/gonna be starting something/ he he". *spins and tips hat with white gloved hand*

[Tone2TheBone]

Spud - oh yeah thats right duh. My brain is in vintage trem mode. Didn't think about the 2 point trems sawry!

[Spudman***]

Got a reply from Bill Callaham today.

Dear Steve,

We received your bridge yesterday. None of our production blocks will work. So they would have to be custom. A single block would be $180.00 plus shipping. If you get 4 blocks the price would drop to $130.00 per block plus shipping. Let us know what you decide. We would set them up like our production blocks to use our virtual pop-in arm or any vintage style Fender arm. Let us know what you decide.

Bill Callaham

Ya right! Like I'm going to pay all his tooling and production costs just so he can make money off of my idea. Not going to happen. Maybe it's time I went into business myself.

[Tone2TheBone]

Thats crazy. I can't believe he doesn't make blocks to fit Squiers and would charge triple the price to make one!

[SuperSwede]

180 usd for a trem block? What is it made of, gold?

[Tone2TheBone]

180 usd for a trem block? What is it made of, gold?

Maybe Bill feels that there aren't enough people with Squiers that would actually feel the need to order a block from him. So if someone wants one bad enough he'll charge them whatever he wants for it?

[tremoloman***]

The cost is so high because he will have to build a custom program and template just for this one job. I used to work in precision metal and I know what a PITA it can be to set stuff up like this.

Yuo should see if a MIM bridge fits your Squier. I used a MIM bridge plate on my Squier and then put a MIM Callaham block on it. Worked like a charm for $60.

[Spudman***]

The cost is so high because he will have to build a custom program and template just for this one job. I used to work in precision metal and I know what a PITA it can be to set stuff up like this.

Yuo should see if a MIM bridge fits your Squier. I used a MIM bridge plate on my Squier and then put a MIM Callaham block on it. Worked like a charm for $60.

Sure but it's the same PITA that he had to go through to start making blocks in the first place. All he would have to do is to make a batch - sell them, which would be no problem - recoup his cost and make a profit.

Other bridges would fit except that I'd have to drill for a 6 screw if I go MIM or fill holes and re-drill for posts using any other 2 post system. The Squier Standard and Special Edition are two post.

I'll probably find someone who will make me 50 and then I'll sell them myself. Who knows?

[Tinky-Winky]

180 dollars on a guitar that costs 200 just isn't worth it...I'd replace the bridge with a MIM like tremoloman advises (unless you can make one yourself).

[tremoloman***]

Sure but it's the same PITA that he had to go through to start making blocks in the first place. All he would have to do is to make a batch - sell them, which would be no problem - recoup his cost and make a profit.

Other bridges would fit except that I'd have to drill for a 6 screw if I go MIM or fill holes and re-drill for posts using any other 2 post system. The Squier Standard and Special Edition are two post.

I'll probably find someone who will make me 50 and then I'll sell them myself. Who knows?

Unfortunately, Squiers aren't consistent. You can find the same exact model with different specs quite easily.

[Spudman***]

Unfortunately, Squiers aren't consistent. You can find the same exact model with different specs quite easily.

True. But the Standards 2 post tremolo's are all the same. No difference there.

[tremoloman***]

True. But the Standards 2 post tremolo's are all the same. No difference there.

Are you sure? I found the string spacing between my girlfriends 2-poster to be different than my friend's Squier.