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Post by billyk57 on Sept 2, 2019 21:09:30 GMT
Hello People I’ve been cruising the site for a few weeks after joining up and thought as I’ve now just taken delivery of a ST-62MN VW Vintage, I’d provide a short opinion as a way of introduction. It’s so much better than I expected ! The fat & flat neck is different for me but I’m getting on with it fine. The yellow ‘white’ finish looks great imo, tuners are fine (if a little stiff) and the Roswell pickups to me sound as good, if not better than a Mex Strat I used to own. As with most HB reviews I’ve read, the frets need a bit of a clean up and the strings look 5 years old but really, at the price point, this is absolutely not an issue. I’ve no plans for any major upgrades but I did think of replacing the tremelo bridge with something a bit more substantial. Does anyone out there have any recommendations for a faff free replacement ? Would be good to keep a similar vintage vibe. Thanks for any help out there and well done to all you contributors for a great forum.
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Post by LeoThunder on Sept 3, 2019 12:14:33 GMT
Does it still have the thin block? I know the ST-62 DLX has seen an upgrade to something thicker but I wonder about the regular one. I would assume these parts are the most standard possible (that's how they are cheap) and anything not fancy would fit. Replacing the block only should be the way to go. This guy should do but I still wonder if it makes a difference at all.
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Post by blindwilly3fingers on Sept 3, 2019 12:30:16 GMT
I bought a replacement brass block for one of my Squire strat's. It's was around £13 from China on ebay. If you are in the UK there is a www.blackdogmusic.co.ukThey stock both metric and imperial size blocks and also shallower depth for strat copies that are not full thickness body size. They cost £15-20 last time I looked. I believe Asia built guitars use metric sizes and Fender and other American builders use imperial.
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Post by blindwilly3fingers on Sept 3, 2019 12:32:33 GMT
The one LeoThunder posted has no socket for the whammy bar. I know because I bought one. Which is OK for me as I don't use the whammy bar.
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Post by LeoThunder on Sept 3, 2019 13:32:57 GMT
The one LeoThunder posted has no socket for the whammy bar. I know because I bought one. Which is OK for me as I don't use the whammy bar. That makes it useless. The block needs to be made for 52.5mm string spacing (E to E), 75mm broad and the bar is 6mm / M6 thick (I measured mine). This one would fit but requires a 5mm bar. This one is for Squier with 6mm bar. American Strat's have a 54mm string spacing so there will be blocks for those floating around too. And blocks for the left handed version. This is when I start thinking I wouldn't even bother finding out if it does make a difference, although now that I have done all the work to find out what to buy… Hey, this one brings "the necessasry kick in sound, sustain and decent compression !!!". I never knew compression could be indecent but I'm ready to believe there are people out there who swallow the nonsense. I remember Dave Barlow making such an upgrade and being left not quite as impressed as I'd hoped. Of course it doesn't mean that upgrading the small block in the ST-62 wouldn't have a bigger impact but I find no fault with mine.
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Post by blindwilly3fingers on Sept 3, 2019 13:46:41 GMT
Yes LeoThunder by all means rewrite the post I made and even show a link to the seller I suggested. The string spacing is a I said imperial on Fender's and metric on most Asian strat's. The one you suggested initially and now deem useless, is in fact perfectly usable if you don't use a whammy bar. That said the major concern is the depth and thickness of the block as the aperture varies on Asian strat's against American strat's significantly in both depth and width. Which is why I suggested Black dog music as he stocks various versions.
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Post by LeoThunder on Sept 3, 2019 14:49:09 GMT
Yes, I worry about that clearance thing too. I can dive bomb with my ST-62's (and no, it does not mess up the tuning). I'm not sure I could with the thicker block. Maybe someone reading this has one and can report on it. Does the block hit the wall before the bar comes down on the body?
The dive bomb does not go that low, by the way. A semitone on the high e, a major third on the low e and in between that in between. But that's because the bridge is set floating to go up to a major third the other way too (on the low e, minor third on the G).
I also wonder why these blocks are sold. I suspect they fit another type of bridge which includes the tightening of the bar but I haven't searched for it.
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Post by blindwilly3fingers on Sept 3, 2019 14:56:38 GMT
I worry about the clearance with these thicker blocks. Is there enough room to lower the whammy arm without the block knocking on the back of the slot? I'm really surprised to see trem blocks sold without arm sockets. Especially when there is no mention made of it in the description. If it's a selling point you'd think it would be mentioned at least. I wonder how many complaints they get from folk that don't spot the missing hole in the pics? I missed it, so couldn't really complain. The block knocking against the body depends on how well the slot is cut and positioned. It would certainly curtail dive bombing! The block as it pivots will only knock against the bottom of the slot which I suppose you could enlarge. More importantly if the block is not completely central knocking is more likely. On there being no whammy socket you could possibly weld small piece of brass or nut to the block. As I don't use a whammy I never bothered with trying. Possibly the could be meant for floyd Rose type tremolo but I don't know as I have no experience of these. The floyd rose I believe has a separate sock?
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Post by LeoThunder on Sept 3, 2019 15:04:21 GMT
Clearance appears to be an issue with the thick block as Jonathan Koh says in his review of the ST-62 DLX:
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Post by LeoThunder on Sept 3, 2019 15:15:53 GMT
Possibly the could be meant for floyd Rose type tremolo but I don't know as I have no experience of these. The floyd rose I believe has a separate sock? Yes, Floyd Rose bridges have narrower blocks and a different attachment system for the bar but this ebay item claims to be fitting Fender ST type guitars in its title so that doesn't get them out of jail.
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Post by blindwilly3fingers on Sept 3, 2019 15:19:51 GMT
There's quite a few different blocks produced by different manufacturers. I looked into it quite a lot when changed mine. If you are going to do this mod I would suggest measuring the aperture of the guitar on which it is to be done. Each guitar can differ then find a suitable block that fits or enlarge the bottom of the slot. If you don't want to enlarge the slot grind the block a little. It's not rocket science. The Mexican strat I repaired a while back had a small block. I advised against changing it as I don't really think it changes the sound that noticeably. I didn't measure the aperture, I should have done for reference purposes.
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Post by blindwilly3fingers on Sept 3, 2019 15:20:53 GMT
Possibly the could be meant for floyd Rose type tremolo but I don't know as I have no experience of these. The floyd rose I believe has a separate sock? Yes, Floyd Rose bridges have narrower blocks and a different attachment system for the bar but this ebay item claims to be fitting Fender ST type guitars in its title so that doesn't get them out of jail. It does fit St type guitars just doesn't have a whammy socket.
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Post by billyk57 on Sept 3, 2019 20:55:51 GMT
Thanks to everyone for all the input - there’s quite a bit to think about here. Although I hardly use the whammy, I feel I want to keep the option, so the new block sounds attractive. Thanks for bringing up the Jonathan Koh video - I wouldn’t have even considered the block clearance. I suppose for only £20, a replacement block is worth a try. Will give it a go and report back.
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