Hard tail conversion?

[lawrencedesigns]

I have recently seen ads for a bridge conversion" to replace a Strat Vibrato unit with a "hard tail" modification. I am including a link to Musicians Friends ad for a "flamed version." Not my choice, but I have seen standard versions available.

My question: I have already done the "Claption mod" to my 91 American Standard. Blocked vibrato, with 5 springs.
Does anyone have an opinion if the mod they are selling would add more sustain than what I have done? It appears to me that it probably wouldn't, but I am curious.

www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Custom-Shop-Parts-Hot-Rod-Convertible-Fixed-Bridge-for-Strat?sku=360583

Keeth Lawrence

Keeth Lawrence

[sumgai]

Keeth,

Well, the idea is, you're now mounting the strings to a plate that itself mounts directly onto the top of the guitar - no intermediate parts to get in the way of tone..... or so they say.

Yes, this would replace your current setup, not augment it. You remove your entire current vibrato mechanism, and replace it all with this piece. In theory, the string's vibrations will be transferred once from the string to the saddle, again from the saddle to the bridge plate, and thence directly to the body. That's three steps less than what you're doing now (bridge plate to inertia block, block to your wood insert, insert to body), but such thinking disregards the fact that you've also tightened down your 2 (or 6) mounting screws as well.

What I see as a difference between the two methods is that the Musician's Friend bridge is made of brass. That small of an amount is not likely to increase the sustain over what you currently enjoy. However, it will also definitely add some highs to your tone. Whether or not you'll like that is something that only you can determine.

Sadly, once you've drilled the extra holes to mount this puppy, you can only reverse the mechanical aspects of this mod - you certainly won't be regaining the previous pristine appearance of your axe. For that reason alone, I'd seek out someone who has done the job, and is willing to let you play with his rig for a short time. That's the only way you're gonna be confident that this is a good move for you.

HTH


sumgai

[lunaalta]

Wise words sumgai....

[lawrencedesigns]

Sumgai,
I knew I could count on you. Also, I think what worked for Clapton should certainly be good enough for this amateur. I was at Guitar Center LA last week and was looking at "Blackie." Blocked vibrato system with six springs installed. More or less just like mine.
The plate that Fender shop sells claims that it uses existing holes and no further drilling required. Not sure how the bottom would be secured then, but no need to investigate further.
Let's leave well enough alone...

Keeth

[ChrisK]

I've seen some concerns about the hard tail conversion bridges that you mention. Especially for the non-flamed unit, the concerns were that the rear two mounting screws were much too near the tremoLeo cavity to not break out of the wood. The reviews for the non-flamed unit of MF mentions this.

StewMac sells a wood hard tail conversion block that should fit the standard Fender tremoLeo cavity route.

www.stewmac.com/shopby/instrument/Electric_guitar/Bridges,_tailpieces/Hipshot_Trilogy_Bridges.html

(You'll have to copy and paste the whole link since Proboards chokes on some punctuation marks in links, or just search for 3395 on the StewMac site.)