Installed a Callaham Strat bridge assembly

Fuengi

Went for the whole shebang and got a Callaham Mexican replacement bridge / tremolo for my 2008 Mexi Strat.

Fitted it last night, it could not have been easier. Slight adjustment to the saddle heights but the fixing screws and even the intonation was absolutely bang on. 

Set it up with four springs and despite the advice it is floating slightly off the body. Super smooth trem arm and excellent tuning stability. 

The most surprising thing is the affect is has had on the tone. Quite a bit brighter that the previous setup, lots of clarity and sustain. Wasn't sure about it last night, - I think it was a bit of a shock - but having had a good play this afternoon I like it. The Peacekeeper adds a lovely bit of grit to the otherwise clinically clean tone.

Expensive unit, but it does the job very well indeed and feels and looks top quality. 

Lebarque

Yep, love mine too. I find the saddles a bit too bright, so bought some Highwood ones. Haven't fitted yet though. Callaham do make quality kit.

stickyfiddle

Completely agree  with all of that. It makes a remarkable difference over a regular bridge.

Fuengi

Forgot to mention this in the initial post, but it also makes muted picking very easy and very effective. 

Funkfingers

Fuengi said:

feels and looks top quality. 

I bought the sustain block and replacement saddles for a Nineties American Standard Stratocaster. The Callaham parts fitted the Fender ones perfectly. They came off equally easily when I removed them prior to selling the host guitar in original spec.

With the stock parts reinstated, the guitar sounded disappointing. 

Fuengi

Funkfingers said:

Fuengi said:

feels and looks top quality. 

I bought the sustain block and replacement saddles for a Nineties American Standard Stratocaster. The Callaham parts fitted the Fender ones perfectly. They came off equally easily when I removed them prior to selling the host guitar in original spec.

With the stock parts reinstated, the guitar sounded disappointing. 

It's made a significant difference. I'd say it's worth considering doing even if you never use the tremolo. 

I'm thinking about changing the stock tuning pegs for Kluson vintage style. Any experience in doing this and opinions? 

Lebarque

Fuengi said:

Funkfingers said:

Fuengi said:

feels and looks top quality. 

I bought the sustain block and replacement saddles for a Nineties American Standard Stratocaster. The Callaham parts fitted the Fender ones perfectly. They came off equally easily when I removed them prior to selling the host guitar in original spec.

With the stock parts reinstated, the guitar sounded disappointing. 

It's made a significant difference. I'd say it's worth considering doing even if you never use the tremolo. 

I'm thinking about changing the stock tuning pegs for Kluson vintage style. Any experience in doing this and opinions? 

Gotoh slot heads here. Poke it down the hole (yic, yic) and away you go. Rock solid. Love them

Kebabkid

Loved mine before I broke up my FrankenStrat and sold the parts on - has a very noticeable, pleasing and lovely affect on your tone

Fuengi

Lebarque said:

Fuengi said:

Funkfingers said:

Fuengi said:

feels and looks top quality. 

I bought the sustain block and replacement saddles for a Nineties American Standard Stratocaster. The Callaham parts fitted the Fender ones perfectly. They came off equally easily when I removed them prior to selling the host guitar in original spec.

With the stock parts reinstated, the guitar sounded disappointing. 

It's made a significant difference. I'd say it's worth considering doing even if you never use the tremolo. 

I'm thinking about changing the stock tuning pegs for Kluson vintage style. Any experience in doing this and opinions? 

Gotoh slot heads here. Poke it down the hole (yic, yic) and away you go. Rock solid. Love them

Easy enough to change the Mexican standard ones for Gotoh? They heve the big washers on them.

Fuengi

Made a quick video of a short loop which highlights the restrained brightness of the Callaham Trem. Recorded on shitty phone but you get a hint of the tone.

Lebarque

Fuengi said:

Lebarque said:

Fuengi said:

Funkfingers said:

Fuengi said:

feels and looks top quality. 

I bought the sustain block and replacement saddles for a Nineties American Standard Stratocaster. The Callaham parts fitted the Fender ones perfectly. They came off equally easily when I removed them prior to selling the host guitar in original spec.

With the stock parts reinstated, the guitar sounded disappointing. 

It's made a significant difference. I'd say it's worth considering doing even if you never use the tremolo. 

I'm thinking about changing the stock tuning pegs for Kluson vintage style. Any experience in doing this and opinions? 

Gotoh slot heads here. Poke it down the hole (yic, yic) and away you go. Rock solid. Love them

Easy enough to change the Mexican standard ones for Gotoh? They heve the big washers on them.

Probably. Dunno. Worth checking

CasperCaster

The Callaham stuff is top quality. I feel the blocks in particular make a big difference and somehow make the guitar sound 'bigger' compared to ordinary blocks - more authority, not just more sustain. The saddles can be a little bright but I mostly like the extra clarity.

Regarding tuners, anything can be done, it just depends if its worth the effort. There was a recent thread about this here: https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/comment/2236605/#Comment_2236605

munckee

Lebarque said:

Fuengi said:

Lebarque said:

Fuengi said:

Funkfingers said:

Fuengi said:

feels and looks top quality. 

I bought the sustain block and replacement saddles for a Nineties American Standard Stratocaster. The Callaham parts fitted the Fender ones perfectly. They came off equally easily when I removed them prior to selling the host guitar in original spec.

With the stock parts reinstated, the guitar sounded disappointing. 

It's made a significant difference. I'd say it's worth considering doing even if you never use the tremolo. 

I'm thinking about changing the stock tuning pegs for Kluson vintage style. Any experience in doing this and opinions? 

Gotoh slot heads here. Poke it down the hole (yic, yic) and away you go. Rock solid. Love them

Easy enough to change the Mexican standard ones for Gotoh? They heve the big washers on them.

Probably. Dunno. Worth checking

I've put vintage kluson's on a chinese strat before, needed bushes to get them to fit as vintage are smaller than the 10mm holes.  Not sure what size mexican have.  You will probably need to drill new screw holes.