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Replacement tremelo for Mexican Strat?


rog951

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Guys,

 

I just bought an EMG Dave Gilmour loaded pickguard for my Mexi Strat and I'm afraid the trem (and tuners) might not do the new setup justice. So, does anyone know if the bridge from an American Standard Strat will fit with no modifications? OR, any suggestions for a quality replacement would be greatly appreciated! The fewer mods required, the better for me...I'm very, very lazy :)

 

Thanks!

 

Rog

None more black.
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I thought that the bridge hardware on the MIM and MIA Strat was pretty much identical. I could be wrong. I wouldn't think that it would make that much of a tonal difference anyway, even if it is a little different.

 

I've had my DG 20 for about a month now, and I'm real happy with it. It's so darn versile!

 

Jack

I really don't know what to put here.
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Originally posted by Sylver:

I thought that the bridge hardware on the MIM and MIA Strat was pretty much identical. I could be wrong. I wouldn't think that it would make that much of a tonal difference anyway, even if it is a little different.

 

I've had my DG 20 for about a month now, and I'm real happy with it. It's so darn versile!

 

Jack

Nah. The MIM bridge is a lot lighter-weight and the saddles are of a completely different design than the MIA models. I just don't know if the mounting scheme is the same. I have one of each (MIM and MIA) at home but I found a used MIA bridge for sale near my office (cheap!) that I wanted to take home 2nite...and no time to run home and compare. I know if I wait til tomorrow, somebody else will snag that bad boy...

 

I'm really glad you like your DG-20. I've had good experiences with EMGs before, and Gilmour is one of my biggest heroes. I figure I can't go wrong!

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The americans use a 2point knife edge sysyem, the MIMs use a six screw vintage style trem. You can retrofit the MIM with an American bridge, but you'll have to plug the six holes, redrill larger holes for mounting posts and press in the mounting posts. Probably not worth it. The tuners on the MIMs are actually pretty good. If you use the trem a lot, have it professionally set up, and maybe upgrade to the Fender / Schaller locking tuners if you have problems. Another good upgrade is Graphtech saddles, you'll never break a string again.
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Thanks jaccursi,

 

Yup, I just got home and yanked both guitars outta their cases. You were dead-on. Luckily, I didn't buy that American trem 2day. I'm pretty sure the tuners will be fine...they're much nicer than I'd remembered. I really don't use the trem much at all on the strats anyway...I've got a coupla '80s metal machines with Floyds for all that stuff. So, I think I'll probably just stick with the bridge I've got unless someone can point me to a better-quality vintage-style replacement. I might need to change saddles too - the bridge is ultra-cruddy - so I'll look into the GraphTechs. I used to have a set on some long-gone guitar and, as I recall, I kinda liked 'em. Thanks.

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Originally posted by rog951:

Thanks jaccursi,

 

Yup, I just got home and yanked both guitars outta their cases. You were dead-on. Luckily, I didn't buy that American trem 2day. I'm pretty sure the tuners will be fine...they're much nicer than I'd remembered. I really don't use the trem much at all on the strats anyway...I've got a coupla '80s metal machines with Floyds for all that stuff. So, I think I'll probably just stick with the bridge I've got unless someone can point me to a better-quality vintage-style replacement. I might need to change saddles too - the bridge is ultra-cruddy - so I'll look into the GraphTechs. I used to have a set on some long-gone guitar and, as I recall, I kinda liked 'em. Thanks.

Try the Callaham trem. Absolutely top notch vintage Strat trem repro. http://www.callahamguitars.com/

This trem, particularly the steel inertia block, will make your MIM Strat sound much better.

 

Shane.

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Originally posted by rog951:

Originally posted by Bajan:

Try the Callaham trem. Absolutely top notch vintage Strat trem repro. http://www.callahamguitars.com/

This trem, particularly the steel inertia block, will make your MIM Strat sound much better.

 

Shane.

Shane,

 

Thanks for the info...that looks like the ticket!

Yer' welcome. BTW you can read the reviews of the trem block on Harmony Central under guitar reviews/callaham for some other opinions.

 

Shane.

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Just for fun, try the Fishman or LR Baggs Power Bridge with the built in Piezo. BTW Stewmac has the stocker for about $50 in both versions

 

http://www.stewmac.com/cgi-bin/hazel.cgi?action=SERVE&ITEM=catalog/p.html&A=%2BNAME_LINK%3DTraditional_Strat_Tremolo_Bridges

 

I bought a Fishman for the Tele, workmanship was superb

http://www.fishman.com/images/Products/P-Bridge_3.JPG

http://www.fishman.com/images/Products/VS50P.jpg

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Originally posted by Binky:

Just for fun, try the Fishman or LR Baggs Power Bridge with the built in Piezo. BTW Stewmac has the stocker for about $50 in both versions

Thanks Binky! The only problem with the piezo idea is that I'm installing the EMG system on this guitar and I really don't wanna mess with their existing wiring. Still, it looks like a very cool system and I DO have another strat-type body and neck just sitting around in my closet...I'm always up for half-finishing a new project! :D

 

So, do you think the Stew-Mac vintage-type trem will really be a significant upgrade from the stock Mexi bridge? I think I'm still kinda leaning towards the Callaham (sp?) trem but I must admit $50 sounds lots better than $100 to me right now!

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Dunno

 

They also carry the Gotoh wilkenson in the modern 2 hole style $90

http://www.stewmac.com/catalog/images_1lg/3533_1lg.jpg

http://www.stewmac.com/cgi-bin/hazel.cgi?action=SERVE&ITEM=catalog/sku.html&sku=3533

 

Roller saddle vintage trems $80

http://www.stewmac.com/catalog/images_1lg/1283_1lg.jpg

http://www.stewmac.com/cgi-bin/hazel.cgi?action=SERVE&ITEM=catalog/sku.html&sku=1283

 

and the dreaded Floyd Rose $200

http://www.stewmac.com/catalog/images_1lg/1270_1lg.jpg

http://www.stewmac.com/cgi-bin/hazel.cgi?action=SERVE&ITEM=catalog/sku.html&sku=1270

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