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Best 60ies style Strat tremolo and bridge

fakejake

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 3, 2010
Messages
1,309
Hey all!
I'm putting together a 60ies style parts Stratocaster, and look for opinions regarding the most vintage accurate hardware.
Especially regarding the tremolo and bridge parts.
Ideally, the hardware would be slightly aged, but that's not the priority.
Also I'm in the EU, so preferrably something that is available around here.
Any input is highly appreciated!
Cheers
 

Mustardc Caps

Active member
Joined
Oct 15, 2021
Messages
85
Raw Vintage
Bridge Saddles, and Tremolo Springs

Fender
Pure Vintage Tremolo Block

Callaham
Top Plate
Tremolo Mounting Screws
Tremolo Claw/Mounting Screws
 

fakejake

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 3, 2010
Messages
1,309
Thanks so much guys for your responses! ?
gmann: crazyparts has several strat tremolos for sale, it is really hard to say how they differ. Did you mean this one: https://www.crazyparts.de/pre-cbs-f...d-pre-cbs-60s-repro-tremolo-discontinued.html ?
bursty: Thanks! I know of Callaham, but thought their tremolo is modified in several aspects compared to the original ones. I'll look further into it!
Mustardc Caps: Cheers, great suggestions that I haven't considered (Fender) or heard of before (Raw Vintage)!! I'll check them out!
 

Mustardc Caps

Active member
Joined
Oct 15, 2021
Messages
85
Thanks so much guys for your responses! ?
gmann: crazyparts has several strat tremolos for sale, it is really hard to say how they differ. Did you mean this one: https://www.crazyparts.de/pre-cbs-f...d-pre-cbs-60s-repro-tremolo-discontinued.html ?
bursty: Thanks! I know of Callaham, but thought their tremolo is modified in several aspects compared to the original ones. I'll look further into it!
Mustardc Caps: Cheers, great suggestions that I haven't considered (Fender) or heard of before (Raw Vintage)!! I'll check them out!
The Callaham Base Plate, IS slightly different than an Original Fender. It has a bevel on it, that allows it to move more freely, and not be the unstable knife edge, that is the Fender. Its a very slight mod, that I would consider an upgrade. But, if exact repro, Id just go with a standard top plate from Fender.

Improvements:

The top plate on the Callaham bridge has an important detail that both original and current production Fender bridges have missed.​
Callaham Vintage S Model Top Plate
Callaham Vintage S Model
Top Plate
Current Fender production and Custom Shop Top Plate
Current Fender production and
Custom Shop Top Plate
The bevel on the bottom side of the plate - which allows the bridge to pivot - must not extend past the diameter of the pivot screw. We take care in machining this angle, which allows the bridge to pivot along a single axis.

The Fender bridge is not only crudely angled but extends well past the diameter of the pivot screws. This causes the bridge to try and pivot along 2 axes. The bridge slides down the screws instead of pivoting and then must slide back up on return. This creates unnecessary friction and inconsistent return to pitch.​
 

gmann

Well-known member
Joined
May 26, 2003
Messages
6,280
Thanks so much guys for your responses! ?
gmann: crazyparts has several strat tremolos for sale, it is really hard to say how they differ. Did you mean this one: https://www.crazyparts.de/pre-cbs-f...d-pre-cbs-60s-repro-tremolo-discontinued.html ?
bursty: Thanks! I know of Callaham, but thought their tremolo is modified in several aspects compared to the original ones. I'll look further into it!
Mustardc Caps: Cheers, great suggestions that I haven't considered (Fender) or heard of before (Raw Vintage)!! I'll check them out!
Yes, I’ve used that one and it was great!
 

fakejake

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 3, 2010
Messages
1,309
Awesome, thanks again guys, I really appreciate the help!! :)
 
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