The great Floyd Rose Big-Block Shootout.

[jhale667]

Good point...

Where's the option for "southpaw"?

Didn't even notice that, and will ask him momentarily...

[jhale667]

Talk about a speedy response!

Yep, he responded already, and indicates he will be offering lefties in the future...rest assured.

[Hardrock69]

Right on!

[Diamondjimi]

Nice!

[jhale667]

Oh, HELL yes!!

HUGE news bump: Just in time for NAMM - FU debuts Brass Big-Blocks for STRATOCASTERS!! There's versions for American, Mexican, and import Strat bridges...my non-Floyded guitars (w/Fender American Vintage bridges, btw) will soon also have the TONE of DOOM!!!!

http://www.floydupgrades.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=87

I don't see any way these couldn't provide the same (or similar) tonal improvements to a Strat bridge that they do to Floyds...can't wait to try 'em!!

[Seshmeister]

Advice please.

I've read with great interest all this block stuff and thought I would dip my toe in the water.

I bought an Ibanez RG550 second hand last year, serial numbers shows it to have been built in Japan in the year 2000 last year and I stuck with a DiMarzio Tone Zone humbucker in the bridge which sounds good.

I think it therefore it has an Original Edge trem? I've spotted this advert on eBay which looks a lot cheaper than going to the Floyd Updgrade people and has the option of titanium rather than brass which you say is a lot better.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/IBANEZ-EDGE-FLOYD-TITANIUM-MAGNUM-BLOCK-U-CHOOSE-VAI-/190392796623?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item2c544b85cf#ht_4509wt_1139

Anyhoo my questions are

a) Do you think it will be ok?

b) If so, what size do I ask for, the biggest?

Cheers!

[jhale667]

Advice please.

I've read with great interest all this block stuff and thought I would dip my toe in the water.

I bought an Ibanez RG550 second hand last year, serial numbers shows it to have been built in Japan in the year 2000 last year and I stuck with a DiMarzio Tone Zone humbucker in the bridge which sounds good.

I think it therefore it has an Original Edge trem? I've spotted this advert on eBay which looks a lot cheaper than going to the Floyd Updgrade people and has the option of titanium rather than brass which you say is a lot better.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/IBANEZ-EDGE-FLOYD-TITANIUM-MAGNUM-BLOCK-U-CHOOSE-VAI-/190392796623?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item2c544b85cf#ht_4509wt_1139

Anyhoo my questions are

a) Do you think it will be ok?

b) If so, what size do I ask for, the biggest?

Cheers!

Shoot Adam at FloydUpgrades an email to verify, but I think it'd take a 32 or 37mm Brass Edge Big-Block. Just ask him which one would fit your particular Ibanez, I'm sure he'll know. But yes, I think you'll like it. Let's put it this way - the guy that runs the Shred Knowledge blog was a little skeptical regarding his Ibanez benefiting from the FU block - now he too is a confirmed convert.

https://twitter.com/shredknowledge

http://www.shredknowledge.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1111:floydupgradescom-32mm-brass-big-block-review&catid=162:artist-spotlight&Itemid=312

[Seshmeister]

But the one in the advert is titanium which your guy doesn't seem to offer for an Edge.

Plus it's much cheaper.

[jhale667]

The KGC one? Meh, I'd avoid that. Not going to slag them here, and while they do offer engraving more readily, the materials aren't the same and one look at the FU artist roster/magazine reviews verses the others should also give you a clue.


So you' re not going to try Brass first, just going straight forTi? (and pretty sure he does offer Ti for the Edge...?)

[jhale667]

Just checked out your Ebay link, that looks like shit Titanium (kinda reminds me of a Tungsten one I saw being sold out of New Jersey a while back), and why do they need spring retainer bars when the FU ones don't? Just seems odd.

[ashstralia]

the spring retainer thingy was on a lot of those original ibanez' because they were experimenting with the thin bodies iirc, and personally, i think they're brilliant. very stable under extreme abuse. so perhaps the retrofit would be better to include that feature? just sayin.

[jhale667]

the spring retainer thingy was on a lot of those original ibanez' because they were experimenting with the thin bodies iirc, and personally, i think they're brilliant. very stable under extreme abuse. so perhaps the retrofit would be better to include that feature? just sayin.

Maybe, but there's a way to drill the holes for the spring ends at an angle (much like they are made already if you look at one) so that they seat snugly in a recessed cavity. Like I said, never needed one with an FU block, and I'm pretty abusive with my trems at times...no popped springs.

Look at FU's artist roster vs. KGCs....notice the name players prefer one to the other...just sayin'.

[Seshmeister]

Maybe they sponsor them and then pass on the cost to their other customers.

I'm definitely not going to pay $300 to make a small improvement to a spare guitar, may try the brass thing though from FU if you think the other crowd are dodgy.

[Nitro Express]

Brass is a traditional material that has been used to add sustain to guitars for years. Some makers have even put brass inserts into the wood especially in the bridge area. Brass gives a warmer tone. It seems these big blocks better the tone by adding more mass to the bridge. Also, anytime you change anything you affect the dynamics of how the whole guitar resonates as a system. Much like an engine a guitar is a tuned system and a lot of things come into play.

In my experience it all depends on the individual guitar and there are no hard set rules. What sounds good on one piece of wood and particular design will not sound good on another.

[jhale667]

Maybe they sponsor them and then pass on the cost to their other customers.

I'm definitely not going to pay $300 to make a small improvement to a spare guitar, may try the brass thing though from FU if you think the other crowd are dodgy.

If that were the case you'd think the others would be beating him on price (getting more reviews in GW, Premier Guitar, etc); they're not, so there goes that theory. And there are different grades of Brass. FU uses bell brass, they others hint around at it, but if they had something better they'd be touting it, and again - they're not. They're ALL playing catch-up to FU, bottom line. He's the innovator, they're the imitators.

Nitro can "guestimate" all he wants, but I use both - and while he's correct about the mass increasing sustain part, the hard and fast rule is EITHER the Brass or the Ti is an improvement over the standard shit block.

Want a near "expert" opinion? Try the FU Brass Block first; best $40 (or whatever at your exchange rate) you'll ever spend on your tone. But be prepared to want to switch out the ones on any other Floyd you own - it's that drastic a difference.