The Haywire Blocked Tremolo or Hard Tail
All
of our guitars at Haywire Custom Shop with standard 6 point tremolos
are easily reversible hard tails. What do we mean by that?
Simply put, they are all blocked with the exception of the Floyd Rose models.
Aside
from the obvious fact that the outdated tremolo design has been used
since the early 1950's, here are some more real good reasons why we
block the tremolo as a "standard" feature:
Tremolo Headaches:
1- If all strings are removed at once it is time consuming to re-tune the guitar.
2- When one string breaks, all other strings go out of tune.
3- Intonation is a much longer and inaccurate process.
4- String bending can cause other strings to go slightly out of tune and sustain is lost.
5- Action with a "floating synchronized tremolo system" changes constantly and frustrates players.
What is a blocked tremolo, how does Haywire accomplish it and why do it?
Blocking
the tremolo requires tightening of the inertia block with the two
tremolo claw screws at the back wall of the tremolo cavity to prevent it
from moving. This makes the bridge behave more like a hard tail
bridge, eliminating common headaches. Remember this unit design has not
changed since 1948 but playing techniques have. Players are more aware
of out of tune problems today because of much better electronic tuners
that were not around back then. Fortunately this change does not modify
the instrument, nor is it permanent. It can always be reversed, making
it ideal for collectible instruments that need to stay original. The
Strat bridge is blocked and basically tightened with the claw screws
under the tremolo cover plate in the back of the guitar body. The
springs are so tight that the tremolo will not move thereby rendering it
a hard tail.
Why not use a hard tail bridge?
Well....
two reasons: The re-sale value is much better if we don’t physically
change anything that can’t be reversed since lots of players still want a
tremolo or whammy bar on their guitars (just loosen the 2 claw screws
that have been tightened in the back under the tremolo cover to put the
tremolo back into service and have a use-able tremolo system once again)
and second there is a bit more added sustain with the tremolo bridge
because it has a great deal more metal that a small hard tail bridge. It
also has the benefit of the springs which add even more
sustain....so...There you have it! My suggestion, if I may, it’s blocked
for you and you'll love it because it stays in perfect tune and the
whole process is not permanent or invasive to your instrument and it’s
completely reversible!
