My TB Axis - Gotoh Block Upgrade

[azazael]

Tonight I started on swapping the block on my Musicman Gotoh Floyd Rose bridge on my Tobaccoburst Axis.

I have yet to string up the guitar and set the saddles again after removal but I was glad the block fitted perfectly.

I bought it on ebay (i bought 1 for an OFR too) and the seller was not sure whether it would fit the Axis but I believed it would as I didn't see the MM trem differing from a standard Gotoh.

I ordered 42mm block and as it turns out the Gotoh block is 40mm but its not a big problem. 2mm extra depth will not get in the way and even if it does it might only be a problem for a trem cover which I dont use anyway.

Whilst the guitar was apart I decided to give it a clean and I also removed the pickups to clean.

I noticed labels and writing etc underneath the bridge pickup cavity and also a hole underneath the Floyd.

Curious as to what these are for.

I know there is a hole in the trem cavity for a tag but whats the hole under the bridge?

Anyway here are the pics.

 

[brasco68]

That hole might be for Ursula...(buffing robot)

 

[azazael]

That hole might be for Ursula...(buffing robot)

I thought that hole was underneath the springs?
There is one there too.

 

[GuitarHack]

I wondered that too, it's on the 25th:

And it's in the pic of the Luke being prepped on the instrument page:

 

[browndog]

Great shots az. Be careful of that gorgeous finish.

 

[Progdude]

Nice! I had a Mega Mass Brass Block made for me to replace the stock steel one in my Fender American Deluxe. As soon as I installed it BAM! Tons of harmonics that just jump off the fretboard. More sustain, warmer fuller and more mojo. One of the best upgrades Ive ever done.
I know what I like about the brass blocks, but Im wondering what the reasoning behind EBMM using it as well as PRS and a few others.

 

[threeminutesboy]

I guess it's now a bit heavier ?

curious to hear about the sound diffrence

 

[azazael]

Nice! I had a Mega Mass Brass Block made for me to replace the stock steel one in my Fender American Deluxe. As soon as I installed it BAM! Tons of harmonics that just jump off the fretboard. More sustain, warmer fuller and more mojo. One of the best upgrades Ive ever done.
I know what I like about the brass blocks, but Im wondering what the reasoning behind EBMM using it as well as PRS and a few others.

Well, the brass block comes stock with the Gotoh trem. I would say however
that the stock Gotoh block is much better than what comes stock with an Original Floyd Rose. All EBMM guitars with trems have brass blocks. The standard blocks on the MM Vintage Trem are very very nice.

For comparison here is the OFR that I will be upgrading also.
I bought a block for this also but you can see the difference in the blocks between the stock Gotoh and stock OFR.

I guess it's now a bit heavier ?

curious to hear about the sound diffrence

I haven't noticed anything really yet. I still have to string her up and setup.
Im really lazy about the setup thing at moment.

 

[azazael]

Did someone remove the last pic of the bridge pickup?

 

[azazael]

Actually I think imageshack is to blame... weird!

 

[GoKart Mozart]

Anyone ever figure out whether or not the bridge hole is for Ursula also?