So why was the decision to go from a steel block to brass on the MM trem?

[Tone?]

I was wondering about the MM decision awhile ago to switch from using a steel block on their trems to the Brass one.


I just ordered a brass block for my Callaham cause i feel the cold rolled steel they use is waaay too brittle bright sounding. I wanted to know if this is along the same lines MM changed theirs as well.

A long time ago i had got a crappy Kramer 1984 guitar and wanted to improve on its tone ( or lack of lol!) so i got a cold rolled steel block made from Callaham to put on the floyd. The tone got super bright and 'washed out'. It was horrible to say the least. Putting on the Brass block was a hundred times better.



anyone want to comment on this?

 

[Spudmurphy]

Brass was the way to go in the 80's - my mate a Luthier, did loads of Brass nut conversions and changed Trem blocks to Brass.

I guess you should go with what sounds best for you.

 

[Tone?]

IM just really curious on the combination the MM trem uses of a brass block with steel plate and saddles. this seems to me as the best combination. The brass lays out the fundamental 'bigness' and roundness of tone and the steel plate and saddles give it the added definition.

curious to see how it turns out and if MM was thinking along the same lines.

 

[candid_x]

I love these sorts of R&D questions, but I doubt it will get answered authoritatively, as these sorts of things seem held pretty closely to the vest.

Thanks for sharing your own observations with brass and steel blocks, Tone.

 

[GHWelles]

The nice old San Dimas Charvels had a similar Trem setup.

 

[Tone?]

yeah they did, but they were ALL brass, including saddles and plate.

Candid, i would love to hear what they were trying to get at with a specific sound as well!

 

[GHWelles]

yeah they did, but they were ALL brass, including saddles and plate.

I remember the saddles were brass, the plate too?

Probably a little too warm sounding. Need some sparkle.