The bridge block in the hank japan strats 1996

[Stu's Dad]

Isn't yours a Japanese model Richie? It's easy enough to check yourself. Take your backplate off and the block's in front of you. Hold a magnet to it, and if it sticks the block's made of steel, if it doesn't it's an alloy. And while the back's off you can measure the string spacing.

Cheers,

Len

[JimN]

Isn't yours a Japanese model Richie? It's easy enough to check yourself. Take your backplate off and the block's in front of you. Hold a magnet to it, and if it sticks the block's made of steel, if it doesn't it's an alloy. And while the back's off you can measure the string spacing.

Cheers,

Len

Just checked its not steel
Ah well no big deal cheers

You might not think so, but the thread on the tremolo arm socket tends to wear rapidly on cast blocks.

[Stu's Dad]

If you really want a steel block you could do worse than a Wilkinson bridge like this https://www.axesrus.co.uk/Wilkinson-WVP ... vp6-sb.htm

I've fitted one of them and it was easy.

Len

[David Martin]

Years ago, I had one if those guitars. I replaced the block with a Callaham steel vintage repro. You can get one from Charles Guitars here https://www.charlesguitars.co.uk/ where you can also check the Callaham compatibility chart. Charles are REALLY good.

Did it make a difference? Yes... not massive but audible.