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Post by hiftbso on Jan 29, 2007 17:04:24 GMT -7
I am overhauling Tele and I think I'm going to go with Callaham hardware; Bridge & Saddles, control plate set-up, and string tree. My quiestion is this, do any of you out there use Callaham stuff? Does it take a long time to get? It looks real good, my only issue is they only take orders by fax or snail mail. Mark
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Post by chipstar75 on Jan 29, 2007 17:51:16 GMT -7
I have a Callaham Model S. Bill Callaham is a great guy. His tremelo block is the best tone upgrade you could ever make to your strat. I challenge anyone to install one and not hear the difference in tone and sustain. Yes, even his screws are hardened and cryo treated. The pictures on the websight don't lie. All his stuff is an upgrade from O.E.M. Yes, I urge you to get it regardless of the wait. Its worth it. The tele parts you want I'm sure are a stock order and would go right out. Hey>>..you still reading this? get out your checkbook and place your order now. Chip
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Post by mward on Jan 29, 2007 18:05:33 GMT -7
Tell us how you really feel, Chip. I've been seriously considering that tremolo block upgrade. You think it's the real deal, eh?
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Post by nitehawk55 on Jan 29, 2007 18:14:43 GMT -7
I donno about chipster.....I think he's getting a little under the table with those hypnotic infomercials ! ;D
Seriously , I think I'll look into some of that hardware at some point too , lots of good reviews about it .
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Post by skydog958 on Jan 29, 2007 18:20:22 GMT -7
I've heard a lot about Callaham hardware here but I haven't heard a peep about Vintique's stuff. Any reason why? Im not trying to put down Callaham but I'm just curious.
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Post by chipstar75 on Jan 29, 2007 19:42:49 GMT -7
Skydog; I dont know anything about"vintique" I can tell you what I know about Bill Callaham. I found Bill Callaham by useing the same process that led me to Z amps. One of his tremelo blocks in a strat will be the best 50 bucks you could ever spend on your strat. Everyone that has put in one of his blocks has been floored by the increase in sustain and improved tone of their guitar. Bill is a one man shop, and wont sacrifice quality in any way. Your in for quite a wait if you want a guitar, however he keeps his parts in stock and they ship out quickly. As you can surmise from my prievious post....I really like his stuff. All of it. Its quality is far and above. Somebody try this and report back....I'm willing to bet youll agree.
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Post by crackpot on Jan 29, 2007 20:27:15 GMT -7
Put a trem block on my Strat a few years ago and a Tele bridge/saddle set on a 52RI recently. I'm happy with both -- enough so that I've recommended them to friends who are also very happy with their Callaham parts.
Buying is kind of a pain (no online payment and no phone orders) but Callaham has always been very quick with shipping -- less than a week. And, although I've heard that Bill can be pretty curt on the phone, I've emailed him with questions and problems and he's gone (way) out of his way to be helpful.
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Post by rcrecelius on Jan 30, 2007 7:33:49 GMT -7
Callaham's stuff is top quality...I built a parts tele using all his hardware. If I remember correctly, I might have waited over a week and when I emailed him to see what the hold up was he replied purty quick that he was waiting on a batch of knobs to come back from plating. I too wish he had an online ordering system but after my first good experience, I wouldnt hesitate to buy again.
Vintique - I dont know/remember the whole story but a lot of people over at the TDPRI forums had some issues with Vintique a few years ago...theyve got a bad rep over there.
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Post by bukowski on Jan 30, 2007 7:41:42 GMT -7
used callahams parts kit for my tele ,usacg body and neck great parts ,would use bill again
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Post by mward on Jan 30, 2007 8:35:47 GMT -7
Here's a question for the believers in the callaham tremolo block: When you swap the block out you HAVE to change your strings. New strings are brighter and more resonant or whatever you want to call it. When people change the block, are they hearing the block, or the new strings? I guess the only way to find out is to waste a set of strings.
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Post by chipstar75 on Jan 30, 2007 9:57:12 GMT -7
No Question....its the block.
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Post by zdogma on Jan 30, 2007 10:32:42 GMT -7
Very reliable company.
I use the tele bridge, knobs and control plate, and they are all excellent. Not so sure about all this cryo treatment stuff, but the quality of the parts is top notch.
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Post by UnclePat on Jan 30, 2007 11:56:15 GMT -7
Here's a question for the believers in the callaham tremolo block: When you swap the block out you HAVE to change your strings. New strings are brighter and more resonant or whatever you want to call it. When people change the block, are they hearing the block, or the new strings? I guess the only way to find out is to waste a set of strings. This is exactly what I did. I wanted to make sure I was getting the full effect. I did the premium upgrade kit (new saddles, springs, bridge screws and trem arm) on my Mexi Strat, but probably could have gotten by with just the block. The guitar sounded good before, but it sings now.
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Post by rcrecelius on Jan 30, 2007 12:08:23 GMT -7
Not so sure about all this cryo treatment stuff, but the quality of the parts is top notch. I'm with you on the cyro...I dont know if it really makes a difference or not.
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Post by mward on Jan 30, 2007 12:35:19 GMT -7
This is exactly what I did. I wanted to make sure I was getting the full effect. I did the premium upgrade kit (new saddles, springs, bridge screws and trem arm) on my Mexi Strat, but probably could have gotten by with just the block. The guitar sounded good before, but it sings now. So you did waste a set of strings and can verify it has the effect everyone is claiming? Just verifying here.
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Post by bks on Jan 30, 2007 13:02:55 GMT -7
I put his bridge on my old American Standard Tele and loved it. Then built a Tele with his hardware bundle and loved it. Then I built a Strat with his hardware bundle and I love that, too. Bill also made me a fixed Strat bridge with his compensated Tele saddles for the Jazzmutant I'm building, and was great to work with as we discussed what would be the best way to go about getting what I wanted. Really, I cannot recommend Callaham enough.
Brian
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Post by ke4unr on Jan 30, 2007 14:53:37 GMT -7
Mark, I put one of his Mexican Premium Upgrade kits on my Squire Strat about a year ago. Glad I did! I also put one of his Tele Bridge assemblies (with saddles) on my G&L ASAT within the last 4 months or so. His Tele bridge is lowered in height, and has the treble side cutout. Both of these features alone made it well worth it. Not to mention the saddles which intonate perfectly. Both times I got the shipments within a few days. When I got ready to do the Squire, I called and talked to Bill Callaham. I just had questions about fitment. Once he confirmed it would work, I told him I'd send in a cashiers check. He surprised me by taking my credit card order over the phone. You might want to try calling. He can sometimes be a bit..."short", "no nonsense". But, that has been said about someone else around here, if you know what I mean. When it was time to do the ASAT, I exchanged e-mails with him about fitment. Once he gave the OK, this time I ordered from Paul at Specialty Guitars. Nice guy, ships fast and carries a good selection of Callaham parts - though not everything. www.specialtyguitars.com/Ray K.
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Post by chipstar75 on Jan 30, 2007 15:05:43 GMT -7
mward......just do it ! I guess I'm amazed that lots of guys will spend hundreds on pedals, and cords, etc....and something like this just goes by the wayside. Many of your Z bretheren have spoken.....and quite positivly on Callaham parts. What more do you need? Id say the people on this forum are a cut above the rest, and oviously very into tone....a recomendation from the forum members should carry some weight. Im willing to bet anyone here would know the difference between fresh strings and something else going on. I understand everyones need to be assured they are not wasting their money on something . Let me assure you, the Callaham block is the real deal. Its not just the mass, or the weight,its also the alloy used,and the way the string holes are tapered. Yes, Iam very pro-Callaham. And for good reason. His stuff delivers the goods.
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Post by mward on Jan 30, 2007 17:28:00 GMT -7
Let's just say I did my undergraduate work in psychology and that cognitive dissonance and willful self-deception goes a long way in the 'tone' department. I'm checking it out.
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Post by johnthigpen on Jan 30, 2007 18:24:57 GMT -7
I've got all Callaham hardware on a parts strat and it's very high quality stuff. When I first got the tremelo, I compared it to a MIJ 57 reissue, and was amazed at how much better the quality was. It's very solid, which may be its only weakness...it seems heavy.
Regarding Vintique, I have two sets of Tele dome knobs that I've had 8 years or more. I absolutely love them more than any knob I've ever seen, including Callaham. At $35 each, they better be good. I would like to get two more but haven't ordered from him in that time because of the unfavorable experiences posted by a number of buyers on TDPRI.COM. I notice that he's advertising again, so I may try it.
John
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Post by mward on Jan 30, 2007 19:25:24 GMT -7
Alright ya dirty dogs talked me into it. I ordered one. I'll A/B it with a new set of strings but if there is no difference I'm gonna call shenanigans on every thing like this you guys recommend from now on.
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Post by Phil (aka Phil) on Jan 31, 2007 6:46:29 GMT -7
I agree with everything Chip said. I used Callahams hardware on a Warmoth Strat I built about 10 years ago. I liked it so much I upgraded my SRV and American Standard Strat's tremolo blocks. It made a huge difference on both. I have since upgraded my 52 RI Tele with his bridge, which is also killer. Bill's a great guy too; very nice to deal with. Highly recommended.
PDW
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Post by billyguitar on Jan 31, 2007 13:46:43 GMT -7
There is a lot of talk about Vintique on The Gear Page. Some people ordered stuff, paid up front and then didn't get it. then they can't find the guy. then someone gets him on the phone and gets cussed out. I'd stay away from that outfit until they start getting a good rep again. Someone else has bought in with the original guy and is trying to revive the business but at this point it would be quite an uphill battle to save it.
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Post by chipstar75 on Jan 31, 2007 15:28:32 GMT -7
mward...your a hard sell.....good to see you put your money where my mouth is. I'm sure we will hear the results when you get it. Then I can say"hate to be an I told ya so...but I told ya so !" BTW, tonequest checked it out and said basicly whay I did something like..."if you do one thing for your guitar this year...this would be the thing to do" so get that block in and tell us your opinion.
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Post by chipstar75 on Jan 31, 2007 15:32:21 GMT -7
as far as the cryo treatment....I can tell you it does make a difference on the Fraylin pups....they sound better than stock. Not sure about how it affects the hardware but Bill believes in it...thats good enough for me
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Post by billyguitar on Jan 31, 2007 16:49:12 GMT -7
Cryo treatments for metals and shaker table treatments for wood are super controversial subjects.
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swampstomper
Full Member
The only thing that really worried me was the ether.
Posts: 136
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Post by swampstomper on Jan 31, 2007 17:35:59 GMT -7
My quiestion is this, do any of you out there use Callaham stuff? Does it take a long time to get? It looks real good, my only issue is they only take orders by fax or snail mail. Mark I did my strat over with Callaham parts. Great quality, excellent service. If there is something better out there I'd love to know what it is.
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Post by zimmer on Feb 1, 2007 7:13:32 GMT -7
I've only used a trem block from Callaham in my strat. It wasn't even the complete hardware set. The difference was substantial, as though someone took a mute off the guitar and let it ring out.
Funny thing about upgrades, though. Each of them have made a difference. It kind of makes me wonder what a fully tricked-out high-end instrument would be like.
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Post by chipstar75 on Feb 1, 2007 16:13:44 GMT -7
well, I didnt start this thread...but I'm lovin it ! I waited 2 years for a Callaham strat, and consider Bill Callaham a friend. Im glad to see others taking advantage of his great stuff. Someone said Bill can be a tad short on the phone, I havent personally experienced it, I can say in his defense, that when your a one man shop, and your two years out for a guitar, and the phone doesnt stop ringing so you can get some work done and keep it from being 3 years,its hard to ballence. He allowed me to send small montyhly payments untill it was paid for. As far as babying it.....I decided to just look the other way,,,play it , use it and abuse it. Not gonna sit in a closet here. Would I do it again? damn straight !
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Post by kc on Feb 1, 2007 18:34:45 GMT -7
I recently bought components for a parts-o-caster Strat and got the Callaham hardware. The guy who put it together for me - and he's a local guy who's highly regarded -- praised the Callaham hardware, although he mentioned he's mostly put it in Tele's.
kc
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