Sound Review: Zinc vs Steel Vibrato Block (Stratocaster)
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- Опубликовано: 4 окт 2024
- Zinc versus Steel Vibrato Block in a pimped Squier Stratocaster:
The Strat:
Squier Classic Vibe 50s Body
Rockinger Maple Neck with Rosewood Fretboard
PU Neck: Fender CS Fat 50
PU Middle: Fender CS 69
Vibrato: Squier Zinc Block versus GFS Steel Block
![The Perfect Stratocaster Trem / Vibrato Setup [Floating, Flat Or Blocked?]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/PjVXWyUGpwc/mqdefault.jpg)
![The Perfect Stratocaster Trem / Vibrato Setup [Floating, Flat Or Blocked?]](/img/tr.png)
![Tee Grizzley - Robbery 8 [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/34_vkNV6wrU/mqdefault.jpg)
Ironically, Gilmour used a Les Paul on this solo.
Can't believe it but I prefer the sound of the Zinc one.
To my ears, the Zinc block has a sweeter, more organic sound with subtle but noticeable interactions in the harmonics that may or may not allow the guitar to melt into the sonic landscape The overall mix. The steel has a much more focused, immediate sound, but comes across as sounding a bit processed and sterile, albeit with improved definition. The guitarist in me prefers the warmth of zinc. The sound engineer side of me prefers the cut and clarity of steel. Thank you for this wonderful demo.
+Mason Lamb
Thank you, said it for me better that I could.
felt the opposite.. the zinc had a sharper more focused tone and sensitive response that is less forgiving while the steel had more warmth/overtones and sustain as if the pickups were slightly hotter..
My jaw just dropped... I couldn't imagine how this "hidden" thing could change the sound so much.... I got a zinc block fender bridge but I'm now in love with the steel one haha! thanks for the demonstration and cheerz from Brazil
the steel block appears to have a louder fundamental tone vs the zinc block, in which subsequent harmonics appear comparatively louder. I think both sound good. The difference can be thought of as an advantage or not, depending on context.
Listening through AKG studio grade headphones, The top end on the zinc is lacking. The steel sounds like the classic strat sound found on many hit albums
To me the steel block increased the sustain, but also increased the low mids
And that seems to mask the hi end a bit. Like to hear a comparison between
Brass and steel.
Amzing difference !!.........thanks for posting !!.....Steel sound fuller and rounder imo !
2.26
Steel is better by far, a bit more treble maybe? But definately more sustain there.
The tremolo block contribution to the sound wave created by a string is negligible. My guess would be that the zinc design was done for several reasons , ease of manufacture (cast vs machine), lower cost and zinc is spread spectrum which means it covers a wide frequency range unlike the limitation of pure steel or brass. Note: the tapered block allows you to do deeper dives vs a big fat block which allows very little movement. More mass doesn't buy you anything, unfortunately guitarist are traditionalist and superstitious.
BTW your technique is very good.
A good guitarist can make the cheapest instrument sound good. But you cannot deny that solid steel really does resonate more and this video demonstrates the tonal difference quite clearly, unless the uploader is being dishonest with the settings or unless you are deaf.
From my experience the change is quite noticeable when the guitar is played unplugged. Once plugged in, the difference becomes virtually unnoticeable.
00:27 vs 2:13
The steel block is fat, the zinc block is thin! No contest! Should compare like for like. Nice playing though :)
HArd to tell a lot of difference on an iPad speakers but I can tell you as an instrument builder you will get less muddy sounds on your E-A-D strings and far better sustain (which is measurable) over all better clarity. Go with a brass big block and you can't miss the difference, well unless you're tone deaf.
The steel has a noticeable difference, listening to the opening phrases it becomes more apparent that the steel has more of a crisp sound. The steel is acting like the reverb is an effect by itself and the zinc sounds like the reverb meshes with the sound. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. What I have concluded over time is if you play rhythm you will want a zinc block, the meshing of effects, lowes, mids and highs giving it a warmth that is generally always needed (think more strumming here). However, if you are a lead player or shredder the steel block becomes necessary to prevent the meshing of effects from muddying and causing extremely fast notes muddled together (zinc makes an arpeggio sound like you strummed it).
The steel gives the appearance of sustain over the zinc because it is allowing the note to ring and be carried by the reverb, also the slight distortion is more noticeable because of the separation of effects used. It sounds more powerful and I think what is happening there is the note rings out, the reverb sustains it longer on its own and the distortion is being applied to the played note and the sustained note making it sound more powerful this is noticeable on the slide down on the thick E string.
The 2 1/2 step bend at the beginning is one area this differentiating sound is there. Played consecutively you hear the separation of the note carried, separating itself from the reverb.
I guess the words for it is the steel is more dynamic while the zinc takes advantage of all sound present and meshes them seamlessly which works well on a rhythm track but fails on a lead track.
It‘s a really good analysis evilcowboy, you have good ears and I think this answer is right
that's a very good observation. what's your thought on brass blocks? by the way, for a highly arpeggiated, jangle-like rhythm style, what would you recommend?
Would be good to hear without all of the effects as it's difficult to hear any difference, maybe easier to hear actually in the room, thanks for the demo
Would like to see comparison of all available materials (zinc,steel, aluminum, brass, titanium, proprietary alloys etc)
sounds the same to me....
Oh yes. Sustain increase as you use steel block. The old 50s Fender had steel. I'm use that on all my strats. A 55 A 56 A 59 A 63 early model whit Aldel body. That effect the sound as much as the block. Strings heights do plenty. I'm use big strings 0,12-0,56 for most and high action like 1/8" at 12th. Good demo 👍Bjorn
I demo this listening with my Pioneer Se-Mj591 Audiophile Headphones, and I like the steel block better! Great playing!
Used good quality headphones to listen to your video. The steel block sounds fuller and more rich/dense to me (which I prefer)
+boboplex Exactly. Listen on good quality equipment people.. the differences are quite noticeable in the low end and girth of the tone.
Well I have changed the bridge in two of my high end Strats to Callaham Tremolo Blocks and couldn't be more happy with the sound and enhanced action of the Tremolo plus the arm stays where you put it. Guess it's a case of pays your money & takes your choice.
We agree. Face it, you could give Joe Satriani an off the shelf $200 Squire or Epiphone and he would still make is sound good.
+MrTubeyWoobey Absolutely! People, just get a decent guitar and amp and just play it. Play it 'til you can't play it anymore; then play it some more. You'll find that the tone that everyone wants, you know SRV, Jimi, etc. came from playing ability rather than the gear they played. Don't listen to all the hype. Save your money and practice, practice, practice!
Best advise I have heard in over 30 years. And it comes up from really respectable quiet people. The industry can't sell skill and talent, so they make you believe you can buy what you are really missing.
I've replaced zinc blocks with steel blocks twice now, Korean Squire and bottom of the barrel SX, and each time it made quiet a bit of difference. While the note does last a bit longer it's the attack I notice. It's much stronger, sharper and clearer. I don't get into debates about physics or pay attention to superstitions I listen to my ear.
and what kind of tremolo fits the sx strats? I know there is 10.5mm spacing but for example on guitar fetish there is one for "made in mexico" 10.5mm and one that fits most import (also 10.5)
The one made of 7-14 stainless steel made by my machinist friend. I did have a standard 10.5 import one on before but the guitar is made from thrift store parts and left overs. The Neck, body, and tuners are all that is SX that's about it.
Nice playing... but it sounds exactly the same but still incredible for a Squier, so again on the nice playing.
the tone seems to come through stronger with the thicker block, if that makes sense. it's not exactly louder, but has more presence and staying power (i'll not user the word sustain as there are no lengthy held notes). thanks! this video helped :)
+Bad Motivator I strongly agree I have 12 guitars all the trem types have either a full brass or full steel block.It certainly makes a difference and is worth every penny. Adds a lot of sustain.Steel is brighter than brass.
You know what folks the biggest difference to any guitar is the player fingers ,technical ability and amp and rig set up . Tonal differences are so small that it really does come down to the individuals preferences. Sure given the choice a steel block is preferable over zinc block but not essential, compared to good playing ability.
Sounds the same to me, but I probably need to listen on some headphones. It's a very subtle thing. A lot of people who are surprised by the great sound of the Squier should go out and play a few. They're really fricking nice these days! I have a 50's vibe Tele and it's a fantastic guitar for only $300 delivered to my door. Some upgrades would help, but it's sounds great and was well set up right out of the box.
If you are playing the guitar you will see there is a difference , the feel is different ,also sustain , in there clips there
is reverb and all sorts of stuff on the guitar so to be honest what you are listening to are the effects not the guitar,
Everything you put on a guitar makes a difference everything .
The two blocks don't have the same shape so it's hard to say if tonal differences are only due to the different material.
0:46 VS 2:32 - Sound much the same over all. Very small diff, but Live... no one would notice. I think given the choice I like the Steel. BUt any of this can be fixed but eqing the amp... sustain is what you really would be wanting... and I think thats a combination os fingers, neck, bridge and amp...
Toll gemacht! eine super vergleich Sample mit cool fingers :) Steel block rules!
To me, the zinc bridge sounds like it has a tad more body and low end,
and the steel bridge accents the upper mids and highs more, but lacks
low end. I think I prefer the Zinc for the clean tones and the Steel for
the driven tones, because the steel sounds slightly tighter on the
driven notes. I wonder how brass would compare. Perhaps it's a happy
medium in tonal response between the two.
Try quality (not beats) headphones makes a difference.
Personally I like them both, the only thing I noticed was the thread on the zinc block went baggy fairly quickly
Yeah, I did listen to both with quality headsets, but I would say the difference is rather negligible, maybe a comparison with 100% clean tones might shed more discrepancies?
You’re a great player. That was really good!
It will be great if one day someone can demo between zinc, steel and aluminum, btw I send my default Yamaha Pacifica 112V trem block to my machinist to fabricate a full size steel block, like it better than the slim zinc default unit because of longer sustain and a more density sound signature.
Steel sounds a little warmer? Richie would be proud.
Great demo. I think the zinc sounded better maybe because of the tuneup. But the steel would cut through the mix better.
Thanks for an interesting demo. I had often wondered just what difference there would be in changing a zinc trem block out for steel one and now I know; very little !! Then again if Jeff Beck had personally drilled the steel block out himself, then had it blessed by Joe Bonamassa I bet it would sound awesome lol.. BTW: I thought your technique in 'The Wall' lead break was superb with either type of block. You truly rock and many thanks..
I changed my standard Squier trem with a Wilkinson Steel block unit and the improvement in sustain was huge. Must admit, U can't tell much difference on this video ( through laptop speakers anyway... )
Would be better if them blocks were the same size
Im a rookie...but? The contact between the two screws into the body and the metalwork doesnt look that great to me. Comes from the shape of the screwheads, they look countersunk, where something with flat surface would give more 'contact'..................I'll get me coat!
So.. exactly zero difference to the amplified sound. I'm sure acoustically there may some perceptible difference. But to the pickup it makes no difference.
I can bet my year's salary than none of these youtube audio "experts" could tell a difference between zinc, steel, brass or whatever block there is out there in a blind test.
W no effects is very notorious, I did it myself, a bit more depending the note.
Can you help me to get the wall tone, what to use and how much. Tks in advance.
I use the trem a lot on my strats and have spent a fair bit of time making sure the balance is right. Did adding the new block make much difference to your guitars playability?
I wonder if you glued some metal strips to that thin Block would it help the Sustain ??
Comparer sans musique d'accompagnement aurait été plus utile.
I have a Classic Vibe Squire Stratocaster which has awful sustain especially compared to my hard tail electrics. I'm looking into replacing the bridge block with either steel or brass. Isn't brass a little softer than steel?
Since this comparison isn't as back to back as I'd prefer I honestly cannot hear much difference. On a percentage scale how would you gauge the amount of increased sustain? (ie: icreased 10%, 20%...?)
Nice chops. I had a question, is the entire tremolo for the steel block from gfs or just the sustain block? I noticed the screw holes are centered in the center of the plates bevel point this is usually found on more expensive well engineered tremolo. This design prevents the bridge from sliding up and down, in theory. This design is what I am looking for. Thanks
bluwng I just replaced the block. The vibrato system is the original one from Squier.
I can't tell any difference in the tone.
SQUIRE PIMPIN
I went with Brass...
One of the constants in the comment section; if you tallied them, it would null any conclusion.
Maybe it's just me, but that sounds incredible for a squier. Not exactly a top of the line guit box. What else did you do to it?
The main difference to the stock Squier are the CS PUs of Fender. I also replaced the neck, but this is just my personal preference. I prefer rosewood instead of maple. The Squier CV Series sound also with the stock neck pretty good.
The Specs of this Strat:
- Squier Classic Vibe 50s Body
- Rockinger Maple Neck with Rosewood Fretboard
- PU Neck: Fender CS Fat 50
- PU Middle: Fender CS 69
- PU Bridge: Fender CS Fat 50 (I love CS 69 also)
- Vibrato: Squier Zinc Block versus GFS Steel Block
The Classic Vibe guitars sound and play great even with the originals pickups. You can change pickups if you want, but I would not consider it a upgrade, is just about timbre preference. Regards!
Steel very good.
Any difference here is because of the mass of the blocks, not the material.
Both blocks zinc and steel should be the same size yeah.
Original strats had a steel block regardless.
Definitely fuller with the steel, zinc sounds a bit too metallic and thin
I definitely hear a difference. I like the steel tone better than the zinc.
j'ai testé les blocs vibrato GFS : le bloc laiton change le son c'est indéniable on aime ou pas (son baveux, boueux). Le bloc acier sonne mieux mais trés proche du bloc zinc. Je préfére le bloc acier fender il pése 285gr contre 250gr pour le GFS donc mass plus importante pour le fender. La tige vibrato n'a plus le même angle avec le block GFS le prix est le même qu'avec de l'estampillé fender !!!
I installed a ceramic block on mine. Beter sound than both zinc and steel.
Where did u get that?
@@onzkicg in a bathroom shop..
Im on the sounds the same side of the fence
STEEL ALL THE WAY
Zinc sounds by far more musical airly, just kiddin`. Sound is in player finger not $ 200 peace steel
My Affinity has a thinner body, where can I find a heavier block that won't hang out the back of my guitar by 1/2 an inch or so? Thanks!
+JH Scofield
Kev Hurley will make a smaller block for the Affinity in cold rolled steel, brass or aluminium. Nicer than GFS and just as good as Callaham: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151919607851
+invisible1955
or take your regular gfs block to a sander with the right belt on it would take a few mins
Hey, I had a nice piece of mahogany molding and cut a block to make the tremolo rigid. Best "tone improvement" I have made to a guitar ever. Only I cut it 1/4" too long and it too hangs off. What, me worry?
The drawback of making the block shorter is you give the springs less leverage (smaller force counteracting) so you may need one more spring if you have three. Otherwise you'll have a lighter block which may vibrate easier/faster but the vibration amplitude will slightly drop. If you then plug it in you can't tell the difference. People are sweating too much about the acoustics of the their electric guitar forgetting it is not an acoustic guitar.
Also, what they call zinc, is actually zinc plated or alloy steel. Pure iron is crap anyway. It is the Ni, Cr, Mb, Md, Zn, C, C, C, Al, Ti, Cu, ,..... that make a good steel for specific reasons. Especially C Carbon, it is very essential. A funky chemical name for charcoal :)
I don't trust my ears, but the second one sounds more dull and subdued, but it's very close.
3:36
4:35
Big weight difference?
.
zinc block; 0,12kg; steel block: 0,23kg
The difference is a combination of both, material and weight.
Barely heard a difference to be honest
Put all echo away
0:27 ....... 2:13
The zinc seems to be part of the strat tone... At least for my ears!
00:27 vs 2:13
3:36
4:35