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This was my first real foray into blocking a Floyd. Mind you I have been doing my own tech work for years and a few friends as well for that matter.
The guitar in question is my friends Jackson Vee. Now keep in mind that this is a PS-2 performer so this certainly qualifies as a budget Jackson. Matter of fact this particular axe was an ebay find for less than $125 if I recall.
My friend uses this on occasion in a few ‘80’s cover bands that he plays in but it is far from his main stage guitar. Nevertheless there is no real budget for any upgrades other than the custom pickguard that I made and the bridge humbucker from my old Model 2.
Keeping in mind that this is a budget Jackson, its tone has never really blown us away. Part of the culprit in my humble opinion is the fact that there is so little wood on this guitar. Between the back route for the Floyd, the trem cavity and the bridge humbucker route, there is very little actual wood to enhance the tone.
Needless to say, “thin” is a term that best describes this guitars tone.
On to the project!
I manage to find a scrap of aluminum in the garage today. I believe that it came from some old patio doorframe. A quicker wander through your local Lowes or Home Depot will have your particular problem solved. I prefer aluminum, as it’s much easier to work with than say, wood or even metal.
I measure a piece that would fit my trem cavity well. Keep in mind that between the trem cavity and the bridge humbucker route there was not a lot of solid wood to drill into. Less than a 1 ½ in my case!
The initial cut from this aluminum bar was made with a hacksaw and the final shaping was done on the ol’ $40 Delta tabletop grinder. Wear leather gloves as aluminum get rather hot quickly!
After lining up the trem so that it was flat with the body I drilled three small holes into the plate and screwed it into place.
And voila!
A great looking and perfectly functional trem block. Dare I say that the tone is just a little better as well given that the bridge rests against something rather than just floating?
Trem Block!
The guitar in question is my friends Jackson Vee. Now keep in mind that this is a PS-2 performer so this certainly qualifies as a budget Jackson. Matter of fact this particular axe was an ebay find for less than $125 if I recall.
My friend uses this on occasion in a few ‘80’s cover bands that he plays in but it is far from his main stage guitar. Nevertheless there is no real budget for any upgrades other than the custom pickguard that I made and the bridge humbucker from my old Model 2.
Keeping in mind that this is a budget Jackson, its tone has never really blown us away. Part of the culprit in my humble opinion is the fact that there is so little wood on this guitar. Between the back route for the Floyd, the trem cavity and the bridge humbucker route, there is very little actual wood to enhance the tone.
Needless to say, “thin” is a term that best describes this guitars tone.
On to the project!
I manage to find a scrap of aluminum in the garage today. I believe that it came from some old patio doorframe. A quicker wander through your local Lowes or Home Depot will have your particular problem solved. I prefer aluminum, as it’s much easier to work with than say, wood or even metal.
I measure a piece that would fit my trem cavity well. Keep in mind that between the trem cavity and the bridge humbucker route there was not a lot of solid wood to drill into. Less than a 1 ½ in my case!
The initial cut from this aluminum bar was made with a hacksaw and the final shaping was done on the ol’ $40 Delta tabletop grinder. Wear leather gloves as aluminum get rather hot quickly!
After lining up the trem so that it was flat with the body I drilled three small holes into the plate and screwed it into place.
And voila!
A great looking and perfectly functional trem block. Dare I say that the tone is just a little better as well given that the bridge rests against something rather than just floating?
Trem Block!
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