GFS (Guitar Fetish) Tremolo with Brass Block Upgrade on Squier SE Strat - Comparison and Review

With it's full size body and low price, the Squier SE Strat is a fantastic modding base for anyone looking to learn to work on guitars. This guitar can really benefit from a few simple upgrades.In this video, we'll install a GFS tremolo from guitarfetish. The Guitar Fetish tremolo features vintage style saddles and a brass tremolo block that can really warm up the sound of your guitar and improve the tone.

We'll start off with a direct comparison of the tone of both tremolo systems, using DR Pure Blue Nickel Strings (11 gauge) and running the guitar signals through Guitar Rig 5 with the Jazz Reverb preset.

We'll cover a few tips for the installation process and go over a few issues we encountered when installing the new tremolo block. Notably, the new Guitar Fetish brass tremolo block was slightly wider than the stock tremolo block, so we had to expand the hole that it fit in with a file. We also adjusted the pickguard since it was interfering with the placement of the tremolo.

Overall, this is a good tremolo system and we would recommend it for the price. If you're not looking to replace your whole tremolo, you can consider replacing just the tremolo block, to get the same improvements in tone.

Social Media:

[Mr.Steve-O]

I did a major re-haul on a Squire Bullet a few years ago and this brass block from GFS with a new Tusq Nut was the 2 most important mods I have ever done, beautiful tone and sustain for days ... Also the Ernie Ball Cobalts helped alot too ; )

[Slugg-O]

I used a Fender high mass tremolo on my SE and BOOM! Sustain that rings like a bell.

[Dobrovinskiy]

but also you have changed saddles for thinner metal. and that also effects the tone very much

[tnvalleyyoga]

Thanks for sound comparison with a simple riff. These, obviously, accomplished players showing off on sound comparisons can be off putting when you are a beginner.

[SoloSi]

The MIM Standard trem will also fit. You'll be stuck with bent steel saddles, although tonewise they're the best! Might be easier to buy a new block and a set of saddles of your choice. Highwood are nice.

[bloosietone]

The stock trem wasn't intonated properly. The GFS was a bit better. Hard to tell which one is better when the guitar isn't intonated or tuned in the first place.

[ericb]

Yo dude, what gives? How can you do a video about trem systems and not use the trem in either your before and after comparisons?

[GuitArmijo]

What other up graded did you make to the se

[lewisbeeman]

The trem handle being weak could be because you are using 5 tension springs. That is typically done when you are pegging the trem to the body and not going to use it.

[kentarmstrong]

Bent what threads? The trem arm thread?

If so, can a new new arm be used and it be good to go?

Also, can I use their "Mexico" version, and just take off the back cover? I want a full sized block

[geoffreyalder]

You said it's easy to cut down the oversize saddle screws with a screws are ''case hardened' ..they are impossible to file down, or even cut down with a saw...i know, I've tried....they have to be ground down to size, or replaced with shorter ones

[mayousimon]

What number is the tremolo and what make is your squire guitar as one comment said that had produced problems with as their guitar was manufactured in Indonesia.

[ReformedJon]

I've just ordered the brass one, , hope it does the job.

[benjanavias]

i have the same guitar, what do you recommend me to modify on it?

[JammyGit]

Thanks for the info mate 👍
I'm going to be getting 1 of the brass block tremolo kits soon when they have them back in stock so this was handy to watch.
According to GFS mine'll have to be the 'import shorty' version to fit the Yamaha Pacifica I bought recently for very little in excellent condition looks wise but the electrics don't work all that well, the tuning keys aren't very stable, and I just bought it because it's HSS configuration makes it perfect to test my own make of pickups I've just begun as it's such a nice guitar I thought I'd turn it into a great playing guitar so I'm going to replace all of the hardware & electrics and the brass block seems like a great upgrade from the typical thin zinc wedge shaped thing.

[benindavisca]

If you REALLY want to make a difference in sustain on a strat... replace the neck screws and the screws that hold the springs to the body with brass screws as well as replacing the block. There is a reason why bells ard made of brass and not zinc or steel....brass is sonically livelier than other metals.

[DougHinVA]

Do NOT file off the saddle screws... 10 mm length are standard and 8mm stainless ones are much better and cheap to buy in eBay .... stronger and shorter and it can easily eliminate the 'right hand edge scraping' complaint.

[mfg]

You didnt touch the trem at all. Does it stay in tune when you use it?

[Nonexistanthuman]

can you keep the stock squire bridge and mount this on? Will it fit?

[SuperHotrod]

The bridge that came in my Squier is smaller than a standard size send a bridge. The hole in the body is too small to fit a standard size bridge. How come nobody shows how to install a standard size bridge?