Tremolo Blocks

A tremolo block, also known to guitarists as a sustain block, is a solid component beneath an electric guitar's tremolo bridge. Its weight and material affect how long a note rings out as well as the tone. On this page, you'll find replacement blocks and heavier fat blocks from Floyd Rose for Original, Special, 1000 Series, 1000 Series Pro and Rail Tail tremolos, including those for 7-string guitars. For the Stratocaster, there's the Fender Pure Vintage steel block.

What height do you need for your tremolo block?

Floyd Rose blocks come in heights of 28, 32, 35, 37, 41 or 42 mm. When replacing a block, measure the original and choose the same height so that the tremolo can move freely inside the body cavity. According to Floyd Rose, 32 mm blocks suit guitars with thinner bodies or shallower tremolo cavities. The Rail Tail block is 41 mm high and is only for the Rail Tail system. Pro Fat Brass and Pro Fat Tungsten blocks are for German Floyd Rose Pro tremolos, while 1000 Series Pro blocks are for 1000 Series Pro tremolos.

Brass, tungsten or granite: what's the difference?

• Brass – Fat Brass blocks add weight and sustain to the bridge and, according to the manufacturer, produce a warmer, cleaner sound. The L-shaped version also uses the space beneath the arm, giving it even more mass.
• Tungsten – Tungsten, Fat Tungsten and Pro Fat Tungsten blocks are made from a very dense metal that, according to Floyd Rose, is twice as dense as brass. The tone is brighter, and individual notes are more clearly defined.
• Granite – Stone Tone blocks are made from black Volcano Black granite and are described by the manufacturer as blocks for longer sustain and more distinct notes.
• Nickel-plated brass and zinc alloy – original replacement blocks for Floyd Rose Original, 1000 Series, Rail Tail and Special tremolos, for when you need to replace a worn or damaged block.

Which block fits a Stratocaster?

The Fender Pure Vintage Stratocaster Tremolo Block is a machined steel block of the type Fender installs in American Vintage Stratocaster guitars. It fits most Stratocaster tremolos with vintage mounting spacing of 2 3/16″ and has a thread for a standard 10-32 tremolo arm. The Floyd Rose Fat Brass 37 mm brass block is designed for Floyd Rose Original, Special and 1000 Series tremolos, as well as 7-string tremolos.

You'll find complete tremolos in the tremolo systems category and replacement arms in the tremolo arms category.