Steel Bridge Components

[justmund]

Been looking at vids for the NF3, and noticed J Hayes refers to it have a "steel bridge", which I assume means there's steel components as per the 305, DC3 and Brent Mason (others?).

Looking at pics of the the Nf3, 305 and DC3, they've definitely got a brass block (sorry to disappoint you swede71) so what exactly is steel? The saddles? The bridge body (and trem screws)?

Anyone got one any of these models and a magnet handy to check?

 

[yankeebulldog]

Pretty sure my DC3 had a steel block. I not longer have it so I cannot verify.

 

[swede71]

I checked pics on Ebay again.It definitely looks like the DC3 got a steelblock

 

[justmund]

Can you post a pic? This looks brass to me:

 

[swede71]

 

[justmund]

Touche! So it seems there's versions out there with both brass and steel blocks. I wonder if the steel thing was a revision?

Well that answers my question almost, one of the components they refer to is the block.

I'm still curious George about the saddles...

 

[justmund]

Update - My NF3 has no steel bridge components

 

[swede71]

In that copy of the PRS Sig mag in your other thread it clearly says the NF3 tremolo has steel components.If its not the block it would be interesting to know what they are

 

[justmund]

In that copy of the PRS Sig mag in your other thread it clearly says the NF3 tremolo has steel components.If its not the block it would be interesting to know what they are

When I said my bridge has no steel components, I meant, my bridge has no steel components (I checked with a magnet!)

 

[swede71]

..I believe you Justmund.I meant it would be interesting to hear from PRS what the steel components are.

 

[justmund]

I reckon it's the block (as evident by your photo) just mine doesn't have one for whatever reason. I do know mine is a fairly early one, you can tell because it has some flame in the neck (now they're plain, and the flameys are reserved for SAS, AP etc).

Maybe there was a material shortage, maybe the guy putting them trems in that day didn't get the memo, who knows!

 

[swede71]

Really cool guitar you got.I would love to have a black NF3 with a maple neck.Of course it would have a steelblock

 

[swede71]

Heres my Cu22 soapbar with the Callaham block.Sounds great!

 

[iglam]

I have two DC3s. One with a brass block and one with a steel block. I believe (anecdotally) that they switched to steel during the production run. I'm not a fan.

 

[justmund]

I have two DC3s. One with a brass block and one with a steel block. I believe (anecdotally) that they switched to steel during the production run. I'm not a fan.

Interesting that you're in a position to A/B them. What is it that you don't like?

 

[iglam]

From what I can tell, the two guitars are identical, except for variations in wood, and the bridge. Same color, neck. The earlier guitar (by serial number) was an early 2011 model. The block is definitely yellow brass colored. The saddles are nickled, so I can't be sure what they are, but it looks like a Core Trem bridge to me. Which means brass saddles. The later guitar is a late 2011 model. The saddles are different, as is the trem plate (slightly). Just looks milled a bit differently. The block, however, is definetely steel.

The former guitar sounds warm and buttery. The latter guitar sounds brighter and harsh. I really am learning to dislike playing it. I'll either switch in a Core Trem, or an aftermarket brass block or....just sell it. Let me see if I can post some pics of the bridges.

 

[iglam]

Guitar A : Brass Bridge Components:

Guitar B : Steel Bridge Components:

 

[Jimi D]

For the record and what it's worth, my 2011 305 has a steel block... it's the only one of my trem-equipped PRSi with a steel block...

 

[shimmilou]

My Custom 22 has brass block, my SE Tremonti does not. Havent checked to see if its steel or cast or what.

 

[Casi1]

I just confirmed that my DC3 has a steel block. I think the saddles are brass though (based on the behavior of my magnet). I like the tone. I wish steel block trems (ie... one piece steel trems) were available for PRS guitars.