sustain block variations (1978/ 1981)

[cornjulio]

So... I have a 78 Sunburst with a sustain block and two Specials (1980/1981) and my Shishkov with sustain blocks.

The spacing on the 78 in between the strings is much wider, to the point where you notice that the high and low E strings are off center to the poles of the bridge pick up and it also seems to mean that both E strings are closer to the edge on the fretboard than on the Specials/ the Shishkov.

Why is that?

The string / pole correnspondence  is much better with the later sustain blocks but I get the feeling the extra space on the 1978 comes in handy when picking strings (I feel less clumsy). The difference between the width of all six strings on the 78 (wider) and the 81 (narrower) ist almost 5mm altogether.

[hamerhead]

I'm not positive about any of the following: They used several different vendors over the Sustain Block years, and I believe Hamer made 'adjustments' as they went along. I've seen 3 or 4 different saddle types and they vary quite a bit in width. The blocks were made in batches to match the saddles (or vice versa). I don't know if there is a 'correct' version for a given year, but in general they got narrower as time went on.

[velorush]

Just for context, @cornjulio, realize Hamerhead knows deeply of what he speaks being someone who produced his own Sustainblock run over 20 years ago.

[cornjulio]

1 hour ago, velorush said:

Just for context, @cornjulio, realize Hamerhead knows deeply of what he speaks being someone who produced his own Sustainblock run over 20 years ago.

Aye, I guess I never really paid attention to this. So the individual saddles on the 81 are about 1mm thinner/ narrower, the total for the six saddles is a difference of 6 mm between the 1978 (wider) and the 1981 (narrower). So maybe that's why the 1st and 6th string are closer to the fretboard edge on the 78.

But the width of the strings at the bridge pick up on the 1978 (roughly 53 mm)  is pretty much what I have on my 2022 Nik Huber too. The special comes in at about 47 mm.

[velorush]

Definitely variations (I am a Strat guy, so I'm used to such), but I am convinced the Sustain Block is about the best guitar bridge ever made.

Photos of the @hamerhead Sustain Block on the @kizanski' Senior, a 2003 Hamer custom order:

 

A fantastic version (all that dust was mine and not original spec). 

[velorush]

Oh, this is cool: from an archived thread discussing the dimensions, @hamerhead provided this as supplied by @bruce919

 

There's some great discussion in the thread: 

 

[hamerhead]

3 hours ago, velorush said:

...Hamerhead knows deeply of what he speaks....

...said no one ever.

[bubs_42]

1 hour ago, hamerhead said:

...said no one ever.

At this point he has probably forgotten more than he remembers. 😝 

[Hbom]

I see that John Mann doesn't have a sustain block listed on his site anymore. That's a shame his were very well made. Hopefully he will bring them back from time to time when he sees the need. 

Edited January 11 by Hbom

[scottcald]

I just looked and Mann lists them though some list as out of stock:

https://www.johnmannsguitarvault.com/parts/bridges/fixed-bridges/hamer-guitars/

Edited January 11 by scottcald

[Vintage Hamer-Lover]

On 1/10/2026 at 8:25 PM, velorush said:

Oh, this is cool: from an archived thread discussing the dimensions, @hamerhead provided this as supplied by @bruce919

 

There's some great discussion in the thread: 

 

Exact the infos I am searching for years. Thank You very much 🙏

[Hbom]

15 hours ago, scottcald said:

I just looked and Mann lists them though some list as out of stock:

https://www.johnmannsguitarvault.com/parts/bridges/fixed-bridges/hamer-guitars/

My link for Mann is MANNMADE GUITAR PARTS - JOHN MANN

No mention of Hamer anywhere on that page. 

Thanks for the link.

[scottcald]

I guess the one I have is for his physical store.  He used to sell guitars and amps but doesn't seem to anymore. 

[bruce919]

Last Version of the Sustain Block. 

Late 80's/Early 90's version 

[bruce919]

On 1/10/2026 at 2:25 PM, velorush said:

Oh, this is cool: from an archived thread discussing the dimensions, @hamerhead provided this as supplied by @bruce919

 

There's some great discussion in the thread: 

 

I made that drawing off of a Sustain block I got in the case on Kahler-ized 81 or 82 Special. Another HFC member bought from me. That was in the 2000's. It seems there was quite a bit of variation in the early 80's on these. 

I have cad on the bridge and saddles if anyone needs it.  

[hamerhead]

I tweaked it to align the holes better.....

They're not as off as the picture makes it look. Honest.

[a.bandini]

Is this not a better option? 

Which isn't to say sustain blocks are not great or better than nearly every other option, but is Mike's design more gooder? It sure looks good. 

[Joe K]

When I ordered some replacement saddles from John Mann, they arrived and were too wide.  John asked me to send him an original one that I had so he could do his own measurements.  He also wasn’t aware there were variations in size.  Good guy though.