upgrade Stone Tone Rock Blocks

[Stone Tone]

Hey guys,

My names Robert and I'm new here and have read many questions about the new Rock Blocks from some old posts so I thought to sign up to meet all of you and answer any questions you may still have to better understand this unorthodox concept of installing a pc of granite on your Tremolo.  \m/   \m/ 

[cynic]

Hi Robert.  We might as well jump right in...tell us about the crystalline atomic structure and the REAL/TRUE science behind it's impact on sonic transference.

[diablo175]

Here we go.

 

[Stone Tone]

20 minutes ago, cynic said:

Hi Robert.  We might as well jump right in...tell us about the crystalline atomic structure and the REAL/TRUE science behind it's impact on sonic transference.

Hello Cynic, 

First off, the press release that was posted by Floyd Rose was a result of 2 1/2 yrs. of research they did on our products. 

When I read it I told them it was to Scientific yet factual but not for the average guitarist to wrap their heads around..and would lead to many discussions on the science side of things that gets very in depth when folks just want to know what does it do. period.. So I have went round and round on many levels with many crass folks that want to debate the science and argue yet I will discuss all you want to give you a perspective of the attributes this block offers the musician, but I am certainly not here to argue or trade insults so I have revamped the original press release more toward the lines of explaining what it will do for the guitarists than talking about the atoms and things of that nature yet i will touch on some of those points because it is fact of how the 2 natural mineral compositions react to pressure and simultaneous vibration and how they are different to each other even though they are both natural occurring minerals.. 

Here is my revised version of what this product offers the guitarist.

Stone Tone Rock Blocks allow the artist to excel their tone to a whole new level while achieving a new awareness of tone and playability based on the natural attributes our Products offer.

 

Granite, when quarried in its natural state, also has a crystalline atomic structure which is ideal for sonic transference and has a compression strength of 19,000 psi, and a tension strength of 700 psi—the material these blocks are made of is the fourth densest on earth next to Diamond, Carbon and Quartz that has ideal resonant qualities which will decrease signal loss from your guitar to your amplifier by at least 30%. Utilizing this optimum material allows you to achieve maximum attack, clarity, sustain, note articulation, note separation, harmonics and punch. While the lows get tight and articulate, the harmonics scream effortlessly! Palm mutes, tapping, sweeps, you name it, all sounds so much better.

 

After the installation, your overall tone will be improved equally in all ranges of the fret board with a significant difference in sound and feel like you have a whole new guitar.

 

The extraordinary results of this upgrade are indisputable.

 

Our Blocks are compatible with the Floyd Rose Original Tremolo System and its derivatives, as well as many licensed models and comes with stainless steel sustain block mounting screws. 

 

Upgrading your tremolo with a Stone Tone® Rock Block is the answer to those who want "That" tone they've been searching for. To hear the true potential of your pick ups consider installing a Rock Block because the results are Guaranteed !

 

 

[Stone Tone]

Guitar amplifiers can only deliver what is sent to it meaning the signal path from the guitar has to be fair to significant otherwise your going to be dominantly dependent on the gadget farm (effects) to boost your signal path to your amp so your tone has some girth, ie compressor, eq, bbe and so on, these effects are cool as a aftertouch, but the majority tone from most guitars are thin and lifeless tone plugging strait into the amp. 

 

This is where Stone Tone comes in the picture, having Stonetone incorporated into your signal path helps retain all the players dynamic and nuances being granite is a very stable material while improving the signal path producing more girth and even note articulation and note seperation across the entire audio spectrum of the fretboard so you don't have to rely on triple gain stage tricked out radical amps to deliver a “generic tone” from what should come natural from your guitar than be dominantly colored with all the gadgets which takes away from the initial tone of the guitar..

[cynic]

I don't want to argue and admittedly much of this stuff is way over my head, but as a layman am very sincere in my question.  Granite is known to work VERY well to isolate vibrations, so I'm curious about its resonant qualities which are a function of vibration.

I'm also curious about the 30% reduction of signal loss from guitar to amp.  Does this mean that without it I need to turn my amp up to get the same signal, or are there actual bits that I'm retaining by using your block that would otherwise be lost.  Highs?  Lows?  Equal loss across the spectrum?

 

[Stone Tone]

Bruce Owens did a thorough evaluation of the Block recently and here is the link to check out what his findings were.

http://www.tmrzoo.com/2016/69816/guitar-gear-stone-tone-tremolo-block-hands-on-review

[Stone Tone]

3 minutes ago, cynic said:

I don't want to argue and admittedly much of this stuff is way over my head, but as a layman am very sincere in my question.  Granite is known to work VERY well to isolate vibrations, so I'm curious about its resonant qualities which are a function of vibration.

I'm also curious about the 30% reduction of signal loss from guitar to amp.  Does this mean that without it I need to turn my amp up to get the same signal, or are there actual bits that I'm retaining by using your block that would otherwise be lost.  Highs?  Lows?  Equal loss across the spectrum?

 

When vibration comes into the granite it retains all of nuances and dynamics of the players attack and ramps up that energy which in turn throws that information into the wood that allows the guitar to respond the way it was designed to with minimal to no signal loss.

this 30% has been a very very hard topic to make folks clearly understand so I am going to post a comment from a electrical engineer Steve Henning of Henning Amplifiers who has a block and explains this perfectly in layman terms and also Andy Fuchs of Fuchs audio technology because these 2 guys really did a great job explaining this because they are very well versed in this field of expertise.

Steve Hennings Quote; 

OK, so I got the block into this Ti Floyd, put the guitar back together and set it up...

 

I'm gonna be honest here and say that as a scientific kinda guy (electrical engineer), I was pretty skeptical about the science behind this block and I really wanted to prove that it was just bullshit to get people's money. Obviously, I have no relationship with the company whatsoever...

 

Well... regardless of the actual science, the bottom line is that my subjective opinion after playing with and without plugging in for awhile is that this block has made the MOST significant change to my guitar than a block of any other kind, and I've had the big brass ones and the Ti ones. Without plugging in, the whole guitar vibrates in your hands so strongly when you strike a chord, it is almost disturbing. The body does the same thing under your right arm. It feels like it's ALIVE or something... Based on my testing, both chords and single notes sustain MUCH longer than with the previous Ti block. And remember, I'm testing a 42mm Ti block against a 32mm Stone block. The Ti one is way longer and heavier. When I plugged in, the guitar sustained much longer as well and it sounds "throatier" for lack of a better word.

 

I have no idea how this is going to translate to a recording. Truthfully, I expect the difference will not seem like much, but I'm going to play the same exact things as the previous clip and record them the same exact way to see. One thing that is undeniable is that the guitar FEELS much different - the vibrations of the strings through the body and neck are unbelievably stronger. I dig that feeling a lot, but it's weird at first. I compared it to my white relic strat guitar that has a big brass block and it is night and day - the feel of the vibrations with Stone block are way stronger and the guitar felt exactly like the white relic strat with the Ti block.

 

The guitar is louder in two ways:

 

1.) Acoustcally. Sitting in the room, the guitar is way louder with this block than the Ti block when it is not plugged in. It is louder than my guitar that has the big brass block as well.

2.) Electrically. When the guitar is plugged in, with the amp settings the same, the output of the amp is louder. When I mic'd the tracks into my DAW, you could see the waveforms were larger and the tracks hit higher on the meter with the Stone block and NO changes to the amp settings or anything else at all. When I was mixing, in order to match the output volume of the previous clip, I had to bring the faders down a significant amount on the newly recorded tracks with the Stone block.

 

So, because the guitar is louder acoustically with the Stone block, the pickups are generating more output, driving the amp harder (more input to the amp), resulting in more volume output from the amp for the same settings. More input to the mic, mic pre and tracks with no changes to the settings on the amp. So, yeah, more guitar volume output to the amp...

 

BTW - When I was mixing this on both the heavy and the clean I had to bring the faders down a couple dbs on the tracks to match the volume on the original titanium block clips. So the guitar definitely gets louder with the Stone block... The clean sounds "chimey-er" to me as well.

 

Based on my testing, I'd say that for sure it makes the guitar louder acoustically and louder through the amp and it makes the guitar body and neck vibrate like crazy compared to a Ti or Big Brass block. The enhanced vibration makes the guitar feel really alive and is really cool once you get used to it. It also sustains better for sure in my guitar. It sounds throatier and chimier than a Ti block - For me it is definitely worth $35-40 more than a Ti block...

 

Steve Henning

 

Andy Fuchs Quote;  

 

For reference: I have owned my G&L Musical Instruments Legacy Strat style for about 15 years. I know it downright intimately as a result. It's been through a new paint job (or two), and two pickup swaps: The stock pickups were pretty low output and lifeless. The early G&L pickups were known to be like this. The later ones I understand are better. Despite that, the tone, balance and playability made the guitar a keeper and pickups are easy enough to change. First I installed Di Marzio Virtual noiseless pickups, which I used for about ten years. They were very good: quiet and healthy output but didn't "quack" like a Strat should and were quite a bit warmer than a true Strat tone really should be. Eventually I discovered my current Zexcoil Guitar Pickups. These are silent, can be tapped and remain silent, and sound excellent. I have to say, I was more than skeptical when you approached me with this idea for a stone block.

Like anything so radical and "different" I was leery of switching something as important as my trem block, but I've always been curious about it since a number of companies have clearly made some high profile businesses making blocks of various metals. When I received your block, the first thing that surprised me was how light the bridge assembly became ! The differences between the old steel (?) stock block and the stone block was pretty shocking ! I installed it and strung up the guitar with my go-to string the standard D'Addario Nickel 10-46 set.

The first thing that struck me was the much louder unplugged acoustic tone. It was clearly louder but also more focused and clear. [Like many, I believe the acoustic properties of an electric guitar clearly reflect how good that guitar will potentially be when amplified electrically.] The Stone Tone block did not disappoint. The better qualities that made this my "#1" S-style were still there: Plenty of long sustain, easy controlled feedback and note-ring plus the distinctive sound a good Strat should have, but there was certainly much more: The guitar was (for lack of a better description) more "hi-fi". It seemed to respond quicker to a pick attack. I think there might be maybe a shade less low end warmth than the old block, but the trade-off to an overall greater detail to my sound and a more clear harmonic structure and clarity are well worth that subtle shift.

There also seems to also be a clearly wider dynamic range when you pick lightly or more aggressively. Like a high quality amp, it certainly makes a player more aware of trying to be a better and more accurate player. Some guys need "forgiving" equipment to cover their sins. I prefer to try to improve my playing when my gear puts me under a microscope.

SO in conclusion: The quality of this block is not only excellent sonically but in terms of how well it's executed: As the son and grandson of German machinists I can appreciate quality machine work. The block displayed high quality accurate machining throughout, a super flat surface to contact the bridge plate, and the sides were polished professionally and smoothly. All the bridge hardware fit properly without issue.

I used copper braid, which I put under the collet that the tremolo arm goes into for attaching my ground to the wiring, since the block is non-conductive and you cannot use the trem claw to connect your ground any longer. This is a minor modification any good guitar tech should be able to do when installing the block. The block also doesn't have those recessed holes where a string end usually goes. Initially I thought this was odd, but actually realized it's more convenient when a string breaks than trying to fish out a stuck string ball !

Overall, I really am pleased with the block and recommend it as an excellent enhancement to anyone wanting to take their guitar up a notch in tone !! Kudo's Robert, well done.

 

 

 

[hamerhead]

I recommend you get one in the hands of our own Zenmindbegginer (who demos for Seymour Duncan) or Diablo175 (well-known Floyd wanker) and let them give their opinions. They are long-standing members here that have earned the trust of the HFC. Converting skeptics here will move more product than a sales pitch.

My 2¢.

[diablo175]

Given his exacting attention to detail and access to high quality recording gear, Zen would be an excellent choice to demo one. My skepticism is rooted more in the fact that regardless of my findings, the cost-to-benefit ratio, IMO,  is just not reasonable. These list as high as $166 and I have seen them new, at 80 bucks.

Let that sink in.

$80.00- $166.00 + shipping. That's a new or used pick up or set.

Ultimately, it's a subjective call as to whether or not the benefits of adding this product merit that level of investment. Hopefully,  the voluminous scientific data and testimonies paraded out to validate and promote this block won't serve to have the opposite effect and will persuade players to cough up that sizeable wad of cash. Hey, tone junkies are a real thing. It could happen.

 

 

 

 

[Stone Tone]

57 minutes ago, hamerhead said:

I recommend you get one in the hands of our own Zenmindbegginer (who demos for Seymour Duncan) or Diablo175 (well-known Floyd wanker) and let them give their opinions. They are long-standing members here that have earned the trust of the HFC. Converting skeptics here will move more product than a sales pitch.

My 2¢.

Hello Hamerhead,

I only signed up to answer some questions from some older posts I read of members asking if anyone knew anything about the rock blocks ....  I am not here to pitch , spam etc... For those interested, sure I'll work with anyone curious yet my intent was to shed some light on the product, that's it. I have been with Floyd Rose since November 2013. Since then we have about 800 on the street. We manufacturer over 26 types of blocks besides Floyds.. string thru custom etc ... we cover approximately 80% of the market so far, So again, I just wanted to meet the folks stumped on how and why a pc a granite can help my rig.  

[HAMERMAN]

hammerhead - excellent idea!

Maybe get one to Ben also since most of us have already heard some great sound clips from him.

[Stone Tone]

27 minutes ago, diablo175 said:

Given his exacting attention to detail and access to high quality recording gear, Zen would be an excellent choice to demo one. My skepticism is rooted more in the fact that regardless of my findings, the cost-to-benefit ratio, IMO,  is just not reasonable. These list as high as $166 and I have seen them new, at 80 bucks.

Let that sink in.

$80.00- $166.00 + shipping. That's a new or used pick up or set.

Ultimately, it's a subjective call as to whether or not the benefits of adding this product merit that level of investment. Hopefully,  the voluminous scientific data and testimonies paraded out to validate and promote this block won't serve to have the opposite effect and will persuade players to cough up that sizeable wad of cash. Hey, tone junkies are a real thing. It could happen.

 

27 minutes ago, diablo175 said:

 

 

 

 

Hello Diablo175,

I agree the $166 was too expensive even though the tungsten is $173, so we worked it down to $110.50 yet the $80.00 current price reduction was a July 4th promo they ran and that discounted price hasn't been changed yet so if you do buy one @ that price then you just saved 30 bucks.. I have Artist pricing that is $75 to your door. From the 28mm size that weighs 1.7 ounces to the 42mm that weighs 2.7 ounces add practically nothing to your trem compared to the 37mm big block brass that's 8 ounces and tungsten is 12..

[hamerhead]

1 hour ago, Stone Tone said:

 I am not here to pitch , spam etc...

.....So again, I just wanted to meet the folks stumped on how and why a pc a granite can help my rig.  

Having a product on the market = fulltime pitching.   Don't get me wrong - I'm not knocking it at all. You gotta eat, too. And I don't doubt you genuinely want to answer everyone's questions and give your product some clarity.

My point is that the HFC will listen it's members first and foremost, which may (or may not) be a useful sales tool. If you turn one of Diablo's dogs into his new favorite, you'll have made believers out of more than just him.

[diablo175]

1 minute ago, Stone Tone said:

 

Hello Diablo175,

I agree the $166 was too expensive even though the tungsten is $173, so we worked it down to $110.50 yet the $80.00 current price reduction was a July 4th promo they ran and that discounted price hasn't been changed yet so if you do buy one @ that price then you just saved 30 bucks.. I have Artist pricing that is $75 to your door. From the 28mm size that weighs 1.7 ounces to the 42mm that weighs 2.7 ounces add practically nothing to your trem compared to the 37mm big block brass that's 8 ounces and tungsten is 12..

Hi Robert, you may not remember me but we've (or someone representing Stone Tone) discussed this issue before on FB's 80's Guitar Maniacs page and on my YouTube video comments section. I appreciate the info but perhaps I wasn't clear in my initial post- it's not the weight that is a sticking point for me. It's the cost-to-benefit ratio. 75 bucks is not in my budget to change a sound characteristic that, currently, I don't find all that lacking; certainly not to the extent that I have sat around pondering solutions on how to remedy my anemic Floyd tone.

As previously stated, there are plenty of tone junkies out there who place a high enough priority on chasing tone nuance changes (your 800 units sold is testimony to that ) who will be okay with dropping that amount of $$ on a new block. You might try finding some of them on the The Gear Page.

 

 

 

 

[Stone Tone]

11 minutes ago, diablo175 said:

Hi Robert, you may not remember me but we've (or someone representing Stone Tone) discussed this issue before on FB's 80's Guitar Maniacs page and on my YouTube video comments section. I appreciate the info but perhaps I wasn't clear in my initial post- it's not the weight that is a sticking point for me. It's the cost-to-benefit ratio. 75 bucks is not in my budget to change a sound characteristic that, currently, I don't find all that lacking; certainly not to the extent that I have sat around pondering solutions on how to remedy my anemic Floyd tone.

As previously stated, there are plenty of tone junkies out there who place a high enough priority on chasing tone nuance changes (your 800 units sold is testimony to that ) who will be okay with dropping that amount of $$ on a new block. You might try finding some of them on the The Gear Page.

 

 

 

 

Hello Jim,

Let's say Eddie Grabowski 1 of the founders of the 80's room who has 4 rock blocks and has verified claims the block does what it does beside many many other credible artists like the 2 posts on this thread.. then it just isn't for you and that's fine. Not everyone gets it. Good to see you again. Have a Rockin day. 

[Stone Tone]

[kizanski]

9 minutes ago, Stone Tone said:

...not a sales pitch.

[diablo175]

38 minutes ago, Stone Tone said:

Hello Jim,

Let's say Eddie Grabowski 1 of the founders of the 80's room who has 4 rock blocks and has verified claims the block does what it does beside many many other credible artists like the 2 posts on this thread.. then it just isn't for you and that's fine. Not everyone gets it. Good to see you again. Have a Rockin day. 

 

Not so much an issue of getting it but having vastly different priorities and the net cost of those priorities. What I don't get is the need to effect the change that the blocks supposedly bring about at that price point. But that's my take on it and freely admit others may feel differently. Best of luck in those endeavors.

Tell me, Robert- are you still able to promote on 80's Guitar Maniacs?

 

 

[Jakeboy]

StoneTone.....I would reiterate the suggestion to send one to either Zen or Diablo as a test unit for a comprehensive report to the HFC. 

People here buy wisely, but we trust each other and if Zen or Diablo say it's the real deal, people here will believe and follow, which will turn into orders of your product.

just a +1 of an earlier suggestion.....

[Stone Tone]

9 minutes ago, Jakeboy said:

StoneTone.....I would reiterate the suggestion to send one to either Zen or Diablo as a test unit for a comprehensive report to the HFC. 

People here buy wisely, but we trust each other and if Zen or Diablo say it's the real deal, people here will believe and follow, which will turn into orders of your product.

just a +1 of an earlier suggestion.....

Sounds good, and I work with many folks in many capacities so they all know how to get a hold of me. When they feel froggy, we will make it happen.

[murkat]

question.

Are there actual threads in the block or threaded inserts that have been glued, set in the stone block?

[diablo175]

Hard to tell for certain but it looks like they're inserts glued/set in there.

[Stone Tone]

23 minutes ago, murkat said:

question.

Are there actual threads in the block or threaded inserts that have been glued, set in the stone block?

Yes, they are inserts that have been glued in. 

[Stone Tone]

Here is a chart for reference.

 

 

The Stone Tone Sustain Blocks function with:

 

Floyd Rose Original

Floyd Rose Original 7-String

Floyd Rose Hot Rod or 1984

Floyd Rose Hot Rod or 1984 7-String

Floyd Rose Original Non-Fine Tuner

Titanium Floyd Rose Original

Floyd Rose Special

Floyd Rose 1000 Series Original

Floyd Rose 1000 Series Pro

Floyd Rose 1000 Series Pro 7-String

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Pro Sustain blocks function with:

 

Floyd Rose Pro (German made)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

NO Sustain blocks we currently carry function with:

 

Floyd Rose 1000 Series Original 7-String

Floyd Rose Special Series 7-String

Floyd Rose 8-String

[murkat]

Good idea, esp in such a niche' market. Plenty of out there.

One observation.

I notice that the contact face perimeter has a beveled, rounded off appearance to it,

and "inserts" are more recessed into the block.

I would think, or maybe I am just being me...

That the stone block contact area would be ground flush for max contact surface between both surfaces....