Whither fore art thou Sustain Blocks?

[JGale]

Why are sustain block bridges not more commonly available on OEM guitars? Is there a patent issue?

How much would it cost/how big would a machine be that will mill brass to the same tolerances? Plating could be done elsewhere, keyhole saddles look to be readily available ..?

[stonge]

19 minutes ago, JGale said:

Why are sustain block bridges not more commonly available on OEM guitars? Is there a patent issue?

Lack of demand/interest from anyone who is not already a Hamer fan.  If there were patents or trademarks they're not being enforced by the current owners of Hamer, and the John Mann reproductions are about even with Hamerhead's repros as equivalent or better than the quality of the originals.

19 minutes ago, JGale said:

How much would it cost/how big would a machine be that will mill brass to the same tolerances? Plating could be done elsewhere, keyhole saddles look to be readily available ..?

It depends how many you want to make; anything from a 1950's 4-digit Bridgeport milling machine to industrial CNC mills would work. For plating just ask any local Harley guy where they get parts plated (nobody sane would want to try to set that process up on their own).  If you are going to the trouble of making a repro sustainblock I don't think generic keyhole saddles would fly with the target audience though.  Anybody who cares enough to buy a sustainblock probably wants an accurate repro.

If you want something built with a sustainblock, I'd recommend talking to Mike to see if he'd do it. With his expertise and experience I can't imagine anyone who could do a better job than him.

[hamerhead]

^^^ Absolutely EVERYTHING Ed said.

...except for:

7 hours ago, stonge said:

...and the John Mann reproductions are about even with Hamerhead's repros as equivalent or better than the quality of the originals....

Hamer's and John's are waaaay better. But thanks!