1989 Squier II Stratocaster rides again

After years of not being played, I finally found the new parts I needed to get this guitar back together.

And now the story of my first guitar, my '89 Squier Stratocaster II and how I got this thing back working again.

Yes, it's my first guitar, but it's been modified somewhat heavily. The electronics have been redone (but the pickups are original), it has been refretted, 5-way switch replaced, and the awful original tuners with plastic tuner buttons replaced with proper metal Fender slotted tuners with metal oval buttons.

The #1 problem with these guitars (other than the tuners) is the tremolo system bridge block. It's made of a zinc alloy and literally crumbles apart after about 15 to 20 years. Can you replace this block with a Fender block? No. Too big, too long. You must use the infamous short/skinny Squier block.

There are only two ways to get this block. Buy an entire new Squier guitar that has it, or buy a complete tremolo system.

For years I searched for how to buy just the block and always ended up empty-handed. But then I had a thought. What if instead of searching for the block, I searched for the whole tremolo system?

I did some searching. Amazon had nothing. eBay had nothing. I then searched China sites since this block is still used in new Squier Strats and ta-da, found it...

...but I didn't know if it would fit. It was under 10 bucks with shipping, and the photos of the product showed the block. This was the closest I ever got to getting one of these blocks new. It was worth the risk. I bought it.

The box arrives, and yes, it is a complete trem system. Bridge, screws, claw, springs, saddles (with key to adjust height, nice touch), the works. But most importantly, YES IT CAME WITH THE BRIDGE BLOCK.

I grabbed my '89 Squier and did a test fit...

Published 2019 Nov 26