How do I block the tremelo on my guitar?

[Craig]

This isn't really specific to G&Ls, but regardless we've seen this question quite a bit on the G&LDP. Set your guitar up such that the tremelo is level with the body, then take the backplate off of your guitar - see those spaces (both front and back) between the tremelo and the guitar's body? You need to fill those spaces with something hard that will stay put. Frequently folks cut small blocks of wood and sand them until they fit snugly, then insert 'em; I've also heard of folks using stacks of coins for this purpose. As an example, G&LDP visitor Michael Gowin reports that for his '98 S-500, he got good results using a stack of 4 quarters on the forward side and 7 quarters on the rear side. He held the stacks together with strips of black electrical tape. Then Michael decided to "upgrade" by cutting blocks of wood, and he reports good results with two blocks of oak cut to the following dimensions:

1" x 1" x 1/4" for the forward side
2" x 1" x 9/16" for the rear side
Nothing to it, eh?