Direct Stratocaster Replacement Testimonials and Reviews

Testimonials

Hey Keith,

Thanks for the Custom Anodized StepMax Tremolo and Custom maple tipped handles. Most companies might have replied to my request for a custom color with, "What you see is what we sell!" I appreciated you following up with the questions I had and your suggestions for the handles. The installation was as fast and easy as the video on your website indicated. I was pleased with the ease of intonation setup time and impressed with tones up and down in pitch. I plan to use StepMax tremolos on all my guitar builds in the future. The StepMax is a better solution than "blocking" the movement of a tremolo equipped guitar, it improves on the original functionality and returns back to perfect pitch every time. For "pickers" wanting to emulate the Hendrix, D. Gilmore or SRV style and stay in tune this is a must have item.

Respectfully,

Dwayne R. Bonner, P.E., P.L.S.
Professional Consultant Engineer
Hamilton & Bonner, Inc.

Hi Keith.
"Thanks again for the Stepmax it is now installed and road tested. Needless to say it performs wonderfully, totally stable and a pleasure to use.

December is a very busy time for me gig wise and I have had the opportunity to put it through its paces on a variety of gigs including pop functions, blues gigs, a vocal & guitar duo gig with my other half and even a jazz gig. I know that a strat isn't the usual choice for this but I find that I can get a good sound by dipping the tone control, I even prefer it to my trusty 335, which is a lovely instrument.

Have a great Christmas & a successful and satisfying new year."

Kevin, UK

Keith,
"I had a chance over the weekend to do the install for the StepMax on my 26 year old Squire Strat. This guitar is has been my test bed for 26 years for bridges, pick ups, etc. The install was straight forward with no issues. I followed the advice of the instructional pamphlet included in the packaging, as well as reviewed the installation video on your website.
I must say that I am very pleased overall with the performance and quality of the StepMax. My style of playing lends well to its design and function, (Clapton meets Sambora). The Big Bends Nut Sauce applied at the contact points where the strings meet the guitar, (nut, saddle, string guides), do help in giving the Trem the ability to effortlessly return to pitch, kudos for including it in the box.
Three suggestions I do have, 1) Include an option upon purchase for Trem screws or studs, 2) Include an option for an allen key to be included that fits the saddle screws, (all my other guitars used a different size allen key then the ones on the StepMax, and 3) easier access to the saddle screws that control the in and out movement when intonating, (the access holes are very small).
All in all I would absolutely buy another system for one of my other guitars. My favorite feature is the ability to pull bends by moving the Trem arm up, thus moving the saddles back, and it returns to pitch."
Thanks again,

Neil Mancuso, Howard Beach, NY

"Hello my name is George Litz, and have been playing guitar for 41 years. I"ve worked with many national acts and have toured Europe and have played many guitars, recently I purchased the Stepmax for my strat. Before the Stepmax I was staying away from the tremolo because it was a constant tuning issue. Now I’m having a blast with some kick ass songs that require some trem action. I can push and pull on this thing and stay in tune and the response is quick and accurate. Oh yea, did I say top American made workmanship along with the finest materials possible? AWWWWWWWWWWWESOME :)"

George Litz

"The StepMax Tremolo is a fantastic upgrade from a standard Fender Tremolo. As a guitar tech the first thing I noticed is the quality of the unit. The real surprise to the trem is the ease of installation on a guitar. I literally just removed the old stock unit, then slid the StepMax in, that was it no routing, no problems. The unit performs extremely well, no problem going down or up. I especially liked that the string did not change height above the fret board going up, as I set my strings up at 2/64 of an inch. The unit is just fantastic !!"

Andy Vujnovic Guitar Technician. NY

"The StepMax System, has a fantastic feel to it, I was surprised that I had the option of pulling up to a desired pitch. There was no real difference in feel, so I was pleasantly surprised overall."

Brett Werder- GIT Student at Musicians Institute

I just thought I would let you know I got the Tremolo set up. The piezo saddles work just fine so far. As for the Tremolo itself, I think its great! I love how it has the advantage of a wide range of vibrato, like a floating tremolo, without any of the problems of instability that comes with the floating tremolos.It took only a few minutes to tune and intonate. I think I am really going to enjoy playing with this thing."

Daniel Wilkerson. Tennessee.

"Ive been playing for 30+ years - mostly Strats and the StepMax is definitely a step in the right direction for Tremolo design. Keith sent me a StepMax to try on my favorite Squire Strat(my $200 guitar with $900 worth of modifications). I spent 45 minutes installing it, re-stringing, setting saddle height, and intonation and WOW! Way cool. Im primarily a blues player and the StepMax features fit right in with my style of playing (I did have to keep five springs on the Trem though since I use heavy strings).
If you are a Strat player and want to be able to pull those notes up with authority and come back to tune without modifying your guitar the StepMax does it, and does it well. You can also do double string pulls and the StepMax does a respectful job of staying in tune (you can get some seriously slide-y stuff going on this way). The sharp pull thumbscrew adjustment you set how far sharp the trem will allow you to pull the note. Let go of the handle and it drops back to tune (much better stability then a stock Strat Trem). The notched arm with the tension adjustment is also a nice idea. That second thumbscrew allows you to set the swing tension on the arm- back it off, and the arm falls out of the way, tighten it a bit and the arm stays were you put it. And the best part no routing, just drop it in, dial it in, tune up and go. In play the StepMax is a comfortable switch- it plays like a stock unit, but gives you greater range of expression. Overall, if a well adjusted stock Strat trem rates a C + for features and tuning ability, Im giving the StepMax an A ( there is always room for improvement somewhere) Highly recommended!"

Art Mullen, OK

"The StepMax tremolo system is easily the best I have ever used , the ease of the drop in tremolo arm will make me use this far more than the other systems I have , way more comfortable than both of my Fender trem's , and unlike every other tremolo I have used , ( Floyd Rose , Kahler , Edge and Fender ) it will actually stay in tune after constant heavy whammy use ! The Satin finish is very nice looking , and as far as durability goes I don't think it will ever break. You guys at StepMax did a wonderful job on this system, Thank you very much."

Lee Welch, TX

"I finally put together my Strat last week. So here is what I think about the StepMax. It is a very solid bridge as a synchronized tremolo, even without considering the arm up effect. The solid aluminum body is extremely well constructed and gave my Strat a super cool look (checkout the pic) I like the stability too. About arming up I was amazed by the range it can go up to a p5th-m6th. Since it pulls back the saddle, it feels a little different from actually arming up the Floyd Rose, but I guess Ill be used to it soon enough. Also what I like about it is that it is damage free, the bridge itself doesnt move too much when you do a lot of dumping / arming up, it does not cause damage to the body, and the parts will last longer, I guess. Overall its a great new tremolo!!"

Takah, TX

"After struggling, seemingly forever, to find a tremolo set-up that gave tuning stability, good feel and double action, I had pretty much given up and resorted to a floating, two point, tremolo with a tremolo lock, a spontaneity inhibiting compromise at best. Even then, after experiencing a wide range of available tremolos, I was consistently disappointed in the over-all quality and execution of the currently available offerings. The StepMax tremolo, for me, offers a real solution to all of these issues. Exceptionally well conceived, designed and exquisitely manufactured in high-tech aluminum & steel alloys, this tremolo acts & looks the part on even the most high-end guitar. Its simple to install and, in 4+ months of continuous use, absolutely reliable. I could not be happier. The significant difference in feel between the traditional spring/fulcrum down-bend and the super-smooth cam-action up-bend took a little getting used to, but I adjusted quickly and no longer really notice. The folks at StepMax are guitar players, passionate about their product and great to deal with. I expect to re-fit all of my suitable, tremolo equipped guitars with StepMax tremolos. I'm stoked."

John Mills, RI