Hardtail conversion

[Spellcaster]

I'm assembling a Strat style guitar using a Contemporary Squier neck and a Turser clone body (mostly because I liked the transparent red finish) and have done the electronic upgrades, US Fender guard, American Standard pickups, and a TFN technologies UltiMod harness. The one issue I'm still dealing with is the vibrato - I don't use them, and the tuning problems they bring on makes me sure I want a fixed bridge. I've decided not to block or deck the existing unit...Better to replace it with something decent. I've found a Custom Shop Parts hardtail conversion bridge that's really appealing. It makes provision to cover the whammy bar socket and is designed to mount using the existing six screw holes. Two questions: First has anybody tried this (and how is it)? and secondly, would there be any big advantage in filling the cavity. I saw what Stewart McDonald calls a "tremelo adapter block" in their catalogue and is a recommended piece if you're fitting a Trilogy bridge. While I'm aware that specific piece might not be suitable, should I make the appropriate hardwood fillers to sit under the hardtail?

[Hamm Guitars]

Depending on what your body is currently made of, filling the cavities will have a similar effect that adding a hardwood top would. So, if you have a basswood boddy, adding a piece of maple to fill the whole would be similar to adding a maple cap - but the volume of maple is lower.

I've converted a cheap body with a piece of maple and it made a noticeable difference in the sound of the guitar, which I'm sure the change in bridge style probably had something to do with as well.

[Spellcaster]

I decided to go ahead and pick up the Custom Shop Parts DropTop bridge, and now it seems difficult to find. Quite a few of the big outlets still list it, but some say Out Of Stock, and some say Product Discontinued. Anybody know where I might find one? There must be some stock sitting on a dealers shelf somewhere?