However, each has their Two of the most notable ones are Kahler and the Ibanez Edges. Gretsch G5191TMS Tim Armstrong Electromatic Hollow Body, Gretsch G6128T-GH George Harrison Signature Duo Jet. It really doesn't matter as the terms have pretty much become interchangeable when you are talking about bridges. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Wilkinson WTB Telecaster "ash-tray" Brid… The bridge plate is a flat piece of timber or on the bridge instead of using tuning nuts located on the head stock. Let's not forget about the revolutionary EverTune bridge! However, at the “micro” level, you can say that a particular form of the same kind of design is better than another. Complex bridges require maintenance and tinkering, so don’t get in over your head if you are still learning to play your first chords. This article is intended to help new and intermediate guitar players become familiar with the pros and cons of different electric guitar bridge types. From there, they loop over the saddle, across the fretboard and up to the machine heads. This controls th… The different bridge types include fixed bridge types such as the Hard-tail I have limited experience with these locking tremolos because they are kind of rare to find, but the only time I’ve used one of these was on my uncle’s Charvel from the 80s. In other words: Where the strings “break” close to their anchor points. Thus, a greater range of pitch changes is provided, and The basics of the Floyd Rose (and licensed models) are similar to the Fender design in that the string tension is countered by a set of springs within the guitar body, and a pivot fulcrum is used to manipulate the pitch of the strings. For unknown reasons, the term has stuck, but the proper effect that these systems produce is a vibrato, which is what you do with your fingers when you wiggle the strings, albeit a different method and sound. Open quick view dialog for TonePros Metric Locking Tune-O-Matic Bridge (large posts) { "inCheckoutPromo":[] } TonePros Metric Locking Tune-O-Matic Bridge (large posts) From From Price $ 74.00 msrp:,lowPrice:74.0. From my experience, you’ll probably be hesitant to use a tremolo if it can’t stay in tune. As you are pushing away However, over time the standard version can wear down string as the saddle is positioned as a ‘V’ shape and it cuts into the strings, thus reducing the resonance. As a guitarist for over 15 years, I’ve decided to combine my passions for music, writing, and teaching all into one outlet – GuitarMeet. Don’t worry, they’re back, and the Kahler design offers an interesting alternative to the fulcrum-based design found in the tremolos mentioned above. They are needed for balance, and if they are not properly adjusted, it can cause problems. Tremolo springs, also known as vibrato springs As mentioned before, Gibson created the Tune-O-Matic as an answer to the wrap-around style. the whammy bar is shifted, the whole unit of the tailpiece block will follow guitar the block is held straight by usually 3 or 5 springs. Kahler bridges were hot back in the ‘80s but gradually disappeared. The mechanism does not move and, once set up properly, requires minimal attention. Find out how to decide which type of electric guitar bridge is right for your playing style. One last con about Bigsby is that it has a relatively limited range compared to vibratos using longer springs, such as the Floyd Rose and the Fender synchronized tremolo system. the back of the guitar to keep the bridge balanced. the sound as the vibrations can flow freely when picked or strummed. Thank you so much for your article. They are certainly for light-duty, and not the choice of most rock or metal players, but many musicians still love them for their elegance and simplicity. Secondly, the Bigsby is a good choice to go for any musicians looking for a very subtle vibrato. Still, combined with locking tuners and/or a roller nut, a Wilkinson tremolo can make a nice compromise between the classic Fender design and a more high-maintenance Floyd. actual string length. bridge tail piece. The wrap-around design is one of the oldest kinds of electric guitar bridges out there. Stratocaster tremolo or a locking tremolo system, such as a to the fretboard. Of course, people will have their own preferences and argue that a specific type is the greatest bridge ever created. These are only a couple of different ways that people look at guitar bridges, and this article will talk about the various ones that you might come across during your guitar journey. What is a guitar bridge? Fixed. on using several alternative tunings, consider skipping a locking tremolo. a sharp string break it offers exceptional stability and solid sustain. Fixed Guitar Bridges vs. Tremolo/Floating Bridges. Even today, there are some guys who have mastered the art of setting up the string pull and eliminating the friction so they can whammy to their heart's content without going out of tune. Before we being with talking about these electric guitar bridges, the word tremolo is actually a misnomer in these systems. Metallor 6 String Vintage Saddle Tremolo Bridge Full Size Steel Block for Strat, SQ Style Electric Guitar Parts Replacement with Whammy Bar Chrome. I love talking about music gear and sharing what I know with others. altogether, but still always located to the right side of the bridge. Floyd Roses don’t go out of tune as easy as the whammy tremolo. improperly by newbies. bridge. A fixed or Fender-style bridge will likely be more useful to you. Whereby, roller bridges don’t have this problem. If you are already familiar with the terminology Acoustic Guitar Sound Holes and Their Purpose, ACOUSTIC GUITAR PICKUP TYPES: THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE. having there advantages and disadvantages. The pointers. Canada, Finally, A fixed bridge generally stays in tune well and, aside from a setup every now and then, needs no intervention from the player. For instance, a Schaller Floyd Rose is better than a Licensed Floyd Rose because it is made from better and stronger materials, so it stays in tune more consistently. These systems can look similar to a hardtail bridge, but they work differently, especially when the tremolo bar is used. However, at the “micro” level, you can say that a particular form of the same kind of design is better than another. Can be too bright for most guitars. This kind of bridge is often referred to as a “hardtail” and can be found on hard-tail Strats and similar guitars and some Telecasters. floating bridge type (also known to be the tremolo bridges). Others are tempted to compare them to a Floyd Rose, but they do not provide the same tuning stability. bridge anatomy as it where the strings sit. little dissimilar string spacing and post spacing to the original ones. $12.09 $ 12. becomes more transparent that this piece of instrumental hardware did not Some reputable bridge from brands such as Hipshot, Fender, Fishman, Gotoh or Evertune, there is no chance of being out of tune that can happened to guitars. trying to achieve. Aligning A fixed bridge is the simplest type of bridge to understand. The hard tail bridge is attached to the body The bridge is position others may not be seen as much such as the Bigsby. Now is probably a good time to talk about why guitars go out of tune. Setting them up also takes more time and effort, which is why guitar techs will usually charge more to work on them. Like the hard-tail bridge, once it is set up it requires no further tinkering. Locking tremolos can be appealing, especially at first glance, but they’re not for everyone. Of course, if you get confused you can just call it a whammy bar. are used to counter-balance the pull of the strings. Log in; Create account; 0 Cart Added to Cart You have items in your cart. In this type of hard tail bridge, the strings go in through the back of the guitar. The Bigsbys are actually the first kind of tremolo system. sound board of the body directly under the bridge. Amplify One of the most well-known shortcomings of Bigsby is its tuning stability. Floyd Rose systems incorporate a locking nut in place of a standard nut. Also, with The Japanese Gotoh Floyd Rose is actually one of the good licensed ones, but I can’t say the same for the Jackson-brand Floyds. Of course, people will have their own preferences and argue that a specific type is the greatest bridge ever created. 09. Finally, don’t fear the whammy. Currency: That said, it’s important to realize there are different kinds of fixed bridges. This is sometimes referred to as a String-Through type. the string nuts under the bridge plate. This Stetsbar bridge is fitted on a Les Paul’s Tune-O-Matic bridge and tailpiece. I think they look cool, but they can be a real pain in the butt sometimes. This is an example of a Fender and you can see the hard tail are designed for fretboards with a radius of 12” or flatter. Hey! If you are still unsure of which Electric guitar bridges are divided into two subcategories which are vastly different from one another. It seems that they are more of a custom piece for those who want to upgrade or try something new with little-to-no modifications to their instrument. Saddles can take many forms, each If a string’s ball end isn’t firmly anchored to