There are many different guitar bridges out there, but their construction can actually be narrowed down to just two types. There aremany different types of guitar bridges out there. Rather than screwing directly into the body of the guitar, the Telecaster bridge pickup is mounted to the bridge assembly with springs allowing the player to adjust the pickup height. Types of Floating Bridges Fender Tremolo: this is well-known as the first true floating bridge. Newer bridges have six adjustable saddles similar to the Stratocaster. While the Floyd Rose is a major improvement over the Fender model, there are some significant drawbacks. However, their constructionfits into two anatomies. To Note:they are called tremolo bridges because a tremolo is an effect where the pitchbends in and out of key as the effect the tremolo bridges give. A fixed bridge is a panel of wood attached to the body, with a non-adjustable string saddles. Additionally, if the bridge is a combination bridge, such as a “wrap-around” style or tremolo, it must also include an anchor point for the strings. Electric bridges can be replaced, and replacements can be found easily online or at your local guitar store. These are: There are a lot of differences between these styles, yet some similarities all the same. Stringed instruments and guitars, have traditionally been built with an angled headstock. The Bigsby became the first commercially successful vibrato system until the Fender Stratocaster standardised the design in the mid-fifties. Some companies have improved on the original concept by introducing compensated saddles (see image below) which more precisely sets the saddles for better intonation, but still does not allow for adjustment. This is especially convenient for someone who wants to install a tremolo unit but lacks specialized tools. In addition, small thumbscrews are located behind each saddle to lock each string in at the tailpiece, hence the term “double-locking”. The Floyd Rose tremolo system was based on the Fender model, but was a major upgrade for a number of reasons. These things need to be taken into consideration before deciding that the advantages are worth the extra work. Consult with your own doctor for information and advice on your specific questions. Similar in form to the fixed bridge, the Tune-O-Matic bridge style has its six individually adjustable saddles, but in addition to that, it has a pair of adjustable struts, one at each side of the bridge. First, the original Telecaster bridges (1952-1998) – and the Broadcaster and “Nocaster” that preceded them – had only three saddles so that the strings could only be adjusted in pairs. Ultimate Guide To Types Of Bass Guitar Short Scale Bass Guitar Tuning. When you are talking about electric guitars, there are two main categories of bridges, fixed bridge systems (also referred to as “hardtails”) and tremolo bridges (vibrato is actually the technically correct term for a rapidly shifting pitch while tremolo is a rapid shift in volume; however, since even the manufacturers of vibrato units use the term tremolo, we will stick with that term). The basic design includes a solid bridge/tailpiece combo with adjustable saddles (up and down and front to back) for each string. This helps with intonation and also... Hi, I am Yoav Binyamini and this is where I get to talk shop and geek out about building guitars and everything related. When the bridge is movable, it allows you to change the intonation of the sound! Typically, the sound produce is rounder and warmer than the regular guitars. A guitar’s scale length is the distance between the front edge of the nut’s slots to the point where the strings contact the bridge saddles. The nicest thing about the Kahler is that it is flush mounted and no special mounting is required to install it. It should be noted though that floating Floyd Rose bridges are dependent on the tension of all strings, and a single string break will knock the whole bridge out of tune. Additionally, Daedelusmusic.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links. Most of the images displayed are of unknown origin. The Tune-o-matic style bridge is mounted on a pair of studs embedded in the body of the guitar. This bar adjusts the bridge, which in turn alters the amount of tension on the strings, changing the pitch. There is a new bridge on the market that has the potential to revolutionize the fixed bridge market. In general terms, however, fixed bridges are usually preferred by jazz, blues, country and classical or traditional guitarists, while tremolo bridges are more suited to rock, particularly hard rock and heavy metal. The Floyd Rose guitar bridge is patented, so only Floyd Rose and other licensed models may use it. The presence of the whammy bar allows for some rather creative effects but its mechanism, causing frequent tension changes in the strings, subjects your guitar to frequent detuning. Unlike those guitars, the floating bridge guitars allow you to ‘bend’ the sound by virtue of the fact that the bridge itself is movable. Other manufacturers, like Graph Tech, however, have taken it even further and include adjustable saddles for fine tuning for individual strings. Unlike the Fender and Floyd Rose tremolos, the Kahler system operates on a different principle. You can think of the Floyd Rose bridge as a level above the typical synchronized tremolo bridge in terms of complexity. Rather than employ a fulcrum, the Kahler uses a cam arrangement that raises or lowers the tailpiece section of the bridge when the tremolo arm is depressed or raised. Going for the tremolo bridge means introducing the tuning instability that comes with them, but it’s one of those cons that comes with the territory. Some readers may notice the conspicuous absence of the Bigsby tremolo, but the Bigsby is strictly a tailpiece tremolo and requires an independent bridge to operate. So called wrap-around bridges have been around since almost the advent of the modern electric guitar. The fixed bridges are however more appropriate for the guitarist looking for a stable, reliable bridge type. Tune-O-Matic Bridges 3. In its simplest form, a wrap-around bridge is little more than a hunk of metal – usually nickel – with holes drilled in it for the strings to pass through. As with fixed bridges, the sheer number or tremolo systems prohibits a complete review of every type, but all of the most common models are based on just handful of different design concepts. Synchronized Tremolos 2. String saddles are adjusted with an Allen (or hex) key. This will not only inform you better ahead of your next purchase but will give you a better understanding of the sound and technique of each guitar. Fixed or hardtail bridges are an evolution of the type of bridges originally designed for acoustic guitars. Despite the clear advantages of a locking tremolo bridge, there are still reasons why you might prefer a non-locking tremolo bridge over it. The strings pass through the body and are locked... Floyd Rose Bridge: this is an adaptation of the Fender Tremolo. These two additions keep the guitar in tune longer than a guitar with a synchronized tremolo bridge. It is important to learn about these bridges and understand them so that you can understand the advantages and disadvantages of each electric guitar bridge type. Acoustic guitar bridges are more easily delineated. Far and away the most common type of fixed bridge is the Tune-o-matic style bridge. However, it can get a bit more challenging if they are not a match, and a lot more challenging if you are opting for a completely different bridge. Yet without it, there would be no way to set the scale-length, the action or the intonation. It consists essentially of a metal plate set into the guitar’s body. They are fixed in place, and in conjunction with a tailpiece, provide an anchor point on the body of the guitar for the ends of the strings. The tremolo bar opens up the opportunity to start mastering those Van Halen solos and Steve Vai riffs. These bridges were originally developed by the Gibson guitar company as a replacement for their wrap around style bridge/tailpiece (original to Les Pauls from 1952-54) to provide more precise adjustment for intonation. The action is then set by adjusting small Allen screws in the saddles themselves. For beginning or relatively unskilled guitarists, and even skilled guitarists new to electrics, the fixed bridge is a good bet. Tremolo bridges allow guitarists to raise or lower the pitch of strings as they play broadening the palette of sounds available to them. Pitting the Stratocaster tremolo bridge against the Tune-O-Matic is like comparing apples and oranges. The bridge of your guitar may seem minuscule in the scheme of things, but its importance mustn’t be understated.