A floating guitar bridge is a type of bridge that allows the player to change the pitch of the strings by moving the bridge up and down, resulting in increased or decreased string tension. Unlike a fixed bridge, which is attached to the body of the guitar, a floating bridge is not anchored to the guitar and can move up and down along with the strings. This creates a vibrato effect, which can add expression and nuance to a guitarist’s sound.
There are a variety of floating guitar bridge designs, but they all function using mechanisms which balance the string tension. Think of a floating bridge like a seesaw, or a balancing scale. On one side sits the string tension, on the other side sits an opposing force, usually springs.
The springs pull the bridge towards the body of the guitar, while the strings pull it away from the body. The bridge is mounted on two pivot points, which allow it to tilt up and down. When the player pushes or pulls the whammy bar, the bridge moves accordingly, changing the tension and pitch of the strings.
Floating Bridge & Tremolo System Alternatives
The most common floating bridges use a knife-edge system that allows the bridge to pivot on two sharp edges which balance the force of the strings and the springs mounted on the back of the body.
Wilkinson and Floyd Rose use a knife-edge system that allows the bridge to pivot on two sharp edges, balancing the string tension with the springs mounted to the back of the guitar. The Nova Headless Tremolo uses this traditional spring mechanism but replaces the knife edge and posts with a bearing and cam system for a smoother, and more consistent tremolo action.
A popular design on classic instruments, especially hollow bodies, is the Bigsby tremolo, which uses a spring-loaded arm attached to a metal bar. The strings are inserted through the bar and wrapped over the top. The arm rotates the bar, changing the string tension.
Matsumoku Floating Bridge
The advantage of a floating bridge is that it allows the player to create vibrato effects and pitch bends with ease. It also enables the player to perform dive bombs, flutters, squeals, and other expressive techniques.
However, a floating bridge also has some drawbacks. It can be difficult to set up and maintain, as it requires precise adjustments and tuning stability. It can also cause tuning problems if the strings break or if the player changes string gauges or tunings. Additionally, some players may find a floating bridge too sensitive or unstable for their playing style.
Conclusion A floating guitar bridge is not for everyone, but it can be a great option for players who want to add more expression and versatility to their playing. Some of the all-time greatest heroes such as Eddie Van Halen and Stevie Ray Vaugh used floating bridges to develop their legendary sounds. For modern whammy bar inspiration, we recommend checking out Plini and Nick Johnston .
Floating Vs. Fixed Bridge What Is The Difference? Which Is Better?
Brett, the owner and founder of , is a modern guitarist on a mission to create a sustainable future and build a thriving community through the power of music. Brett founded to celebrate independent artists and foster connections among guitarists worldwide. With a vision of spreading positivity and promoting sustainability, Brett hopes to inspire others to push the boundaries of their instruments and contribute to a better world.The electric guitar bridge plays a major role in the style, stability and playing use of your instrument. Floating and fixed bridge types have their pros and cons - and we're going to explore what the best choice is for you.
The differences between a fixed bridge and a floating bridge play a major factor in your choice of electric guitar. Not only do they look strikingly distinct and change the overall aesthetic of the instrument, but they determine the access you have to particular sounds, as well as affect the tuning stability and maintenance.
There is no one guitar bridge to rule them all; this choice solely comes down to your individual preference and needs. There’s also a lot of subsections within bridge types and we’ll touch on these too, as various manufacturers have their own unique takes on bridge design.
A Guitar's Floating Bridge With Trapeze Tailpiece
Also known as hardtails, fixed bridges are screwed into the body of the guitar and keep the strings resting in place on saddles – see below for example. This simplistic bridge design is considered a standard appointment on electric guitars outside of the Fender Stratocaster.
Ball ends come as a standard on guitar strings, so naturally, the classic fixed bridge will accommodate their functionality. Keeping the ball ends in place in this system are small holes only wide enough for the string to pass through – located either at the bridge tailpiece itself or from the back side of the guitar body. From there, they loop over the saddle, across the fretboard and up to the tuners.
The very first Telecaster featured a three-saddle bridge, which set the trend for guitar design into the modern day. Fender and Gibson later adopted a six saddle bridge – one saddle for each string – allowing players to adjust intonation on a string-by-string basis. Gibson’s Les Paul Tun-O-Matic (TOM for short) meant they didn’t even need to drill holes into the body of the guitar; instead, you slide the string through a tailpiece mounted on top of the guitar body and then onto the saddles.
Cort Electric Guitar 24 Fret Floating Bridge
Fixed bridges allow for simple restringing even for the most inexperienced of players. You really can’t go wrong sliding a string through a hole and resting it on top of the saddle. They also make for easy intonation fixes as you’re able to adjust the saddle position with a screwdriver.
The bridge limits longitudinal string movement, meaning the strings maintain stability when performing bends and vibrato. This is especially useful for playing styles of music with lots of extreme pitch-changing techniques. A reliable bridge from the likes of Wilkinson, Fender, Fishman, Gotoh or Evertune, will see you in good stead.
No matter how good your fixed bridge, you’ll need tuners and a nut of the same quality to limit string slippage. In many cases, hardtail guitars will also be equipped with locking tuners to keep the strings tightly in place at the headstock. If you have a guitar with below par hardware, it won’t stay in tune very long – no matter how good your bridge.
How To Restring A Guitar With A Floating Bridge
Some hardtails are hit or miss in terms of comfort. You might find ashtray bridges, almost paired exclusively with Telecaster shape guitars, may dig into the side of your hand. Bridges that also sit quite high above the body may become uncomfortable after a playing for extended periods of time.
Lastly, you don’t get the same creative tremolo options as you do with a floating bridge – but more on that later.
Floating bridges were first introduced on archtop guitars way back in the 1920s. The grand architecture of the Bigsby became the original commercially successful vibrato system, until Fender stepped in with the Stratocaster in the mid-fifties. The block tremolo bridge (which provides a vibrato effect, rather than tremolo FYI) remains the single biggest influence in trem design to this day, as its “synchronized tremolo” allows the bridge saddles and string ends to move in one unit, eliminating extreme detuning caused by the movement. Fender updated their tremolo in the ’80s to a two-point system to reduce further friction.
String Floating Bridge W/bone
It gives players a way of achieving vibrato – minor lower waves in note pitch – without bending the strings with the tips of your fingers. It also allows for larger pitch changes as you press or raise the tremolo arm, adding another expressive tool to your arsenal.
Advanced double locking tremolos such as the Floyd Rose became popular in the late ‘70s and ‘80s, as rock and metal went through its glam phase. Guitar virtuosos like Steve Vai, Joe Satriani and Eddie Van Halen utilised these systems to their fullest extent, creating some of the most radical guitar music of the time.
The obvious bonus of a floating bridge is the ability to expand on your creative playing. With basic trem bridges, you can add unique accents and smooth vibrato.
Guitar: Locking A Floating Bridge
Bulkier double locking systems allow you to use vibrato more aggressively, performing divebombs as you push the arm all the way down, or sharp pitch flutters if you quickly hit the tremolo arm. The strings are locked in place not only at the bridge but at the locking nut too, so tuning slippage is minute.
Most floating bridges are extremely comfortable for your picking hand, as they have flatter surfaces to rest the side of your picking hand palm.
Double locking tremolos keep your guitar stable and in tune for almost as long as you use the strings. If they do slip slightly out of tune, you’ve got fine wheel tuners at the bridge to get you back on point.
Electric Guitar Bridge Lifted Too Much, Intonation Problems
Fender style floating bridges are a little more temperamental when it comes to tuning stability. You can’t perform extreme bends without the strings dipping quite drastically out of tune, especially on guitars with poorly-made hardware.
Floating bridges may also be an issue if you
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