The vibrato bar, often called a tremolo, whammy bar, or wigglestick, is a fascinating piece of guitar hardware. Its primary function is to modify the pitch of your electric guitar by simultaneously altering the tension of all the strings. With this ingenious device, you can conjure a wide spectrum of sounds, from dramatic dive bombs and roaring motorcycle imitations to subtle shimmers and gentle flutters, adding a new dimension to your guitar playing.
Over the decades, numerous vibrato systems have emerged and evolved. This guide focuses on the most influential and commonly used models that remain relevant in today’s guitar landscape. Join us as we delve into the captivating history of the whammy bar, an innovation that fundamentally reshaped the world of guitar music.
Understanding the Terminology: Vibrato vs. Tremolo and Whammy
Let’s clarify some potentially confusing terms right away. You’ve likely heard “vibrato bar” and “tremolo bar” used interchangeably to describe this guitar component. Technically, tremolo is defined as a modulation of volume, while vibrato involves the oscillation of pitch itself. While musicians often use “tremolo” colloquially, “vibrato” is the more accurate term for the pitch-bending mechanism we are discussing here.
The term “whammy bar” is often used broadly to refer to any type of vibrato bar. However, in some circles, “whammy” specifically denotes locking vibrato systems, such as the Floyd Rose, known for their robustness and ability to withstand aggressive use while maintaining tuning stability. For our purposes, we’ll use “whammy bar” as a general, informal term encompassing all types of guitar vibrato systems.
A Journey Through Vibrato Bar History
Fender Vintera electric guitars
The story of the Guitar Vibrato Bar begins with Doc Kauffman’s “Vibrola,” introduced in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Initially featured on archtop and lap steel guitars, these early Vibrola systems were quite sensitive and prone to causing tuning instability, especially with enthusiastic use.
Legend has it that country music legend Merle Travis, frustrated with his Vibrola constantly detuning his guitar, sought a solution from his friend Paul Bigsby, a luthier and technician.
Bigsby took on the challenge and innovated the first truly reliable guitar vibrato system, aptly named the Bigsby vibrato. This groundbreaking design, still in use today, provided a practical and user-friendly vibrato mechanism, propelling the concept of whammy bars into mainstream guitar playing.
The slang term “whammy” gained popularity among musicians in the 1950s. Fender then significantly refined early vibrato bar designs, leading to the systems we recognize today. Companies like Floyd Rose and Kahler soon followed, pushing the boundaries of vibrato capabilities even further.
How Does a Guitar Vibrato Bar Actually Work?
Guitar vibrato systems operate through a metal arm connected to the guitar’s bridge or tailpiece. By manipulating this arm, a player can quickly and smoothly alter the tension of the strings. This change in tension directly translates to a change in pitch, creating the desired pitch-bending effect. Most vibrato bars are designed primarily to lower the pitch. However, “floating” designs, most notably the Floyd Rose, allow for both lowering and raising the pitch by moving the bar both towards and away from the guitar body.
Whammy bar
It’s worth noting that the quality of your guitar significantly impacts vibrato bar performance. Cheaper guitars tend to lose tuning stability more quickly when using a vibrato bar compared to higher-quality instruments. Frequent vibrato use can also shorten string life due to the constant stretching. Additionally, the springs in vibrato systems can lose tension over time, eventually requiring replacement.
Nut issues can also arise. If the guitar nut slots are not properly sized and lubricated, string movement during vibrato use can be restricted, preventing them from returning to their original pitch. A skilled guitar technician or luthier can address these issues by adjusting the existing nut or crafting a new one optimized for vibrato use.
Exploring the Different Types of Guitar Vibrato Bars
Guitar vibrato bars can be broadly categorized into two main types: detachable systems, like those found on Fender Stratocasters and Floyd Rose equipped guitars, and integrated systems that are part of the tailpiece, such as the Bigsby. More specifically, we can identify four primary types: Bigsby, Fender synchronized, Fender floating, and locking systems (Floyd Rose and Kahler).
Many players overlook the nuanced differences between these vibrato types. However, understanding these distinctions is crucial, as your playing style and desired sonic outcomes will heavily influence which type is best suited for you.
The first mechanical vibrato bridge, Doc Kauffman’s Vibrola, patented in the 1930s, was initially marketed as the “Vibrola Tremolo.” It became a near-standard feature on Epiphone archtop guitars favored by jazz and blues musicians of the era. Its positive reception quickly led other manufacturers to incorporate vibrato systems into their own guitar designs.
As mentioned, the choice of vibrato type is deeply personal and performance-driven. Whammy bars generally fall into two categories: detachable designs, exemplified by Fender and Floyd Rose systems, and those structurally integrated with the bridge, like the Bigsby.
The Timeless Appeal of the Bigsby Vibrato
Whammy bar
The Bigsby vibrato utilizes a rocker bridge as its central component. Instead of strings being inserted through the bridge, they are looped around a rotating metal bar controlled by the vibrato arm. Pressing down on the arm causes this bar to rotate, reducing string tension and lowering the pitch.
Before the Bigsby, vibrato concepts piqued player interest but hadn’t yet achieved widespread popularity. Today, Bigsby tremolos are more popular than ever. They are celebrated for their ease of use, smooth action, and relatively straightforward retrofitting process. You’ll find them gracing a wide range of guitars, from archtop jazz guitars to Les Pauls, SGs, and boutique models.
While Bigsby systems may not achieve the extreme pitch deviations of some other designs, they excel in delivering smooth, subtle, and nuanced vibrato. For many guitarists, this refined character is precisely what they seek. Their vintage aesthetic and distinctive sonic signature have cemented their enduring popularity among players across genres.
Fender’s Pioneering Vibrato Systems
Fender Stratocaster
Fender stands as a true innovator in the realm of whammy bars. The “synchronized vibrato” debuted with the Stratocaster in 1954. Its name originates from its design, which allows the bridge saddles and strings to move in unison. This synchronized movement minimizes friction at the saddles, facilitating the strings’ return to their original pitch when the vibrato arm is released.
Fender’s initial vibrato design was a “floating” system, but the company refined it into the synchronized design, offering improved tuning stability. Upon its release, the Stratocaster vibrato surpassed the Bigsby in stability and capacity for more pronounced pitch bends, instantly captivating guitarists.
Like many Fender innovations, the synchronized vibrato is a landmark achievement in guitar history, becoming a defining feature of the Stratocaster and influencing countless subsequent designs.
The Unique Character of the Fender Floating Tremolo
Fender Jazzmaster
Fender patented the “floating tremolo” concept in 1958. This innovative design enabled players to both lower and raise the pitch of strings with minimal effort.
The floating tremolo bridge is intentionally set slightly raised above the guitar body, allowing for this bi-directional pitch manipulation and often contributing to a lower string action. The Jazzmaster was the first guitar to feature this style of vibrato, and vintage Jaguars and Mustangs also utilize similar mechanisms.
However, the Fender floating tremolo wasn’t without its drawbacks. It was known for being somewhat prone to tuning instability and could be a little finicky to set up. Despite these quirks, for players seeking a softer, more organic-sounding vibrato, the Fender floating tremolo remains a highly desirable option, prized for its unique sonic character.
Floyd Rose: Taking Vibrato to the Extreme
Floyd Rose tremolo
Floyd D. Rose revolutionized vibrato design in 1979 with the invention of the first locking tremolo system. Guitar virtuoso Eddie Van Halen played a pivotal role in popularizing the Floyd Rose, and it remains the gold standard for players who demand extreme vibrato effects like dive bombs and soaring squeals. This is because the Floyd Rose offers an exceptionally wide range of pitch change capabilities.
Drawing inspiration from the Fender synchronized tremolo, the Floyd Rose incorporates a crucial difference: it locks the strings at both the nut and the bridge. This locking mechanism eliminates tuning and intonation issues even under the most aggressive vibrato use. After tuning the guitar to pitch, players use Allen wrenches to lock down the nut and bridge. Because the entire system “floats,” pitch can be raised or lowered with remarkable stability, making it ideal for radical pitch manipulations.
Floyd Rose systems often allow for lower string action compared to other vibrato types, which is highly advantageous for shredding and fast playing styles. The primary downside of a Floyd Rose is that a broken string can cause the entire system to go drastically out of tune due to its balanced floating design. Furthermore, installing a Floyd Rose typically requires specific routing of the guitar body and can be challenging to retrofit.
Setting up a Floyd Rose system can be more complex than other vibrato types, requiring specialized (though readily available) tools. Even changing string gauges can significantly impact its performance, necessitating adjustments to maintain optimal setup. Despite these complexities, the Floyd Rose remains the ultimate choice for players seeking unparalleled vibrato range and stability for extreme musical expression.
