The terms tremolo, vibrato, and whammy bar are often used interchangeably in the guitar world, referring to the ingenious device that lets you bend notes and create a range of expressive sounds by altering string tension. Whether you’re aiming for subtle shimmers or dramatic dive bombs, the Guitar Tremolo Bar is a versatile tool. Let’s delve into the history, function, and different types of this essential piece of guitar hardware.
To start, it’s important to clarify some common terminology. While often called a “tremolo bar,” the device actually produces vibrato – a variation in pitch, not tremolo, which is technically a variation in volume. Despite this technicality, “tremolo bar” and “whammy bar” are widely accepted terms for this guitar component that has revolutionized musical expression. In some contexts, “whammy bar” might specifically refer to locking tremolo systems like the Floyd Rose, known for their extreme capabilities, but generally, it’s a broad term for any type of guitar vibrato arm.
A Journey Through Tremolo History
Fender Vintera series electric guitars showcasing classic designs.
The story of the guitar tremolo bar begins in the late 1920s and early 1930s with Doc Kauffman’s Vibrola. This early system was seen on archtop and lap steel guitars. However, these early vibrato systems were quite sensitive and prone to causing tuning instability, especially with vigorous 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.
Bigsby took on the challenge and developed the first genuinely reliable guitar vibrato system – the Bigsby tremolo. This groundbreaking design, still in use today, provided a practical and user-friendly whammy bar, propelling the concept into mainstream guitar playing. The term “whammy” gained popularity among musicians in the 1950s, and Fender further refined these early designs. Innovations from companies like Floyd Rose and Kahler soon followed, each pushing the boundaries of what a tremolo bar could achieve.
How Does a Guitar Tremolo Bar Actually Work?
The core function of a guitar tremolo bar lies in its connection to the guitar’s bridge or tailpiece. By manipulating a metal arm, players can alter the tension of all the strings simultaneously. This change in tension results in a change in pitch – the vibrato effect. Most tremolo systems are designed to lower the pitch, but floating tremolo systems, such as the Floyd Rose, can also raise the pitch when the bar is moved in the opposite direction, towards the guitar body.
Close-up of a whammy bar on an electric guitar bridge.
It’s worth noting that using a tremolo bar, especially extensively, can impact your guitar’s tuning stability and string longevity. Lower quality guitars, or those with setup issues, tend to go out of tune more quickly when using a whammy bar. The constant stretching can also shorten string life, and the springs in the tremolo system can lose tension over time, requiring replacement. A well-cut nut is crucial for tremolo use; a poorly cut nut can prevent strings from returning to their correct pitch after tremolo use. Consulting a qualified guitar tech or luthier can address these issues and optimize your guitar for tremolo use.
Exploring Different Types of Guitar Tremolo Bars
Guitar tremolo bars come in various designs, each with unique characteristics that cater to different playing styles and musical genres. Broadly, they can be categorized into detachable types, like those found on Fender and Floyd Rose guitars, and integrated types, such as the Bigsby. More specifically, we can identify four main categories: Fender synchronized and floating tremolos, Bigsby tremolos, and locking tremolos like Floyd Rose and Kahler.
Many guitarists overlook the nuances between these different types of whammy bars. However, understanding these differences is crucial for choosing the right tremolo system for your playing needs and musical preferences.
The Smooth Action of the Bigsby Tremolo
A Bigsby tremolo system installed on a hollow-body electric guitar.
The Bigsby tremolo system is built around a rocker bridge design. Unlike bridges where strings are inserted through holes, Bigsby systems feature strings wrapped around a metal bar. This bar is controlled by the tremolo arm. Pressing down on the arm rotates the bar, decreasing string tension and lowering the pitch.
Prior to the Bigsby, vibrato systems were niche novelties. Bigsby tremolos, however, achieved widespread popularity due to their ease of use, smooth feel, and relatively straightforward retrofit installation. They are commonly found on archtop jazz guitars, as well as solid-body guitars like Les Pauls and SGs, and various boutique models. While Bigsby systems may not be capable of the extreme pitch changes of some other designs, they are celebrated for their smooth, subtle, and vintage-sounding vibrato. Their classic look and unique sonic character have made them enduringly popular among guitarists seeking a touch of vintage vibe and expressive subtlety.
Fender Tremolo Systems: Synchronized and Floating Pioneers
A classic Fender Stratocaster electric guitar showcasing its synchronized tremolo bridge.
Fender holds a significant place in the history of guitar tremolo bars. The synchronized tremolo, introduced with the Stratocaster in 1954, was a landmark innovation. The term “synchronized” refers to its design, where the bridge saddles and strings move in unison. This synchronization minimizes friction, helping strings return to their original pitch when the tremolo arm is released, improving tuning stability.
Fender initially experimented with a floating tremolo design but later favored the synchronized system for its enhanced tuning stability and ability to achieve more pronounced pitch bends compared to the Bigsby. Like many Fender innovations, the synchronized tremolo has become one of the most influential designs in guitar history, setting a standard for functionality and reliability.
The Unique Character of the Fender Floating Tremolo
A Fender Jazzmaster guitar featuring a floating tremolo system.
Fender patented the floating tremolo concept in 1958. This design allows for pitch to be both lowered and raised with minimal effort. In a floating tremolo system, the bridge sits slightly raised above the guitar body. The Jazzmaster guitar was the first to feature this type of tremolo, and it’s also found on vintage Jaguars and Mustangs.
While offering a unique and smooth vibrato feel, Fender floating tremolos are known to be more susceptible to tuning instability and can be somewhat sensitive to setup adjustments. However, for players seeking a sweeter, more organic-sounding vibrato, the Fender floating tremolo provides a distinctive sonic character that remains highly desirable for certain musical styles.
Floyd Rose: The King of Dive Bombs
A Floyd Rose locking tremolo system on an electric guitar.
Floyd D. Rose revolutionized tremolo design with the introduction of the locking tremolo in 1979. Made famous by guitar virtuoso Eddie Van Halen, the Floyd Rose tremolo remains the gold standard for players seeking extreme tremolo effects like dive bombs and dramatic pitch manipulations. Its design allows for an exceptionally wide range of pitch change while maintaining tuning stability under heavy use.
Taking inspiration from the Fender synchronized tremolo, the Floyd Rose system locks the strings at both the nut and bridge. This locking mechanism eliminates tuning and intonation issues associated with extreme tremolo use. After tuning the guitar, locking nuts and bridge clamps are secured with Allen wrenches, creating a stable system. The “floating” nature of the Floyd Rose allows for both raising and lowering of pitch. Floyd Rose systems often enable a lower string action, favored by shred and fast-playing guitarists. However, a significant drawback is that a broken string can cause dramatic detuning due to the system’s balanced spring tension. Floyd Rose systems also require specific routing of the guitar body and are generally more complex to set up and adjust compared to other tremolo types. Changing string gauges can also significantly affect the tremolo system’s balance and performance.
In conclusion, the guitar tremolo bar is a multifaceted piece of equipment with a rich history and diverse range of designs. Whether you prefer the subtle vintage vibrato of a Bigsby, the reliable performance of a Fender synchronized tremolo, the unique character of a Fender floating tremolo, or the extreme capabilities of a Floyd Rose, understanding the different types and their nuances is key to unlocking new sonic possibilities and finding the perfect whammy bar to complement your playing style.
