The whammy bar, often referred to as a vibrato or tremolo bar, is a fascinating piece of hardware on electric guitars. Known by various names like wigglestick, it fundamentally alters the pitch of your electric guitar strings by adjusting their tension at the bridge or tailpiece. This simple metal arm unlocks a world of expressive sounds, from subtle vibrato to dramatic dive bombs and everything in between.
Throughout guitar history, numerous vibrato systems have emerged. This article dives into the most influential and enduring whammy bar designs that continue to shape guitar playing today. Let’s explore the history and functionality of this revolutionary guitar component, the whammy bar.
Understanding the Whammy Bar: Vibrato vs. Tremolo
Before we delve deeper, it’s important to clarify some terminology. While “whammy bar” is a common and widely understood term, you might also hear “vibrato bar” and “tremolo bar” used interchangeably. Technically, tremolo is a fluctuation in volume, whereas vibrato is a variation in pitch. Therefore, in the context of these guitar mechanisms, “vibrato bar” is the more accurate term, as they manipulate pitch.
The term “whammy” itself can sometimes specifically refer to locking vibrato systems like the Floyd Rose, known for their extreme pitch-bending capabilities and tuning stability even under heavy use. However, more broadly, “whammy bar” serves as a general umbrella term for any type of guitar vibrato arm.
A Journey Through Whammy Bar History
Fender Vintera series electric guitars in various colors
(Image credit: Future) A selection of Fender Vintera series electric guitars showcasing different whammy bar systems and guitar body styles.
The story of the Guitar Whammy Bar begins in the late 1920s and early 1930s with Doc Kauffman’s invention, the Vibrola. Initially seen 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 icon Merle Travis, frustrated with his Vibrola constantly throwing his guitar out of tune, sought a solution from his friend Paul Bigsby, a luthier and instrument technician.
Bigsby took on the challenge and revolutionized guitar vibrato design with the creation of the Bigsby vibrato system. This groundbreaking design was the first truly reliable and user-friendly guitar vibrato, and it remains in use to this day. Bigsby’s invention propelled the concept of whammy bars into mainstream guitar playing.
The term “whammy” gained widespread popularity among musicians during the 1950s. Fender then refined and popularized early whammy bar designs, paving the way for innovations from companies like Floyd Rose and Kahler.
How a Guitar Whammy Bar Works
Guitar whammy bars operate through a simple yet effective mechanical principle. A metal arm is connected to the guitar’s bridge or tailpiece. By manipulating this arm, a player can quickly and smoothly alter the tension of all the strings simultaneously. This change in tension directly translates to a change in pitch, creating the desired pitch-bending effect.
Close up of a whammy bar on an electric guitar bridge
(Image credit: Future) A detailed view of a chrome whammy bar attached to the bridge of an electric guitar, illustrating its connection point and functionality.
While most whammy bar systems primarily allow for lowering the pitch, “floating” designs, such as the Floyd Rose, offer bidirectional pitch control. By pushing the whammy bar towards the guitar body, these systems can also raise the pitch above the standard tuning.
It’s worth noting that the quality of your guitar significantly impacts tuning stability when using a whammy bar. Lower-quality guitars tend to go out of tune more easily than high-quality instruments. Frequent whammy bar use can also shorten string life due to the constant stretching and releasing of tension. Additionally, the springs in vibrato systems can lose tension over time, requiring periodic replacement.
Nut issues can also contribute to tuning problems. If the guitar nut slots are not properly shaped and lubricated, the strings may bind and not return to their correct pitch after whammy bar use. A skilled guitar technician or luthier can address these issues by adjusting or replacing the nut.
Exploring Different Types of Whammy Bars
Guitar whammy bars can be broadly categorized into two main types: detachable systems, like those found on Fender Stratocasters and guitars with Floyd Rose tremolos, and tailpiece-integrated systems, such as the Bigsby. However, a more detailed classification recognizes four primary types: Fender floating and synchronized tremolos, Bigsby vibratos, and locking tremolos (Floyd Rose and Kahler).
Many guitarists don’t fully appreciate the nuances between different whammy bar types. However, understanding these differences is crucial for choosing a system that complements your playing style and sonic preferences.
The first mechanical vibrato bridge, Doc Kauffman’s “Vibrola,” emerged in the 1930s. Initially known as the Vibrola, it became a near-standard feature on Epiphone archtop guitars popular among jazz and blues musicians of the era. The concept was well-received, and other manufacturers quickly recognized the appeal and began incorporating vibrato systems into their guitar designs.
As mentioned, many players overlook the subtle yet significant differences between each type of whammy bar. But the truth is, your playing style and the specific effects you aim to achieve will heavily influence which type of whammy bar is the best fit for you. Whammy bars fundamentally fall into two categories: detachable types, exemplified by Fender and Floyd Rose systems, and those integrated into the bridge structure, like the Bigsby.
The Bigsby Vibrato: Smooth and Subtle
A Bigsby whammy bar system on a hollow body guitar
(Image credit: Future) A Bigsby vibrato system mounted on a hollow body electric guitar, highlighting its elegant design and placement behind the bridge.
The Bigsby vibrato system centers around a rocker bridge design. Instead of strings being inserted through holes in the bridge plate, they wrap around a rotating metal bar. This bar is directly controlled by the whammy bar arm. Depressing the arm causes the bar to rotate, reducing string tension and lowering the pitch.
Before Bigsby’s innovation, guitar vibrato was an intriguing concept, but it hadn’t yet achieved widespread popularity. Today, Bigsby tremolos are more popular than ever. They are known for their ease of use, smooth operation, and relatively straightforward retrofit installation. You’ll find Bigsby systems on everything from archtop jazz guitars to Les Pauls, SGs, and boutique instruments.
While Bigsby systems may not be capable of the extreme pitch dives of some other designs, they excel at smooth, subtle, and controlled vibrato. For many players, this nuanced expressiveness is ideal. Their vintage aesthetic and distinctive sonic character have ensured their enduring popularity among guitarists across genres.
Fender Tremolo Systems: Synchronized and Floating Pioneers
A classic Fender Stratocaster with synchronized tremolo system
(Image credit: Future) A Fender Stratocaster guitar showcasing its iconic body shape and the synchronized tremolo system, a hallmark of Fender design.
Fender has undeniably been a trailblazer in the realm of guitar whammy bars. The synchronized tremolo system debuted with the Stratocaster in 1954. Its name comes from its design, which allows the bridge saddles and strings to move in unison. This synchronized movement minimizes saddle friction, helping the strings return to their original pitch when the whammy bar is released.
Fender’s initial tremolo design was a “floating” system, but the company later refined it into the synchronized design for improved tuning stability. Upon its release, the synchronized tremolo offered greater stability and a wider range of pitch bending compared to the Bigsby, immediately capturing the attention of guitarists.
Like many Fender innovations, the synchronized tremolo is a landmark achievement in guitar history, profoundly influencing electric guitar design and playing techniques.
Fender Floating Tremolo: Expanding Pitch Possibilities
A Fender Jazzmaster guitar featuring a floating tremolo system
(Image credit: Future) A Fender Jazzmaster guitar highlighting its unique offset body and the floating tremolo system, known for its distinctive feel and sonic character.
Fender further pushed the boundaries of vibrato design with the patented floating tremolo in 1958. This innovative concept allowed players to both lower and raise the pitch of the strings with minimal effort.
The floating tremolo system is characterized by a bridge plate that sits slightly raised above the guitar body. This design contributes to a lighter string tension or “lower action.” The Jazzmaster guitar was the first model to feature this style of vibrato, and vintage Jaguars and Mustangs also utilize similar mechanisms.
However, Fender’s floating tremolo wasn’t without its drawbacks. It was known for being somewhat prone to tuning instability and could be finicky to set up. Despite these quirks, many players appreciate the Fender floating tremolo for its smooth feel and uniquely sweet, natural vibrato sound, particularly well-suited for genres like surf rock and alternative.
Floyd Rose: The Locking Tremolo Revolution
A Floyd Rose locking tremolo system on an electric guitar
(Image credit: Future) A close-up of a Floyd Rose locking tremolo system on an electric guitar, showcasing its complex mechanics and locking hardware.
Floyd D. Rose introduced the first locking tremolo system in 1979. The legendary Eddie Van Halen played a significant role in popularizing the Floyd Rose, and it remains the gold standard for guitarists seeking extreme vibrato effects like dive bombs. The Floyd Rose offers an exceptionally wide range of pitch manipulation.
Taking inspiration from the Fender synchronized tremolo, the Floyd Rose system incorporates a crucial difference: it locks the strings at both the nut and the bridge. This locking mechanism virtually eliminates tuning and intonation problems, even under the most aggressive whammy bar techniques. After tuning the guitar to pitch, players use Allen wrenches to lock down the strings at the nut and bridge. The “floating” nature of the system allows for both upward and downward pitch bending, enhancing its stability for extreme maneuvers.
Floyd Rose designs typically offer a lower string action than other vibrato systems, making them ideal for shredding and fast playing styles. The primary disadvantage of a Floyd Rose is that a broken string can cause the entire system to go drastically out of tune due to the balanced spring tension. Furthermore, installing a Floyd Rose requires specific routing of the guitar body and can be challenging to retrofit.
Setting up a Floyd Rose system can be more complex compared to other whammy bar types, requiring specialized (but readily available) tools. Even changing string gauge can significantly affect its performance and necessitate adjustments.
In conclusion, the guitar whammy bar has evolved from a novelty to an essential expressive tool for guitarists across genres. From the subtle shimmers of a Bigsby to the dive-bombing capabilities of a Floyd Rose, each type of vibrato system offers a unique sonic palette. Understanding the history, mechanics, and different types of whammy bars empowers guitarists to choose the right system to unleash their creative potential.
