Sunday, February 24, 2008

Guitar Bridge - Non-Tremolo System

It is generally thought that non-tremolo bridges offer better transfer of string vibration into the body. This is due to direct contact of the bridge to the guitar's body. These bridges are bolted directly to the guitar body and, assuming good quality, limit longitudinal string movement completely.

Therefore tuning stability is assured. The improved transfer of string vibration into the body has an effect on the sound, so guitars with this type of bridge have different characteristics than those with tremolos even when it is removed. There are no springs in the body or a cavity to accommodate them, which also affects resonance.

Fender have different bridge for strat and tele model. This is for strat model

and this is for tele model

Gibson Les Paul build their own type of non locking bridge known as Tune-O-Matic (TOM) designed by Tom McCarty, the former president of Gibson .
The Tune-o-matic bridge consists of 2 adjustable posts that are screwed into the guitar body and a bar between these posts. The bar has 6 saddles, one per string. When fully assembled, each string is passed through a saddle and the saddle thus "marks" the end of the vibrating string. Each saddle can be adjusted (moved back and forward) with a screw to control intonation.

To prevent saddles from falling out of the bridge when no strings are installed, most models usually hold the saddles with retainer wires.
After the saddles, each string is passed to the tailpiece. Some guitars have a stopbar to hold strings, others have "strings through the body" construction, thus holding the string by whole body. The Tune-o-matic bridge is not absolutely flat, and standard Gibson Tune-o-matic bridges have a 12" radius. Ideally, the radius should match the
radius of fretboard for the most comfortable playing experience.

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