tremolo bridges

uethanian · #1 04-13-2008, 07:41 PM

kind of a dumb question (and this is actually about a guitar, but i figure someone here knows this), but how does a tremolo bridge work? Do all of the screws holding down the bridge have to be removed? i'm actually missing the tremolo bar and haven't tried it yet, but i couldnt see the bridge being able to go anywhere. and always thought the bridge was on some sort of bearing...this is a strat style bridge, and it looks like it it just rubs against the body.

Thunder Pulse · #2 04-13-2008, 09:51 PM

You'll find the answer by turning the guitar over and removing the cavity cover.

uethanian · #3 04-13-2008, 09:59 PM

yea i've looked at the back springs and stuff

its just that the bridge has 5 screws that go into the body...but it would appear that those screws would prevent the bridge from rocking...but if the screws weren't there, it seems like the bridge would pop out or get unaligned.

Thunder Pulse · #4 04-13-2008, 10:02 PM

Pics would help. What brand and model is this guitar?

jrfrond · #5 04-14-2008, 08:41 AM

First of all, there should be SIX screws holding it in, one under each string.

While it LOOKS like those screws might hold the tremolo onto the body solidly, the front of the plate under the screws is beveled, allowing the bridge to rock back and forth on a knife-edge that is machined into the holes of the tremolo base plate. Under the tremolo is a sustain block, which does two things:

1) adds weight to the assembly to increase sustain and overcome the interaction of string vibrations (sometimes called "warble")

2) provide an extension of the plate that the return springs can hold onto.

Any tremolo is just a counterbalanced system where spring tension balances STRING tension. How accurately it works and stays in tune depends on lots of factors, many not having to do with the tremolo mechanism itself.

uethanian · #6 04-14-2008, 07:07 PM

its a squire affinity strat

yea i guess theres 6 screws, my mistake. do the screws need to be raised a bit for wiggle room? i think i'm still missing the concept. but as long as i know that the screws are meant to be there, i guess i'm alright. i just need to get that bar...