Difference between floating and non-floating whammy bridge, my view on it

[Zaned]

Hi,

a topic that has probably been beaten to death here too, but I wanted to share my own view on it.

I've owned my newest electric guitar (an Amfisound superstrat, bolt-on neck) for close to 2 years now, and this was actually the first time I made the Hipshop tremolo non-floating. With a temporary blocking piece, I tilted the bridge against the body.

The difference was audible. The pick attack had more impact on the lows, and tone altogether had more..body. The acoustic volume increased as the body rang more, but I realise this doesn't translate to amplified tone. What does translate, is the effect that the body has on the vibrating strings.

I have read many differing views on this, some saying it has no effect on tone and some saying it does. I thought about it a little and one conclusion is that the playing style matters. Let's say you have floating bridge, a soft attack and hence like to up the gain on the amp. Then the bridge gives away very little on the pick attack and the difference is much more subtle. The high gain setting compresses the tone and the differences are hidden more that way too.

I on the other hand, do attack the strings harder, typically when playing something rocking or a harder blues moment. It's just natural for me, and I have my action probably set a bit higher than most would set, just to allow the strings to ring more. And I like it when the guitar fights back a little. I use as little distortion as possible to give me the crunch I need, while still retaining dynamics. This is when the floating bridge makes an audible difference.

The attack thing is not necessarily good vs. bad. They're different, and when playing clean, the different attack and the ever-so-slight springiness of the tone is often very appealing. But I've got to admit, for hard rocking rhythm, I like the firmness of a bridge that doesn't give in :) I'll probably set the bridge agains the body when I change the strings next time, but first I'm gonna try what a couple of additional springs do to the tone. Right now it's got 3 springs, let's see what 5 do.

My 0.02 euros and a couple of dives.

-Zaned

[Slartibartfarst42]

I've pretty much always had a guitar with a locking trem, which is odd because I very rarely use it. I've just got used to the way it feels and I do like the tuning stability. I wouldn't comment on whether it's good or bad as I've used one for so long that I think my playing style has just adapted to it.

[Transcend]

I've pretty much always had a guitar with a locking trem, which is odd because I very rarely use it. I've just got used to the way it feels and I do like the tuning stability. I wouldn't comment on whether it's good or bad as I've used one for so long that I think my playing style has just adapted to it.

Try out the gibralter bridges they have a very similar feel to a locking trem.

[Zaned]

I've pretty much always had a guitar with a locking trem, which is odd because I very rarely use it. I've just got used to the way it feels and I do like the tuning stability. I wouldn't comment on whether it's good or bad as I've used one for so long that I think my playing style has just adapted to it.

Yeah, I can play them no problem. I know some people tend to lean on them so that the bridge actually pulls the strings out of tune, because of the downward pressure. I don't have to change my attack, but the response is different, and for many applications, nice :) You can't have it all, I guess.

Why I've stayed away from making it dive-only so far, is because the Hipshot has been the most stable trem I've ever had on a guitar (I've never owned a floyd equipped guitar). Holds the tuning well, sounds good and is responsive to use. Interesting to see what an additional trem spring or two do to it.

-Zaned

[Philly Q]

I've pretty much always had a guitar with a locking trem, which is odd because I very rarely use it. I've just got used to the way it feels and I do like the tuning stability. I wouldn't comment on whether it's good or bad as I've used one for so long that I think my playing style has just adapted to it.

Try out the gibralter bridges they have a very similar feel to a locking trem.

Didn't Joe Satriani have a special bridge built for one of his hardtail JS models, which was basically a sort of non-tremolo Edge?  I guess he liked the feel and also felt the construction/string anchoring method contributed to his signature tone.

[Transcend]

Hey Philly i aren't so sure about the JS part as i don't know much about him or his history

but there definitely is an ibanez hardtail

Imaginatively called the fixed edge



I arent 100% sure if it is available on its own though but it does come on a few models mainly signature ones like the mick thomson pictured

[Philly Q]

That's the one, Tony.  I'm pretty sure it was designed for Satch, but maybe it was in the works anyway.

Personally, I can't believe anyone would want the hassle of stringing a Floyd which isn't even a tremolo!  :P

[Transcend]

That's the one, Tony.  I'm pretty sure it was designed for Satch, but maybe it was in the works anyway.

Personally, I can't believe anyone would want the hassle of stringing a Floyd which isn't even a tremolo!  :P

I did a little more research and it was designed for JS.

The fine tuners & locking nuts would be handy i guess.

But a tremelno would do the exact same job and still give you the tremolo usage

[Transcend]

just thinking that fixed edge would still give the nightmare intonation setup procedure which is the main thing that makes me steer clear of trems.

[Philly Q]

just thinking that fixed edge would still give the nightmare intonation setup procedure which is the main thing that makes me steer clear of trems.

Exactly!  If I had any sort of trem it would be a Fender type or something similar with easily-adjusted saddles.

[Dmoney]

you could go for the early floyd with no micro tuners.
I like the microtuners on anything. I use a TP-6 tail on my les paul. non locking though..

[Philly Q]

you could go for the early floyd with no micro tuners.

I actually like the look of this Schaller unit, I must admit.  I think it's deceptive though - it looks like a direct replacement for a Floyd, but it seems the saddles sit further forward on the baseplate, so it could be a nightmare to get the intonation right.

[Dmoney]

yeah. looks like you might be right.
the real early floyds like that which EVH and Brad Gillis used/use are cool but go for a lot on ebay

[James C]

I actually like the look of this Schaller unit, I must admit.  I think it's deceptive though - it looks like a direct replacement for a Floyd, but it seems the saddles sit further forward on the baseplate, so it could be a nightmare to get the intonation right.

Philly, that unit is a lot like the ones that were fitted to the Vigier Excalibur models that I had, they're pretty solid and have the unobtrusive feel (IMO) of a floyd.

Saying that i still think that a 6 screw trem (fender & PRS) feels better in use, i just wish i didn't cut my hand up on the saddle height screws.

[doomcaster]

The springs and pivots will absorb some of the initial attack when the string is struck, having the bridge resting on solid wood will negate this to some extent. When I had strat I always had 5 springs in with the claw screwed right back, it also rarely went out of tune. When a vibrato bridge is decked it will more or less give the same qualities as a hardtail.