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How does a Bigsby vibrato bridge affect tonality and sustain?
If you play guitar, you may have heard of the Bigsby vibrato bridge, a popular design that allows you to bend and wiggle the strings to create subtle or dramatic vibrato effects. Many iconic guitarists, from Chet Atkins to George Harrison to Eddie Cochran, have used Bigsby-equipped guitars to add expressiveness and character to their playing. But what about the tonal and sustain aspects of a Bigsby? Does it change the sound of the guitar? In this blog post, we will explore the physics and perception of Bigsbys, and see how they interact with different types of guitars and music styles. By the end, you should have a clearer understanding of the pros and cons of using a Bigsby, and be able to make an informed decision about whether to install one on your own guitar.
I. What is a Bigsby vibrato bridge?
A Bigsby vibrato bridge is a type of tremolo system that uses a spring-loaded arm to move the bridge and thus vary the tension and pitch of the strings. It was invented by Paul A. Bigsby in the 1940s and became a trademark of his company, which later sold the patent to Gretsch guitars. Since then, Bigsbys have been widely used on various electric and acoustic guitars, including Gibson Les Pauls, Fender Telecasters, and Rickenbacker 325s. A typical Bigsby consists of a metal frame that mounts on top of the guitar’s bridge, a tailpiece that anchors the strings, and an arm that pivots on a shaft and can be attached to the guitar’s pickguard or body. By moving the arm up or down or sideways, the player can create a vibrato effect that mimics the human voice or other instruments, such as the harp or pedal steel guitar. Depending on the model and year, Bigsbys may have different features and dimensions, but they all share the basic principle of tension modulation.
II. How does a Bigsby affect tonality?
Now, let’s get to the main question: how does a Bigsby affect the tonality of a guitar? To answer this, we need to understand the three main factors that contribute to a guitar’s tone: the strings, the pickups, and the resonance. The strings are responsible for the fundamental pitch and harmonic content of the sound, as well as the attack and decay of the notes. The pickups are the devices that capture the vibrating strings’ magnetic field and convert it into electrical signals, which are then amplified or processed by the guitar’s electronics or a separate amplifier. The resonance is the physical quality of the guitar that determines how the sound waves travel and resonate within the body and neck, and how they interact with the air and the listener’s ear. All these factors are interdependent and affect each other, but we will focus on how a Bigsby can modify them individually or collectively.
A. Strings
One of the most obvious ways that a Bigsby affects a guitar’s tone is by altering the tension and length of the strings. When the arm is pushed or pulled, the strings become slightly looser or tighter, depending on the direction and amplitude of the motion. This can result in a slight change in pitch, especially if the strings are not perfectly stretched or if the tuning stability is not optimal. However, this effect is usually negligible for most players, as they can compensate for it by adjusting their finger pressure or using a tuner. The more significant impact of a Bigsby on strings is the damping and muting effect that it can have on sustain and harmonics. When a Bigsby is used, the strings’ movement is restricted by the tailpiece, which can reduce their liveliness and resonance. Additionally, the presence of the arm and the frame can dampen some of the upper harmonics that are crucial for clarity and definition, especially on high-gain or distorted sounds. Therefore, the use of a Bigsby can make the guitar sound less bright, less articulate, or less aggressive, depending on the playing style and tone settings. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as some players prefer a more subdued or vintage sound that suits certain genres, such as rockabilly, jazz, or blues. However, it is something to consider when choosing a Bigsby for a guitar that you want to use in a heavy metal or modern rock context.
B. Pickups
Another aspect of a guitar’s tone that can be affected by a Bigsby is the way the pickups capture the strings’ vibrations. Since the strings’ position and length change slightly when a Bigsby is used, the magnetic field that the pickups detect also varies. This can result in a different balance of frequencies or a shift in the harmonic content, which can be either desirable or undesirable, depending on the player’s preference. For example, some players find that a Bigsby can enhance the midrange or the warmth of their sound, while others feel that it can muddy or blur the tone. Furthermore, the vibrations of the arm and the frame can create some unwanted noise or feedback, especially at high volumes or with high-gain settings. Therefore, it is important to choose pickups that are compatible with the Bigsby and that can handle the extra demands of the vibrato action. Some players even install a special device called a roller bridge or a string damper to minimize the friction and noise caused by the strings rubbing against the Bigsby frame. These can also affect the tonality of the guitar, so it’s a matter of experimentation and personal preference.
C. Resonance
Finally, the most subtle and subjective aspect of a Bigsby’s impact on tonality is the resonance of the guitar. Resonance refers to the way the guitar’s wooden components and construction affect the way the sound waves propagate and reflect within the body and neck. This can create an individual tone signature that distinguishes one guitar from another, or one type of guitar from another. A Bigsby can influence this resonance by adding or removing some of the mass or pressure that the bridge and tailpiece exert on the guitar’s top and string anchor points. This, in turn, can cause some changes in the way the strings transfer their energy to the wood and air, and how the overtones and harmonics interact with each other. Some players claim that a Bigsby can “open up” the guitar’s sound and make it more resonant or complex, while others argue that it can “choke” or “dead” the guitar by restricting the natural vibrations. The truth is probably somewhere in between, as the tonal benefits or drawbacks of a Bigsby depend on too many variables, such as the guitar’s wood type, shape, thickness, bracing, finish, etc. However, it’s safe to say that a Bigsby can add another layer of tonal color or texture to a guitar, which can be either a blessing or a curse, depending on how it’s used.
III. How does a Bigsby affect sustain?
Sustain is another important aspect of a guitar’s tone that can be influenced by a Bigsby. Sustain refers to the length of time that a note or chord continues to sound after it has been played. Sustain is affected by the same three factors that determine tone: strings, pickups, and resonance. The longer the strings keep vibrating, the longer the sustain will be. The more the pickups amplify the signal, the more the sustain will be. The more the guitar resonates with the strings, the more the sustain will be. However, a Bigsby can affect sustain in both positive and negative ways, depending on how it’s used and how it interacts with the guitar’s components.
A. Positive effects
One of the positive effects that a Bigsby can have on sustain is the ability to sustain specific notes or chords while creating a vibrato effect. This can be very useful for creating expressive lines or emphasizing certain notes in a solo. For example, if you play a note and then wiggle the arm slightly, the note will continue to sound while the pitch varies, creating a “wobbly” or “shimmering” effect that can evoke different emotions or moods. This effect can also be used to create a natural chorus or vibrato sound without using pedals or other effects. Another positive effect that a Bigsby can have on sustain is the ability to add some compression and smoothness to the sound, especially on clean or lightly distorted settings. When a Bigsby is used, the strings’ vibrations are slightly damped, which can reduce some of the harshness or transients that can cause distortion or clipping. This makes the sound more even and sustained, which can be desirable for a mellow or wistful sound.
B. Negative effects
However, a Bigsby can also have some negative effects on sustain, depending on the guitar’s setup and the player’s preferences. One of the most common complaints about Bigsbys is that they can decrease sustain by reducing the contact area between the strings and the bridge. Since a Bigsby uses a tailpiece to anchor the strings, the tension is distributed differently than in a fixed bridge, where the strings are pressed against the saddles. This can make the strings “slip” or “buzz” against the bridge, creating a shorter or less stable sustain. Additionally, the presence of the arm and the frame can cause some sympathetic vibrations or unwanted noises that can detract from the clarity and sustain of the notes. These noises can be especially noticeable on high-gain or feedback-prone settings, where every unwanted sound can be amplified and distorted. Finally, the extra weight and mass of the Bigsby can affect the guitar’s balance and resonance, which, as we saw earlier, can influence the tonal quality and sustain. Therefore, it’s important to set up the guitar properly when installing a Bigsby, and to experiment with different combinations of strings, pickups, and tone settings to find the best sustain and tone.
IV. Conclusion
In conclusion, a Bigsby vibrato bridge can have both positive and negative effects on a guitar’s tonality and sustain. On one hand, a Bigsby can add expressiveness, character, and color to the sound, allowing players to create subtle or dramatic vibrato effects on the fly. On the other hand, a Bigsby can also reduce the clarity, brightness, and sustain of the sound, depending on the guitar’s setup and the player’s taste. Therefore, it’s important to consider the pros and cons of a Bigsby before installing one, and to choose a model and style that suits your playing style and genre. Additionally, it’s important to set up the guitar properly when installing a Bigsby, and to experiment with different combinations of strings, pickups, and tone settings to find the best balance of tonality and sustain. With the right approach, a Bigsby can be a valuable addition to a guitar’s arsenal, allowing players to explore new sonic territories and express themselves more freely.
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