In this short article, we will help you find the best tremolo system available on the market at the moment.
The tremolo system variously referred to as whammy bar-, vibrato handlebar system or simply ‘tremolo’ is a guitar component that helps adjust the strings’ pitch.
Many guitarists and bassists regard the tremolo or vibrato bar system as an impediment that adversely affects their instrument’s playability.
Nevertheless, only select electric guitar and bass models such as Fender Stratocaster and GS come with a whammy bar system. Since you’d invariably need a bridge for modifying and fine-tuning the pitch of the strings, it helps to upgrade to a high-quality tremolo system if you’re looking for a replacement.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at our list of the best tremolo systems.
Best Tremolo Systems (Comparison Table)
| Image | Model | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Floyd Rose FRX Tremolo System (Top Pick) | Check Price |
 | Super-Vee BladeRunner Tremolo System (Close Runner-Up) | Check Price |
 | Wilkinson/Gotoh VSVG Vintage Tremolo System (Best on a Budget) | Check Price |
1. Floyd Rose FRX Tremolo System (Editor’s Choice)
If you’re starting from scratch regarding perfecting tuning consistency, tonal range, and action/control, don’t look further than the Floyd Rose FRX Tremolo System. Most guitarists and bassists specializing in a gamut of musical genres prefer a Floyd Rose tremolo system for maximum control with tonality and tuning stability.
Floyd Rose steadfastly carries on with its time-honored and long-established tradition of producing top-notch bridge systems, suitable especially for guitarists specializing in heavy metal.
The brand new FRX Tremolo System from Floyd Rose is a fitting testimony to the manufacturer attaining high standards of craftsmanship in crafting versatile tremolo systems.
This surface-mounting FRX Tremolo System is seamlessly compatible – and works perfectly with Fender Stratocaster, Gibson electric acoustic guitars, Les Paul, and most Flying V-Style Guitars. In addition, Floyd Rose’s FRX works as a direct drop-in replacement for the Stoptail Bridge (or Stopbar Bridge) system and the Tune-O-Matic tremolo system.
You can carry out the replacement using your existing mounting screw mates and without resorting to any routing job whatsoever. But, first, you’ll have to install the locking stud to the back of your instrument’s current nut, replacing the truss rod cover nuts. The FRX locking rivet comes with mounting holes both on the right and left side-you need only two wooden studs for mounting the nut.
What makes this Floyd Rose tremolo bridge or whammy bar unique and exclusive is its revolutionary locking design which prevents the strings from going out of tune. So if you’re looking for a premium tremolo system for giving a noticeable boost to your bass’s sonic range for enhanced playability, then choose the FRX. Floyd Rose decided to manufacture this FRX tremolo following a heavy demand from bassists who use different Gibson guitar models.
Features
- Surface-mounting tremolo bridge for Stratocaster, SG, Les Paul, and many other Flying V-Style basses
- No routing necessary; tremolo utilizes existing bridge mounting holes
- Innovative design lessens the need for making modifications to your instrument
- Locking stud directly mounts behind your guitar’s stock nut
Pros
- Drop-in replacement for Tune-O-Matic and Stoptail Bridge Tremolo systems
- It helps maintain your guitar’s tuning
- After installation, the TRX offers you options for full floating, assisted floating, and customized locking
Cons
- If you’re not experienced, you’ll spend a lot of time setting the tremolo and adjusting intonation
- No documentation to demonstrate installation (though videos are there)
- Fairly expensive
2. Super-Vee BladeRunner Tremolo System (Сlose Runner-Up)
The Super-Vee BladeRunner Tremolo UniMount Tremolo System with nickel finishing is the most versatile non-locking vibrato bar you’ll encounter. The BladeRunner Tremolo System makes the most of Super-Vee’s signature “Blade” technology for ensuring real frictionless action and effortlessly positioning whammy bar.
This BladeRunner Tremolo from Super-Vee sustains the vintage tremolo style on the one hand and surpasses other comparable non-locking tremolo arms in performance.
Super-Vee has exclusively designed this BladeRunner for Stratocasters and Stratocaster substitutes and features a dual-post arrangement or six mounting studs. Featuring a 2.1” string spacing configuration, the Super-Vee BladeRunner works seamlessly for contemporary string spacing as well as traditional. Your BladeRunner Tremolo System kit includes the bridge, springs, screws, and the whammy bar.
You can choose from left or right-handed tremolo and a range of finishes, including Hot Rod, Black Nickel, Triple Nick, el, or Gold. Unfortunately, the vibrato bar of Fender Stratocaster is not without its shortcomings, its universal popularity notwithstanding. One of the significant issues of the Stratocaster’s tremolo arm is its somewhat unsophisticated pivot point.
And to get around this problem, Super-Vee has brought about the “Blade” technology. The mechanism entails the insertion of a small fulcrum-essentially a tiny piece of industrial-grade stainless steel. But, technically speaking, there’s no real hinge base that’ll prevent going back to pitch or undergo wear and tear.
The stretchy stainless steel inserts curve and arches when you move the whammy bar. Crafted out of a lightweight block of aluminum with painstaking care together with a limb that fastens around a nylon insert, the BladeRunner stays put where you install it. No wonder the Super-Vee Blade Runner serves as a simple and direct replacement for most Stratocaster-type vibrato or tremolo systems.
Features
- Super-Vee Tremolo with Nickel Coat
- Right-hand orientation
- 6-string vibrato
- Works as the perfect replacement for Strat tremolo arm
Pros
- Retrofit tremolo that is effortlessly reversible
- Keeps your instrument’s tuning perfectly stable
- Outstanding restoration of the pitch without any tweaking
Cons
- You may need to get used to the somewhat nuanced stiff and taut feel.
3. Wilkinson/Gotoh VSVG Vintage Tremolo System (Best on a Budget)
Opting for the Wilkinson/Gotoh VSVG Vintage Tremolo System guarantees you that your guitar will have a boosted sustain and consistency. This vibrato bar comes equipped with extensive baseplate holes to prevent screws from getting stuck and impart a precision return to the pitch. In addition, you’ll be able to take full advantage of enhanced tuning stability, thanks to the better string gradient over the flexible locking bent-steel saddles.
This VSVG Vintage Tremolo by Wilkinson manufactured by Japan-based Gotoh is the go-to vibrato for VSOP basses. As a tremolo system, VSVG comes with practical features and functionalities doing away with the loopholes of the vintage-style whammy bar. You’ll need a total of six wooden screws for mounting the VSVG tremolo onto your guitar.
The steel saddles firmly lock in once you are done with the fine-tuning and adjustments, thus ensuring maintenance of tonal stability.
Features
- A vintage-style vibrato with elongated baseplate holes
- It comes with mounting accessories
- Flexible locking bent-steel saddles
Pros
- Easily mountable
- Immaculate tuning stability
- Baseplate holes don’t leave any nick and graze marks if and when you remove them
- Affordable
Cons
- Adjusting the intonation is somewhat tricky with the included hardware
FAQs About the Best Tremolo Systems
What Does a Tremolo System Do?
A good number of guitarists, including accomplished ones, are perfectionists when playing the gamut of musical genres. However, you’d be amazed to learn that most bassists are not very aware of the different parts that make up the bass or technical terms associated with all the different elements that comprise a guitar. One of these is the vibrato or tremolo system.
The tremolo system is variously termed as a vibrato bar, whammy bar, or a vibrato system. The vibrato bar is by and large used for altering the pitch of the strings. Simply put, the tremolo appendages a musical effect comprising a consistent throbbing alteration in pitch, hence the expression or name ‘vibrato.’
This addition to the sound takes place at the tailpiece or the bridge of electro bass with the help of a vibrato bar-the regulating lever. The vibrato bar or the whammy bar allows the guitarist to temporarily and rapidly alter the strings’ tension and their length. The modifications in the pitch of the strings lead to the occurrence of a ‘portamento’ or vibrato effect.
Tremolo bars first appeared on the scene around the 1930s and since then have come a long having evolved hugely. Making the most of a tremolo could go a long way in accentuating your playing style. So how does a tremolo bridgework? What benefits do you reap for using a specific type of tremolo?
A tremolo handlebar includes the vibrato bar, the nut, the ridge, and the tailpiece. Unfortunately, many players mix up the terms ‘tremolo bar’ and ‘tremolo system’; the tremolo or vibrato bar is a component of the tremolo system.
Let us give you a detailed lowdown on the tremolo.
What Goes Into the Making of a Top-Notch Tremolo Bridge?
Sturdiness
Every tremolo system comes with numerous built-in smaller components. And it does need to be emphasized that each component is as indispensable as the next one. So if one part becomes damaged or dysfunctional, then the overall mechanism suffers. Therefore, well-known and established producers always manufacture vibrato bars from premium materials to make them performance-driven.
At the same time, they ensure to layer the tremolo systems with a rust-resistant coat to guarantee their long-term operability. Just take a good look at Floyd Rose, Wilkinson, or Super-Vee tremolo bridges, and you’ll have a fair idea of durable vibratos.
Gamut of Range
The “range” of your tremolo system indicates the lowest and highest pitch points you could achieve when using it. The tightness of the springs and the general layout of the handle are the two main factors determining the range.
The highest and lowest positions of pitch that you can attain with the vibrato system mounted in your guitar underscore the tremolo’s range. Your tremolo’s range is by and large determined by the design of its whammy bar and the tautness of springs.
If you want to play it safe while attempting to achieve the “divebombs” (where you’ll have to adjust the pitch considerably), then choose Floyd Rose, Seymour Duncan, or Fender.
Tuning Stability
Talking about tuning steadiness, you’d play it safe if you try to achieve the task using a rock-solid tremolo system. When you’re trying to adjust the pitch of the strings, the strings undergo a great deal of stress. A good quality tremolo system features a flexible locking mechanism that locks the strings in a firm position.
However, such a tremolo system (usually a floating one) will never hinder your instrument’s intonation and playability.
Design
The design or layout of a tremolo bar system makes a big difference in using the mechanical device. For instance, the Floyd Rose TRX Tremolo, arguably the most sought-after of all vibrato brands, is considered quite intricate owing to its several components. By comparison, the Bigsby whammy handlebar, which is easy to mount and user-friendly, is compatible with only archtop guitars.
Conclusion: Best Tremolo System Is…
Opting for a replacement and upgrade of your bass’s bridge simply for achieving a different tonal range is not desirable. When you go for a tremolo bridge upgrade, there’s always the possibility that you may not be able to play the tunes you desire. Replacing the existing vibrato of your instrument is recommended for accomplishing a superior tuning consistency and better pitch and control.
Of course, the Floyd Rose TRX is the most versatile of tremolos that you can go for if you can afford it. In our opinion, it is the best tremolo system overall.
On the other hand, the Wilkinson-Gotoh VSVG makes a good buy if you’re on a budget.