The 30 best guitar bridge brands
Yamaha, GOTOH and Gibson lead our ranking of 30 guitar bridge brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.
Guitar Bridge brands, ranked
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1
Yamaha
Yamaha Corporation is an all-time famous Japanese conglomerate that offers various services and products. While it is mainly known for its musical instruments, it also had a line of motorcycles operating under Yamaha Motors. The motorcycle line was established in 1955 and later separated to become an independent company. The parent company was established in 1887 as a manufacturer of reed organs before growing into the powerhouse it is today.
Website: usa.yamaha.com |Brands like Yamaha
Popularity 10.0/10
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2
GOTOH
It is challenging to buy a musical instrument repeatedly when its parts keep getting damaged. G-Gotoh helps the customers save money and provides one of the best parts for a string instrument. It presents components for many instruments like guitar, banjo, basses, ukulele, and mandolin. The company not only sells parts but also offers multiple accessories like arms, jack covers, strap locker, and many more. G-Gotoh has been working on fulfilling every musician's needs and wants since 1960 and plans to be equally efficient in the future.
Website: g-gotoh.com |Brands like GOTOH
Popularity 4.1/10
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3
Gibson
Gibson makes tableware, flatware, cookware, glasses, tea sets, kitchen equipment and gadgets, and various tables and housewares. Gibson offers tailored solutions to the world's biggest retailers in every type of trade via its family of national chains and private label collections. Product creation and innovative design skills, sourcing built on years of experience, manufacturing management, and industry-leading quality assurance are all available via the brand. Gibson has also had a lengthy history of charity contributions.
Website: gibsonusa.com |Brands like Gibson
Popularity 2.8/10
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4
Fender
Leo Fender’s ambition was to design an instrument that was functional and easy to operate. With that in mind, he created a unique guitar. Fender guitars prioritized volume and fun tones when used. Going back to as far as 1946, Fender has revolutionized the music industry worldwide in practically every genre. Moreover, many people, from hobbyists and amateurs to acclaimed artists, have utilized Fender products, which should assure you of its quality.
Website: fender.com |Brands like Fender
Popularity 2.7/10
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5
Schaller
Schaller was established back in 1945, and they have been in the market ever since. They are a company that sells guitar components to enthusiastic musicians. Schaller is considered an inseparable part of the music industry with many high functioning parts. Precision and quality have been the company's major goals from the very beginning. They keep growing every day and adding more guitar components to their inventory. They recently celebrated the completion of 75 years as a company.
Website: schaller.info |Brands like Schaller
Popularity 2.1/10
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6
Wilkinson
Wilkinson Sword was founded in 1772. This company has been around forever, and they are here to stay. No, they do not sell actual swords to their customers. The company manufactures razors for both men and women. Wilkinson does not believe that a single razor can help you with all the circumstances. There is a need to have different razors for the other functions. They have razors and trimmers meant for precise trimming. Wilkinson keeps on developing their products.
Website: wilkinsonsword.com |Brands like Wilkinson
Popularity 1.8/10
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7
Floyd Rose
Floyd Rose is a place where you will get authentic Floyd rose tremolo systems, guitars, upgrades, and accessories. The brand has been producing high-quality Floyd rose for over 40 years now. The website provides you with the information to help you step up the original Floyd Rose. The brand believes in innovation and evolution to maintain the quality they are known for. The products will help your guitars create that perfect tone and make that flawless change in the pitch. You can always trust the strength associated with the name.
Website: floydrose.com |Brands like Floyd Rose
Popularity 1.8/10
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8
Epiphone
Since Epiphone has been manufacturing instruments for almost 140 years, each is produced to the best possible standards. Whatever kind of instrument you're searching for, from the storied Les Paul and SG models to banjos, mandolins, ukuleles, and more, you can find it here. They produce everything, including ukuleles, electric and acoustic guitars. They work hard to retain the feel of their instruments close to their original equivalents while producing reasonably priced instruments.
Website: epiphone.com |Brands like Epiphone
Popularity 1.7/10
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9
Allparts
Allparts Equipment and Accessories was created in 1988 and is located in West Michigan's core. Ordering replacement parts, acquiring accessories and equipment, or seeking technical help are all opportunities at Allparts Equipment and Accessories. Allparts Equipment and Accessories offers a...
Website: allpartsinc.com |Brands like Allparts
Popularity 1.5/10
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10
Hipshot
Hipshot is a brand for all guitarists. A guitar consists of more than 100 different components. Hipshot understood the need for these components and came up with some excellent quality materials and components for a guitar. They analyze each guitar...
Website: hipshotproducts.com |Brands like Hipshot
Popularity 1.4/10
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11
Martin
Digital publication Martin is devoted to all things Aston Martin. The publication has established itself as the go-to resource for the most fascinating, captivating, and in-depth articles regarding Aston Martins, both current and past. You can find anything here, from...
Website: magazine.astonmartin.com |Brands like Martin
Popularity 1.2/10
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12
Ibanez
Ibanez is a Japanese company known for its quality guitars that come in various types. Their products are famous in countries like China and the US and also well known in Indonesia. Electric and Acoustic are a few from their...
Website: ibanez.com |Brands like Ibanez
Popularity 1.2/10
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13
Graph Tech
Graph Tech is an expert in manufacturing parts of string instruments. The company manufactures nuts, acoustic and electric saddles, bridge pins, machine heady, picks, and even handcare products for guitars, bass, ukulele, and other such instruments. The company uses organic...
Website: graphtech.com |Brands like Graph Tech
Popularity 1.2/10
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14
Bigsby
Bigsby, taken from the name of its founder Paul A. Bigsby, is a guitar accessories company. The company works towards providing auxiliaries to a guitar to enhance its sound quality and improve its output. The Bigsby vibrato tailpiece has always...
Website: bigsby.com |Brands like Bigsby
Popularity 1.0/10
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15
TonePros
For years, players have been utilizing standard tailpiece assembly without ever wondering what would happen if we made a few tweaks and gave them a substantially improved tone generator? Tonepros' objective is to do this. Standard Tuneomatic, Nashville posts, small...
Website: tonepros.com |Brands like TonePros
Popularity 0.8/10
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16
Mighty Mite
Mighty Mite is renowned as the first components business for "hot-rodding" a guitar, notably for guitar necks and brass saddles. Their quality control approach ensures that all of their items are compatible and perform correctly every time. It has been...
Website: mightymite.com |Brands like Mighty Mite
Popularity 0.8/10
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17
Kluson
To avail of the best tuning equipment and other guitar components, Kluson has your back. With almost a century's experience, Kluson caters to your every need for your musical buddy. Brose through wide assortments of tailpieces, brackets, bushing, and other...
Website: kluson.com |Brands like Kluson
Popularity 0.6/10
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18
Gretsch
It's the story of a firm that started making drums in 1883 in Brooklyn, New York. Gretsch has grown into one of the world's most well-known producers of expert drums and percussion instruments. Artists of many genres and generations have...
Website: gretschguitars.com |Brands like Gretsch
Popularity 0.6/10
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19
Takamine
Takamine guitars are the ideal blend of traditional craftsmanship and world-class technology. Its commitment to invention and continuous development has elevated it to the ranks of the world's leading acoustic guitar manufacturers, producing genuinely excellent instruments that are the first...
Website: takamine.com |Brands like Takamine
Popularity 0.6/10
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20
Boston
Boston.com provides breaking news, updates, and more. Follow your favorite topics, get the latest weather forecast, or plan a vacation to one of our recommended places by browsing the newest news items. You may find everything you're looking for on...
Website: boston.com |Brands like Boston
Popularity 0.3/10
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21
Mustang
Independently run and maintained, Mustang Optical is a retail optical and eye care business. Complete eye examinations for contact lenses, prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses, safety eyewear, and much more are all available. With more than ten years of expertise in the...
Website: mustangoptical.com |Brands like Mustang
Popularity 0.3/10
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22
Aria
Aria was founded in 1956. Aria manufactures guitars with love and attention so that it is reflected in the music produced through the instruments. They are true music enthusiasts making guitars for music producers but above all for music lovers....
Website: ariaguitarsglobal.com |Brands like Aria
Popularity 0.3/10
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23
GHS
GHS Strings is a company that manufactures and sells guitar strings. They boast of having a spirit of something more. The company encourages people to play harder and longer. The family of artists who share the same strings is connected...
Website: ghsstrings.com |Brands like GHS
Popularity 0.3/10
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24
Switchcraft
Established in 1946, Switchcraft is based in Chicago, United States, manufacturing plugs, jacks, and switches. It is one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of products or components for the telecommunications, audio, video, military, medical, and instruments industries. It deals...
Website: switchcraft.com |Brands like Switchcraft
Popularity 0.3/10
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25
AXL
SlidesJS is a simple slideshow plugin for jQuery. Packed with a useful set of features to help novice and advanced developers alike create elegant and user-friendly slideshows.
Website: axlusa.com |Brands like AXL
Popularity 0.3/10
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26
Danelectro
Danelectro was established long ago to provide all guitars to musical learners and artists. The company also provides guitar accessories to the customers. If you are looking for a retro guitar or even a modern one, then the chances are...
Website: danelectro.com |Brands like Danelectro
Popularity 0.3/10
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27
Framus
Framus & Warwick is a distributor center of musical instruments and accessories located in the USA. Framus & Warwick have distinguished themselves among the leading brands under this category by providing professional-level musical instruments and accessories at a very reasonable...
Website: framuswarwickusa.com |Brands like Framus
Popularity 0.3/10
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28
PRS
PRS is dedicated to the guitar's rich history while also embracing emerging technology to enhance its instruments' tone, versatility, and aesthetic appeal. They make guitars and basses with a genuine feel and unrivaled sound quality by embracing these key features....
Website: prsguitarseurope.com |Brands like PRS
Popularity 0.3/10
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29
Washburn
Washburn is a well-known American musical instrument manufacturer. Its mission has been to deliver the most excellent quality instruments and service to musicians worldwide for over 135 years. All Washburn instruments are still handcrafted by professional craftsmen in their state-of-the-art...
Website: washburn.com |Brands like Washburn
Popularity 0.3/10
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30
Teisco
Teisco was created in Japan by urban musicians who wanted to revolutionize music by distorting its rigid patterns. With years of experience in changing the status quo, their range of sound-altering products has been helping the unconventional musicians find their...
Website: teisco.com |Brands like Teisco
Popularity 0.3/10
Official websites and social accounts
| Brand | Website | X / Twitter | YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha | usa.yamaha.com | /YamahaMusicUSA | yamahamusicusa | @yamahamusicusa | – |
| GOTOH | g-gotoh.com | /G-Gotoh-2017293315253709 | g_gotoh510 | – | – |
| Gibson | gibsonusa.com | /GibsonOverseas | gibsonoverseas | @Gibson_Overseas | Gibson Overseas |
| Fender | fender.com | /Fender | fender | @Fender | fendermusical |
| Schaller | schaller.info | – | – | – | – |
| Wilkinson | wilkinsonsword.com | – | – | – | – |
| Floyd Rose | floydrose.com | /OfficialFloydRose | floydroseofficial | @floydrosetrem | – |
| Epiphone | epiphone.com | /Epiphone | epiphone | @epiphone | OfficialEpiphone |
| Allparts | allpartsinc.com | /allpartsinc | – | @allpartsinc | – |
| Hipshot | hipshotproducts.com | /HipshotProducts | hipshotproducts | @HipshotProducts | HipshotProducts |
Guitar Bridge Buying Guide
Introduction
A guitar bridge is an essential component that connects the strings to the body of the guitar. It plays a major role in determining the overall tone and sustain of the instrument. Choosing the right bridge is crucial for getting the sound that you want from your guitar. There are different types of bridges available in the market, each with its own unique features and benefits. In this guide, we will take a look at the different types of guitar bridges and the factors to consider when choosing one.
Types of Guitar Bridges
There are mainly four types of guitar bridges available: fixed, tremolo, tune-o-matic, and Floyd Rose.
Fixed Bridges
A fixed bridge, also known as a hardtail bridge, is a bridge that is attached firmly to the body of the guitar. It does not have any moving parts and is the simplest type of bridge. With a fixed bridge, the strings are anchored directly to the body, which enhances the sustain and tone of the guitar. This type of bridge is ideal for players who want a stable and reliable tuning and do not need to use a tremolo.
Tremolo Bridges
A tremolo bridge, also known as a vibrato bridge, is a bridge that has a moveable arm that allows players to bend the pitch of the strings. This type of bridge is widely used in rock, metal, and blues music. Tremolo bridges are perfect for players who want to add some vibrato to their playing and create a whammy bar effect. However, they require more maintenance and can cause tuning issues if not set up properly.
Tune-O-Matic Bridges
A Tune-O-Matic bridge is a type of fixed bridge that is commonly found on Gibson and Epiphone guitars. It consists of a metal bridge and studs that are screwed into the body of the guitar, and individual saddles for each string. These saddles can be adjusted for height and intonation, which allows for precise tuning. Tune-O-Matic bridges are known for their sustain and clarity, and are perfect for players who want a resonant and powerful sound.
Floyd Rose Bridges
A Floyd Rose bridge is a type of tremolo bridge that was invented by Floyd Rose in the late 1970s. It has a locking mechanism that keeps the strings in tune even when the whammy bar is used aggressively. Floyd Rose bridges are popular among heavy metal and hard rock guitarists as they allow for extreme whammy bar techniques and dive-bombs. However, they are more complex than other types of bridges and require more maintenance.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Guitar Bridge
Choosing the right guitar bridge depends on various factors such as playing style, tonal preferences, and budget. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a guitar bridge:
Playing Style
The type of bridge you choose should match your playing style. If you are a blues or country player who wants a stable and reliable tuning, a fixed bridge would be ideal. However, if you are a rock or metal player who wants to add some vibrato to your playing, a tremolo bridge would be a better choice.
Tonal Preferences
The type of bridge you choose can affect the tone and sustain of your guitar. Fixed bridges provide better sustain and resonance, while tremolo bridges can cause a slight loss of sustain. Tune-O-Matic bridges are known for their clarity and sustain, while Floyd Rose bridges offer extreme sustain and tuning stability.
Budget
The price of a guitar bridge can vary greatly depending on the type and quality. Fixed bridges are generally the most affordable, while Floyd Rose bridges can be quite expensive. Consider your budget when choosing a bridge and try to get the best quality you can afford.
Retrofitting
Before choosing a new bridge for your guitar, consider whether it can be retrofitted without major modifications. Some guitar models are designed to work with a specific type of bridge, and changing it may require drilling new holes and rewiring the electronics. Make sure to do your research before making any modifications to your guitar.
Conclusion
Choosing the right guitar bridge is crucial for getting the sound that you want from your instrument. Consider your playing style, tonal preferences, and budget when choosing a bridge. Whether you prefer a fixed bridge for stability, a tremolo bridge for vibrato, a Tune-O-Matic bridge for clarity, or a Floyd Rose bridge for extreme whammy techniques, there is a bridge out there that will meet your needs. Make sure to do your research and choose wisely.
