Mastering the Guitar Whammy Bar: A Guide

Table of Contents

Introduction: What is a Whammy Bar?

A whammy bar, also known as a tremolo arm, is a device installed on some electric guitars that enables the player to temporarily change the pitch of the strings. It’s essentially a lever that attaches to the guitar bridge and allows the guitarist to push down or pull up, increasing or decreasing the tension on the strings. This alters their tuning, producing a distinctive wavering or vibrato effect.

There are several types of whammy bars used on different guitar models:

Floyd Rose locking tremolo: This is a double-locking system that clamps the strings firmly at both the nut and bridge to provide maximum tuning stability when using the whammy bar. Popularized in the 1980s by shred guitarists, it’s known for allowing radical dives, swoops, and flutters.
Bigsby vibrato tailpiece: A vintage-style whammy bar popularized in the 1950s on Gretsch and Gibson guitars. It produces a smoother, more subtle vibrato effect by pivoting from a tailpiece behind the bridge.
Fender synchronized tremolo: The classic Stratocaster whammy bar allows more limited pitch changes but has a looser feel. It pivots from six individual saddles to alter string tension.
Jazzmaster/Jaguar tremolo: Offset Fender models have a distinctive "floating" tremolo that’s very sensitive to the guitar player’s touch.

The whammy bar expands the range of sounds and techniques available to a guitarist. It adds expressiveness through vibrato, swooping pitch changes, dive bombs, and noise effects. Whammy bars also enable unique rhythmic stuttering, fluttering effects. Guitarists known for their creative whammy bar skills include Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen, and Tom Morello. Overall, it’s an essential part of the electric guitar vocabulary for many styles from rock to blues to metal.

Mechanics of a Whammy Bar System

A whammy bar system is made up of several components that allow the bridge to move and change the pitch of the strings. The main parts are:

Bridge – The moving bridge that the strings are attached to. This pivots when the whammy bar is used.
Tremolo Block – The block that anchors the bridge and transfers motion to it when the bar is used. Usually made of solid metal.
Springs – Found underneath the tremolo block. These springs counteract the string tension to allow the bridge to return to the neutral position when the bar is released. More/stiffer springs improve tuning stability.
Tremolo Arm – The whammy bar itself that the guitarist actuates to alter the pitch. Can be called a vibrato arm or tremolo arm.
Saddles – The parts on the bridge that the strings pass over, where their length/tension is altered by bridge movement.

There are two main types of whammy bar bridges:

Floating – The bridge pivots freely and has a neutral position. This allows for both raising and lowering the pitch. Requires careful setup but offers the widest range of motion.
Non-Floating – The bridge is flush against the guitar body and can only pitch downward when the bar is pulled. Easier to keep in tune but limited in range.

The tension of the strings and springs is a crucial factor for tuning stability. Heavier strings or more/stiffer springs increase tension and help maintain tuning when using the bar vigorously. But too much tension prevents the bridge from returning smoothly to the neutral position. Finding the right balance is key.

Basic Whammy Bar Techniques Every Guitarist Should Know

The whammy bar allows guitarists to add expressive pitch effects that simply can’t be achieved with standard picking and fretting techniques. Here are some of the most common whammy bar techniques that every guitarist should practice and add to their repertoire:

Vibrato and Pitch Bends

Gently moving the whammy bar up and down while sustaining a note is the most basic technique. This adds a shimmering vibrato effect, similar to modulating a note’s pitch with your fretting hand. You can tailor the speed and intensity of the vibrato to fit the song. Slow, wide bends work well for emotional solos, while fast, narrow vibrato can sound almost like a tremolo picking effect.

Dive Bombs

Pushing the whammy bar all the way down dramatically drops the pitch and produces the popular "dive bomb" effect. This technique really wows audiences and allows you to punctuate riffs and solos. The sound swept downward mimics bombs falling. For maximum dive bomb impact, use lots of distortion and allow the note to feedback as you depress the bar.

Rhythmic Effects

In addition to adding expression, creative guitarists use the whammy bar percussively to create stuttering rhythmic effects. By quickly depressing and releasing the bar in a rhythmic pulse, you can emulate a record scratching or helicopter sound. This technique works great on muted notes and power chords.

Combining with Other Effects

Layering whammy bar effects with distortion, wah-wah, and delay can produce amazing sounds. The bar adds animation and interest to your effects. For example, add vibrato to a distorted note with long delay repeats, or flare a wah-wah by manipulating the bar. Get creative and see how the whammy bar impacts your other effects!

Advanced Whammy Bar Techniques for Creative Playing

Once you’ve mastered the basics, it’s time to explore the creative possibilities of the whammy bar. Many famous guitarists have developed signature licks and techniques that showcase the expressiveness of the whammy bar. Here are some advanced moves to try:

Signature Licks

Eddie Van Halen – EVH’s trademark "dive bombs" rapidly depress the whammy bar to lower the pitch dramatically. Heard in classics like "Eruption."
David Gilmour – Gilmour creates a shimmering, ethereal sound by gently manipulating the whammy bar while sustaining notes. As heard in Pink Floyd songs like "Comfortably Numb."
Jimi Hendrix – Hendrix used the whammy for liquid, vocal-like phrasing. Check out "Little Wing" for some tasteful whammy work.
Steve Vai – Vai combines the whammy with tremolo picking and whammy flutter for fast, rhythmic pitch effects. See "For the Love of God."

Nuances and Textures

Add vibrato to bends by rocking the whammy bar after bending a note. This gives more expression.
Flutter the whammy lightly while letting a note ring to create a quivering, unstable sound.
For swells, depress the bar while sounding a note. Then slowly release the bar to increase pitch and volume.
Use the whammy rhythmically in sync with your picking hand for stuttering effects.

Improvisation Tips

Think of the whammy as an extension of your voice and experiment with "singing" through the guitar.
Weave whammy effects in and out of your soloing rather than overusing.
Let ringing notes breathe by only adding whammy textures at choice moments.
Build intensity in a solo by incorporating more extreme whammy moves at peak points.
Allow mistakes! Some of the coolest sounds come from happy accidents with the whammy bar.

With practice, you can master these advanced techniques and develop your own signature whammy bar style. Experiment and have fun seeing what new sounds you can create!

Setup and Maintenance

Proper setup and maintenance is crucial for getting the most out of your whammy bar and maintaining tuning stability. Here are some tips:

Tuning Stability Tips

Make sure the nut slots and bridge saddles are lubricated. Put a small amount of light machine oil, pencil graphite, or nut sauce in the nut slots. Put a little Vaseline or lithium grease on the bridge saddle adjustment screws. This reduces friction when using the tremolo.
Adjust the spring tension so the bridge is floating parallel to the body. More spring tension equals better tuning stability.
Use heavier gauge strings if you want to do extreme pitch shifts. Going too loose with thin strings causes them to go sharp.
Allow time after re-stringing for the strings to stretch and settle into tune before playing. Perform pitch bends up and down to help stretch them.

Adjusting String Tension and Bridge Height

To increase tension, tighten the tremolo claw springs in the back cavity. This makes dive bombs return to pitch better.
Lower the bridge closer to the body to increase tension. Use the bridge height adjustment screws.
Adjust each saddle’s height and intonation so notes fretted at the 12th fret are in tune with the 12th fret harmonic.

Lubricating and Replacing Parts

Put a drop of light oil on the tremolo arm pivot point where it enters the bridge.
If the trem is getting stiff, remove the tremolo block and lubricate the knife edge pivot points.
Replace worn tremolo arm bushings to improve the feel and reduce play.
Consider upgrading major components like the bridge, nut, and tuners for improved performance.

Professional Setups

If you can’t get the guitar stable and playing in tune, take it to a qualified repair tech for a proper setup.
Techs can diagnose issues, adjust parts properly, replace worn components, and optimize the guitar for your playing style.
A good setup can make a world of difference in tuning stability and tone when using the tremolo.

Let me know if you would like me to expand on any part of this section further.

Choosing the Right Whammy Bar for Your Guitar

When selecting a whammy bar system for your guitar, there are a few key factors to consider:

Pros and Cons of Different Types

Floyd Rose locking tremolo – This is considered the gold standard of whammy bars. It provides excellent tuning stability even with extreme use. However, it requires more setup and maintenance than other types. Not ideal for quickly changing tunings.

Bigsby vibrato – Retro-styled whammy bar popular on hollow and semi-hollow body guitars. Provides smooth, vintage vibrato effects. Limited pitch range compared to Floyd Rose. Requires less setup than locking tremolos.

Fender synchronized tremolo – Iconic Strat-style whammy bar. Great for subtle vibrato effects. Bridge doesn’t float, so limited range of motion. Easier to setup and maintain than other types.

Ibanez Edge tremolo – Offers a middle ground between Floyd Rose and vintage tremolos. Very versatile while still being reasonably easy to setup. Great option for super Strat style guitars.

Retrofitting Non-Tremolo Guitars

Adding a whammy bar system to a hardtail (fixed bridge) guitar requires permanent modifications. Bigsby vibratos are often retrofitted, but require drilling new holes. Floyd Rose tremolos can also be installed, but routing the body is needed. Consider consulting a guitar tech before retrofitting a valuable instrument.

Brand Comparisons

The Floyd Rose, Bigsby, and Fender brands are most renowned. Licensed copies from other brands like Ibanez also perform well. When comparing brands, consider materials (cast vs. stamped steel), manufacturing quality, and ease of setup. Higher end tremolos from reputable brands will provide the best functionality and tuning stability.

Pricing

Entry level whammy bars can be purchased for $50-100, while high end Floyd Rose tremolos run $200-300. Bigsby vibratos are usually $150-250. Consider investing more for a stable, long-lasting system if using the whammy bar heavily. Quality installation and setup also impacts cost if not DIY.

Installation Guide

Installing a whammy bar system on your guitar requires careful attention to detail, but can be very rewarding. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Gather Tools and Materials

You’ll need:

Whammy bar system (Floyd Rose, Bigsby, etc.)
Phillips head screwdriver
Allen wrenches
Wire cutters
Soldering iron
Masking tape
Sandpaper

Step 2: Remove Old Bridge

Carefully remove the existing bridge using a screwdriver. Mask off the finish around the bridge with tape to prevent scratches.

Step 3: Enlarge Tremolo Rout

Use a file to widen the tremolo cavity in the guitar body for the new whammy bar unit. Test fit frequently. Go slowly to avoid over-widening.

Step 4: Install New Bridge

Screw in the new bridge base plate. Adjust the height screws to match the neck angle.

Step 5: String and Intonate

Install new strings and tune to pitch. Set intonation by adjusting the saddle positions.

Step 6: Adjust Springs and Tension

Balance the spring tension against string tension for optimal "floating" tremolo. Bend notes to test.

Step 7: Lubricate Moving Parts

Apply light oil or grease to the bridge fulcrum points, saddles, and whammy bar nut.

Step 8: Test and Enjoy!

Try out various whammy techniques. Fine tune as needed. Celebrate your successful installation!

Troubleshooting

Guitar goes out of tune – Tighten spring claw, adjust string tension at tuners

Notes don’t return to pitch – Increase spring tension, check for binding

Whammy bar loose – Tighten nut, replace if stripped

Take your time and be patient when installing a whammy system. Correct setup is crucial for functionality and tuning stability. Don’t hesitate to consult a guitar tech if you encounter issues. With proper installation and maintenance, your whammy bar will provide infinite creative possibilities!

Creative Exercises

As you continue developing your whammy bar skills, it’s important to practice and apply what you’ve learned through creative exercises. Here are some fun technique building drills, jam track riff ideas, and improvisation games to try:

Technique Building Drills

The Bend Workout: Pick a single note and bend it up and down using the whammy bar in different rhythmic patterns – quarter notes, eighth notes, triplets. Focus on clean execution and accurate pitch.
The Vibrato Vapors: Hold a note steady while adding vibrato at different speeds – slow, medium, fast. Concentrate on keeping the base pitch stable as you manipulate the bar.
The Siren: Start with the bar depressed and slowly release it to raise the pitch up to a target note. Then reverse the motion to descend back down. This is great for developing smooth whammy control.
The Yo-Yo: Alternate between dive bombs and soaring high pitches as quickly as possible. Really push your technique to the limits here.

Jam Track Riff Ideas

Surf’s Up: Use the bar to emulate wave motions and crashing sounds along with the beat.
Sirens: Mimic the sound of emergency vehicle sirens with alternating whammy dives and screeches.
Jet Plane: Hold a pitch steady while using the bar to add the sound of a jet engine wavering up and down.
Space Odyssey: Create cosmic sound effects like lasers, alien noises, and spaceship whooshes. Let your imagination run wild!

Improvisation Games

Copy Cat: Have a friend play a whammy lick, then echo it back. Take turns and try to match each other’s phrasing and technique.
Tell a Story: Use only whammy effects to act out a narrative, like going on a rocket trip through space. Get descriptive with every sound.
Emotions: Pick an emotion like happy, sad, angry and express it through your whammy playing. Get creative with translating feelings into sound.
Backing Track Solo: Solo over a jam track using only whammy techniques. See how musical you can make the effects sound.

The key is to have fun and explore all the possibilities with these exercises. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and get weird – that’s how you expand your skills and musicality. So dive in and get creative with the whammy bar!

Song Examples

The whammy bar has been used in countless iconic guitar solos and riffs throughout rock history. Learning some of these famous licks is a great way to get inspired and expand your whammy bar vocabulary. Here are some essential songs to learn:

"Eruption" – Van Halen

Eddie Van Halen’s legendary guitar solo "Eruption" changed the game for whammy bar techniques. It features extreme dive bombs, rhythmic tremolo picking, and blazing two-handed tapping all combined with the bar. The ending harmonic dive bomb is one of the most iconic whammy moments ever recorded.

"Sweet Child O’ Mine" – Guns N’ Roses

Slash’s epic intro riff to "Sweet Child O’ Mine" makes great use of the whammy bar to add expressive vibrato to the main melody. The whammy flourishes help make the riff instantly recognizable. Practice matching Slash’s phrasing and control.

"Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" – Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix took the Stratocaster whammy to new heights on his legendary tracks like "Voodoo Child." The solo features wild dives, sputters, and extreme bends only possible with Hendrix’s mastery of the bar. His influence can be heard in almost every rock guitarist since.

"Crazy Train" – Ozzy Osbourne

Randy Rhoads blends rapid riffing with whammy effects on Ozzy’s "Crazy Train." The chorus riff uses the bar for subtle inflections, while the solo features screaming dive bombs at the end. It’s a masterclass in combining shredding technique with tasteful whammy effects.

"Ain’t Talkin Bout Love" – Van Halen

Eddie Van Halen makes the whammy an integral part of the main riff in "Ain’t Talkin Bout Love." The bar is used for accenting chord stabs and adding flair to the fast rock licks. The solo also features some iconic whammy squeals and dive bombs worth learning.

Mastering these landmark guitar parts will give you a solid foundation in essential whammy bar techniques while also teaching you some of rock’s most famous riffs. Always strive to use the bar musically and tastefully like the legends.

Conclusion

The whammy bar is an iconic part of the electric guitar that opens up a world of expressive, creative possibilities. In this guide, we covered everything you need to know as a beginner – from what whammy bars are, how they work mechanically, essential techniques to try, proper setup and maintenance, and how to choose the right system for your guitar.

To quickly recap, a whammy bar allows guitarists to manipulate pitch by moving the bridge back and forth. This enables effects like vibrato, dive bombs, and rhythmic tremolo. Whammy bars come in many forms, like the Floyd Rose and Bigsby, each with their own pros and cons. Learning how to use a whammy bar takes practice, but basic techniques involve gentle vibrato, extreme pitch dips and stutters. Maintaining tuning stability involves adjusting springs, lubricating parts, and setting proper string tension.

Hopefully this beginner’s guide has shed light on the creative potential of the whammy bar. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find your own signature sounds. Check out online guitar forums, YouTube tutorials, and artists like Eddie Van Halen for inspiration. With the right whammy bar on your guitar, the possibilities are endless!