If you’re a guitar enthusiast, you must be aware of the first fully adjustable bridge that was invented by Ted McCarty, the Tune-o-Matic (TOM) bridge. The TOM bridge is a type of fixed bridge commonly used on electric guitars consisting of two adjustable posts with saddles that the strings pass over, which revolutionised guitar designs with improved intonation, sustain, and adjustability. To date, the functionality and versatility of the Tune-o-Matic bridge make it stand as a hallmark of guitar engineering. The design of the TOM bridge has become synonymous with tone and stability, and even though it started as a Gibson design, it is now found in numerous guitar models across various brands. In this guide, we will take you through the intricacies of stringing a guitar equipped with a Tune-o-Matic bridge. Importance of Proper Stringing Stringing the guitar isn’t just some mundane ritual that guitarists do, it is an extremely crucial step that ensures that the guitar is properly tuned
The guitar saddles are one of the most important components of the guitar, that directly influences the playability and sound of the guitar. It is a small piece made of materials like bone, plastic, or synthetic compounds. You can find the saddle located on the bridge of the guitar. The saddle is placed there to support the strings and to make sure the vibrations of the strings are transferred evenly to the body of the guitar. This, in turn, impacts the tone and intonation. Guitar Saddles vs. Guitar Bridges Buying guitar parts as a beginner can be confusing since saddles and bridges are often used interchangeably. But you must remember that even though the bridge and the saddle work together to transfer string vibrations to the guitar body, they are not the same. The bridge is the larger structure on the guitar body where the saddle sits to anchor the strings to the guitar. So the bridge acts as the base for the saddle to sit. Choosing and Buying the Right Saddle So now that you