Vintage 1979 Mechanical Accessories article: Devices for expanding the guitar's sound

...Almost parallel to the electric guitar's development was the experimentation into producing mechanically-induced vibrato on the guitar. The idea was simple enough: to be able to change the pitch of a note, or notes, without having to change left-hand fingerings. Vibrato is commonly achieved on nonfretted instruments (violin, viola, cello, etc.) simply by gently rocking the left-hand finger (that is stopping the string) back and forth, parallel to the string. Since the guitar has frets, such a method of pitch variation is impossible. Bending the guitar's strings is the most common method of achieving vibrato.

Photos shown:

- Doc Kauffman's Vib-Rola, patented 1929
- Rickenbacker vibrato tailpiece
- Early '60s Gibson vibrola, with rare ebony tail-block and decorative inlay
- Bigsby made vibrato tailpieces in various styles for several manufacturers, including Gretsh.
- Leo Fender's patent for the Stratocaster vibrato.
- Strat Vibrato (L-R): string anchor block, tension springs, spring plate, adjustment screws
- Mosrites feature a number of vibrato styles; this one entails individual roller bridges.
- Bigsby Palm Pedal
- E Bow with holster
- Early MSA Pedal Pitch
- Top view of Gizmotron
- Bottom view showing plectra (lower right)
- Lol Creme demonstrates the Gizmotron

1979 Mechanical Accessories / Vibrato Devices 8-Page Article available at www.GuitarPulp.com

1982 G&L Model F-100I Guitar with Vibrato - the finest vibrato ever!

The G&L vibrato pivots on two hardened knife-edge fulcrum points. The system responds instantly to light or heavy touch. The inertia bar is centered by an adjustable screw counterpoise, influencing the return to pitch. The weight of the inertia bar is mechanically multiplied for increased sustain. Plus, the vibrato arm socket features a set screw with a nylon cushion, permitting the player to adjust the desired tension for movement of the arm. It all adds up to..."The finest Vibrato ever."

F100I

1982 G&L Model F-100I Guitar with Vibrato - the finest vibrato ever! Ad available at www.GuitarPulp.com