Which would you choose: Fender Strat Harttail or Tuneomatic bridge?

[Brando Clean]

By Fender style I mean like the Ibanez hardtails that are not tuneomatic: RG321 RG2EX2 The current Paul Gilbert model...


Benefits as I see them:

Tuning stability is same same unless there is something I don't know about.

The Fender type can raise individual saddles. TOM cannot.

Fender a bit more easy to intonate. Yeah they are both pretty easy to intonate, but I am used to strats. Probably they are same same to intonate.

I think I like the Fender style better, but haven't had one for awhile and seem to remember saddle screws scratching my hand.

What do you prefer and why?

[David McCarroll]

Tune-o-matics are full of small rattly bits that don't fit well, and therefore rob sustain -they also wobble on their posts - as do the Gibson Style tailpieces. The RGs and Strats also have the added benefit of running the strings through the body (I think - Strats do in any case), which at least hypothetically increases the amount of tone transfer from the strings to the body.

If you did opt for a Tune-o-matic style setup, I'd very much be looking at Tone Pros locking hardware.

[screamndemon69]

I'd say hardtail over a loose-a-matic unless you get a tone pros version. The tone pros version is pretty solid and improves over the orginal in quite a few ways.

I'd love to try a side by side test between the tone on the tunematics and fixed bridges. I'd think the tunematic would have better tone but a test would be needed to confirm that.

[rastachild]

hardtail all the way. i like the way it feels better than the tune-o-matic

[Ki swordsman]

i'd have to say a tunomatic looks better... normal hardtail nontrems look odd and malproportioned to me on a guitar.. but i really like the new gibraltar on the RGAs and some classy modern looking hardtails are alright..

[David McCarroll]

Originally Posted by screamndemon69

I'd say hardtail over a loose-a-matic unless you get a tone pros version. The tone pros version is pretty solid and improves over the orginal in quite a few ways.

I'd love to try a side by side test between the tone on the tunematics and fixed bridges. I'd think the tunematic would have better tone but a test would be needed to confirm that.

I dunno - I suspect that PRS's stoptail is probably the best (and simplest) fixed bridge there is, but they are loose on their mounting posts - as I found out to my horror as I cut the strings on my CU22 for the first time and watched the tailpiece slide down the face of the guitar across all that green flamed maple - yikes! Tone Pros Locking Studs to be added ASAP!

[Tungus]

Originally Posted by David McCarroll

I dunno - I suspect that PRS's stoptail is probably the best (and simplest) fixed bridge there is, but they are loose on their mounting posts - as I found out to my horror as I cut the strings on my CU22 for the first time and watched the tailpiece slide down the face of the guitar across all that green flamed maple - yikes! Tone Pros Locking Studs to be added ASAP!

I have to agree.
I work on mostly floyd equipped instruments, but I am seriously fond of body thru designs. Probably 'cuz I work with floaters too much. Honestly..... they sound better.

PRS makes nice stuff. No lie. Maybe we could call this professional gealousy.

[NeglectedField]

This is one of the points of guitar I feel so damn strongly about.

Hardtail feels MILES better than tune-o-matic, my palm likes hardtail more and it sits at a better position for the sort of picking I play, not to mention the way the strings seem to feel. It annoys me when Jackson, ESP and various other 'superstrat' brands opt for tune-o-matic instead of hardtail in their Fixed Bridge models. Fair enough if the top is really arched and contoured to the point that a hardtail bridge wouldn't sit perfectly flush to the body, but otherwise, c'mon, hardtails, people!

[bancika]

Hardtail for me, lower profile, feels better, looks better.

[spider murphy]

i generally prefer the tune o matic, but not the gibson version...i prefer the shaller rolling saddle version(no rattling, or string creep when bending).

[Jemwielder]

Can't beat a strat hardtail for easy of use and maintanence. Don't forget the fact that it's a string thru body which will give you wicked sustain!