Want a tremolo system for your bass?

Note up front: Technically, calling a pitch-bending bridge device a “tremolo” system is wrong; it is properly called a vibrato system. However, most players know these things as tremolo systems or “trem” for short. Yes, we know it should be called vibrato instead of tremolo, but that’s a bit difficult to do since many companies call it tremolo, the most (in)famous being Fender themselves.

There are two and only two reactions bass players will have to seeing a tremolo system.

1. “What.. is.. that piece of crap doing on an otherwise fine bass?”
2. “I’ve got to get me one of those…”

You either hate the entire idea of such a system on a bass, or your eyes light up with excitement and you absolutely must get one.

Is a tremolo system usable on a bass?

Yes – if applied correctly.

On lower notes, use a tremolo system simply won’t be heard and “mud” right out. However, on higher notes it can be heard and add in a different kind of sound you otherwise didn’t have before.

A few examples of where tremolo systems can actually work on a bass

6-string bass, standard gauge string

When playing up on the higher frets using the 1 and 2 string, you can get very nice chord vibratos with a trem system.

5 or 4-string bass, piccolo gauge string

For those not aware, piccolo strings for bass means strings tuned to +1 octave above standard bass tuning, and are decidedly thinner. A common long scale 4-string piccolo bass string set would have a gauge range of 20-52, as in .020P, .032, .042, .052.

If you would like a piccolo bass string set, email sales@bestbassgear.com and ask, and we’ll be happy to get a set for you.

Piccolo strings take very well to a tremolo system because of the +1 octave pitch, where you’ll be able to hear note bends much easier when the tremolo is in use.

“Reverse bend” on fretless

A common playing technique on a fretless bass is to use vibrato bends, which of course pitches the string up when you do that. A tremolo system when used will pitch the string down when the bar is pushed forward (if pulled back it would pitch up the string and sound like a vibrato bend with fingers).

The availability of having both types of vibrato bends at-the-ready when you can pitch up with fingers or down with the tremolo bar is nice to have.

Multi-scale bass instruments

When you get into 7-string-and-above territory, you end up with some very skinny strings, and those strings do take well to guitar-style playing with a tremolo system.

Want a tremolo system for your bass from BBG?

There is one by Hipshot that you can get right now. If you need something for a bass that uses more strings, email us direct at sales@bestbassgear.com and let us know you want one.

Or if you think the tremolo system for a bass is Worst Thing Ever, please feel free to leave a comment explaining why below.