…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