Hardtail

A fixed bridge with no tremolo and no moving parts, so the strings are anchored directly to the body.

Removing the tremolo means fewer variables: tuning is more stable, string changes are faster, and the bridge couples to the body differently, which many players hear as more sustain and a firmer low end. It also allows the strings to be routed through the body, which increases break angle over the saddles. Many otherwise identical models are offered in both a tremolo and a hardtail version for exactly this reason.

Example: a hardtail version of a tremolo-equipped model is usually the choice for players who want tuning stability and never touch a bar.

Hardtail

See also