Tremolo spring

One of the coiled springs inside the back cavity that counterbalances the pull of the strings on a floating tremolo.

A floating tremolo balances on string tension at one end and spring tension at the other, so the number and stiffness of the springs set how heavy the arm feels and how far the pitch can be moved. Adding springs stiffens the action and returns the bridge more firmly to pitch, while removing them softens the feel and makes it harder to keep the guitar in tune. Springs are also a source of resonance, and players sometimes damp them or change their orientation to alter the sound.

Example: The three or four coils visible in the spring cavity of a Stratocaster-style guitar are tremolo springs.

Tremolo spring

See also