Abstract:
A guitar bridge includes bridge plate having a slot-shaped aperture formed therein. A saddle holder attached to an upper surface of said bridge plate supports a post-shaped saddle. A sustain block having a bore formed therethrough is joined to said bridge plate in a position that aligns the bore with the slot shaped aperture. The guitar bridge is configured to support a guitar string such that a string anchor passes through the bore of the sustain block and rests against the bridge plate without the guitar string contacting any surface of the bridge plate or the saddle holder.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/333,734 filed on Jan. 16, 2006. The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for any purpose. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates to a guitar bridge, and more particularly to a guitar bridge having a sustain block and post-shaped (e.g., Tune-O-Matic) saddles. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    A guitar&#39;s unique tone and playability is the result of many factors, including the type and configuration of the guitar bridge and saddles. For example, a tremolo bridge with a sustain block has tone and playability (e.g., feel) characteristics preferred by many. Also, a Tune-O-Matic bridge has its own tone and feel. Characteristics of both types of bridges impact the overall tone and playability of the guitar in recognizable ways. 
         [0004]    A tremolo bridge typically includes a bridge plate, a sustain block, springs, and a tremolo bar. One end of the bridge plate is beveled to allow the bridge plate to pivot or rock. Bridge mounting screws attach the beveled end of the bridge plate to the front of the guitar body via bridge mounting holes on the beveled end. The bridge mounting screws are configured such that a smooth shank portion of the screw is exposed above the guitar body and below the screw head. When the bridge plate pivots, the bridge mounting holes slide on the smooth shank portions of the bridge mounting screws. 
         [0005]    The tremolo bar is received through an aperture in the bridge plate by a sustain block that is attached to the bridge plate and positioned in a cavity within the guitar body. The bridge plate is asymmetrically designed, with a greater portion of the bridge plate on the side of the tremolo bar to allow for the aperture through which the tremolo attaches to the sustain block. 
         [0006]    Guitar strings on a guitar with a tremolo bridge are installed through the sustain block and bridge plate. The guitar strings are fed through string saddles attached to the guitar bridge. Traditionally, the strings are fed through grooves or channels in the string saddles. At the other end of the guitar, the guitar strings are fed through a nut and string trees and attached to tuning keys on the head stock. The portion of the guitar string between the string saddles and the nut vibrates when plucked or strummed producing the guitar&#39;s sound. When the guitar player frets a note, the vibrating portion of the string between the fret and the string saddle produces the sound. The material and shape of the string saddles, nut, and frets each affect the tone of the guitar in recognizable ways. 
         [0007]    Springs attached to the sustain block impart a biasing force on the sustain block, and bridge plate, returning the bridge plate to a flat position relative to the guitar body when the tremolo bar is not being operated. When the tremolo bar is operated, the sustain block and bridge plate pivot and the pitch of the note being played is lowered. The tremolo bar may be operated by successive pushing and releasing to achieve a vibrato effect. 
         [0008]    While the sustain block and springs are integral to the operation of the tremolo bar, each contributes in a recognizable way to the overall tone of the guitar even when the tremolo bar is not operated. For example, the sustain block increases the resonance of a note being played, while the springs increase the reverberation of the note. Thus, the tone enhancing effects of the sustain block and tension springs are desirable characteristics of the tremolo bridge aside from the tremolo bar functionality. 
         [0009]    Yet, many players who appreciate the characteristics and advantages of a tremolo bridge also enjoy the tonal characteristics provided by a Tune-O-Matic style bridge. The Tune-O-Matic style bridge has notched posts for saddles and the strings are generally anchored by passage to a stop bar tailpiece or string through of the guitar body. The stop bar tail piece is preferred by many for tone because the strings terminate at the ball ends of the string without contacting other materials. In either case, this passage has a more gentle angle than is exhibited with a tremolo bridge, which pulls the strings down at a sharper angle across an edge of the bridge. 
         [0010]    What is needed is a bridge that combines characteristics and advantages of a tremolo bridge with those of a Tune-O-Matic bridge. The guitar bridge disclosed herein fulfills this need. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0011]    A guitar bridge includes bridge plate having a slot-shaped aperture formed therein. A saddle holder attached to an upper surface of said bridge plate supports a post-shaped saddle. A sustain block having a bore formed therethrough is joined to said bridge plate in a position that aligns the bore with the slot shaped aperture. The guitar bridge is configured to support a guitar string such that a string anchor passes through the bore of the sustain block and rests against the bridge plate without the guitar string contacting any surface of the bridge plate or the saddle holder. 
         [0012]    Further areas of applicability of the disclosed guitar bridge will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the novel guitar bridge, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The present teachings will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a sustain block and tremolo springs; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of a guitar bridge, with springs, positioned offset from a guitar body; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a guitar bridge, without springs, positioned flush against a guitar body; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a view of a guitar with a guitar bridge, a fret board, and a nut; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a guitar bridge with positioning screws and with springs; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a guitar bridge with positioning screws and without springs; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7A  is a fret wire; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7B  is a fret wire with a groove for receiving a guitar string; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a nut and headstock; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a nut; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating an embodiment of a guitar bridge having a sustain block and a post-shaped saddle, such as a Tune-O-Matic style saddle; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11 , including  FIGS. 11A-11C , are scale diagrammatic views illustrating components of the guitar bridge of  FIG. 10 , including a string saddle holder ( FIG. 11A ), a sustain block ( FIG. 11B ), and a bridge plate ( FIG. 11C ); 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the guitar bridge of  FIG. 10 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosed guitar bridge, its application, or uses. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-6  a guitar bridge  10  is shown. The guitar bridge  10  includes a bridge plate  12 , and a sustain block  14 . 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the bridge plate  12  is attached to the front of a guitar body  22  with at least one plate-to-body mounting screw  24 . Two plate-to-body mounting screws  24  may secure the bridge plate  12  to the front of the guitar body  22 . Additional plate-to-body mounting screws  24  may be used. For example, four plate-to-body mounting screws  24  may be used with one plate-to-body mounting screw at each corner of the bridge plate  12 . The position of the bridge plate  12  is fixed relative to the guitar body  22 . At least one string saddle  26  with a saddle body  27  is positioned on the bridge plate  12 , and includes a slot or channel for receiving a guitar string  28 . The string saddle  26  is attached to the bridge plate  12  with a string saddle mounting screw  30 . The angle of the string saddle  26  relative to the bridge plate  12  is adjusted via string saddle adjusting screws  32 . In a six string guitar embodiment, such as a Stratocaster style guitar, six string saddles  26  are positioned on the bridge plate  12 . It is understood that any suitable string saddle  26  may be installed on the bridge plate  12 . 
         [0030]    A sustain block  14  is positioned beneath the bridge plate  12  within a cavity  34  of the guitar body  22 . The sustain block  14  is attached to the bridge plate  12  via at least one plate-to-block mounting screw  36  such that the top of the sustain block  14  is flush against the underside of the bridge plate  12 . In this way, a stable coupling exists between the bridge plate  12  and sustain block  14 . Three plate-to-block mounting screws  36  may be used to secure the bridge plate  12  to the sustain block  14 . Guitar strings  28  are installed through string apertures in the sustain block  14  and the bridge plate  12 . The guitar strings  28  are received by the string saddles  26 . The ends of the guitar strings  28  are terminated with a string terminator, such as a ball, a bullet, a ring, or other suitable means for terminating the guitar string such that it may be pulled taut against the sustain block  14 . The string apertures include a recessed portion to allow the string terminator to be positioned within the sustain block  14  such that no portion of the terminator extends beyond the end of the sustain block  14 . In an alternate embodiment, the string apertures may not include the recessed portion. 
         [0031]    In this way, a bridge plate  12  is stably attached to the guitar body  22  in a fixed position. The bridge plate  12  is configured with a sustain block  14  that is stably attached to the bridge plate  12 . The bridge  10  provides the tuning stability typically associated with a fixed-tail bridge as well as the tone enhancing characteristics typically associated with a sustain block  14  of a tremolo bridge. Because a tremolo bar is not included, the bridge plate  12  may be symmetrically designed. Further, the sustain block  14  need not be “blocked” in order to prevent pivoting of the sustain block  14 . 
         [0032]    Because the bridge plate  12  does not pivot, springs  16  are not required for the bridge  10  to function. However, at least one spring  16  may be installed nonetheless to increase the reverberation. For example, three springs  16  may be installed. Springs  16  are attached to the sustain block  14  and to a spring mounting bracket  44  within the cavity  34 . In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the guitar bridge  10  is illustrated with springs  16  installed. In  FIG. 3 , the guitar bridge  10  is illustrated without springs  16  installed. The springs  16  are removable and may be easily reinstalled to suit changing tone preferences. Additionally, the number and size of the springs  16  may be varied to suit changing tone preferences as well. 
         [0033]    The sustain block  14  is wide enough to receive all of the strings  28  of the guitar. A traditional Stratocaster style guitar utilizes six strings  28 . However, guitars with more or with less strings  28  are not uncommon. In addition, a traditional bass guitar utilizes four strings  28 . In an alternate embodiment, the guitar bridge  10  may be adapted to accommodate guitars, or bass guitars, with any number of strings  28 . 
         [0034]    Because the sustain block  14  does not receive a tremolo bar, the sustain block  14  need not be as wide as the sustain block  14  utilized by a tremolo bridge. However, the size, including the height, width, and thickness, of the sustain block  14  may vary the tone of the guitar. Resonance increases as the mass of the sustain block  14  increases. Sustain blocks  14  of varying size and mass could be alternately installed on a guitar to suit changing tone preferences. 
         [0035]    In  FIG. 1 , the sustain block  14  is positioned within the cavity such that the sustain block  14  is flush against a sidewall  42  of the cavity  34 . The sustain block  14 , however, need not be flush against the sidewall  42  of the cavity  34  to function properly. Thus, the guitar bridge  10  is compatible with any suitable guitar body cavity  34  large enough to receive the sustain block  14 . 
         [0036]    The position of the bridge plate  12  relative to the guitar body  22  affects the overall guitar tone. The bridge plate  12  may be offset from the guitar body  22  or flush against the guitar body  22 . In  FIG. 2 , the bridge plate  12  is offset from the guitar body  22 . Offset washers  18  are installed between the bridge plate  12  and the guitar body  22  such that the plate-to-body mounting screws  24  are received by the offset washers  18 . The amount of bridge position offset may be adjusted by varying the thickness of the offset washers  18 . A guitar with a bridge  10  that is offset relative to the guitar body  22  will have a unique tone that may be preferable to other guitars with other bridge configurations. A bridge plate  12  that is offset from the guitar body  22  may produce a tone similar to that produced by a tremolo bridge with a pivoting beveled end bridge plate than a bridge plate attached flush with the guitar body. In addition, the offset position of the bridge plate  12  may be preferable to those who desire to distinguish the tone of their Stratocaster style guitar from the tone of a Telecaster style guitar. Telecaster style guitars are traditionally equipped with a fixed bridge plate  12  that is attached flush against the guitar body  22 . 
         [0037]    In  FIG. 3 , the bridge plate  12  is attached flush against the guitar body  22  without an offset. A guitar with a bridge  10  that is flush against the guitar body  22  will also have a unique tone that may be preferable to other guitars with other bridge configurations. For example, some may desire to make the tone of their Stratocaster style guitar sound more like a traditional Telecaster style guitar by attaching the bridge plate  12  flush against the guitar body  22 . 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , securing screws  20  are attached to the sidewall  42  of the cavity  34 , further securing the position of the sustain block  14  within the cavity  34 . Because the sustain block  14  is attached flush against the bridge plate  12 , securing screws  20  are not essential for the bridge  10  to function. However, the securing screws  20  provide additional position stability for the sustain block  14 , and also provide a coupling between the sustain block  14  and the guitar body  22  which affects the overall guitar tone in a unique way. The securing screws  20  may not be included. In  FIG. 3 , the guitar bridge  10  is illustrated without securing screws  20 . 
         [0039]    In  FIG. 2 , in an embodiment with a bridge plate  12  that is offset from the guitar body  22 , and that utilizes springs  16 , the securing screws  20  may secure the sustain block  14  in the desired position. As described above, the bridge  10  may be configured with a number of springs  16 , of varying size. The tension of the springs  16  may pull on the sustain block  14  and bridge plate  12 , pulling the bridge plate  12  towards the guitar body  22 . In such a configuration, securing screws  20  may be used to stabilize the position of the sustain block  14 . In this way, additional springs  16  may be added without affecting the position of the sustain block  14  and bridge plate  12 . 
         [0040]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a guitar bridge  10  is shown with positioning screws  50  attached to the sustain block  14 . The positioning screws  50  are attached to opposite sides of the sustain block  14 . The heads of the positioning screws  50  contact the sidewalls  42  of the cavity  34 . The bridge plate  12  includes a beveled edge  52 . The position of the sustain block  14  within the cavity and the angle of the bridge plate  12  with the guitar body is fixed by the positioning screws  50 . For example, in  FIG. 5 , the positioning screws are adjusted such that the bridge plate  12  is parallel with the guitar body  22  and the sustain block  14  is parallel with the sidewalls  42  of the cavity  34 . In  FIG. 6 , the positioning screws  50  are adjusted such that the bridge plate  12  is angled away from the guitar body  22 . By adjusting the positioning screws  50 , both the position of the sustain block  14  within the cavity  34  and the angle of the bridge plate  12  with the guitar body  22  are controlled. The position of the sustain block  14  within the cavity  34  and the angle of the bridge plate  12  with the guitar body may be adjusted to suit the preferences of the guitar player. The sustain block  14  may be configured with springs, as shown in  FIG. 5 , or without springs, as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0041]    Two positioning screws  50 , one on each side of the sustain block, are shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . However, one positioning screw  50  may be used. For example, to position the bridge plate  12  flat against the guitar body  22 , one positioning screw  50  on the side of the sustain block  14  opposite the beveled endedge  52  of the bridge plate  12  may be used. Further, more than two positioning screws  50  may be used for additional coupling between the sustain block  14  and the guitar body  22 . 
         [0042]    The sustain block  14  includes bores for receiving the positioning screws  50 . The head of the positioning screws  50  may include an adjustment portion  53 , such as a hex nut portion, beneath the screw head to allow for wrench adjustments of the positioning screws  50 . The bores may include counter-sinks for receiving the adjustment portion  53  of the positioning screw  50 . In this way, the head of the positioning screw  50  may be flush against the sustain block  14  when the positioning screw  50  is screwed all the way in to the sustain block  14 . 
         [0043]    In  FIGS. 5 and 6  the string saddles  26  are configured with fret wire  56 . As shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the fret wire  56  includes a crown  58  and a tang  60 . The sidewalls of the tang include barbs  62 . The crown  58  may include a groove  59  for receiving a guitar string  28 , as shown in  FIG. 7B . The crown  58  may not include a groove, as shown in  FIG. 7A . 
         [0044]    Referring again to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the fret wire  56  is positioned within a fret wire receiving channel in the saddle body  27 . The barbs  62  engage the sidewalls of the fret wire receiving channel to secure the tang  60 , and consequently the fret wire  56 . Additionally, a set screw  64  may be used to further secure the fret wire  56 . The set screw  64  is received by a bore in the end of the saddle body  27  opposite the string saddle mounting screw  30 . The set screw  64  engages the tang to secure the fret wire  56  in the fret wire receiving channel in the saddle body  27 . 
         [0045]    The guitar string  28  is strung through the sustain block  14 , through the bridge plate  12 , through the string saddle  26 , and over the fret wire  56 . In this way the guitar string  28  leaves the string saddle  26  over the fret wire  56  which provides a pronounced terminating point for the vibrating section of the guitar string  28 . In the traditional string saddle  26  the guitar string  28  leaves the string saddle  26  through a channel in the string saddle  26 . The channel however does not provide a pronounced terminating point for the vibrating section of the guitar string  28 . In  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the fret wire  56  in the string saddle  26  bends the guitar string  28  as it exits the string saddle  26  at a definite angle. In the traditional string saddle  26 , the guitar string  28  is not bent at a definite angle as it exits the string saddle  26 . 
         [0046]    With additional reference to  FIG. 4 , the neck  70  of the guitar includes a fret board  72 . The frets  74  on the fret board  72  are constructed by placing fret wire  56  in fret wire receiving channels on the fret board  72  that are perpendicular to the guitar strings  28 . The fret wire  56  is placed in the fret wire receiving channel such that the underside of the crown  58  is flush with the fret board  72 . The barbs  62  of the fret wire  56  engage the sidewalls of the fret wire receiving channels in the fret board  72 . 
         [0047]    The fret wire  56  in the string saddles  26  may be the same material as the fret wire  56  in the fret board  70  of the guitar. In constructing a guitar, stock fret wire  56  is cut to the desired lengths and installed on the fret board  72 . The same stock fret wire  56  used in the fret board  72  can also be cut to match the width of the saddle body  27  and installed on each string saddle  26 . 
         [0048]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4 ,  8 , and  9 , a nut  80  is installed on the headstock  82  of the guitar. The guitar strings  28  are received by channels  84  in the nut. The nut  80  terminates the vibrating portion of the guitar string  28 . Thus, while the ends of the guitar string  28  are located at the sustain block  14  and the tuning keys  86 , the vibrating portion of the guitar string  28  is located between the nut  80  and the string saddle  26 . The guitar player may press the guitar string  28  behind one of the frets  74  in the fret board  72  to play a desired note. In such case, the vibrating portion of the guitar string  28  is between the string saddle  26  and the chosen fret  74  in the fret board  72 . 
         [0049]    The material of the nut may be chosen to match the material of the fret wire  56  used in both the fret board  72  and the string saddles  26 . In this way, the vibrating portion of the guitar string will contact the same type of material at the nut, at the frets  74  in the fret board  72  and at the fret wire  56  in the string saddles  26 . This uniformity of material produces a distinct and desirable tone. The guitar produces crisp and sharp notes regardless of whether the guitar strings are fretted or played open. 
         [0050]    Because tone preference is a subjective matter, certain configurations of the guitar bridge may be preferable depending on the musical setting and desired target tone. 
         [0051]    Turning now to  FIG. 10 , another embodiment of a guitar bridge  96  has components present in other embodiments described above. Such components include springs  16 , plate to body mounting screws  24 , guitar string  28 , cavity  34 , sidewall  42 , spring mounting bracket  44 , positioning screws  50 , beveled edge  52 , and adjustment portion  53 . In addition to these components, guitar bridge  96  has additional or alternative components. 
         [0052]    Additional or alternative components of guitar bridge  96  are selected and positioned to obtain a tone characteristic of a Tune-O-Matic style bridge while retaining functional characteristics of a tremolo style bridge, such as a fixed or floating tremolo style bridge. For example, guitar bridge  96  has a saddle holder  98  that has a saddle holding slot sized and shaped to hold a post-shaped saddle  100 , such as a Tune-O-Matic style saddle. The saddle  100  is preferable composed of brass or nickel and has a notch by which guitar string  28  is held in position when disposed to cross the saddle  100  while under tension. Guitar string  28  under tension presses the saddle  100  against a bottom wall of the saddle holding slot while in place, and thus holds the saddle  100  in the saddle holding slot. The saddle holder  98  also has a threaded aperture formed through a wall of the saddle holding slot. A set screw  102  is threaded through the threaded aperture and positioned to press against the saddle  100 . The set screw  102  applies pressure to the saddle  100  and presses the saddle  100  against an opposite wall of the saddle holding slot. Accordingly, friction holds the saddle  100  in place within the saddle holding slot even when string  28  is removed. 
         [0053]    Saddle holder  98  is attached to a bridge plate  94  by saddle holder mounting screw  90 . Saddle holder adjusting screw  88  directly contacts the bridge plate  94  and is threaded through the saddle holder  98 . Adjusting screw  88  is adjustable to control a distance of the saddle holder  98  from the bridge plate  94  when the string  28  is disposed across the saddle  100  while under tension. 
         [0054]    Bridge plate  94  is attached to a sustain block  92  by joining member  108 . Each of bridge plate  94  and sustain block  92  have joining member apertures through which the joining member  108  is threaded and holds the sustain block in direct contact with the bridge plate  94 . Sustain block  92  has a chamber formed completely through from an end of the sustain block  92  that is directly in contact with the bridge plate  94  to another end of the sustain block that faces away from the bridge plate  94 . This chamber is sized to allow passage therethrough of string  28  and string anchor  106 . In other words, string anchor  106 , such as a conventional ball end, is held directly in contact with the bridge plate  94  when string  28  is under tension. 
         [0055]    Turning now to  FIG. 11A , saddle holder  98  is generally shaped like a saddle of tremolo style bridge. However, saddle holder  98  has a saddle holding slot  110  having a size and shape predetermined to hold a post-shaped saddle. Preferably, saddle holding slot  110  is sized and shaped to hold a Tune-O-Matic style bridge saddle. Saddle holder  98  also has a set screw aperture  112  formed in a side wall of the saddle holding slot  110 . The set screw aperture is sized and positioned to hold a threaded set screw against a base of the post shaped saddle. 
         [0056]    Turning now to  FIG. 11B , a sustain block  92  has at least one chamber  94  formed completely through the sustain block  92 . This chamber  94  preferably has a diameter greater than or equal to 0.156 inches to allow passage of a typical string anchor, such as a conventional ball end, so that the string anchor directly contacts the bridge plate. At least one joining member aperture  114  in the sustain block attaches the sustain block  92  to a bridge plate. 
         [0057]    Turning now to  FIG. 11C , a bridge plate  94  has at least one joining member aperture  114  positioned to hold the sustain block in contact with the bridge plate. The bridge plate  94  has at least one slot-shaped aperture  116  that allows passage of a string through the bridge plate  94  to a saddle. Unlike holes in conventional bridge plates, aperture  116  has a position and length predetermined to pass a guitar string from a string anchor in contact with the bridge plate directly to a saddle. The string is passed though the bridge plate  94  and the saddle holder to the saddle. The string is suspended under tension between the string anchor and the saddle without the string contacting the bridge plate  94  or the saddle holder. Predetermined sizes, shapes, and positions of joining member aperture  114 , aperture  116 , and the sustain block chamber are predetermined to ensure that the string anchor is aligned with the aperture  116 . For example, a length of the aperture  116  that is greater than its width is sufficient to permit passage of the string from the string anchor to the saddle without the string being pulled down to the string anchor against an edge of the aperture  116 . In order to accommodate numerous saddle heights, a length of the aperture  116  is at least is at least 0.33 inches. More preferably, the length is 0.354 inches±0.0052 inches. The aperture  116  is oriented in a lengthwise direction matching a direction of passage of the guitar string from the string anchor to the saddle. 
         [0058]    To ensure that the string anchor, such as a conventional ball end, does not pass through the aperture  116 , the aperture  116  has a width less than 0.156 inches, which is a diameter of a standard string ball end at its widest point. The standard ball end that contacts the bridge plate also has another width in another direction that is smaller than the width of the ball end at its widest point. When the ball end is rotated in the slot, it can obtain a position that allows it to slip through the slotted aperture. Therefore, the slotted aperture is preferably narrower in width than the narrowest width of the string anchor. Also, to ensure that the string can pass though the aperture  116 , the aperture  116  has a width greater than 0.008 inch, which is a width of a thinnest conventional electric guitar string. More preferably, the aperture  116  has a width of 0.0625 inches±0.0052 inches in order to permit passage of strings having widths up to 0.060 inches, while successfully preventing passage of a vast majority of string anchors. In contrast, previous bridge plates have had holes for string passage that are 0.125 inches in diameter, and have relied on the sustain block without a through hole passage to prevent passage of the string anchor. 
         [0059]    Turning finally to  FIG. 12  and referring generally thereto, a guitar having the bridge described above exhibits a post-shaped saddle  100 , such as a Tune-O-Matic saddle. The saddle  100  is positioned in a saddle holding slot of a saddle holder  98 . The saddle is held in the saddle holding slot in part by a set screw  102 . 
         [0060]    The saddle  100  has a height and the saddle holding slot has a depth that are predetermined to ensure that a guitar string passing over the saddle  100  is held at one or more predetermined angles by which the string extends from the saddle to a position of a string anchor. The string anchor is directly in contact with the bridge plate and aligned with slot-shaped apertures formed in the saddle holder  98  and bridge plate  94 . The predetermined angle passes the guitar string though the slot-shaped apertures to the string anchor without contacting the saddle holder  98  or the bridge plate  94 . In other words, the string extends directly from the string anchor to the saddle  100  without contacting any other surface. This objective is obtained by coordinated formation and placement of various bridge components. 
         [0061]    The objective of passing the string from the saddle  100  to the string anchor without contacting any surface of the saddle holder or bridge plate is accomplished by: (a) forming a passage through a sustain block that allows passage of a string anchor through the passage to a surface of a bridge plate; (b) forming a slot-shaped aperture in the bridge plate; and (c) align the string anchor with the slot shaped aperture by joining of the sustain block to the bridge plate. For example, the objective is obtained in part by forming the slot-shaped aperture to prevent passage of the string anchor through the slot-shaped aperture. Also, the objective is in part obtained by positioning the sustain block passage so that the string anchor is aligned toward an end of the slot-shaped aperture that is formed in the bridge plate and furthest away from the saddle. The objective is further obtained in part by forming the slot-shaped aperture to have a length predetermined to allow the string to extend in a lengthwise direction towards the saddle and upwards at the predetermined angle to the saddle without contacting any surface of the bridge plate  94 . 
         [0062]    The bridge described above can vary in some aspects. For example, it should be readily understood that the bridge can be a fixed bridge or a floating bridge. It should also be readily understood that the post-shaped saddles can be of varying shapes and sizes, and made of various materials. Additionally, it should be readily understood that saddles simultaneously mounted in the bridge can be of different materials. It should further be readily understood that each saddle can have its own saddle holder, or that some saddle holders can hold more than one saddle. Yet further, it should be readily understood that the bridge can simultaneously have some saddles as described above and other styles of saddles. 
         [0063]    Further, the description of the guitar bridge is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the disclosure are intended to be within the scope of its teachings. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.