when pulling all the way up on a FR whammy bar

[uglijimus]

When you pull up on a FR whammy bar (to the point where it won't go any further) is there an expected note that it can reach? Meaning, if you play an open A and then pull up all the way you should hit a " (insert note here) or you should hit x amount of half steps from the open A.

[pianoguyy]

no answer in either case

[metalhobo]

no answer in either case

+1. it depends on way too many things. bridge/body geometry (which varies), setup, string gauge, tuning.

[uglijimus]

+1. it depends on way too many things. bridge/body geometry (which varies), setup, string gauge, tuning.

got it. but would you say that 4 half note (semitones) if less than say the average?

[metalhobo]

got it. but would you say that 4 half note (semitones) if less than say the average?

on which string?

[uglijimus]

on which string?

open A (5th string)

[metalhobo]

I just checked both my LTDs which have routed (but not really recessed) floyds, both in E standard with 9-46 strings, and could easily pull up the A string 6 semitones without stoppage, at which point I got worried about breaking a string and let down. there seemed like there was easily physical space for at least another semitone. not sure what could be considered "average" but this is my experience.

[uglijimus]

wow! 6 semitones without stoppage. I'm jealous! thanks for letting me know!

[john.w.lawson]

When you pull up on a FR whammy bar (to the point where it won't go any further) is there an expected note that it can reach? Meaning, if you play an open A and then pull up all the way you should hit a " (insert note here) or you should hit x amount of half steps from the open A.

I can bend a two and a half, with my fingers? so idk I tend to slid into a note lower and pull up. Most on here , know how to play

[uglijimus]

I can bend a two and a half, with my fingers? so idk I tend to slid into a note lower and pull up. Most on here , know how to play

how about using the whammy bar though?

[john.w.lawson]

how about using the whammy bar though?

I use one. i like to add a little here and there. I like Lynch, but play everything. ask and i'll do my best

[Number Of The Priest]

+1. it depends on way too many things. bridge/body geometry (which varies), setup, string gauge, tuning.

This, plus the physical range allowable for the trem to travel.

Steve Vai removed the wood underneath his trem to allow greater pullup range on his Green Meanie guitar (source: https://d2emr0qhzqfj88.cloudfront.ne...reenMeanie.pdf).

He liked it so much that it was a mandatory feature with the 1987 debut of the Ibanez JEM and Ibanez RG550. It wasn't long before pullup routes became basically ubiquitous on guitars with double-locking trems.

[uglijimus]

This, plus the physical range allowable for the trem to travel.

Steve Vai removed the wood underneath his trem to allow greater pullup range on his Green Meanie guitar (source: https://d2emr0qhzqfj88.cloudfront.ne...reenMeanie.pdf).

He liked it so much that it was a mandatory feature with the 1987 debut of the Ibanez JEM and Ibanez RG550. It wasn't long before pullup routes became basically ubiquitous on guitars with double-locking trems.

wow, that's cool. I guess he never was afraid of the string snapping when pulling up too much on it?

[Number Of The Priest]

I suppose the depth of the Green Meanie route posed no problems for Steve because, as seen in the closeup photos in the PDF I linked above, the route looks to be the depth of our standard routes inspired by the Green Meanie, and you don't hear today's guitarists rampantly complaining about how the route is so deep that it allows massive pullups that break their strings.