Which Stop Bar Is Best?

1. Let's figure out which stop bar is right for you. Each option serves a different purpose.

Compensated Stop Bar Tailpiece aka lightning stopbar. Acts as the tailpiece and bridge. To be used without a separate guitar bridge. An improvement on the wraparound stopbar design. The "lightning" pattern helps improve intonation and sometimes has string notches. Intonation can only be adjusted with two set screws. Strings are installed with a top wrap.

Lightweight Stop Bar Tailpiece Typically seen on historic models. To be used with an ABR-1 or Nashville Tune-O-Matic TOM bridge. Lighter weight than the standard stopbar. Strings can be installed straight through or with a top wrap.

Locking Stop Bar Tailpiece aka Pinnacle stop bar. To be used with an ABR-1 or  Nashville Tune-O-Matic TOM bridge. An improvement on the standard and lightweight stopbar design. Locks to tailpiece studs with two set screws. Strings can be installed straight through or with a top wrap. With the string tension removed, the stop bar will no longer fall off. This allows for...

• No accidental height adjustments.
• Guitar parts stay where you want them to
• Prevents damaging the guitar and hardware.

Standard Stop Bar Tailpiece To be used with an ABR-1 or Nashville Tune-O-Matic TOM bridge. Strings can be installed straight through or with a top wrap.

Wraparound Stop Bar Tailpiece Typically seen on historic models. Acts as the tailpiece and bridge. To be used without a separate guitar bridge. Intonation can only be adjusted with two set screws. Strings are installed with a top wrap.

 2. You'll need to decide which base metal suits your needs?

• Aluminum - Known for low density. It’s about one-third the weight of steel, making it an excellent choice for applications where weight reduction is important. Although lightweight, aluminum can be quite strong. Having a natural oxide layer that protects it from corrosion.
• Zinc - A relatively heavy metal, denser than aluminum but lighter than lead. Known for its excellent corrosion resistance. It forms a protective layer of zinc oxide when exposed to air, which helps prevent further oxidation.

3. Do you prefer die-cast or CNC milled?

• Die-Cast - Molten metal is injected into a mold under high pressure using a machine called a die casting machine. This pressure forces the metal into all areas of the mold, ensuring that even the finest details are captured. Producing metal parts with high precision and complex shapes.
• CNC Milled Aluminum - CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control. CNC milling uses computer-controlled machine tools to remove material from a solid block (known as a workpiece) to create specific shapes and designs. The process involves rotating cutting tools to achieve the desired geometry. High precision with tolerances often within a few micrometers. This makes it ideal for complex parts with tight specifications.

Now you have the tools to get the best stop bar tailpiece for your needs.