Trans-Trem

Ned Steinberger, founder of the American musical instrument manufacturer Steinberger, developed in 1984, the Trans - Trem system (synonyms: TransTrem, Transposing - Tremolo System), a tremolo system for the electric guitar. The system has long been delivered exclusively to products manufactured by Steinberger instruments.

System Description

In the Trans - Trem system of the whole, played chord remains, operating the vibrato arm received in contrast to other vibrato systems for guitar. It is not to detune each string against each other as occasionally in other systems. The Trans - Trem can also with the lever in different positions fixed ( " curly " ), whereby a retune (English: Transposing ) is the entire guitar during the game possible.

Also for electric basses such a system has been developed, but were rarely used. Basses with Trans - Trem - such as instruments from the Steinberger L- series - are now rare and have a value as collectibles.

Construction

Unlike the other systems, a vibrato release part with special floating tailpieces of bearings is connected to the side parts of the base plate. The Strings run through individually adjustable roller saddles. This vibrato unit is not out of tune, even in strong contact pressure of the picking hand of the guitarist. However, " divebombs " ( a strong lowering of the lever, so that the strings largely limp ) becomes impossible. An integrated coil spring that can be adjusted from the outside with a screw ensures an easily customizable zero position. In order to achieve the required tuning stability, (English: headless ) were on guitars and basses without headstock unlike traditional guitar strings and the usual strings such terminals with two balls used (English: Double - ball). This type of string has called on both ends of balls (English: ball ends ) that are hooked into the tailpiece of the instrument. The mood of these guitars and basses is made with special tuners on the tremolo system. This a quick string change is possible, and also the voting procedure is much simpler than in other types of vibrato systems, such as the Floyd Rose tremolo system.

User

• Eddie Van Halen could be installing the system in some specimens of his signature guitars from Music Man and Peavey. Recommended previews for the beautiful sound of Steinberger vibrato include Get Up and Summer Nights on the album 5150 the American rock band Van Halen.
• The British jazz-fusion guitarist Allan Holdsworth uses a Trans - Trem on his custom-made by DeLap and a Steinberger guitar with Trans - Trem system.
• Mark Knopfler and his accompanying guitarist Jack Sonni of the English band Dire Straits used both Steinberger Trans - Trem guitars on their Brothers -In- Arms - concert tour.
• The American guitarist David Torn uses the Trans - Trem very common and used it in his teaching videos.
• A special application was the installation of a Trans - Trem system in the electric guitar harp of the U.S. guitarist Michael Hedges. An example of this is his piece of Point A on the album Taproot.
• A user of the Trans - Trem with electric bass bassist Michael Manring is American.