influence of the bridge on how much a guitar "chugs"

Question

Long story short, I am wondering about the influence that the bridge (considering always the same type - a Floyd Rose-like bridge) has on how much the guitar chugs.

To expand a bit more. I have recently acquired a USA BC Rich Gunslinger. At first, I noticed that the guitar was chugging less than the two other guitars I have: a Jackson DXMG (with a Jackson licensed Floyd Rose bridge) and another Jackson SL2Q MAH (with a Floyd Rose 1000 series). It is difficult to define 'chugging' in words, but this video (as well as all the video series from Ola Englund) demonstrates what I mean by 'chugging'. Chugging 'less' means that, whatever the root cause is (my theory is that the bridge has an influence), it feels that the sound is excessively palm mutted

At first I thought it could have been the pickup (Dimarzio X2N), so I swapped by a EMG81. The tone changed, of course, but not enough chug. Then I realised that the guitar was not properly setup (at all). I then took it to a guitar tech, where frets were polished, crowned, nut was shimmed etc. The setup was certainly done very well. Though I still notice that the BC Rich chugs less than the Jackson.

I am starting to thing that this might be due to the bridge. It has the original one, which appears to be good stuff (Made in Japan Takeuchi licensed Floyd Rose), although I have the impression that this bridge appears to be way too sensitive to palm muting i.e. in order not to mute it excessively, I have to place my picking hand quite far on the back of the bridge, towards the saddles, otherwise it mutes way too much. This difference (where I place my picking hand) is noticeable compared to the bridges of my two other Jackson guitars, which supports my theory that the lack of chug (which is kinda like muting the strings excessively) can be caused by how the bridge is designed.

I really like this guitar, though it still does not have the tone as I want it to be. So I was wondering if I can expect a noticeable difference in tone if I swap the bridge (by a Gotoh, Schaller or Floyd Rose). Has anyone done that, and noticed a clear difference in how much a guitar can chug?

Answer 1

Assuming your Pickups on the jacksons match the EMG-81 in the BC Rich, your issue is likely hand position and you've trained yourself where to place it naturally on your preexisting floyds. Learn the new placement for the new guitar. I've had this issue in the past. If not, swap it for a floyd you already like on your jacksons (e.g., the 1000 series).

Bonus: If you aren't a whammy user, dump the floyds all together. Way too much hassle - especially if you use different tunings.

Answer 2

Since you have already switched out pickups, it doesn't sound like they are the issue.

Going by experience, I think the bridge is the issue. A floating bridge (like a Kahler or a Floyd Rose) will bend towards the neck to compensate for increased tension on the strings. When you bend strings, execute dive bombs, or engage in excessive chugging, the floating bridge will compensate. This is useful in that you are less likely to break a string and the guitar will stay in tune longer (YMMV). A hardtail bridge does not compensate and will probably give you more "chug" since it is in a fixed position.

I have never removed a Floyd Rose bridge from a guitar, and it sounds like you have a nice USA made BC Rich, so I wouldn't recommend it. You might want to experiment where you you place your hand when palm muting near the bridge. Or maybe buy another guitar for your arsenal, which is a "win win situation" in my book.