Floating Bridge

A floating bridge functions as any other bridge would with the exception that it’s not anchored to the top of the instrument, but rather is held in place by the string tension. Floating bridges are used on instruments that cannot physically have a bridge permanently mounted to it due to thinness or composition of the top. For instance, banjos use floating bridges because the top head is much like a drumhead, which obviously won’t hold screws for the bridge. Floating bridges are also used on instruments such as violins, double basses, and even some electric guitars and basses.