Recessed bridges vs non recessed and picking

Playing Technique
#1

So I mostly play guitars with floyds, and as you can probably imagine that means most are recessed so the bridge is basically flush to the body. However, I also play Les Pauls with TOMS or even guitars like Caparison that have basically a top mounted floyd but routing for pull-ups. Now I seem to have really no issues playing either (maybe one would be better if I was trying to break speed records or something but I can shred), but I was wondering if anyone had thoughts if one is better than the other for picking (really alternate but any works), if certain mechanics works better with others etc. I think I’m just trying to be mindful of not preventing injury etc.

I know for example Steve Vai is reaaaalllly into recessed bridges for picking (though alternate picking isn’t as good as his legato imo), and I think Frank Gambale’s old Ibanez models even had the pickups recessed to be as low as possible, and I can’t figure out why one would prefer one or the other.

I myself don’t anchor my hand but it rests on the bridge, and especially for quick picking I do what Pebber Brown called SARAD picking, aka it’s really just my thumb and index finger moving as opposed to wrist or elbow-I think Yngwie may do this kinda.

I can pretty much pick slant either way but definitely do DWPS as my default, but without ever discovering MIM and just practicing with Petrucci and Batio and Gilbert dvds I learned to 3nps alternate pick easily so I think that means I can switch slant very easily? Just giving context for my style.

Thanks!

#2

My original thought is that if you use a technique like Yngwie’s, where the ring finger or pinky rests on the guitar top as an anchor, a non-recessed bridge can negatively affect the picking feel. But if you use a technique like Paul Gilbert’s, where the hand rests on the bridge in a floating position, then the difference between recessed and non-recessed bridges is much less noticeable.

I’m not a native English speaker, so I’m using translation software to communicate with you.

1 Like
#3

Thanks! I think that definitely makes sense, since my handles float/rest only because I can’t somehow avoid the bridge without purposefully raising my hand, but I don’t actually anchor…and like I mentioned both seem fine to me if anything I think more about neck angle for the left hand when it comes to preferences.