Detecting vibrato bar technique for a string instrument can include analyzing, using a processor, a note signal of the string instrument to detect a selected instrumental technique from a plurality of instrumental techniques, analyzing, using the processor, a noise signal of the string instrument to detect a change in frequency of the noise signal, and generating, using the processor, a vibrato bar event responsive to detecting the selected instrumental technique and the change in frequency of the noise signal.

A vibrato tailpiece system for a stringed instrument includes a tailpiece, a vibrato bar operable with the tailpiece and having an end portion rotatable about an axis of rotation, and a magnet attached to the end portion of the vibrato bar. A sensor chip is spaced from the magnet by a gap sufficiently small to enable the sensor chip to detect a change in the magnetic field due to a rotation of the vibrato bar. The sensor chip outputs a control signal based on the change in the magnetic field. A sensor circuit uses the control signal from the sensor chip to adjust or modify the pickup output signal based on the position of the vibrato bar and deliver an adjusted output signal to an output connector of the stringed instrument.

A vibrato control device for a guitar, including a body, a rotation mechanism within the body having an axis, and an arm connected to the body so as to allow rotation of the arm relative to the body about the axis. The arm is oriented so as to rotate generally parallel to the side of the body. The arm has particular application to a mechanically operated but electronically sensed vibrato control device.