CNC Precision in Guitar Bridge Manufacturing

CNC machining is the manufacturing foundation of KISS MY STRINGS. Approximately 99 percent of KMS components are CNC-milled, CNC-turned or receive CNC machining as a decisive production stage.

The value is not the visible machining pattern or the machine itself. CNC allows KMS to control the relationships that make a bridge fit, adjust, move, lock and respond: contact surfaces, saddle alignment, thread geometry, intonation travel, clearances, mass distribution and assembly fit.

KMS Manufacturing Principle

The KMS Manufacturing Principle

A guitar bridge is a system of connected components.

Its performance depends on how accurately these components relate to one another.

A bridge may contain:

• String contact points
• Saddle supports
• Intonation mechanisms
• Height-adjustment interfaces
• Threaded connections
• Locking elements
• Pivot contacts
• Tremolo components
• Mounting hardware

Every functional relationship requires controlled geometry.

KMS uses CNC machining to define these relationships directly.

The central principle is:

Material makes tone.

Manufacturing creates precision.

The material establishes the fundamental mechanical character.

CNC manufacturing turns that material into a controlled bridge system.

FlowTrem2 as the KMS Flagship

The FlowTrem2 is the clearest expression of the KMS CNC philosophy.

It is not a conventional double-locking tremolo reproduced in another material.

It is a complete CNC-engineered Grade 5 titanium system.

The FlowTrem2 combines:

• CNC-machined Grade 5 titanium baseplate
• CNC-machined Grade 5 titanium FlowTrem2 saddles
• CNC-machined Grade 5 titanium MONOLITH block
• Precision string-locking components
• Precision saddle-mounting components
• CNC-manufactured fine-tuner components
• KMS OmniPort arm system
• KMS FlowBar tremolo arm
• Product-specific pivot and mounting geometry
• Directly engineered component interfaces

Each component is designed as part of the complete assembly.

The objective is not simply to replace steel parts with titanium.

The objective is to use Grade 5 titanium in a system designed specifically around its:

• Strength
• Low density
• Mechanical response
• Machining requirements
• Surface behavior
• Tonal direction

A Complete System Rather Than a Material Conversion

A material conversion starts with an existing component and reproduces it in another material.

A complete system redesign begins with the intended result.

For FlowTrem2, this includes:

• Fast transient response
• Strong note separation
• Controlled low end
• Reduced perceived low-mid congestion
• Direct dynamic feedback
• Long and even decay
• Reliable double-locking performance
• Precise adjustment
• Controlled moving mass
• Serviceable modular construction

These objectives influence:

• Baseplate geometry
• Saddle geometry
• Block construction
• Screw positions
• Fine-tuner arrangement
• Arm socket
• Component contact
• Intonation range
• Material distribution

The result is a system in which material and geometry were developed together.

Why CNC Is Essential for FlowTrem2

FlowTrem2 contains many small components that operate under concentrated loads.

These loads include:

• String tension
• Tremolo spring tension
• String-locking pressure
• Screw preload
• Repeated tremolo movement
• Pivot loading
• Player input
• Repeated setup and servicing

The components must retain:

• Alignment
• Thread integrity
• Contact geometry
• Saddle position
• Locking force
• Intonation
• Mechanical clearance

CNC manufacturing allows the geometry of each part to be coordinated with the rest of the assembly.

This is essential in a bridge where a small dimensional deviation can affect:

• String position
• Intonation range
• Fine-tuner movement
• Saddle fit
• Bridge balance
• Return to pitch
• Tremolo feel

CNC Processes and Material-Specific Machining

CNC-Milled and CNC-Turned Components

KMS uses both CNC milling and CNC turning.

CNC Milling

CNC milling is used for components with features such as:

• Flat functional surfaces
• Pockets
• Saddle channels
• Contours
• Locking geometry
• Screw locations
• Contact pads
• Complex three-dimensional shapes

Typical KMS milling applications include:

• FlowTrem2 baseplates
• FlowTrem2 saddles
• MONOLITH blocks
• ONE bridge bodies
• Vintage ONE functional geometry
• JAM bridge bodies
• Whiptail bridge bodies
• TV-Rails saddles

CNC Turning

CNC turning is used for components with rotational geometry such as:

• Posts
• Studs
• Bushings
• Conversion Posts
• Screws
• Spacers
• Thumbwheel-related components
• Arm-system components

Modern CNC production can combine turning with:

• Drilling
• Threading
• Milling
• Cross holes
• Grooves
• Precision shoulders

The manufacturing route is selected according to the component.

CNC Is More Than a Machine Program

The CAD model defines the intended component.

The CNC process transforms that design into a physical part.

This requires a coordinated manufacturing system including:

• Material specification
• Machine strategy
• Tool selection
• Workholding
• Reference surfaces
• Cutting sequence
• Cooling
• Measurement
• Deburring
• Surface preparation
• Final inspection

The result is not created by the machine alone.

It is created by the complete process.

Precision Means Controlled Relationships

A bridge does not need every dimension to be equally tight.

It needs the correct relationships to be controlled.

For example:

• Saddles must align with their channels.
• Intonation screws must align with the saddles.
• Post interfaces must align with the bridge centerline.
• String spacing must align with the neck.
• Locking components must seat securely.
• Moving components must retain suitable clearance.
• Contact surfaces must meet as intended.

Precision is therefore not simply a small tolerance printed on a drawing.

Precision means that the functional geometry works as one system.

Material-Specific Manufacturing

KMS manufactures components from several different engineering materials, including:

• Ti-6Al-4V Grade 5 titanium
• Brass
• Aluminum
• Stainless steel
• Carbon steel
• ZAMAK
• Application-specific titanium for formed components

Each material requires its own:

• Cutting strategy
• Tool geometry
• Feed and speed range
• Workholding
• Surface preparation
• Inspection approach

The same geometry cannot simply be produced with one identical machining process in every material.

Understanding the material is part of CNC competence.

Machining Grade 5 Titanium

Ti-6Al-4V Grade 5 is the principal titanium alloy used throughout the CNC-machined KMS titanium range.

Its combination of:

• High strength
• Low density
• Strong resistance to permanent deformation
• Good fatigue capability
• Excellent corrosion resistance

makes it particularly suitable for highly loaded precision hardware.

However, Grade 5 must be machined through a process designed for titanium.

Why Titanium Requires a Controlled CNC Process

Titanium has relatively low thermal conductivity.

During machining, a large proportion of the cutting heat remains concentrated near:

• Cutting edge
• Tool-chip interface
• Immediate machining zone

Grade 5 also retains significant strength at elevated cutting temperatures.

The machining process therefore requires control over:

• Cutting speed
• Feed rate
• Tool engagement
• Tool geometry
• Machine rigidity
• Coolant delivery
• Chip evacuation
• Tool condition

This manufacturing demand is one reason why a precisely machined Grade 5 component represents more than an exotic material choice.

The process must be built around the alloy.

KMS Grade 5 Component Strategy

KMS uses Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5) where components require:

• compact dimensions
• high structural strength
• accurate threads
• resistance to permanent deformation
• stable locking geometry
• repeated mechanical loading
• low component weight
• defined contact surfaces

Examples include:

• FlowTrem2 baseplate
• FlowTrem2 saddles and saddle mounting parts
• MONOLITH tremolo block
• Saddle Mounting Screws
• String Locking Screws
• Locking Insert Blocks
• Fine-Tuner Screws
• studs and other precision-machined titanium hardware

The Titanium FlowBar is Commercially Pure Titanium (Grade 2), and OmniPort is a mixed-material assembly. These function-specific exceptions must not be grouped into the Grade 5 component list.

FlowTrem2 Precision Architecture

The FlowTrem2 Baseplate

The baseplate is the structural center of the tremolo.

It must coordinate:

• Pivot geometry
• Saddle positions
• Fine-tuner positions
• Block mounting
• Arm system
• String alignment
• Intonation range

The FlowTrem2 baseplate is CNC-machined from Grade 5 titanium.

CNC manufacturing allows KMS to define:

• Overall plate geometry
• Structural thickness
• Pivot-related features
• Saddle support areas
• Saddle mounting positions
• Fine-tuner geometry
• MONOLITH mounting interface
• OmniPort position
• Product-specific clearances

These features are not independent.

Their relationship determines how the complete bridge operates.

Baseplate Geometry and Intonation Range

The FlowTrem2 baseplate was not copied directly from the conventional Floyd Rose-style reference geometry.

Its geometry was developed to improve the usable system.

The plate bend is positioned 2 mm farther rearward, producing 2 mm of additional usable intonation range.

The additional range is created through geometry.

It is not created through an oversized saddle, an improvised screw or an external adapter.

CNC manufacturing allows this change to be integrated directly into the baseplate design.

Saddle Support

Each saddle must sit on a defined area of the baseplate.

The relationship influences:

• Saddle stability
• Intonation adjustment
• String position
• Mechanical contact
• Fine-tuner operation
• Return to pitch

The saddle support geometry itself is not changed by the absence of the conventional Fine Tuner Tension Plate.

Fine-Tuner Preload Architecture

In a conventional Floyd Rose-style assembly, the Fine Tuner Tension Plate applies light upward preload to the String Locking Screws while string tension is absent. This keeps the rear of the saddles lightly supported when the tremolo is unstrung.

Standard FlowTrem2 omits this permanent preload component. Under normal string tension, the String Locking Screws remain engaged with the Fine-Tuners through the loaded saddle mechanism, so the fine-tuning principle remains unchanged.

This distinction reduces the permanent component count in the fine-tuner mechanism without changing the string-to-saddle contact or the normal saddle support geometry.

FlowTrem2 Saddle CNC Geometry

FlowTrem2 saddles use a precision-machined V-shaped string contact as one feature of the complete saddle architecture.

The string is centered by the saddle geometry rather than through an individually filed conventional slot.

This supports:

• Broad compatibility with common string gauges
• Defined string centering
• Gauge changes without conventional reslotting
• Controlled contact geometry
• Preservation of the saddle surface
• Repeatable saddle production

The V geometry must coordinate:

• Included angle
• Saddle height
• String position
• Radius configuration
• Intonation contact
• Saddle order

This makes the FlowTrem2 saddle a CNC-engineered functional component rather than a conventional saddle architecture reproduced without further development.

FlowTrem2 Saddles and String Gauge

Different string diameters sit at different depths within the V geometry.

The complete saddle arrangement is designed so that the installed strings produce the intended string-height relationship across the set.

For this reason:

• String gauge matters.
• Saddle order matters.
• Product configuration matters.
• The V should not be converted into a conventional filed slot.

The CNC-machined form is part of the setup system.

FlowTrem2 Saddle Surface Architecture

FlowTrem2 does not use a separate V+ saddle model. The component remains the FlowTrem2 saddle across the product range.

The V-shaped contact is part of the CNC-machined saddle geometry. Surface finish is defined by the selected FlowTrem2 version:

• Natural titanium in the N configuration
• Gold PVD in the G configuration
• Black PVD in the BK configuration
• DLC on the complete Saddle/Saddle Mounting units in the C configuration

The Grade 5 titanium substrate establishes the structural and mechanical foundation. The selected surface system defines the corresponding finish and contact behavior without creating a separate saddle name.

CNC creates the complete geometry. The surface system is applied to the relevant version-specific components.

Saddle Mounting

Each saddle must remain securely fixed while still allowing controlled intonation adjustment.

CNC manufacturing coordinates:

• Saddle mounting hole
• Baseplate mounting position
• Intonation path
• Screw engagement
• Fine-tuner contact
• Saddle clearance

The system must allow movement during setup and stability during playing.

These are different operating states created by the same component geometry.

Locking Components

The string is held through concentrated mechanical contact inside the saddle.

The locking system includes relationships between:

• String
• Locking insert
• Saddle
• String-locking screw

CNC manufacturing can provide:

• Defined insert geometry
• Controlled screw alignment
• Stable saddle cavity
• Suitable thread engagement
• Repeatable contact position

Secure locking comes from correct geometry and controlled assembly.

It does not require uncontrolled tightening force.

Titanium Screws

KMS Grade 5 titanium screws combine:

• Low weight
• High strength
• Corrosion resistance
• Product-specific geometry

Depending on the application, CNC turning and threading can define:

• Thread
• Shoulder
• Head geometry
• Drive
• Length
• Contact end
• Transition radii

A screw is not a generic accessory when it forms part of the bridge mechanism.

Its geometry affects:

• Clamping
• Alignment
• Serviceability
• Component movement
• Load distribution

Precision Threads

A thread must be more than nominally identified as M4, M3, 6-32 or another size.

Its function depends on:

• Pitch
• Major diameter
• Minor diameter
• Pitch diameter
• Form
• Alignment
• Surface
• Engagement length
• Mating thread

CNC manufacturing allows the thread to be produced as part of the complete component geometry.

The mating parts must then be designed and inspected together.

Controlled Tightening

CNC-machined Grade 5 hardware provides a strong mechanical foundation.

Correct assembly still requires:

• Appropriate tool
• Correct alignment
• Clean threads
• Sufficient engagement
• Controlled hand force
• Product-specific instructions

Precision hardware should not be treated as an invitation to apply excessive torque.

The objective is secure seating without damage or distortion.

The MONOLITH Block System

The tremolo block connects the baseplate to the spring system.

Within FlowTrem2, the MONOLITH is not treated as generic additional mass.

It is part of the complete titanium tremolo architecture.

Its functions include:

• Spring attachment
• Transmission of spring force
• Structural connection to the baseplate
• Contribution to moving mass
• Contribution to tremolo response
• Definition of internal guitar clearance

The MONOLITH is CNC-machined from Grade 5 titanium.

MONOLITH Geometry

CNC manufacturing controls:

• Block height
• Block width
• Block thickness
• Mounting interface
• Screw positions
• Spring-hole positions
• Edge geometry
• Spacer interface
• Cavity clearance

A block with the correct nominal height is not sufficient when its:

• Width
• Thickness
• Mounting pattern
• Spring geometry

does not match the complete tremolo.

The MONOLITH is designed specifically for FlowTrem2.

MONOLITH Modular Height System

The KMS MONOLITH system provides modular height adjustment through purpose-designed components.

Current modular titanium configurations include:

• MONOLITH Modular Titanium Tremolo Block — 30 mm Base
• MONOLITH Modular Titanium Tremolo Block — 35 mm Base
• MONOLITH Modular Titanium Tremolo Block — 42 mm Base
• MONOLITH 2 mm Height Spacer
• Approved spacer combinations for defined applications

The spacer system allows the installed height to be adapted while retaining:

• Full supporting contact
• Defined alignment
• Correct screw support
• Stable assembly
• Product-specific geometry

It is not based on improvised washers or uncontrolled shims.

Purpose-Designed Spacers

A precision spacer must coordinate with:

• Block mounting face
• Baseplate interface
• Mounting screws
• Thread engagement
• Final installed height

The spacer must remain:

• Flat
• Fully supported
• Correctly oriented
• Mechanically stable

CNC manufacturing allows the spacer to function as part of the block system rather than as a loose packing piece.

42 mm MONOLITH Configuration

A non-recessed or higher-mounted tremolo can require greater block depth relative to the rear spring cavity.

The 42 mm MONOLITH block can suit corresponding installations. This application is a selection note rather than part of the product name.

The exact installation still depends on:

• Body thickness
• Baseplate position
• Spring-cavity depth
• Rear-cover clearance
• Spring alignment
• Full dive range

CNC precision creates the defined component.

Measurement confirms whether that component fits the guitar.

Block-to-Baseplate Interface

The MONOLITH must sit securely against its intended baseplate interface.

The connection requires:

• Flat supporting surfaces
• Correct screw positions
• Suitable screw length
• Sufficient thread engagement
• Defined orientation
• No burrs or contamination

The purpose is to create a stable structural connection.

The block should not be forced against an uneven or incompatible surface through excessive screw force.

OmniPort

The OmniPort is the FlowTrem2 arm-socket system.

It is integrated into the bridge as a product-specific assembly rather than added as a generic arm holder.

The system includes precision relationships between:

• Socket
• Baseplate
• Cap
• Retaining component
• M3 hardware
• FlowBar
• O-rings

The components must provide:

• Secure retention
• Controlled arm insertion
• Adjustable rotational friction
• Stable position
• Serviceability
• Freedom from unintended socket movement

CNC Geometry in the OmniPort

The OmniPort requires control of:

• Socket diameter
• Seating geometry
• Retention feature
• Baseplate opening
• Arm interface
• Cap fit
• Component alignment

A difference of only a small amount can change:

• Arm fit
• Friction
• Play
• Retention
• Serviceability

This is a clear example of CNC precision directly controlling player interaction.

FlowBar

The FlowBar is the tremolo arm developed for the OmniPort system.

Its CNC-produced geometry coordinates:

• Insertion end
• Working length
• Arm shape
• Cap interface
• Retention
• O-ring positions

The O-rings contribute to the adjustable tactile behavior of the arm system.

The metal geometry and elastomer components must therefore be designed together.

Arm Feel vs. Bridge Return

The arm system should transmit player movement without interfering with the neutral return of the bridge.

These are separate functions.

Arm System Controls:

• Rotational friction
• Arm position
• Insertion and removal
• Tactile response

Tremolo System Controls:

• Pivot movement
• Spring balance
• Locking
• Return to pitch
• Neutral position

Precision allows both systems to operate together without confusing one function with the other.

Six- and Seven-String FlowTrem2

The FlowTrem2 is available in six- and seven-string configurations.

A seven-string tremolo is not created merely by widening a six-string bridge.

The configuration affects:

• Baseplate width
• Saddle count
• String spacing
• Block geometry
• Spring system
• Total string tension
• Mounting
• Intonation layout
• Locking components

CNC production makes it possible to maintain the product logic across both versions while manufacturing the geometry required for each system.

Radius Configuration

The bridge must establish an under-string relationship compatible with the guitar.

FlowTrem2 uses its saddle geometry and saddle arrangement to create the intended radius.

The setup must consider:

• Constant or compound neck radius
• Radius required at the bridge
• Installed string gauges
• Saddle order
• Six- or seven-string configuration

The bridge should remain mechanically level according to the intended setup.

Unequal post depth should not be used to substitute for the correct saddle-radius configuration.

String Alignment

Each string must travel through a controlled path between:

• Locking nut
• Fretboard
• Pickup region
• Saddle
• Locking point

CNC manufacturing establishes the saddle and baseplate positions that support:

• Correct spacing
• Edge clearance
• Pickup alignment
• Intonation
• String locking

String spacing is therefore not merely an external bridge measurement.

It is integrated into the complete FlowTrem2 geometry.

Intonation Geometry

Intonation requires each saddle to move along a defined path.

CNC production controls:

• Saddle channel
• Mounting-hole positions
• Adjustment range
• Screw alignment
• Contact surfaces
• Relationship to the string

The FlowTrem2 baseplate geometry provides additional intonation capability while retaining a compact bridge system.

This is an example of CNC design solving a functional limitation through geometry rather than through an external adapter.

Fine-Tuner Geometry

The fine tuners must provide controlled pitch adjustment after the nut is locked.

Their operation depends on:

• Screw thread
• Contact location
• Locking-screw relationship
• Saddle geometry
• Available travel
• Component clearance

During a FlowTrem2 string change, players who prefer temporary saddle support may turn the fine tuners fully down so they rest on the locking screws and stabilize the saddles. This is optional and is not required for normal operation or string changing.

Reduced Component Count

Removing unnecessary intermediate components can provide:

• Fewer potential movement points
• Simpler force path
• Easier system understanding
• Lower component count
• Directly defined interfaces

Reduced component count does not mean reduced engineering.

It often requires more precise geometry in the components that remain.

FlowTrem2 achieves simplification through integrated design.

CNC as System Integration

The individual FlowTrem2 parts are not independent CNC showpieces.

Their value comes from how they assemble.

CNC manufacturing coordinates:

• Baseplate to saddle
• Baseplate to MONOLITH
• Baseplate to OmniPort
• Saddle to locking insert
• Saddle to mounting screw
• Fine tuner to locking screw
• FlowBar to socket
• Bridge to pivot system

This is the central difference between making parts and engineering a system.

Interfaces, Tolerances and Surfaces

Precision Contact Surfaces

A guitar bridge contains multiple interfaces.

Each interface has a defined task.

Examples include:

• String to saddle
• Saddle to baseplate
• Block to baseplate
• Screw head to component
• Thread to mating thread
• Knife edge to pivot stud
• Bridge body to thumbwheel
• Post to bushing
• Arm to socket

The correct surface depends on whether the interface should:

• Remain static
• Lock securely
• Move freely
• Rotate
• Slide
• Resist wear
• Provide adjustable friction

CNC machining establishes the geometry of the interface.

Surface engineering establishes its immediate behavior.

Flatness

Flatness matters where a component should sit evenly on another surface.

Examples include:

• Tremolo block mounting face
• Saddle support
• Locking interface
• Bridge support area

An uneven surface can create:

• Local loading
• Rocking
• Incomplete seating
• Distortion during tightening
• Changing contact

The surface must be sufficiently flat for its function.

Maximum cosmetic polish is not a substitute for controlled geometry.

Parallelism and Perpendicularity

Bridge components often depend on surfaces and axes being correctly related.

Examples include:

• Block face relative to mounting holes
• Saddle channel relative to string direction
• Post hole relative to bridge centerline
• Screw axis relative to saddle
• Stud shoulder relative to thread

A single dimension may be correct while the relationship between two features is wrong.

CNC manufacturing allows these relationships to be established from coordinated references.

Reference Geometry

A manufacturing reference, or datum, defines where a feature is located.

For a bridge, the reference strategy may coordinate:

• Centerline
• Post spacing
• String path
• Saddle position
• Intonation axis
• Outer geometry

This produces one internally consistent component.

The same principle applies across assemblies.

Each part must relate to the reference geometry of the complete product.

Controlled Clearances

Some interfaces must not be completely tight.

They require clearance to:

• Assemble
• Move
• Adjust
• Compensate for finish thickness
• Remain serviceable

Examples include:

• Saddle movement
• Fine-tuner movement
• Arm insertion
• Clip installation
• Bridge fit on posts

The clearance must be large enough for function but controlled enough to avoid unwanted play.

This balance is a central part of precision engineering.

Coating Allowance

A coating or plating adds material to the surface.

This can affect:

• Hole diameter
• Thread fit
• Sliding clearance
• Saddle movement
• Clip geometry
• Contact position

The component must be designed and manufactured with the final surface system in mind.

The drawing dimension before coating and the functional dimension after coating are not always identical.

Surface Finish

CNC machining can produce a defined starting surface.

The part may then receive:

• Polishing
• Brushing
• Blasting
• Electroless nickel
• PVD
• DLC
• Anodizing
• Decorative plating
• Aging treatment

Each process affects the final component differently.

The machining process must create a suitable foundation for the selected finish.

Functional and Decorative Surfaces

A single component can contain several surface requirements.

For example:

Visible Exterior

May prioritize:

• Appearance
• Texture
• Color
• Consistency

Contact Surface

May prioritize:

• Flatness
• Friction
• Wear
• Position

Thread

May prioritize:

• Fit
• Engagement
• Clean movement
• Clamping

String Contact

May prioritize:

• Geometry
• Friction
• Wear
• Centering

The entire component should not be finished according to only one visual criterion.

Precision Deburring

CNC machining creates intersections and edges that may require controlled deburring.

The objective is to remove unwanted sharp material without destroying:

• Contact points
• Thread starts
• Saddle geometry
• Locking edges
• Visual definition

A saddle contact should not be rounded casually.

A locking shoulder should not lose its geometry during polishing.

Finishing is part of precision manufacturing.

Inspection and Repeatability

Inspection as Part of CNC Production

A CNC component is verified through measurement and assembly.

Relevant methods can include:

• Calipers
• Micrometers
• Pin gauges
• Thread gauges
• Height measurement
• Optical measurement
• Coordinate measurement
• Surface inspection
• Functional assembly checks

The inspection method must suit the feature.

A thread should be assessed as a thread.

A contact surface should be assessed as a surface.

An assembly relationship should be assessed through the assembly.

Functional Inspection

Some bridge functions cannot be confirmed from one loose component dimension.

Functional checks may include:

• Saddle movement
• Intonation adjustment
• Screw engagement
• Clip retention
• Bridge fit
• Arm insertion
• Fine-tuner operation
• Block seating
• Component clearance

This confirms whether the separate manufactured parts operate as a system.

Repeatability

Repeatability means that the manufacturing process produces the intended result consistently.

For KMS, this matters because the player should receive the product concept that was designed.

Repeatability supports:

• Consistent fit
• Consistent adjustment
• Consistent component replacement
• Reliable assembly
• Predictable performance

Hand finishing may remain part of the process.

It should refine the component without introducing uncontrolled geometry.

Product Development and Validation

CNC and Product Development

CNC manufacturing also supports iterative product development.

A component can be refined through:

• CAD revision
• Prototype production
• Functional testing
• Artist feedback
• Setup evaluation
• Manufacturing feedback
• Final production geometry

This is particularly important for a system such as FlowTrem2.

The bridge was developed around real functional questions, including:

• Intonation range
• Saddle contact
• Locking
• Arm behavior
• Block height
• String gauges
• Six- and seven-string use
• Stage reliability

CNC connects the digital design process directly with physical testing.

From CAD to Stage

The FlowTrem2 development path can be summarized as:

1. Define the performance objective.
2. Design the component geometry.
3. Select the material.
4. Create the CNC manufacturing process.
5. Produce and inspect the components.
6. Assemble the bridge.
7. Set up the system.
8. Test it on the guitar.
9. Evaluate playing and tonal response.
10. Refine the design where required.
11. Validate the production version.
12. Use it under real playing and stage conditions.

The final bridge is the result of the complete development chain.

Tour-Tested Precision

A high-performance tremolo must operate beyond the workshop.

It must remain practical under:

• Repeated string changes
• Different climates
• Transport
• Stage use
• Heavy tremolo movement
• Low tunings
• High string tension
• Fine adjustment
• Professional maintenance

CNC precision establishes the mechanical foundation.

Real use confirms whether the complete system performs as intended.

Designed to Sound

The phrase Designed to Sound describes the relationship between:

• Material
• Geometry
• Contact
• Mass
• Surface
• Mounting

CNC manufacturing makes these variables controllable.

It allows tonal design to become part of the physical component rather than an uncontrolled by-product of production.

Tone. Performance.

Tone and mechanical performance are not separate product categories.

In a bridge, the same geometry can influence:

• Contact
• Stability
• Adjustment
• Attack
• Decay
• Playing feel

The same material can influence:

• Weight
• Strength
• Response
• Available geometry

CNC manufacturing brings these requirements together.

CNC Across the KMS Range

CNC Across the KMS Product Range

FlowTrem2 is the KMS flagship, but the same CNC philosophy continues throughout the product range.

The process is adapted to the function and material of each bridge family.

ONE

The KMS ONE bridge body is CNC-machined from C36000 H02 brass.

CNC manufacturing establishes:

• Bridge-body geometry
• Saddle channels
• Post interfaces
• Locking features
• Intonation geometry
• Individually retained intonation-screw system
• Functional contact surfaces

The material direction emphasizes:

• Body
• Note weight
• Sustain
• Low-end authority
• Low-mid substance

The CNC process preserves this direction through precise geometry and stable component relationships.

Vintage ONE

The Vintage ONE bridge body begins as a vacuum die-cast ZAMAK blank.

This is a deliberate product-specific material decision.

Cast zinc-alloy construction is part of the intended:

• Vintage material direction
• Open response
• Lively dynamics
• Reduced low-mid density
• Traditional Tune-O-Matic character

The blank then receives CNC machining at the functionally decisive areas.

These include:

• Saddle positioning
• Post interfaces
• Intonation alignment
• Contact surfaces
• Component-retention geometry
• Final dimensions

The casting stage preserves the intended vintage construction direction.

CNC machining provides the final KMS precision.

Individually Retained Intonation Screws

ONE and Vintage ONE use individually retained intonation screws.

Each intonation screw is:

• Inserted through the bridge body
• Connected to its saddle
• Secured individually by a retaining clip

The system does not use one shared ABR-1-style retainer wire.

CNC manufacturing coordinates:

• Screw passage
• Clip groove
• Retaining shoulder
• Saddle thread
• Axial clearance
• Adjustment movement

The result supports:

• Secure screw retention
• Secure saddle retention
• Independent servicing
• No shared wire across the bridge
• Reduced potential for retainer-wire-related movement

This retention system is a construction feature.

It is independent from whether the bridge body is made from brass or ZAMAK.

JAM Bridge

The KMS JAM Bridge uses CNC-machined bridge-body construction to create:

• Non-rocking offset geometry
• Lateral alignment
• Locking
• Variable-radius saddle positioning
• Controlled post interfaces
• Precise V-Rail saddle support

The JAM versions use different material and surface strategies:

• JAM Classic
• JAM Pro
• JAM Pure

The underlying geometry remains CNC-defined.

TV-Rails

KMS TV-Rails are CNC-manufactured in several material directions, including:

• Brass
• Stainless steel
• Aluminum
• Application-specific coated versions

The geometry controls:

• Compensation
• String position
• Contact
• Screw placement
• Saddle height adjustment
• Mix & Match compatibility

The same general saddle form can therefore be produced in different materials without abandoning the controlled KMS geometry.

Whiptail

The KMS Whiptail is CNC-machined from 7075 aluminum.

Its design combines:

• Low component weight
• Precise compensation
• Defined stud relationship
• Controlled contact
• Three application-specific compensation versions

The low mass is not created by uncontrolled material reduction.

It is created through deliberate material and geometry selection.

KMS Upgrades

The KMS titanium upgrade range applies CNC precision to replacement components such as:

• String locking screws
• Saddle mounting screws
• Locking insert blocks
• Fine-tuner-related components
• Tremolo blocks
• Other system-specific hardware

A replacement component must reproduce the required functional geometry precisely.

Material alone does not make it compatible.

The Formed Spring Claw

The tremolo spring claw is one important manufacturing exception.

It is a formed component rather than a purely CNC-machined solid component.

Its geometry requires:

• Prepared sheet material
• Controlled bending
• Suitable forming radii
• Compensation for springback
• A titanium specification selected for formability

KMS uses the manufacturing process best suited to the component.

CNC remains the central production method, but engineering takes priority over applying one process indiscriminately.

Customer Value and KMS Philosophy

Why CNC Matters to the Customer

The customer does not purchase a machine process in isolation.

The practical value appears through:

• Accurate fit
• Stable adjustment
• Defined string spacing
• Reliable intonation
• Serviceable components
• Consistent saddle positioning
• Controlled movement
• Secure locking
• Repeatable setup
• Long-term mechanical stability

CNC is valuable because it supports these functions.

Why CNC Matters to Tone

CNC machining does not impose one universal CNC sound.

Its tonal relevance comes from control.

It allows KMS to define:

• Material
• Component mass
• Contact points
• Saddle geometry
• Mechanical fit
• Structural support
• Moving interfaces
• Surface preparation

This helps the intended material direction remain clear.

Grade 5 Titanium

Supports the FlowTrem2 direction of:

• Speed
• Separation
• Low-end control
• Direct dynamics
• Even decay

Brass

Supports the ONE direction of:

• Body
• Weight
• Sustain
• Authority

ZAMAK

Supports the Vintage ONE direction of:

• Openness
• Liveliness
• Vintage-style response
• Strong definition

Aluminum

Supports the Whiptail and aluminum saddle direction of:

• Low mass
• Immediate response
• Open dynamics
• Acoustic liveliness

CNC precision gives each material a controlled form.

CNC Is Part of the Product Identity

For KMS, CNC manufacturing is not merely an outsourced method used after the product has been designed.

The possibilities of CNC machining influence the design itself.

They allow KMS to create:

• Integrated functions
• Product-specific geometry
• Modular systems
• Precision interfaces
• Small highly loaded components
• Controlled material distribution
• Replaceable system parts
• Distinctive product architecture

This is particularly visible in FlowTrem2.

The bridge exists in its present form because CNC design and CNC manufacturing were considered from the beginning.

FlowTrem2 as the Reference System

FlowTrem2 represents the full KMS approach:

• Grade 5 titanium material system
• CNC-machined structural components
• KMS V-saddle geometry
• Direct saddle contact
• MONOLITH+2 modular block system
• OmniPort
• FlowBar
• Integrated fine-tuner geometry
• Product-specific intonation range
• Six- and seven-string versions
• Application-specific surfaces

No single component defines the bridge.

The value comes from the complete engineered relationship.

Questions to Ask About CNC Guitar Hardware

When evaluating a CNC-manufactured bridge, ask:

• Which material grade is used?
• Was the component designed for that material?
• Which functional surfaces are machined?
• How are the saddles supported?
• How are the posts located?
• How are the threads produced?
• How is intonation travel established?
• How are components retained?
• Which surfaces receive functional treatment?
• Is the bridge designed as a system?
• Are replacement components available?
• Does the product solve a defined mechanical or tonal problem?

The word CNC is the beginning of the manufacturing description.

The product design determines its value.

Common CNC Misunderstandings

Avoid reducing CNC manufacturing to:

• A visual machining pattern
• A premium label
• A single tolerance number
• A synonym for one material
• A claim that every component must be milled from one solid block
• A guarantee of one specific tone

The real value of CNC lies in the controlled relationship between:

• Design
• Material
• Geometry
• Process
• Measurement
• Assembly
• Function

The KMS CNC Direction

KISS MY STRINGS uses CNC manufacturing to create hardware that is:

• Material-specific
• Dimensionally controlled
• Mechanically deliberate
• Serviceable
• Adjustable
• Designed for real players
• Built around tonal and functional goals

The process supports the complete KMS philosophy:

Tone. Performance.

Designed to Sound.

Related Guides

• FlowTrem2 Product Guide →
• FlowTrem2 Installation Guide →
• FlowTrem2 Setup & Care →
• Titanium in Guitar Hardware: Why Grade 5 Matters →
• How Guitar Bridge Material Affects Tone →