A stringed musical instrument is provided with a tremolo with a unitary base plate formed from a single folded or bent plate including a spring attachment means portion so that the tremolo is connected directly to the biasing springs; such a folded construction also includes multiple tiers stamped into the base plate portion for displacing the height of the second critical point on the intonation modules relative to the body of the instrument; the spring attachment means portion is fashioned such that the openings for anchoring the ends of the strings are aligned to openings in the base plate for threading the strings through the intonation modules. Additionally, intonation modules include alternative means for anchoring the strings located a critical distance from the second critical point essentially equal to the length of the anchoring portion or the reinforcement windings of the strings but not sufficient in length to engage the second critical point so as to render that portion of the string between the second critical point and the string anchor substantially inextensible.