A stringed instrument defines a hollow volume and includes at least one string. A tremolo assembly of the stringed instrument is adapted to vary tension in the string and comprises a tone block disposed within the hollow volume and operatively connected to the string. An arm extends from the tone block and is disposed within the volume of space. A handle extends from the arm and is spaced from the tone block and adapted to be displaced relative to the arm to operatively cause the tone block to correspondingly vary the tension in the string. A bridge plate is attached to the stringed instrument, connected to the string and tone block, and operatively connected to the arm. A connection mechanism operatively connects the bridge plate to the arm and is adapted to pull the bridge plate away from and toward the stringed instrument to correspondingly vary the tension upon the displacement.