Bigsby Spring Height

I just bought a 1" spring for my 2006 Gretsch. It originally had a 7/8". The new electromatics all have the 1" spring now. The bar is now the same height as my 1964 Silvertone 1454's unmolested whammy bar. Hooray for uniformity. On he Gretch DP, they say 1" is the norm. In fact, 1" is the tallest I saw on allparts.

I was in a music shop today, and played a new electromatic and Artcore. The whammy's were taller and taller. Why is this? There were no penny's in the washer area from the factory :)

Here are some pics...

1. 2006 Gretsch g5125
2. Silvertone 1454
3. 2012 Gretsch g5120
4. Ibanez Artcore



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The "licensed" Bigsby's (offshore copies) are not the most precise things.

Keep in mind, this height changes with string guage.

Get your desired string gauge estabished. Shim it, or shorten the spring until you're happy.