Notched bridge for Bigsby

I'm contemplating a Bigsby on my latest project, and I notched the back of the bridge to avoid having to use the wonky Jaguar-style bridge (see attached blurry pic). I did it with a Dremel, and it's not pretty, but it should work.

The problem is the shapr edges. This is where I normally rest my palm, so that's a bit of a problem. I've currently stuck some electician's tape on there, but I'd like to get something a little more professional.

Any good approaches?

Why don't you just file the sharp edges to a rounder shape?

There are times to use a Dremel ............. there are times to use a file. I think you chose the wrong tool.

I'm not sure what you see so wonky with the Jaguar bridge. My 68 tele came with that bridge and bigsby when I bought my guitar new in 68 in Kokomo, Ind. Thats the real deal, works just fine.

I'm not sure what you see so wonky with the Jaguar bridge. My 68 tele came with that bridge and bigsby when I bought my guitar new in 68 in Kokomo, Ind. Thats the real deal, works just fine.

The big plus of the notched vintage style bridge used with a Bigsby is that there's almost no change in tone - the Tele sounds just like one without a Bigsby...

The big plus of the notched vintage style bridge used with a Bigsby is that there's almost no change in tone - the Tele sounds just like one without a Bigsby...

Exactly. Plus I don't like the way the Jag one looks. And I'm less likely to have to shim the neck (I think)

There are times to use a Dremel ............. there are times to use a file. I think you chose the wrong tool.

I don't really have any files (except the huge 6" kind which won't really work for stainless steel, right?). And I was in the basement, and the Dremel was in the basement, and my Wife was watching American Idol upstairs, so I got to Dremellin'...

Just about any decent auto parts store will have a liquid vinyl product that is sold to coat the handles of tools, and various parts used in auto restoration.
It's an air-dry coating that bonds to the material that is dipped into it. It's usually available in different colours, black being the most neutral.
Pour some into a lid that is just large enough to acommodate the bridge plate and dip the edge into the product and remove. You might want to dunk it a couple of times, just to build up the material to the thickness you want. Failing taking the bridge off the guitar, you could brush the stuff on a layer at a time, but the dipping routine will give better results.

That is kind of a cool idea. I may have to hit Napa.

Wow, after playing 50 some years of guitars and having owned a few in my day, I never knew there was a tone change on that bridge. Go figure.