Bigsby Bridge on a 72' thinline telecaster?

Douglas L · May 26th, 2008, 07:11 PM

its a MIM reissue. good idea? iv heard it kills the tone.

LOTF · May 27th, 2008, 03:24 AM

You'll have to turn it into a top-loader which will eliminate the tone and sustain you get from having the strings through the body. Some may disagree with me but I can't see this as being a good thing.

Whatever it does to the tone, it will definitely screw up your intonation. I have a Bigsby on my '72 SG and I will never own another guitar with one. Just looking at the blasted thing the wrong way will put you out of tune.

But then again, I personally have little use for whammy bars period. On my Strat, I loaded the trem with springs and leave the handle in the case at all times. I sold my old Kramer Baretta with the Floyd Rose because I hated all the hassles connected with it so much.

Some people can really work magic with whammy bars, including Bigsbys. I totally love what Terry Clements does with the one on his Gretsch with Gordon Lightfoot. But they just aren't for me.

Your mileage may differ, however.

jwells393 · May 27th, 2008, 09:56 AM

Perhaps a little something to whet your appetite.

......

Tele295 · May 27th, 2008, 04:25 PM

I want one on mine, but I don't want the Jazzmaster/Mustang bridge. Still working on trying to modify the existing bridge plate to accomodate 3 brass saddles and string notches.

jwells393 · May 27th, 2008, 05:00 PM

Looks like the 72 Thinline's existing bridge plate might not work with the B-5 F Bigsby.

......

Tele295 · May 27th, 2008, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwells393

Looks like the 72 Thinline's existing bridge plate might not work with the B-5 F Bigsby.

B5-F Bigsby doesn't even fit behind the existing plate. I have to go with a regular B5

jwells393 · May 27th, 2008, 05:11 PM

The body of the B-5 F is 4 1/2 in. long. On the 72 Thinline there's 4 1/2 in. behind the bridge. That would put it right up against the bridge.

Regular B-5 body is 3 11/16 in. long ......... not counting the screw leg which could be taken off. You could drill the Bigsby in the spring area and install a mounting screw there.

Douglas L · May 27th, 2008, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwells393

Perhaps a little something to whet your appetite.

......

thats exactly what im looking for. how do i know which modle to use though? B-5?

jwells393 · May 27th, 2008, 07:39 PM

If you had a B-5 or B-5 "F" kit installed, you would have the three original bridge screw holes showing between the Bigsby and the new bridge.

Tele295 · May 27th, 2008, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwells393

The body of the B-5 F is 4 1/2 in. long. On the 72 Thinline there's 4 1/2 in. behind the bridge. That would put it right up against the bridge.

Right up against the bridge.... but the adjustment screw heads have to go somewhere!!!!!!

It kicks the "F" shield over the edge just a little bit!

This has turned out to be more of a puzzle than I originally thought. Wish I knew some sheet metal workers who could fab me some parts on the cheap.

Douglas L · June 3rd, 2008, 01:09 AM

yeah, i really dont know how to do the instalation or anything. i know that i really want a sweet vibrato though :)

May 26th, 2008, 07:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
Douglas L NEW MEMBER! Join Date: May 2008 Location: Idaho Age: 16 Posts: 6	Bigsby Bridge on a 72' thinline telecaster? its a MIM reissue. good idea? iv heard it kills the tone.

May 27th, 2008, 03:24 AM	#2 (permalink)
LOTF Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Tempe, AZ Age: 53 Posts: 229	You'll have to turn it into a top-loader which will eliminate the tone and sustain you get from having the strings through the body. Some may disagree with me but I can't see this as being a good thing. Whatever it does to the tone, it will definitely screw up your intonation. I have a Bigsby on my '72 SG and I will never own another guitar with one. Just looking at the blasted thing the wrong way will put you out of tune. But then again, I personally have little use for whammy bars period. On my Strat, I loaded the trem with springs and leave the handle in the case at all times. I sold my old Kramer Baretta with the Floyd Rose because I hated all the hassles connected with it so much. Some people can really work magic with whammy bars, including Bigsbys. I totally love what Terry Clements does with the one on his Gretsch with Gordon Lightfoot. But they just aren't for me. Your mileage may differ, however. __________________ Regards, LOTF TELES: 2008 '52 Vintage Hot Rod 2007 '72 Thinline reissue 1985 Squier (MIJ)

May 27th, 2008, 09:56 AM	#3 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 12,242 101 Photos	Perhaps a little something to whet your appetite. ...... __________________ Jack's Disclaimer: When I say something.... always ask yourself ..... "What the hell does he know?" _ Guys - learn to disable the flash on your digital cameras.

May 27th, 2008, 04:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tele295 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Haunted Amp, CA Posts: 3,402 14 Photos	I want one on mine, but I don't want the Jazzmaster/Mustang bridge. Still working on trying to modify the existing bridge plate to accomodate 3 brass saddles and string notches. __________________ "Turn it up and it doesn't need any reverb." - Danny Gatton www.dannygatton.info Tiger Town Aces - Music That Bites Back In Redd we trust! Free Bill Kirchen! If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen defrocked, doesn't it follow that electricians can be delighted, musicians denoted, cowboys deranged, models deposed, tree surgeons debarked, and dry cleaners depressed?

May 27th, 2008, 05:00 PM	#5 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 12,242 101 Photos	Looks like the 72 Thinline's existing bridge plate might not work with the B-5 F Bigsby. ...... __________________ Jack's Disclaimer: When I say something.... always ask yourself ..... "What the hell does he know?" _ Guys - learn to disable the flash on your digital cameras.

May 27th, 2008, 05:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 12,242 101 Photos	The body of the B-5 F is 4 1/2 in. long. On the 72 Thinline there's 4 1/2 in. behind the bridge. That would put it right up against the bridge. Regular B-5 body is 3 11/16 in. long ......... not counting the screw leg which could be taken off. You could drill the Bigsby in the spring area and install a mounting screw there. __________________ Jack's Disclaimer: When I say something.... always ask yourself ..... "What the hell does he know?" _ Guys - learn to disable the flash on your digital cameras.

May 27th, 2008, 07:39 PM	#9 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 12,242 101 Photos	If you had a B-5 or B-5 "F" kit installed, you would have the three original bridge screw holes showing between the Bigsby and the new bridge. __________________ Jack's Disclaimer: When I say something.... always ask yourself ..... "What the hell does he know?" _ Guys - learn to disable the flash on your digital cameras.

June 3rd, 2008, 01:09 AM	#11 (permalink)
Douglas L NEW MEMBER! Join Date: May 2008 Location: Idaho Age: 16 Posts: 6	yeah, i really dont know how to do the instalation or anything. i know that i really want a sweet vibrato though :)