Bigsby Question

BootRoots · January 4th, 2005, 12:07 PM

I have an old Bigsby that I am trying to get some further info on. There are no distinct markings and I am trying to figure out if it is an imitation or a real bigsby. Does anyone know if Bigsby ever made a B5 model with out the logo on it? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

jwells393 · January 4th, 2005, 05:06 PM

My vote is: That is not a Bigsby ......... but don't forget to read my signature.

rusticman · January 4th, 2005, 05:32 PM

looks alot like a Gibson style bigsby, but thay uasally have a gibson logo.

Tele295 · January 5th, 2005, 07:08 PM

The lines of that really remind me of a Bigsby B12, that Gibson put on archtops like the Les Paul Signature in the 70's. Maybe it's the solidbody version of that model.

Walter Broes · January 6th, 2005, 08:29 AM

It looks like the style of Bigsby Gibson put on some SG's in the 70's. It wouldn't surprise me if Gibson indeed used cutoff B12's, that's what it looks like.

BootRoots · January 6th, 2005, 10:31 AM

thanks for the input guys. I have an email into Bigsby. Its been a week with no reply, not sure if I will hear back or not, but I'm wondering if they will be any help.

jwells393 · January 6th, 2005, 10:37 AM

I took Tele295's picture and cut off part of the Bigsby. Here they are side by side.

Tele295 · January 6th, 2005, 01:49 PM

Boots, I just noticeed something about your Bigsby - it has removable pins! Bigsby occasionally had removable pins on their (I think) early 70's models. Now here's what you do - get an Allen wrench and take those pins out. You now have a string-thru Bigsby, which is a WHOLE lot easier to restring than trying to put the ball end over the pins. Whenever I see a removable pin model, I buy it (if the price is OK). They're rare, but make the Bigsby SO much more user friendly.

FWIW, the "F" logo Bigsbys that Fender used in the early 70's were had removable pins. That's what's on my Thinline, and I also have a removable pin model on my ES-295.

Seeing jwells side-by-side picture, I'd be comfortable saying it is a real Bigsby. Whether the cutoff came from the Bigsby factory or not may be another story, but the rear mounting holes are consistently counter-sunk, and look like period correct Bigsby work.

BootRoots · January 6th, 2005, 02:37 PM

thanks Tele295. Yes it is a string through model. It didn't have pins when I bought it. I know what you mean about it being a pain in the but with the pins.

January 4th, 2005, 12:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
BootRoots Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 317	Bigsby Question I have an old Bigsby that I am trying to get some further info on. There are no distinct markings and I am trying to figure out if it is an imitation or a real bigsby. Does anyone know if Bigsby ever made a B5 model with out the logo on it? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

January 4th, 2005, 05:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 12,250 101 Photos	My vote is: That is not a Bigsby ......... but don't forget to read my signature. __________________ 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.

January 4th, 2005, 05:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
rusticman Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: NORWAY Age: 29 Posts: 404	gibson? looks alot like a Gibson style bigsby, but thay uasally have a gibson logo.

January 5th, 2005, 07:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tele295 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Haunted Amp, CA Posts: 3,403 14 Photos	The lines of that really remind me of a Bigsby B12, that Gibson put on archtops like the Les Paul Signature in the 70's. Maybe it's the solidbody version of that model. __________________ "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?

January 6th, 2005, 10:37 AM	#7 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 12,250 101 Photos	Looks like the above posts could be right. I took Tele295's picture and cut off part of the Bigsby. Here they are side by side. __________________ 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.

January 6th, 2005, 08:29 AM	#5 (permalink)
Walter Broes Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Age: 38 Posts: 473	It looks like the style of Bigsby Gibson put on some SG's in the 70's. It wouldn't surprise me if Gibson indeed used cutoff B12's, that's what it looks like.

January 6th, 2005, 10:31 AM	#6 (permalink)
BootRoots Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 317	thanks for the input guys. I have an email into Bigsby. Its been a week with no reply, not sure if I will hear back or not, but I'm wondering if they will be any help.

January 6th, 2005, 01:49 PM	#8 (permalink)
Tele295 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Haunted Amp, CA Posts: 3,403 14 Photos	Boots, I just noticeed something about your Bigsby - it has removable pins! Bigsby occasionally had removable pins on their (I think) early 70's models. Now here's what you do - get an Allen wrench and take those pins out. You now have a string-thru Bigsby, which is a WHOLE lot easier to restring than trying to put the ball end over the pins. Whenever I see a removable pin model, I buy it (if the price is OK). They're rare, but make the Bigsby SO much more user friendly. FWIW, the "F" logo Bigsbys that Fender used in the early 70's were had removable pins. That's what's on my Thinline, and I also have a removable pin model on my ES-295. Seeing jwells side-by-side picture, I'd be comfortable saying it is a real Bigsby. Whether the cutoff came from the Bigsby factory or not may be another story, but the rear mounting holes are consistently counter-sunk, and look like period correct Bigsby work. __________________ "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?

January 6th, 2005, 02:37 PM	#9 (permalink)
BootRoots Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 317	thanks Tele295. Yes it is a string through model. It didn't have pins when I bought it. I know what you mean about it being a pain in the but with the pins.