are there any Bigsby mods to make it easyer to change string

Merricka · October 2nd, 2005, 05:29 AM

Its a pain

tjalla · October 2nd, 2005, 06:36 AM

If you wrap the ball end of the string halfway around a pencil, it makes the string want to stay on as you string up

TwinReverb · October 2nd, 2005, 07:38 AM

I use a piece of cork that I have cut out so it will shove under the pin where you put on the string. The cork keeps it from slipping of. I also use the trick Tjalla describes.

good luck
Erik

Paul G. · October 2nd, 2005, 08:04 AM

Take your Bigsby apart--it quite easy.

Unscrew the pins from the bar.

Using the pin holes as pilots, drill out the bar all the way (6x).

Reassemble.

Now you string the Bigsby by inserting the string from the bridge side, wrap over and back to your pegs.

I had one somebody modified this way, and it was amazing. Don't know why Bigsby doesn't make them like this.

If you're not a machinist, then the cork/eraser method works well.

P.

jwells393 · October 2nd, 2005, 10:13 AM

TwinReverb has the right idea. The following is from the Bigsby website FAQs:

Re-Stringing the Bigsby Vibrato

1. Crimp the string at a 45 o angle next to the ball end (A).

2. Feed the string underneath, around and over the axle (B).

3. Place the ball end of the string onto the axle pin (C), keeping tension on the string to hold the ball in place.

4. Push a foam wedge (D) into the space under the axle to keep the string in place on the pin while winding.

5. Wind the string onto the tuning machine, tune to pitch and remove the foam wedge.

6. Repeat for each string

Lotis · October 2nd, 2005, 11:37 AM

Try using a capo to hold the string in place once it's actually on the post. Then you have both hands free to complete the task.

chago04 · October 2nd, 2005, 01:16 PM

a pink eraser slid the opposite way of the foam wedge above. it works like a charm!

Twangmeister · October 2nd, 2005, 03:25 PM

and it was like manna from Heaven! I dread changing the strings on my Gretsch....you have all given me new hope!

Jef · October 2nd, 2005, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Take your Bigsby apart--it quite easy.

Unscrew the pins from the bar.

Using the pin holes as pilots, drill out the bar all the way (6x).

Reassemble.

Now you string the Bigsby by inserting the string from the bridge side, wrap over and back to your pegs.

I had one somebody modified this way, and it was amazing. Don't know why Bigsby doesn't make them like this.

That's what I use too. Works like a charm!

Jef

freshmattyp · October 2nd, 2005, 05:30 PM

I use a capo at the 5th fret to hold the string in place. Works like a charm.

Tele295 · October 2nd, 2005, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul G.

Take your Bigsby apart--it quite easy.

Unscrew the pins from the bar.

Using the pin holes as pilots, drill out the bar all the way (6x).

Reassemble.

Now you string the Bigsby by inserting the string from the bridge side, wrap over and back to your pegs.

I had one somebody modified this way, and it was amazing. Don't know why Bigsby doesn't make them like this.

If you're not a machinist, then the cork/eraser method works well.

P.

Bigsby did make them with removeable pins for a while, it only took an Allen wrnech to get them out. It left a hole thropugh the bar the is more than adequate for the strings. My '68 F-Bigsby has these pins. I grab them whenever I can.

Jon C · October 2nd, 2005, 08:04 PM

Capo to hold strings is a good tip, so is the foam/cork idea, my variant on that is to take a wooden clothes pin and break it in half (the long way at the closed end. You can wedge it to hold the ball end of string) (thanks to Mark Gamsjager of the Lustre Kings for the tip).

That & the capo make changing pretty easy. I also think locking tuners are a big plus/must w a Bigsby.

Cheers,
Jon

October 2nd, 2005, 05:29 AM	#1 (permalink)
Merricka TDPRI Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 10	are there any Bigsby mods to make it easyer to change string Its a pain __________________ DavidMWerrick

October 2nd, 2005, 06:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
tjalla Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 1,897 7 Photos	Pre-bend the ends If you wrap the ball end of the string halfway around a pencil, it makes the string want to stay on as you string up

October 2nd, 2005, 08:04 AM	#4 (permalink)
Paul G. Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 885	If you have a drill press you can do this. Take your Bigsby apart--it quite easy. Unscrew the pins from the bar. Using the pin holes as pilots, drill out the bar all the way (6x). Reassemble. Now you string the Bigsby by inserting the string from the bridge side, wrap over and back to your pegs. I had one somebody modified this way, and it was amazing. Don't know why Bigsby doesn't make them like this. If you're not a machinist, then the cork/eraser method works well. P. __________________ Listen to your mother

October 2nd, 2005, 10:13 AM	#5 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 12,252 101 Photos	TwinReverb has the right idea. The following is from the Bigsby website FAQs: Re-Stringing the Bigsby Vibrato 1. Crimp the string at a 45 o angle next to the ball end (A). 2. Feed the string underneath, around and over the axle (B). 3. Place the ball end of the string onto the axle pin (C), keeping tension on the string to hold the ball in place. 4. Push a foam wedge (D) into the space under the axle to keep the string in place on the pin while winding. 5. Wind the string onto the tuning machine, tune to pitch and remove the foam wedge. 6. Repeat for each string __________________ 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.

October 2nd, 2005, 11:37 AM	#6 (permalink)
Lotis TDPRI Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 30	Stringing a Bigsby Try using a capo to hold the string in place once it's actually on the post. Then you have both hands free to complete the task.

October 2nd, 2005, 07:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
TwinReverb Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 477	I use a piece of cork that I have cut out so it will shove under the pin where you put on the string. The cork keeps it from slipping of. I also use the trick Tjalla describes. good luck Erik

October 2nd, 2005, 01:16 PM	#7 (permalink)
chago04 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 207	I use... a pink eraser slid the opposite way of the foam wedge above. it works like a charm! __________________ - Logan I dont suffer from G.A.S., but my bank account does Bring my Green Sauce Back

October 2nd, 2005, 03:25 PM	#8 (permalink)
Twangmeister Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Lost Angeles, CA Posts: 1,251	I stumbled onto this thread.... and it was like manna from Heaven! I dread changing the strings on my Gretsch....you have all given me new hope! __________________ "The man that hath no music in himself, nor is not mov'd with concord of sweet sounds, is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils." http://www.myspace.com/jeremendelsohn

October 2nd, 2005, 05:30 PM	#10 (permalink)
freshmattyp Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kansas City Age: 42 Posts: 960 18 Photos	I use a capo at the 5th fret to hold the string in place. Works like a charm.

October 2nd, 2005, 08:04 PM	#12 (permalink)
Jon C Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mid-Atlantic USA Posts: 225	Capo to hold strings is a good tip, so is the foam/cork idea, my variant on that is to take a wooden clothes pin and break it in half (the long way at the closed end. You can wedge it to hold the ball end of string) (thanks to Mark Gamsjager of the Lustre Kings for the tip). That & the capo make changing pretty easy. I also think locking tuners are a big plus/must w a Bigsby. Cheers, Jon