'63 Tele with a (Factory installed??) Bigsby...

RoadRunner · December 30th, 2005, 01:13 AM

A friend of mine just got this guitar... rather clean '63. Would Fender have done something like this?

Here's some more pics:

http://www.lilypix.com/photos/data/b...952_p52174.jpg

http://www.lilypix.com/photos/data/b...952_p52175.jpg

http://www.lilypix.com/photos/data/b...952_p52172.jpg

Notice the different saddles...

slack · December 30th, 2005, 01:51 AM

No, not IMO.

If the Bigsby was original then it's likely the body would not have been drilled for strings.

I would also expect Jazzmaster type saddles/bridge as was the norm for Teles with Bigsby's, and which of course had been around for a while by this time.

Also, note the two slot head screws holding down the bridge plate, and the two stainless steel saddles from 68 or later.

I'd guess the Bigsby was added, and someone notched the bridge to accomodate it. Then, after the strings wore into the saddles they were eventually replaced.

stevieboy · December 30th, 2005, 01:58 AM

Did Fender make any guitars with single ply guards at that time? I know 3 ply was the norm.

RoadRunner · December 30th, 2005, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevieboy

Did Fender make any guitars with single ply guards at that time? I know 3 ply was the norm.

The only 3 ply guards, at that time, were on Tele or Esquire Customs... or custom color guitars. The regular "Tele blond" guitars got single ply guards. And the 3 plys for the above mentioned guitars were nitrate "green" guards. Some time in mid/late '64 they went with the 3 plys for everything and then shortly thereafter the guards were the white plastic ones.

Poppatwang · December 30th, 2005, 10:07 AM

Least invasive conversion though.

RoadRunner · December 30th, 2005, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slack

No, not IMO.

If the Bigsby was original then it's likely the body would not have been drilled for strings.

I would also expect Jazzmaster type saddles/bridge as was the norm for Teles with Bigsby's, and which of course had been around for a while by this time.

Also, note the two slot head screws holding down the bridge plate, and the two stainless steel saddles from 68 or later.

I'd guess the Bigsby was added, and someone notched the bridge to accomodate it. Then, after the strings wore into the saddles they were eventually replaced.

I was just wondering if Fender did one of those, "somebody wants a Bigsby on their Tele, and they want it NOW!" things.

The saddles do point to an aftermarket conversion though and that's a good point you make. They couldn't have been converted due to "string wear"... the guitar doesn't look to have been played much.

Thanks for your input Slack!

jwells393 · December 30th, 2005, 10:35 AM

That's not a Fender factory installation. You showed several pictures but none of the back. I'm sure the back shows string holes. Fender started putting Bigsbys on around 1967 and they were the ones with the Fender "F".

RoadRunner · December 30th, 2005, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwells393

That's not a Fender factory installation. You showed several pictures but none of the back. I'm sure the back shows string holes. Fender started putting Bigsbys on around 1967 and they were the ones with the Fender "F".

Good point J. thanks man!

slack · December 30th, 2005, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoadRunner

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwells393

That's not a Fender factory installation. You showed several pictures but none of the back. I'm sure the back shows string holes. Fender started putting Bigsbys on around 1967 and they were the ones with the Fender "F".

Good point J. thanks man!

The first line in my response was "If the Bigsby was original then it's likely the body would not have been drilled for strings."

Because, in this pic you can see that the body is drilled for string-through. ;)

Geo · January 1st, 2006, 12:49 AM

FWIW, The Duchossoir Tele book has
"the Bigsby vibrato tailpiece was listed as an option in
'1967 but earlier factory-fitted units are known to
exist."

I figure these were few and really no sense in
separating a body from normal production just
so normal string holes were not drilled. Think it
would be better to have both anyway in case the
Bigsby was not wanted on the guitar later.

RoadRunner · January 1st, 2006, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geo

FWIW, The Duchossoir Tele book has
"the Bigsby vibrato tailpiece was listed as an option in
'1967 but earlier factory-fitted units are known to
exist."

I figure these were few and really no sense in
separating a body from normal production just
so normal string holes were not drilled. Think it
would be better to have both anyway in case the
Bigsby was not wanted on the guitar later.

Good point George.

Is that you or Fred in your avatar? Cool pic!

Geo · January 1st, 2006, 08:51 PM

Hey Gary,
That Tele looks SOOOO good regardless
of the Bigsby originality. Chills looking here.

jmiles · January 2nd, 2006, 01:47 PM

Just as aside, the coolest trem-equipped Tele I've ever seen was offered to me by Don Dixon, former owner of Henry's Music in Cuyahoga Falls Ohio. It was a Tele with a Strat trem, from the factory. Don and his partner, Mike Battles, invented the Echoplex, and was, IIRC, the first Fender dealer in Northern Ohio. He alweays had great, old stuff. I bought a 56 Pro from him, and he knew I loved it! So when another one came in he called me. Stupidly, I told him if someone wanted it before I could get there the next day, to sell it. Next day I showed up with the $300 he wanted, and the amp was gone. I told him I was there to spend money so he sent his wife home for another amp. I got a 58 Bassman that day for $300!
Anyway, nice Bigsby Tele!

December 30th, 2005, 01:13 AM	#1 (permalink)
RoadRunner Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: TN Posts: 104	'63 Tele with a (Factory installed??) Bigsby... A friend of mine just got this guitar... rather clean '63. Would Fender have done something like this? Here's some more pics: http://www.lilypix.com/photos/data/b...952_p52174.jpg http://www.lilypix.com/photos/data/b...952_p52175.jpg http://www.lilypix.com/photos/data/b...952_p52172.jpg Notice the different saddles... __________________ "Telecaster... never leave home without one!"

December 30th, 2005, 01:58 AM	#3 (permalink)
stevieboy Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: the valley Age: 57 Posts: 2,414 6 Photos	Did Fender make any guitars with single ply guards at that time? I know 3 ply was the norm. __________________ "One of the best bands ever. These guys were such perfectionist"--Youtube user comment

December 30th, 2005, 10:07 AM	#5 (permalink)
Poppatwang Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: St. Paul, MN Posts: 1,892 13 Photos	Aftermarket Bigsby Least invasive conversion though. __________________ The Dieselfitters http://www.dieselfitters.com Roy Hubbs http://www.royhubbs.com

December 30th, 2005, 10:35 AM	#7 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 12,253 101 Photos	That's not a Fender factory installation. You showed several pictures but none of the back. I'm sure the back shows string holes. Fender started putting Bigsbys on around 1967 and they were the ones with the Fender "F". __________________ 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 1st, 2006, 12:49 AM	#10 (permalink)
Geo Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hendersonville, TN Age: 59 Posts: 2,484 15 Photos	FWIW, The Duchossoir Tele book has "the Bigsby vibrato tailpiece was listed as an option in '1967 but earlier factory-fitted units are known to exist." I figure these were few and really no sense in separating a body from normal production just so normal string holes were not drilled. Think it would be better to have both anyway in case the Bigsby was not wanted on the guitar later. __________________ "Somewhere between culture and agriculture"

December 30th, 2005, 01:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
slack Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 1,929	No, not IMO. If the Bigsby was original then it's likely the body would not have been drilled for strings. I would also expect Jazzmaster type saddles/bridge as was the norm for Teles with Bigsby's, and which of course had been around for a while by this time. Also, note the two slot head screws holding down the bridge plate, and the two stainless steel saddles from 68 or later. I'd guess the Bigsby was added, and someone notched the bridge to accomodate it. Then, after the strings wore into the saddles they were eventually replaced.

January 1st, 2006, 08:51 PM	#12 (permalink)
Geo Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hendersonville, TN Age: 59 Posts: 2,484 15 Photos	Hey Gary, That Tele looks SOOOO good regardless of the Bigsby originality. Chills looking here. __________________ "Somewhere between culture and agriculture"

January 2nd, 2006, 01:47 PM	#13 (permalink)
jmiles Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: ohio Posts: 154	Just as aside, the coolest trem-equipped Tele I've ever seen was offered to me by Don Dixon, former owner of Henry's Music in Cuyahoga Falls Ohio. It was a Tele with a Strat trem, from the factory. Don and his partner, Mike Battles, invented the Echoplex, and was, IIRC, the first Fender dealer in Northern Ohio. He alweays had great, old stuff. I bought a 56 Pro from him, and he knew I loved it! So when another one came in he called me. Stupidly, I told him if someone wanted it before I could get there the next day, to sell it. Next day I showed up with the $300 he wanted, and the amp was gone. I told him I was there to spend money so he sent his wife home for another amp. I got a 58 Bassman that day for $300! Anyway, nice Bigsby Tele!