Tele with wammy or Bigsby??

Andy Summers · December 14th, 2007, 10:09 AM

Anyone. I love divebombing, but I hate tuning problems. Anyone ever run into a Tele with a respectable method to do this??

Tele Fan · December 14th, 2007, 10:13 AM

I like a bigsby. They'll give you some tuning problems if you're a dive bomber but I think anything will do that. Warning though, they definately add some weight to the ol' axe and you'll have to do some drilling.

cacibi · December 14th, 2007, 12:38 PM

Dive-bombing is for Stukas.

jwells393 · December 14th, 2007, 01:08 PM

A Bigsby is probably the easiest to install. definitely easier than installing a Strat type tremolo.

Arlo · December 14th, 2007, 01:23 PM

Well, I been wanting to build me a Tele with a vintage Strat 6 hole trem.

Here are a couple new ones I got being finished by Ron Kirn. These are Digger Pine body's supplied by Scott another TDP bro.

Here is a hi bred with a cutaway.

Ron you are a master craftsman bro!

Scott thank you for contributing to the Pine collection!

kovachian · December 14th, 2007, 01:28 PM

If you want something without making any permanent mods (reversible, no routing) to a perfectly good Tele then a Stetsbar could be the way to go. I've personally never used one so I have no idea on tuning stability. Looks like something that's worth a shot though.

neocaster · December 14th, 2007, 01:31 PM

Bigsby is easy to install, but you may not get the travel in pitch you're looking for. You would need a pretty tall spring to change pitch as drastically as a 2-point fulcrum tremolo bridge (modern strat.) See if any of your local stores have a 50's or 60s classic with Bigsby to try out for feel.

Fender made a Heavy Metal Tele (HM Tele) that I see pop up on ebay from time to time with a Floyd Rose style trem.

Andy Summers · December 14th, 2007, 01:31 PM

Thanks for your replys everyone. However, there is no way I am installing anything myself..other than pickups or tuners. I am not the craftsman most of you are.
I was wondering if there is anything anyone has used straight off the shelf that has worked out well.

RomanS · December 14th, 2007, 01:37 PM

I love Bigsbies, but if you like to dive-bomb, look elsewhere...

The Bigsby is perfect for adding a bit of shimmer and warble, about a semi-tone up and down; and it doesn't change the tone of the Tele (at least if used with a notched vintage bridge); also, sorry "Tele Fan", but you're wrong: it does NOT add a lot of weight, only about 300g (10.5 oz.), which is less than a Strat trem (After all, the Bigsby is made from aluminium, the Strat trem from steel!); I wouldn't consider that a lot!

BUT: A Bigsby is not a good choice for dive-bombing! You'll need a lot of force for that, and the guitar will definitely go out of tune - if you want to dive-bomb, get a Floyd Rose and a locking nut, or at least a Strat-type trem and locking tuners...

Andy Summers · December 14th, 2007, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RomanS

I love Bigsbies, but if you like to dive-bomb, look elsewhere...

The Bigsby is perfect for adding a bit of shimmer and warble, about a semi-tone up and down; and it doesn't change the tone of the Tele (at least if used with a notched vintage bridge); also, sorry "Tele Fan", but you're wrong: it does NOT add a lot of weight, only about 300g (10.5 oz.), which is less than a Strat trem; I wouldn't consider that a lot!

BUT: A Bigsby is not a good choice for dive-bombing! You'll need a lot of force for that, and the guitar will definitely go out of tune - if you want to dive-bomb, get a Floyd Rose and a locking nut, or at least a Strat-type trem and locking tuners...

Thanks RomanS...I think "divebombing" may be an exaggeration for what Im thinking. Just looking for some nice vibrato touches (my favorite example would be what Alex Lifeson from Rush acheives) use and some decent pitch bends. Hate Floyd Rose systems. Bigsby might be the way for me...Just dont want to have to deal with tuning issues and the bridge lifting and leaving the action high.

Andy Summers · December 14th, 2007, 01:45 PM

Really like the looks of this one...

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...sby?sku=515123

neocaster · December 14th, 2007, 02:04 PM

If that's the one I think it is, it's one of the few Crafted in Japan guitars sold by new U.S. Fender dealers. Great guitars, but I would not buy one sight unseen. (I say that, but I have to disclose that I bought a CIJ Tele sight unseen and was more than satisfied with the results)

I still say since you're looking for a specific sound, try to play one first. Check www.gbase.com

HM Tele link

Andy Summers · December 14th, 2007, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neocaster

If that's the one I think it is, it's one of the few Crafted in Japan guitars sold by new U.S. Fender dealers. Great guitars, but I would not buy one sight unseen. (I say that, but I have to disclose that I bought a CIJ Tele sight unseen and was more than satisfied with the results)

I still say since you're looking for a specific sound, try to play one first. Check www.gbase.com

I definitely will...Thanks Neocaster! Going to check out your link right now.

neocaster · December 14th, 2007, 02:15 PM

Look up, added a link to the very one.

Andy Summers · December 14th, 2007, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neocaster

Look up, added a link to the very one.

Thanks Neo. Not sure I like the looks of that though...I like the classic Tele look...maybe Im barking up the wrong tree here....

neocaster · December 14th, 2007, 02:35 PM

I certainly know what you're driving at (or think I do.)

I think our own Joel Terry made a Tele with a strat trem on it.

Andy Summers · December 14th, 2007, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neocaster

I certainly know what you're driving at (or think I do.)

I think our own Joel Terry made a Tele with a strat trem on it.

Now that is something that I would consider Neo. You're definitely on the same page as me. Thanks!

TelecasterBlooz · December 14th, 2007, 03:15 PM

I had me a Brownsville "Soul Buddy". It was a Tele-bodied, bolt-neck guitar. It had a P-90 in the bridge and 2 single coils. It sported a 3-on-a-side neck, a decent rosewood fingerboard, and a Wilkinson Whammy. I believe the tuners were Grovers. Why do I no longer have it? It was the most hideous shade of puke neon green you ever seen. Played great though...the Wilkinson worked pretty darn good, I used to use that guitar alot when I played out especially when my band would play "Voodoo Chile". Do an Ebay search and see of you can find one that ain't in glow in the dark puke green...

jwells393 · December 14th, 2007, 03:34 PM

Holy crap Arlo ............... I was about to compliment you on your painting skills ......... then I read what you wrote........... so my compliments must go to Ron ........... but you get kudos for selecting him. Those are going to be real beauties.

stevedenver · December 14th, 2007, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arlo

Well, I been wanting to build me a Tele with a vintage Strat 6 hole trem.

Here are a couple new ones I got being finished by Ron Kirn. These are Digger Pine body's supplied by Scott another TDP bro.

Here is a hi bred with a cutaway.

Ron you are a master craftsman bro!

Scott thank you for contributing to the Pine collection!

beautiful finish

i have one strat with .......the the dreaded flloyd...they do work for dive bombing like nothing else-not an expert by i do think a major obstacle is eliminating the play between nut and tuners

casterway · December 14th, 2007, 04:37 PM

www.tremking.com

I tried one out, it blew my mind.

kovachian · December 14th, 2007, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by casterway

www.tremking.com

I tried one out, it blew my mind.

A TK-2 is exactly what's going on my first Tele build, no ifs ands or buts about it.

I wonder if usacg can accomodate that routing? I hope so!
[img=http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/7607/usacgfy7.th.jpg]

LOTF · December 14th, 2007, 07:40 PM

Personally, I'm not too crazy about trems of any variety. I've got a Bigsby on my SG Pro and it's absolutely the best way I can think of to quickly detune a guitar. I'm hoping that putting Sperzel locking tuners on it will help.

Bigsbys are absolutely useless for dive-bombing, as others have mentioned. You won't get the travel you need and you will definitely detune the guitar using anything more than the lightest touch. If you really must dive-bomb, you'd probably be better off with a Strat than a Tele. Or just get a rubber-neck Gibson and bend the neck for it. That works on my SG at least as good as the Bigsby does.

martyb1 · December 14th, 2007, 08:01 PM

You could pick up one of these.They go pretty cheap some times and are actually pretty nice guitars.To tell you the truth the tele I am using right now has a neck off a contemporary tele.They are quite nice other than the black paint and are a 12 radius

Here is a link to the ebay auction with lots more pics

Contemporary Tele

They come in this configuration and also H/H (thats what mine was)

December 14th, 2007, 10:09 AM	#1 (permalink)
Andy Summers Tele-Holic Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: CT Age: 36 Posts: 542	Tele with wammy or Bigsby?? Anyone. I love divebombing, but I hate tuning problems. Anyone ever run into a Tele with a respectable method to do this??

December 14th, 2007, 10:13 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tele Fan Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Louisville, Ky Age: 29 Posts: 1,458	I like a bigsby. They'll give you some tuning problems if you're a dive bomber but I think anything will do that. Warning though, they definately add some weight to the ol' axe and you'll have to do some drilling. __________________ Life is better when you just make it up as you go along.

December 14th, 2007, 12:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
cacibi Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,727	Dive-bombing is for Stukas. __________________ www.krisgeren.com

December 14th, 2007, 01:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 11,913 101 Photos	A Bigsby is probably the easiest to install. definitely easier than installing a Strat type tremolo. __________________ 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.

December 14th, 2007, 01:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
Arlo Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Maine [in a van down by the river] Age: 50 Posts: 2,261	Well, I been wanting to build me a Tele with a vintage Strat 6 hole trem. Here are a couple new ones I got being finished by Ron Kirn. These are Digger Pine body's supplied by Scott another TDP bro. Here is a hi bred with a cutaway. Ron you are a master craftsman bro! Scott thank you for contributing to the Pine collection! __________________ My music? It is free for my friends.

December 14th, 2007, 01:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
kovachian Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: IN Age: 32 Posts: 129	If you want something without making any permanent mods (reversible, no routing) to a perfectly good Tele then a Stetsbar could be the way to go. I've personally never used one so I have no idea on tuning stability. Looks like something that's worth a shot though.

December 14th, 2007, 01:31 PM	#7 (permalink)
neocaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chester County, PA Age: 35 Posts: 3,492 11 Photos	Bigsby is easy to install, but you may not get the travel in pitch you're looking for. You would need a pretty tall spring to change pitch as drastically as a 2-point fulcrum tremolo bridge (modern strat.) See if any of your local stores have a 50's or 60s classic with Bigsby to try out for feel. Fender made a Heavy Metal Tele (HM Tele) that I see pop up on ebay from time to time with a Floyd Rose style trem. __________________ "...You don't need faith if you know it's gonna work!" "The views expressed here are mine and do not reflect the official opinion of my employer or the organization through which the Internet was accessed."

December 14th, 2007, 01:31 PM	#8 (permalink)
Andy Summers Tele-Holic Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: CT Age: 36 Posts: 542	Thanks for your replys everyone. However, there is no way I am installing anything myself..other than pickups or tuners. I am not the craftsman most of you are. I was wondering if there is anything anyone has used straight off the shelf that has worked out well.

December 14th, 2007, 01:37 PM	#9 (permalink)
RomanS Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Vienna, Austria Age: 36 Posts: 2,709 14 Photos	I love Bigsbies, but if you like to dive-bomb, look elsewhere... The Bigsby is perfect for adding a bit of shimmer and warble, about a semi-tone up and down; and it doesn't change the tone of the Tele (at least if used with a notched vintage bridge); also, sorry "Tele Fan", but you're wrong: it does NOT add a lot of weight, only about 300g (10.5 oz.), which is less than a Strat trem (After all, the Bigsby is made from aluminium, the Strat trem from steel!); I wouldn't consider that a lot! BUT: A Bigsby is not a good choice for dive-bombing! You'll need a lot of force for that, and the guitar will definitely go out of tune - if you want to dive-bomb, get a Floyd Rose and a locking nut, or at least a Strat-type trem and locking tuners... __________________ http://www.pbase.com/romans http://www.myspace.com/romans212

December 14th, 2007, 01:45 PM	#11 (permalink)
Andy Summers Tele-Holic Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: CT Age: 36 Posts: 542	Really like the looks of this one... http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...sby?sku=515123

December 14th, 2007, 02:04 PM	#12 (permalink)
neocaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chester County, PA Age: 35 Posts: 3,492 11 Photos	If that's the one I think it is, it's one of the few Crafted in Japan guitars sold by new U.S. Fender dealers. Great guitars, but I would not buy one sight unseen. (I say that, but I have to disclose that I bought a CIJ Tele sight unseen and was more than satisfied with the results) I still say since you're looking for a specific sound, try to play one first. Check www.gbase.com HM Tele link __________________ "...You don't need faith if you know it's gonna work!" "The views expressed here are mine and do not reflect the official opinion of my employer or the organization through which the Internet was accessed." Last edited by neocaster; December 14th, 2007 at 02:15 PM. Reason: add link

December 14th, 2007, 02:15 PM	#14 (permalink)
neocaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chester County, PA Age: 35 Posts: 3,492 11 Photos	Look up, added a link to the very one. __________________ "...You don't need faith if you know it's gonna work!" "The views expressed here are mine and do not reflect the official opinion of my employer or the organization through which the Internet was accessed."

December 14th, 2007, 02:35 PM	#16 (permalink)
neocaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chester County, PA Age: 35 Posts: 3,492 11 Photos	I certainly know what you're driving at (or think I do.) I think our own Joel Terry made a Tele with a strat trem on it. __________________ "...You don't need faith if you know it's gonna work!" "The views expressed here are mine and do not reflect the official opinion of my employer or the organization through which the Internet was accessed."

December 14th, 2007, 03:15 PM	#18 (permalink)
TelecasterBlooz Tele-Holic Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New Lisbon, WI Age: 49 Posts: 652	I had me a Brownsville "Soul Buddy". It was a Tele-bodied, bolt-neck guitar. It had a P-90 in the bridge and 2 single coils. It sported a 3-on-a-side neck, a decent rosewood fingerboard, and a Wilkinson Whammy. I believe the tuners were Grovers. Why do I no longer have it? It was the most hideous shade of puke neon green you ever seen. Played great though...the Wilkinson worked pretty darn good, I used to use that guitar alot when I played out especially when my band would play "Voodoo Chile". Do an Ebay search and see of you can find one that ain't in glow in the dark puke green... __________________ Leo Fender got it right the first time...(Telecaster)

December 14th, 2007, 03:34 PM	#19 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 11,913 101 Photos	Holy crap Arlo ............... I was about to compliment you on your painting skills ......... then I read what you wrote........... so my compliments must go to Ron ........... but you get kudos for selecting him. Those are going to be real beauties. __________________ 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.

December 14th, 2007, 04:37 PM	#21 (permalink)
casterway Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Aldergrove, British Columbia,Canada Age: 40 Posts: 2,666	www.tremking.com I tried one out, it blew my mind. __________________ There's nothing wrong with a proper repair... "I don't scratch no guitars." John Lee Hooker, when asked to carve his signature into an old acoustic.

December 14th, 2007, 07:40 PM	#23 (permalink)
LOTF Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Tempe, AZ Age: 53 Posts: 226	Personally, I'm not too crazy about trems of any variety. I've got a Bigsby on my SG Pro and it's absolutely the best way I can think of to quickly detune a guitar. I'm hoping that putting Sperzel locking tuners on it will help. Bigsbys are absolutely useless for dive-bombing, as others have mentioned. You won't get the travel you need and you will definitely detune the guitar using anything more than the lightest touch. If you really must dive-bomb, you'd probably be better off with a Strat than a Tele. Or just get a rubber-neck Gibson and bend the neck for it. That works on my SG at least as good as the Bigsby does. __________________ Regards, LOTF TELES: 2008 '52 Vintage Hot Rod 2007 '72 Thinline reissue 1985 Squier (MIJ)

December 14th, 2007, 08:01 PM	#24 (permalink)
martyb1 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alberta,Canada Age: 44 Posts: 1,476 13 Photos	You could pick up one of these.They go pretty cheap some times and are actually pretty nice guitars.To tell you the truth the tele I am using right now has a neck off a contemporary tele.They are quite nice other than the black paint and are a 12 radius Here is a link to the ebay auction with lots more pics Contemporary Tele They come in this configuration and also H/H (thats what mine was) __________________ Before throwing it out,make sure it's not 16x13x1.75