Roller Bridge, No Bigsby?

[black_doug]

Yesterday I was trying out a Gretsch from the Custom Shop, a ‘58 Duo Jet. I’m not very familiar with Gretsch models and I had never seen a roller bridge on any guitar. Now today I did a search here on the TDPRI and it seems that these bridges are usually paired with a Bigsby trem.

I like everything else about this Gretsch. Why would the Custom Shop put a roller bridge on a guitar without a Bigsby. Is this going to be a problem further on up the road?

 

[ReverendRevolver]

I'd say the bigger problem is looking at buying a Gretsch without a Bigsby in the first place.

I dont think the roller bridge would be an issue, but I've never owned one. (Yet)

 

[black_doug]

I'd say the bigger problem is looking at buying a Gretsch without a Bigsby in the first place.

I dont think the roller bridge would be an issue, but I've never owned one. (Yet)

Yes, I hear ya. But since I don't even use the tremolo on my Strat, I don't think I need a Bigsby.

 

[jackal]

I had a fairly high end Les Paul style guitar that came from the factory with a roller bridge and no trem of any kind. It allowed you to adjust the string spacing to suit.

 

[SixStringSlinger]

As to why Gretsch would do it, you say it's a Custom Shop model, so I'd say someone said they wanted that and ponied up the cash. As to why someone would want a roller bridge without a trem, I have no idea.

As far as "problems", the only thing I can think of is that, in my experience, guitars with roller bridges have a somewhat "softer" sound that I think is due to so many parts (the string sits on the roller which is installed in a saddle which is installed in the bridge...). Of course, I've only experienced roller bridges on guitars with Bigsby's, so how much of that phenomenon is due to the bridge and how much is due to the Bigsby, I can't say. Anyway, you say you like the guitar, so that point is moot. The only other "negative" I can think of is that, with more bitty parts to the bridge, the more things can potentially go wrong with it. But nothing you couldn't handle with a new part at worst, and nothing that's particularly likely in my experience.

Just as a point of curiosity, is it possible this guitar had a Bigsby at one point that was removed before it got to Guitar Center (I'm assuming the guitar is used), but the bridge remained?

 

[bebopbrain]

Maybe the idea is to keep the bendable string length long for slinkiness.

 

[Dacious]

There's Bigsbys you can fit to.tailpiece studs or to trapeze tailpiece fittings. You can swap the roller bridge for a conventional ABR1 or Nashville depending on the stud screws. But there's no reason to remove it otherwise. If you're a big string bender it could help tuning stability.

I have a Tunamatic type on my Setzer Hotrod and it's great. Enthusiastic trem use doesn't lose tune. I also have pinned bridge.

 

[Peegoo]

It depends on the type of roller bridge it is.

I'll bet it's the modern version of the original Space Control bridge. These came on most all Gretsches in the 40s-60s whether they had Bigsbys or not (some came with the horrible Melita bridge). You cannot control space with it, but you can control the spacing between the strings by rotating the grooved wheels on the threaded bar; this is the Space Control:

Some Gretsches now come with a Tune-o-matic style (TOM) roller bridge. These have tiny rollers about the size of string balls.

They work fine too...keep them oiled for best performance...but I have this to say about 'em.

I have a Flying V that I converted to Bigsby a la Lonnie Mack. The original TOM bridge was causing the tuning to be a little unstable, so I installed a Schaller TOM-style roller bridge. It was a drop-in mod, and it worked fine. But it did change the tone of the guitar.

When Lonnie Mack died, I took off the Bigsby and reverted the V back to stock configuration with the TOM bridge and the tonal difference was quite apparent. The guitar had a ballsier up-front tonality with the TOM bridge installed. It was not due to replacing the strings at the same time because I keep fresh strings on it anyway. Just some thoughts on this stuff...

 

[Nick Fanis]

Why would the Custom Shop put a roller bridge on a guitar without a Bigsby.

Because it is NOT a roller bridge.

It's a SPACE CONTROL bridge and has absolutely nothing to do with the tone robbing roller bridges that look like tuneomatics.

In any case any other bridge than a BAR,COMPTON or TRUE ARC on a Gretsch is a waste of time (and precious tone)

Here's is my WF with a brass Compton bridge,the difference in sound ,for the better,between this and the lousy tuneomatic it came with was night and day

 

[black_doug]

Just as a point of curiosity, is it possible this guitar had a Bigsby at one point that was removed before it got to Guitar Center (I'm assuming the guitar is used), but the bridge remained?

I don't think it's a used guitar. It's being sold as NOS. The serial number is UC16111468.

 

[black_doug]

Because it is NOT a roller bridge.
It's a SPACE CONTROL bridge and has absolutely nothing to do with the tone robbing roller bridges that look like tuneomatics.

In any case any other bridge than a BAR,COMPTON or TRUE ARC on a Gretsch is a waste of time (and precious tone)

Yes, I see now that it is a Space Control Bridge, like the one in the picture from @Peegoo

I can always change it later.

 

[schmee]

Yes, I see now that it is a Space Control Bridge, like the one in the picture from @Peegoo

I can always change it later.

None of the Gretsch guys like that bridge. As mentioned, BAR,COMPTON or TRUE ARC are "the thing". I even put a Gretsch Bar on my non Gretsch arch top and really like it. Although, as long as a bridge doesn't rattle or create overtones etc, they dont matter a helluva lot.

 

[black_doug]

Pic from the website.

 

[SixStringSlinger]

None of the Gretsch guys like that bridge. As mentioned, BAR,COMPTON or TRUE ARC are "the thing". I even put a Gretsch Bar on my non Gretsch arch top and really like it. Although, as long as a bridge doesn't rattle or create overtones etc, they dont matter a helluva lot.

Is there a particular brand you'd recommend for a non-Gretsch guitar? I have a Tune-o-Matic-style roller on my Reverend Tricky Gomez, and I'd be curious to see what difference a solid bar-type bridge would make if I could find one that would just drop in.

 

[Peegoo]

The Bigsby-designed rocking bridge (and its clones) is the best design I've used with a Bigsby. Once it's set up, it works great and there is no friction between the strings and the saddle.

Many of those other aftermarket bridges are insanely priced.

 

[radiocaster]

It's a Space Control bridge. Designed in the 50s so you can adjust the string spacing. Came on non-Bigsby models as well.

The same idea is the Schaller roller bridge, although it came out decades later.

 

[schmee]

Is there a particular brand you'd recommend for a non-Gretsch guitar? I have a Tune-o-Matic-style roller on my Reverend Tricky Gomez, and I'd be curious to see what difference a solid bar-type bridge would make if I could find one that would just drop in.

The Compton or Tru Arc are the most popular with the Gretsch guys. You need to know your post spacing and string spacing. There are often examples for sale by guys over on Gretsch-Talk.
I got a deal on a Gold Bar bridge so just tried that on my archtop. They are less compensated than the Compton and TruArc (which even ask if you are using a wound or plain G string.)Compton and Tru Arc come in Aluminum, SS, Brass, Copper and more!

The Bar Bridge I'm using sounds.... "smooth". Less bright a tiny bit. A lot of mass in those. The guitar came from the factory with a wood bridge and a Tune O Matic type. I hate TOM's! Frankly though, as I said, you are not gonna hear a life changing tone change even going from wood to aluminum.

I had an Aluminum Gretsch/Bigsby bridge on at one point and kinda liked that tone. They are cheap.
https://reverb.com/item/4080032-006...-bigsby-wide-spaced-bridge-saddle?rollup=true

Bar Bridge:
https://reverb.com/item/2019300-006...ckel-ebony-rocking-bar-floating-guitar-bridge

Truarc:
(link removed)

Compton:
https://www.comptonbridges.com/

 

[black_doug]

Thanks everyone! You guys rock.

I'm a noob when it comes to Gretsch but I've been looking for a hollow or semi-hollow guitar for a while now.

 

[SixStringSlinger]

Thanks everyone! You guys rock.

I'm a noob when it comes to Gretsch but I've been looking for a hollow or semi-hollow guitar for a while now.

Two very different yet equally worthy pursuits.

You're gonna need both