Show Me Your Bisgby Teles!

[timbraun]

Here's my Japanese TL-062B assembled from 90's body and neck, Bigsby B5, cut down Fender pan.

Fralin bridge P/U, TV Jones neck P/U

I had trouble setting it up the way I like, that took some trial and error with neck shims and long saddle screws. Getting a good angle over the saddles is important. Saddles with slots keep strings from wandering.

 

[bottlenecker]

they're great or are they, the pain in the butt as some people claim?
I like how they look but I got mind poisoned a long time ago
So is it, 1 good stuff or 2 piece of junk.

The bigsby vibrato was designed by a genious. It is a great piece of equipment. Some people don't understand it.

 

[eddiewagner]

 

[Richdonn]

Hi. Here's my Cabronita with a Bigsby. Previous owner had installed the Bigsby. Didn't have enough angle over the saddles and the high e kept popping out, so I shimmed the neck, now great! You may have to shim yours too, don't worry it's easy. I used a 0.022 shim (feeler gage). As I recall, the bridge can be raised about 4.5 times the thickness of the shim.

 

[Big_Vig]

Here are a few of mine, all built by myself except for the '68 Fender Paisley I bought new and to which I added the Bigsby and played for 44 years. Sold it for 23 times what I paid for it in 2012, and still regret selling it, dumb move, blinded by the cash. My advice is to pay attention to setting proper alignment of the Bigsby, using roller or other low friction saddles, and a bone or Tusk nut. Bigsby's are great on a Tele.

 

[MrNoTalent]

Hey gang! I'm gearing up to install a B5 on my oldest tele—a 2005 Classic Series '60s that I bought new from my beloved local shop during what would turn out to be a pre-closing-the-shop clearance sale. The owner swung me an incredible deal and I think I walked out paying like $400, if that.

Anyways, I'd love to see your Bigsby setups! Even after 12 years of considering installing on, I'm still a little trepidatious about following through. I'm confident a thread of photos would keep me stoked!

 

[Hiker]

You 'Bigsby' guys live in a different world, and it's fun to read these posts!

 

[MrNoTalent]

the pic with the autographs is my 89 Am Std on which I used a Vibramate kit....after some messing around with the saddles it turned out great and glad I did it, so if I can, anybody can

 

[afterdarkmusic]

Look what showed up in the mail today

Do I slap this on there, or wait and do a custom build thinline through Warmoth?!

Edit: I'm gonna go for it and do a thinline build down road sometime. I have a Callaham bridge on the way with slotted saddles. I'll wait for everything to arrive and get it all set up once it does.

 

[SparkleFart]

Look what showed up in the mail today

Do I slap this on there, or wait and do a custom build thinline through Warmoth?!

Not to overstep, but have you considered how you'll handle the existing bridge?

There's already a ton of threads dealing with string break-angle off the bridge on a B5 install & the potential need to notch the rear by people far more knowledgeable than I. I took a photo of two bridges to illustrate; on the left is a standard Fender & on the right is a notched Callaham (which you can easily do yourself). Anyhow, just something to think about. You probably already have.

Congrats--beautiful guitar. Enjoy your project!

 

[afterdarkmusic]

Not to overstep, but have you considered how you'll handle the existing bridge?

There's already a ton of threads dealing with string break-angle off the bridge on a B5 install & the potential need to notch the rear by people far more knowledgeable than I. I took a photo of two bridges to illustrate; on the left is a standard Fender & on the right is a notched Callaham (which you can easily do yourself). Anyhow, just something to think about. You probably already have.

View attachment 1026320

Congrats--beautiful guitar. Enjoy your project!

You're not overstepping. Valid point, to be sure. To answer: I have considered it, yes. I have a Callaham Bigsby bridge with slotted saddles on the way. I won't be installing until that arrives, but very much leaning toward putting this on this instrument and, once I'm ready for my dream thinline build... getting another Bigsby for that one.

 

[Steve L]

Look what showed up in the mail today

Do I slap this on there, or wait and do a custom build thinline through Warmoth?!

Edit: I'm gonna go for it and do a thinline build down road sometime. I have a Callaham bridge on the way with slotted saddles. I'll wait for everything to arrive and get it all set up once it does.

Did someone say Warmoth Thinline Custom build ? Bigsby B5 with Fralin P-90's. Mahogany back with contoured angled neck pocket. Book matched Flame Maple top. I'm all in for that.

 

[afterdarkmusic]

Did someone say Warmoth Thinline Custom build ? Bigsby B5 with Fralin P-90's. Mahogany back with contoured angled neck pocket. Book matched Flame Maple top. I'm all in for that.

Gorgeous!

I’d be going for alder with traditional sc pickups and thinline guard, ice blue metallic finish, tortoise guard. Like this, but different guard color. Whew. Found this beauty on here earlier this week and it stirred something in me

 

[Steve L]

Gorgeous!

I’d be going for alder with traditional sc pickups and thinline guard, ice blue metallic finish, tortoise guard. Like this, but different guard color. Whew. Found this beauty on here earlier this week and it stirred something in me

Very nice !!

 

[glenlivet]

Squiers count?

 

[Steve L]

Absolutely !! Very nice.

 

[afterdarkmusic]

Squiers count?

View attachment 1026346

For sure! We match!

 

[frisco kid]

 

[loudboy]

I had a '69 with a rosewood board, which is pretty rare, IIRC. Paid $250 for it in 1976. It looked like the one in the pic.

Would NOT stay in tune, so I had a Badass bridge put on it, being the '70s and all. <g>

Wound up trading it and $240 for a '57 Tele refin in 1978, which I still have. I think I got the better part of that deal.

 

[Canadiense. El]

Here's mine if you're interested.

View attachment 1026022


All three have b-blenders.

View attachment 1026023

As long as there's no binding in the nut you should be good to go.

Hey, that looks really interesting! Could you explain how the bender is actuated as part of the Bigsby? Or point to another thread if you've posted on this before? Appreciated!