Clearly I don’t know your experience. And you may have tried all of this but bigsby needs a properly cut and lubricated nut and saddles. And at least 10s. And 11s or higher are better. Mine stay in tune. Mostly.
To Bigsby or not?
- Thread starter SlimGrady
- Start date
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CalebAaron666
Tele-Afflicted
Go Bigsby or go home!
If it were me, I’d commit fully with a B7, forgo the vibramate, and slap the classic “custom made” badge over the old tailpiece holes.
Or use a B6 and a Towner Bar.
It’d definitely be more functional than a B7.
Like this:
If it were me, I’d commit fully with a B7, forgo the vibramate, and slap the classic “custom made” badge over the old tailpiece holes.
Or use a B6 and a Towner Bar.
It’d definitely be more functional than a B7.
Like this:
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BobWithOneO
TDPRI Member
Find a B6 made in 'murrica. I have one on my Epiphone Joe Pass and it gives that spongy buttercream feel. It's far out man. Put some booby tassels on the post holes from the current bridge and live with it. You know you want to or you wouldn't have started the thread.
hemingway
Doctor of Teleocity
Regardless of which vibrato you choose, the question to ask yourself is, how much am I really going to use it?
I have wiggle sticks on two of my guitars. Would never miss them if they weren't there.
I have wiggle sticks on two of my guitars. Would never miss them if they weren't there.
JetTech582
Tele-Afflicted
Well, I'd say no to the bigsby
and yes to the vibramate. If you ever want to sell it, just take off the bigsby and use it again on a different guitar
and yes to the vibramate. If you ever want to sell it, just take off the bigsby and use it again on a different guitar
I am just the opposite. I use "shimmer" a lot and always find myself grabbing for a Bigsby arm if it isn't there. But yes, if you have one guitar with a trem but never use it, doesn't make much sense to add another.
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6stringcowboy
Friend of Leo's
Too beautiful a guitar to drop a piece of metal on it.
I don’t own a single guitar with a vibrato on it. And something about playing a semi hollow and big chords makes you really miss having something.
I have dealt with bigsby’s in the past on gretsch guitars I have owned. Never had the problems I hear of people keeping them in tune. And I just miss having something in the Arsenal with the wiggle stick on it.
This 335 is a life goal guitar for me and I lucked up and got one that is perfect. So I don’t mind permanently mounting something to it if it will enhance the guitar in some way.
Simple - there are two types of Bigsbys - tension bar and non-tension bar. Tension bars add friction and make the system feel stiff and not as articulate. On a guitar that allows a choice (archtop) I would always choose the unit without the tension roller. There are some user-mods that smooth out the rollers somewhat, but to me, the ultimate Bigsby is unfettered to the saddles.
The other issue related to friction is tuning stability. This isn't string-to-string stability (usually NUT related), but all of the strings not returning to pitch after a dive or lift. The traditional "US" made models aren't too bad because of metal alloy (bronze?) bushings, but the "licensed" models with tension bars fitted with nylon bushings may as well be called "friction bars". These are the B50/70 models commonly fitted to less expensive guitars and sold by the thousands as add-on units. The simple modification of removing the bushings and replacing them with $1 ball bearings eliminates the tuning instability issue on these models - and even Chigsbys.
I believe the "licensed" models and improper setup techniques are the source of much Bigsby hate. Try to play guitars with both styles before you decide to determine which FEEL you prefer, as it often dictates how you use the Bigsby.
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Thanks for that. I now understand!
It definitely changes how you approach the instrument. The type of Bigsby you choose will go a long way to determining how. The B7 will feel a little stiffer but something that invites Neil Young type of abuse. The B3/B6 would be a more subtle, jazzier, surf-style shimmer. This may help you decide which model you want to add. But you DO need a guitar with a Bigsby!! Everyone does!
That's what I think too - adding a Bigsby opens the tone up - something a Vibrate doesn't do.
Yum!
hdvades
Tele-Afflicted
I'd just wait for a Vibamate. I have an old LP that has a std Bigsby. Whoever did the work did a good job plugging the holes...the plugs could be removed if I ever chose. It can be done. Good luck. Sweet 335.
"That's what I think too - adding a Bigsby opens the tone up - something a Vibrate doesn't do."
ps...I didn't know that.
"That's what I think too - adding a Bigsby opens the tone up - something a Vibrate doesn't do."
ps...I didn't know that.
How about a Floyd rose and distress decals to relic it? If you're going to destroy a beautiful guitar with a Bigsby you might as well go all the way. Here's what you need to do:
Relic-o-Matic Decals
Relic-o-Matic Decals
My theory on this is that hollow and semi-hollow guitars often lack the strong sustain that many solid bodies have. With vibrato provided by fingers or a whammy, it tends to prolong the note(s) longer, creating a little more sustain. But that is just a theory.
On some instruments, the vibration of the strings is absorbed and dampened by the vibrato and its springs. You can feel it in the bar. But on others, that vibration actually seems to sustained by the spring. This is just an observation - cannot explain why one enhances and the other deadens. Likely has to do with the dominant resonances of each guitar and trem system.
I'll add one other comment. I will install a Bigsby or other trem if someone wants it, as the red guitar in my previous post. But I have also removed them for people who don't want or like them. Here is a little semi hollow that a friend bought and didn't like, I simply put a tail piece on and plugged the mounting holes. He can always reinstall the Bigsby if he wants
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