Grayzgrey Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 I've been contemplating the Bigsby tremolo system...loving the thought of having the option! Please if you have one could you give me your thoughts on this...regrets, does and donts on install... etc. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdgm Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 The last 2 guitars I have bought are both semis with Bigsby trem units factory fitted - one is an ES175. They are great for twangy, mild trems (less than a semitone drop) and shimmers, however lighter strings may go out of tune - I have 0.11 on top. I love 'em and am convinced they do affect the tone of the guitar. But a very different ball game with a solidbody I think. And I was wrong about the album cover too.....! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grayzgrey Posted April 16, 2014 Author Share Posted April 16, 2014 Thanks jdgm...ah yeah the Uriah Heep album! Changing the tone is my biggest fear! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grayzgrey Posted April 17, 2014 Author Share Posted April 17, 2014 Not too many Bigsby fans... i reckon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rct Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 Friends don't let friends put BeegzBeez on their guitars. rct Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drew365 Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 Not on an LP. But I have a Guild Starfire that I bought new in '66 with a Bigsby. I still have it. I'm not a dive bomber. But it's nice for accents, like adding some shimmer to double stops or a tri tone. I used to use it a lot for Neil Young songs. I use 10's on that guitar and never had a problem with tuning. Just keep the nut lubed. I've been buying all hard tail guitars lately, and I've decided my next one will have a trem on it just for the option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deeman Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 Not on an LP. But I have a Guild Starfire that I bought new in '66 with a Bigsby. I still have it. I'm not a dive bomber. But it's nice for accents, like adding some shimmer to double stops or a tri tone. I used to use it a lot for Neil Young songs. I use 10's on that guitar and never had a problem with tuning. Just keep the nut lubed. I've been buying all hard tail guitars lately, and I've decided my next one will have a trem on it just for the option. I don't like the way they look on an LP. I think the body isn't large enough and it looks squished in. On a larger bodied semi like a 335 I think they look great and would consider if/when i finally purchase one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 Not too many Bigsby fans... i reckon! I love them on a full hollowbody like a Gretsch or Casino. I like them on a semi-hollow. I agree they don't look quite right on an LP, and LPs already weigh enough as it is. They probably affect the tone a little (not necessarily good or bad), and definitely affect the feel when doing bends due to the extra string length and spring in the trem. You can get some sympathetic ringing in the strings between the bridge and Bigsby that is noticeable when playing unplugged, though this can be cured with rubber grommets or other methods. Also, string changes are a little more difficult with a Bigsby due the pins. Since I have a Gretsch and an Epi 355 with Bigsby's, I prefer to have a stop tail on my Lesters for feel, bending, and lower weight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grayzgrey Posted April 17, 2014 Author Share Posted April 17, 2014 Thank you Gunner!...and all you guys...this was VERY helpful! I think i will consider the Bigsby some other day, on a future guitar gonna leave my Classic exactly the way i got her.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bender 4 Life Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 I put one on my Fender LP (Tele) and it's great for raising pitch, fair for lowering and vibrato. regrets, none........do it again, sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murraythehump Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 2013 Gibson Les Paul Standard with Bigsby B7 and Vibramate V7-LP A quick review and update - I installed a Bigsby B7 on my 2013 Les Paul Standard using the Vibramate V7-LP mounting kit in June 2013. The installation was as easy as Vibramate describes. I spent about 40 minutes on the project, including a string change and fretboard conditioning. It's now been 10 months since the installation and I've got a lot of playing time in with this guitar. To be honest I am not a whammy fanatic - and use it infrequently - but I do like the occasional wiggle. I've been very happy with the guitar, Bigsby, and Vibramate. I give it an A+ on quality and ease of installation. I have not noticed a major decrease in sustain and the tone still is beautiful. Tuning stability is still more of a challenge with a Bigsby, but that is to be expected. I like the look too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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