Mark Siegel

Happy New Year!! Decided on the Gretsch G5122DC w/Bigsby factory installed. For now, this should satisfy my desire for the Bigsby sound. I will keep you posted if my interest peaks once again to outfit my ES-175 with the B6. Best regards, Mark

That looks super!! Thank you so much for all your help. This is the first time at Gibson Forum and want to thank the other guys as well. Have a great Holiday!! Best regards, Mark

Thank you. The 1-3/8"center distance between the first row of screw holes seems to be close to the Bigsby hole pattern except for the lower screw. On Stewart-MacDonald's website it shows a B6 and specifies 1-5/16" between the upper screws and 1-3/16" to the lower mounting screw. To verify, I would need to buy a B6 for about $150 and measure it. In any case, it seems that there are too many variables (i.e. string pitch, nut, bridge etc...) that pose a risk. Therefore, shelving this project for now is the best advice. As to the piece on e-bay, besides being way out of my budget, I noticed that it did not have a picture of the guitar bottom showing the Bigsby hinge and strap button. On the reissue model, is the Bigsby factory installed? For now, the lower end Gretsch (5122 model) which comes with the Bigsby already installed is about $650. This may be my best work horse alternative. Thank you again for all your help. If you have a chance, please post a picture of your 2006 jazz box showing the Bigsby hinge.

Thank you for the pics... Since you have the original Tailpiece removed, could you measure the center-to-center distance between the upper mtg screw spread and the lower mtg screw. The lowest risk would be to use the original Tailpiece Hinge as a template for drilling new holes in the Bigsby without touching the guitar. Since I do not have a B6 to compare and until Bigsby makes available the exact specs, I agree with the consensus to leave my guitar as is. To be gig ready, the relatively inexpensive Gretsch is starting to sound better.

Thank you for the sound advice. I will try to post some pictures here: IMG_0426.JPG IMG_0427.JPG

Thank you for the encouragement. I am hoping that the string pitch is the same on the B6 so that I would not have to touch the bridge & nut slots. I spoke to a guitar tech regarding the plastic button. He said that they are sometimes glued in place but should not be a problem. As to drilling holes, do you recall which holes required drilling and which ones lined up as your reference. What strings do you use? I still have not found the right strings for this guitar. I tried D'Addario Jazz Light Flat Wounds (11-50), which were too dull. I currently strung Gibson Vintage Reissue Pure Nickel Wounds (10 - 46). Although they buzz too much up the neck, which is not noticeable when amplified, there must be something better. Any recommendations? I am tempted to try Dr. Zebra strings.

Thank you. I appreciate the support. I test drove the Gretsch 5120 and 5122 and looked at some of the higher end models. Although nice sounding Guitars especially with the Bigsby, my style is more jazzy than country. Besides, I already overspent my budget on the 175 when I acquired it a couple of years ago - still recovering. I will not drill any holes. If the hole patterns on the Hinge plates match, I most likely will go for it. A couple of issues though: 1) the '53 175 has a plastic strap button (not the screw type button), which looks like it is wedged in solid. Not sure I want to mess with it. 2) will I need a new bridge?, 3) Bigsby recommended the B6 but could not provide the dimensions for the Hinge hole pattern. Any detail dims?

Thank you so much for the reply. More detail: My Guitar is a 175D w/P90s and has the original Rosewood Saddle, Bridge, and Trapeze Tailpiece. The question is whether the hole pattern on the B6 mounting plate Hinge is the same as on the Trapeze Tailpiece?

I have a '53 but want to add a Bigsby. Has anyone installed a B6 on an ES-175?