GibsonExplorer

I would never in a million years drill into my Explorer dude. There's no need to hack it up or anything to install the Bigsby with a Vibramate. They are a metal plate that attaches to the screws on the stopbar. You just attach the Bigsby to that, so there's no need for drilling and removing it is fast and easy. I think tuning will become too big of an issue though, so my interest has definitely gone down. Btw, I actually like strange looking equipment. I have an Orange Tiny Terror and Orange PPC412 and coil cable (looks and sounds freakin sweet) so i've got the oddness started. I look forward to the future when I've gigged so much and so hard that my Explorer is relic'ed and beat like SRV's str*ts. When I play, I get into it and jump around and throw my hair and Explorer around. It's going to get beat up someday hahaha. It'll be like a timeline of shows and crazy events that caused each little memory, a bruise or scuff or even a chunk of finish missing. So having an odd looking vibrato arm would be fine for me. I mean, afterall, I play stuff like experimental rock and mathrock. So an odd looking guitar wouldnt be too out of place, especially not if I'm going crazy with my hair while alternating between 11/8 and 7/8 time. hahaha

I actually dig the look if it's centered right. It's really ugly when the Bigsby is back really really far, but when it's in the right spot, i think it looks great. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3311/3236650471_3257331f5c.jpg?v=0

I can't remember, I had a tech install them for me. But i do know they are kind angled slightly. Instead of being slanted away from the neck, it's more perpendicular to the neck. If that makes any sense haha That's one thing I was thinking about. The Bigsby's I've played on didn't detune too badly (at least not as bad as some strats I've played..). I've seen some roller nuts and rolling bridges, but I dont know very much about them. Have you heard of these rolling nuts and bridges? I'd prefer not to go locking, I dont want to drill. not to mention the maintenance and crap that goes into locking nuts. Btw, if I install the B5, it'll be with a Vibramate so I wont have to drill and can easily remove it. If it'll just keep going out of tune and be too costly, I'll forget the Bigsby hahaha. I dont like headaches and I like money.

I'm looking at getting a chrome Bigsby B5 for my ebony Gibson Explorer. I'm going to get a Vibramate so I wont have to drill into the guitar, and so installation will be easier. Anybody have experience with a Bigsby on the Explorer? Pics Puhleasssse? Btw, for anyone interested in hearing about it- this is one of many mods and accessories I'm installing on my Explorer. Here's my shopping list. Gibson 57 Classic neck chrome Gibson 57 Classic Plus bridge chrome (Coil tappable both pickups) Black top hat knobs with metal inserts Black toggle washer "Standard" Truss Rod cover Bone nut Planet Waves Auto Trim tuners (already have these installed and I love them) Feel free to comment on any of that :)