henry_lee

One last note + pic for posterity... I don't often look at these things, so I was surprised how well this one lines up. It's almost a perfect triangle for the screws with the strap button located right in the middle. (my camera angle is little off) I believe I used the original center screw / hole and drilled for the top two. Top screw spacing measures 1 + 5/16" distance between top and bottom center screw is right on the edge of 1 +1/4". Hard to tell with it mounted, but very well could be 1 +3/16" as the Stewmac site suggests. Anyway, attached is a pic. Good luck whatever you decide to do and have a great Holiday Season!

Hey Mark - I was working across town today and couldn't take any pics of my reissue, I can probably take some pics tomorrow though. I don't think any of 2006-2008 reissues came with Bigsbys. I installed the B6 on mine and love it. I know what you mean about the cost though. They were / are pretty expensive new and used. Great guitars though. I could **almost** sell my '54 and be perfectly happy. Will post some more pics tomorrow.

for inspiration: http://tinyurl.com/ycjl4be

looks right at 1 3/8", center to center. if you decide to go for an alternative guitar altogether, I highly recommend the limited run ES-175's w/ P-90's. <---- my avatar is a 2006 model w/ factory P-90's. There's at least one on eBay right now with a Bigsby already installed. I've had a few Gretsches, both vintage and reissue. While they're fun, unique guitars - I wish I had just gone ahead with the ES-175 in the first place. Could've saved thousands of $$$$. again, hope this helps in some way!

they say a picture is worth a thousand words... well here are 4-5. mine is a '54 with the same tailpiece as his '53. I installed an original 50's Duane Eddy style Bigsby with the stamped patent info.... (took months to find / get delivered from the UK.) anyway, you can see what you'd be up against. I marked up your pic with the approximate hole locations in red. the green indicates the existing countersunk / drilled holes for the ground. after seeing them together, I think NONE of the holes on mine lined up, including the strap button. again, not for the faint of heart. lol...

hey guys, sorry I haven't replied sooner, very busy weekend. I agree with the other guys, the Bigsby install is not to be taken lightly. especially after seeing your gorgeous '53. personally, I'd be inclined to leave it as-is. to answer some of your questions based on my experiences: - string pitch / break angle is compromised a bit with the Bigsby. - plastic button can be a *****. mine was half cracked when I got the guitar, so I cut it and re-drilled for a new strap button (in my case, a schaller strap lock button) - drilling holes can be dicey. the bottom center hole usually lines up, but in most cases that I've come across, the top two original holes will not match a Bigsby. So if you drill for the Bigsby and go back, there may be two holes on the **outside** of the hinge. sometimes you get "lucky" and can use two out of three. - I use D'Addario 12-52's on all my ES's. I like the tone / playability of the slightly heavier strings. The Bigsby actually gives and helps facilitate bends as it gives with the tension as you bend. Pretty cool. I think brundaddy has some good points. although I might opt for plastic washers rather than using any felt on the guitar. Again, my experience has been that felt eats the crap out of nitro over time. Even old nitro, it may leave a ring / impression in the lacquer. Again, your '53 looks stunning. I'd really leave it as is and find a reissue to mess with. If my '54 was that clean I would've done the same. Anyway, hope this helps. Best of luck!

Hi Mark - BIG ES-175 fan here... I've also done Bigsby installs on two ES-135's, an ES-125TDC, an ES-225-TD, an ES-5, THREE ES-175's, and a '64 Gretsch Double Annie. I've also installed numerous Bigsbys on a bunch of Fender and Gibson solid body guitars - including B-5's, B-6's, B-7's etc. I intend on going to my grave with my '54 ES-175D, so no one could dissuade me from adding a B6 to my guitar! lol... My main guitars and only electrics are 50's ES175D & 225TD and a 50's reissue 175D w/ P-90's. All of which have Bigsbys. Moving forward... The B6 is the ideal Bigsby for an ES-175. No drilling on the top of the guitar, nice tension on the spring / strings, etc. However, the mounting pattern for the screws does not match up with the original tailpiece. So you gotta drill at least 1 or 2 holes to install a Bigsby B6 on a non-Bigsby Gibson. Trust me, I've done it numerous times. Yep, the strap button can be problematic... In my case I took it out and replaced with a Schaller strap lock button on every guitar. You can do whatever you want with the bridge... a properly cut ABR-1 is perfectly fine. Others prefer a roller bridge. I like the ABR-1's and have never had any issues with tuning or setup. Just get the bridge & nut slots filed properly and you're good to go. On a '53, I'd go for an original 50's Bigsby and compensated aluminum bridge. Either way, good luck and post some pics!!! p.s. I must say, as much as I love the old Gretsch's, there ain't no Gretsch on the planet that can compare to an ES-175 with P-90's! )