GingerSG Posted December 24, 2008 Posted December 24, 2008 Hi, I spent a chunk of time on these forums without ever actually contributing, so I figured it's about time I joined the rest of you Gibsonites... Anyway, I was thinking of getting a Bigsby Vibrato for my 61' SG reissue with some christmas cash- kind of a New Year project to improve my SG. So anyhoo's is it a good idea, I play a lot of blues and want a bigsby for some vibrato, my only problem is are bigsby's any good? The tuning stability isn't an issue and stylistically, I reckon the bigsby'll look good on my SG. Any Opinions on the subject would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Jamie. This is my first post:d/ , so Hello to everyone!
Cruznolfart Posted December 24, 2008 Posted December 24, 2008 Welcome to the forums, GingerSG. The first original '61 SG Custom I saw, in 1963 or so, was Bigsby equipped so I always figured they ALL were. It still remains, imho, one of the most attractive guitars I've ever seen. I don't think it'd hurt the looks of your axe at all. Good luck and enjoy.
GingerSG Posted December 24, 2008 Author Posted December 24, 2008 Thanks bud, definitely gonna go for it. The Sg's a reissue by the way, I forgot to mention earlier, just to save confusion...
SolidGuitar Posted December 24, 2008 Posted December 24, 2008 Tuning issues shouldn't be too bad as long as you lubricate the nut and bridge. I use Graphitall but Nut Sauce would probably work just as well as lubricant. Good luck with your project.
Guitar slinger Posted December 24, 2008 Posted December 24, 2008 I really like Bigsbys. And if you don't try to be Steve Vai with it (and most people have issues with vibratos because they think every whammy is supposed to be a Floyd Rose), it should not disappoint you. I would never buy a grestch hollowbody without a bigsby. I remember playing "Lenny" on a 6120 (i think it was that) and losing my breath... Tuning issues shouldn't be too bad as long as you lubricate the nut and bridge. I use Graphitall but Nut Sauce would probably work just as well as lubricant. Good luck with your project. Should that work for Maestro/Vibrolas too?
SRV-Zeppelin Posted December 24, 2008 Posted December 24, 2008 I remember playing "Lenny" on a 6120 (i think it was that) and losing my breath... by SRV? That's my favourite song of his. Not overly-complicated or difficult to play, either. (Sorry to hijack the thread, but it's Christmas Eve. Honestly, who cares?)
Dynadude Posted December 24, 2008 Posted December 24, 2008 Hi' date=' I spent a chunk of time on these forums without ever actually contributing, so I figured it's about time I joined the rest of you Gibsonites... Anyway, I was thinking of getting a Bigsby Vibrato for my 61' SG reissue with some christmas cash- kind of a New Year project to improve my SG. So anyhoo's is it a good idea, I play a lot of blues and want a bigsby for some vibrato, my only problem is are bigsby's any good? The tuning stability isn't an issue and stylistically, I reckon the bigsby'll look good on my SG. Any Opinions on the subject would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Jamie. This is my first post:d/ , so Hello to everyone![/quote'] Hi, welcome. I would suggest that you play a similar SG with a Bigsby before you install one on your guitar. They may not be what you are looking for.
hbomb76 Posted December 24, 2008 Posted December 24, 2008 Yeah, man, the Bigsby's a cool thing to have on an SG (or ANY guitar for that matter...a buddy of mine's got a Black Beauty with one, and it's the only "traditional" Les Paul I've ever played and liked). I'd recommend getting a roller bridge (you can get 'em on eBay for 10 bucks most of the time, maybe a little more for the small-post ABR style if I recall) and lubing up your nut (no jokes, fellas) to ensure almost problem-free performance. You can use the stock ABR/T.O.M. if you're not too dramatic with the whammy-play (and if your saddles are worn-in and burr-free), but I use my Maestros a lot so I got roller-saddle ABR's and tune-o-matics to keep the drama down on the ones I play more frequently. You oughta' look for one of those "Custom Made" plates like they used to use on some of the early special-order stuff (covers the old stopbar holes), that'd keep the vintage vibe. I think for those of us whose fingers just can't do the wide "bend and shake" vibrato consistently like Paul Kossoff or Angus, it's cool having the assistance of a vibrola/vibrato of some sort, and you can't go wrong with a Bigsby, it's time tested stuff. Just ask Neil Young. :) H-Bomb
Guitar slinger Posted December 24, 2008 Posted December 24, 2008 by SRV? That's my favourite song of his. Not overly-complicated or difficult to play' date=' either. (Sorry to hijack the thread, but it's Christmas Eve. Honestly, who cares?)[/quote'] Yeah, man!!!! And I love the story behind it as well =)
Robmosis966 Posted December 31, 2008 Posted December 31, 2008 Hello I am also new to the forum. I have a 2000 SG Limited Edition with an ebony fretboard. I have played the bigsby on an SG and was not very impressed. I am no Satriani but I found it to be limited in abilitys. I have also played a Stetsbar and I fell in Love with it. I will be getting one soon but the gold version is almost 390 bucks so I will have to wait. The best part about the Stetsbar is that it is a no mod instulation. If you decide to take it off for whatever reason your precious will be back to factory normal. no drilling or routing at all. I am not a salesman for Stetsbar, but the fact that it plays beautifully and does not ruin your stock guitar is worth the price. You can find ads for it in guitar world mags. I have emailed them and the inventor himself responded to my questions personally so the customer service seems to be good. I hope you et this before you make any decisions so you can investigate this option. Again I found it to be a wonderful invention and worth the price. 2000 Gibson SG Special Limited Edition B-52 AT100 all tube rectifier head Marshall 1960 4X12 cab Fender Performer 650 combo Yamaha CPX7 acoustic
guitarbob123 Posted December 31, 2008 Posted December 31, 2008 would a ong bigsby fit on an sg because i always liked them on les pauls and hate the look of the short ones
hbomb76 Posted December 31, 2008 Posted December 31, 2008 With a little futzing you could make a B7 style long Bigsby work on it (http://www.bigsbyguitars.com/products_b7.html)...this may mean the end might have to hang off slightly (just use spacers on the screws if that's the case) and may require it to be a hair closer to the bridge than one might normally set a horseshoe Bigsby on the same guitar. Just watch your string angle clearance over the back of the tune-o-matic if that's the case, you might need to consider a roller-saddle bridge if it poses much of a problem there. But I've seen it done before without any problems (and you're right, the longer ones do finish the guitar off nicely, like a long-Maestro does). HOWEVER, make sure you don't attempt it with a B3 style one (no top-mounts or string retainer), it won't work right and will flop around on your guitar like a dying fish. Also make sure and lube it when you change strings to avoid sticking. Enjoy! H-Bomb
lpdeluxe Posted December 31, 2008 Posted December 31, 2008 Here's an alternative to drilling/filling holes: http://www.vibramate.com/index.html I just bought an SG Special Faded specifically for a Bigsby, and that's what I'll use.
guitarbob123 Posted December 31, 2008 Posted December 31, 2008 i'm not putting one on, i was just thinking it would look better thx anyway
cvansickle Posted December 31, 2008 Posted December 31, 2008 Here's an alternative to drilling/filling holes: http://www.vibramate.com/index.html I just bought an SG Special Faded specifically for a Bigsby' date=' and that's what I'll use.[/quote'] You're going to have to mod the pickguard to fit the Vibramate.
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