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bigsby on epi lp.. anyone done that?


TWANG

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http://atlanta.craigslist.org/msg/855612283.html

 

something like this Twang? I have seen both Epis and Gibsons LPs with a bigsby...just can't remember where else it was now.

Capt

 

 

edit: there is one in your home state on ebay and plenty of Les Paul Bigsbys there for sale also Twang

http://cgi.ebay.com/Gibson-Epiphone-LES-PAUL-Bigsby-Sparkle-Jet-Jimmy-Page_W0QQitemZ120316533095QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item120316533095&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14#ebayphotohosting

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I asked the same question on the old forum. I am still thinking about putting a B70 on an LP. The Bigsby won't cover the tailpiece holes completely. Epijunkie had a few factory LPs with Bigsbys, I think the B50s like Capt mentioned on craigslist. I haven't seen his name here on the new forum though.

 

Someone did a B700 on an black LP and showed come picks here a few months ago though. Maybe he will pipe up.

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I would prefer the bigsby like those pictured.. wish someone had one on..

I wonder about the screw hole you need on the B.. maybe it lands off center on the stock stud hole?

 

Looks like a bad match, to me.

I was hoping I could make a plate to cover the original stud holes.. but if the B needs wood there.. I'm the one who's screwed.

 

a lot of pics I found had the long tailpiece on them..

rather have the B5 I think.. but.. neither seems to want to retrofit my lp very much

 

maybe I'll put a gold one on the sheri.. hey.. I'm just crazy enough!

TWANG

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I would prefer the bigsby like those pictured.. wish someone had one on..

I wonder about the screw hole you need on the B.. maybe it lands off center on the stock stud hole?

 

Looks like a bad match' date=' to me.

I was hoping I could make a plate to cover the original stud holes.. but if the B needs wood there.. I'm the one who's screwed.

 

a lot of pics I found had the long tailpiece on them..

rather have the B5 I think.. but.. neither seems to want to retrofit my lp very much

 

maybe I'll put a gold one on the sheri.. hey.. I'm just crazy enough!

TWANG[/quote']

 

I have to agree, I really like the looks of a Bigsby over the Les Trem, etc. I did put a Stetsbar on my '82 Gibson Les Paul, there was NO WAY I was gonna drill any holes in that. But they are pretty expensive. I like the looks of the long tail piece on the Bigsby too.

 

Unfortunately on the LP you don't have the room to work with like on a Sherry. I put a plate over the holes on my Sherry and Dot, but that won't work with an LP. You might be able to put some kind of chrome over the holes. Maybe cut the top of the bushing so there isn't a lip and glue something to it. I'm just thinking out loud. It might not be good thinking mind you.

 

The LPs that I have seen don't have that much of the hole showing, just a little sliver. In fact I just hit the jack pot. I saved some pics of LPs with Bigsbys' from when I was wondering the same thing and I found them. The problem is that I am at work, an elementary school. Photobucket is blocked so I can't upload them until I get home. But I can email them to you. PM me with your email address and I'll send them to you.

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prolife.. hey that's pretty slick.

I'll have to check out the B5 and find out if the holes are spaced the same on epis.. kinda doubt it, but if they're close it could work.

 

I like both looks really.. the long and short bigs..

 

tWANG

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Twang......if you need to, simply fill the existing holes with toothpicks and wood glue.....break off/sand flush with guitar top......then redrill as required.

had to do it on my Tele......(i know its not a LP), and 2 of the new holes actually went patrially into the repaired old holes.

It turned out DANDY though.

GarysCam032.jpg

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Twang, here are some pics of B7s or B70s on LPs. The hole on the left side of the Bigsby shows a little, the other hole is covered completely.

 

this on looks like he left the bushings in, not sure, but if the holes could be filled with something chrome it might not look too bad.

 

B-70onBlackCustom.gif

 

Just a little sliver showing through on this one

B-70onBlueStandard-2.jpg

 

B-70onBlueStandard-holeshowing.jpg

 

And here's some stock mounted b5s. If I'm not mistaken that are from Epijunkies collection. I haven't seen him on the new forum.

 

B-50onSilverMetalFlake.jpg

 

B-50onCherrySunburst.jpg

 

 

 

That Vibramate does look interesting. I emailed them and they responded right away. I didn't ask if it will work with an Epi, but it does come with screws that fit both USA and metric threads. So, I just emailed them that question as well as if it will work with a B50 also. Just trying to save a buck where I can. It does look pretty slick. I'm thinking about putting it on my Goldtop.

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I emailed them, too.. and thanks for the pics.

the vibramate seems the way to go.. I'm enquiring about a dealership, and I'll test it on my lp and show pics here.

I think I'll go with locking tuners, bigsby, vibramate, if I can really get those holes covered.. I think I'd skip it if anything is gonna show.

 

 

that little studio of mine is already kick A**.. but it'll be moreso when this is done.

 

TWANG

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If you become a dealer I will get one from you. It looks like it just screws into the bushings for the tailpiece, so I'm thinking it should cover the holes. I want to put a Bigsby on my Epi '56 Goldtop, but first I'm gonna get some shielding paint and paint the cavities to see if I get get rid of some hum.

 

I've got a Stetsbar on my Gibby LP, but if this works like I'm hoping it will, I will probably sell the Stesbar and put this on my Gibby. In fact, I should probably put this on my Gibby first, then I could finance Bigsbys on both guitars.

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I have a gold sparkletop just like that LP on Atlanta CL (no body ding, though!). Very cool guitar, but I could never find a hard case that fit over the Bigsby so it's just in a gig bag. The tailpiece says Epiphone, not Bigsby, in case that matters. I think the factory ones (Korea) are all like that. Plays and stays in tune, sounds good, they're good guitars.

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I'm trying to find out now if they fit the lps carved top nicely.. that seems to be the only hangup.

 

I've seen the short/horseshoe style b5 or b50 mounted on a dot studio.. and it seems to conform to the curve.

but I think the lp may be a bit sharper angle and leaving air gaps between body and vibro would not only look funny, it probably

wont do a lot for tone/sustain either.

 

If Vibramate says it's a good fit, I'll buy one, install it, and post pics of the process.. though they already have them, I'll see if I can find any

little hassles to report on.

and we'll see if it's good. Looks ok to me. I know it's a little thick.. but it's aluminum so it's light.

 

I do wonder about screwing the bigsby to the vibramate.. aluminum is soft.. fine threads maybe?

Just thinking of years of use pulling on those bolts.

 

TWANG

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Can I offer an interesting idea?

 

Please don't think I'm nuts, but I've actuall done this and it works great.

 

Use a B3, and keep your stoptail, and bridge in place. I've done this on a LP before and it actually looks good. It almost looks like the stop tail is part of the bigsby. You get the same downward tension on the strings because you are not changing the angle of the strings over the bridge. The srtings go through the stop tail.

 

If your not a dive bomber(which if you have a bigsby, why would you be), this setup is very nice. The best of both worlds. The only drilling required is the 4 hols at the strap button.

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No need to drill with this one

 

100_0147.jpg

 

http://www.zzguitarworks.com/

 

I have seen those and I appreciate what it does and the engineering & all but it just looks tacky to me. The ZZ doesn't help (double logo and all with the Bigsby already there). If it was me, I would go with the Vibramate. A lot cheaper too! Let us know how it works, TWANG! Good luck but looks pretty straight forward.

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