Tip for "Licensed" Bigsby owners

[Stig]

I finally replaced the original factory strings on my Ltd. Ed. Casino VS, and while I was at it, I decided to dig up a genuine replacement Bigsby spring that I had lying around. (The vibrato is a B-700 imported mode.l) It's a little taller than the spring in the licensed (non-USA) unit, not as shiny, and maybe just a tad beefier.

The Bigsby didn't really work particularly well before the swap. But now, the bar sits up just a bit higher, has more travel, and snaps back to it's original position very nicely. Along with the roller bridge I put on, it's made using this Bigsby a real pleasure, with no tuning problems.

If any of you are unsatisfied with the stock unit that comes on your Epi, a genuine replacement spring may be a much cheaper solution than dropping over $100 on a USA-made B-7.

[Ricochet]

Good one. I've also seen them in different types of "springyness"(oscillation).

[gamesandy135]

Anyone know where to get a "real/non-liscensed" spring from? I'd be interested in seeing how much a difference this made.

[Bender 4 Life]

Also, don't forget to slip 1,2,or even3 nickels (if more than 1 , superglue them together)

under the spring, to raise the arm if its not high enough for you.

 

1 nickel did my Tele juuuuust right !

 

 

[Stig]

Anyone know where to get a "real/non-liscensed" spring from? I'd be interested in seeing how much a difference this made.

 

I had this spring for a long time - 20+ years. On further reflection, it may have even come from Allparts. But i think you can order the springs directly from Bigsby.

 

 

Oh, and I just ran across a discussion on a Gretsch board where a bunch of people are saying the same thing - get a taller spring and don't bother buying a whole new unit. In my case, I originally thought that the arm was made of cheap metal because it hardly moved the spring. They found, like I did, that the licensed springs are a bit stiff.